Thanks to Mary Ann, and Joys of Asilomar

To Mary Anne
These virtual roses flew through hyper-space
their petals velvet soft and tinged with pink
rich with imagined fragrance. Who would think
that you have never met me face to face?

But hearts and minds can share past days of glory -
march with Cesar, mourn when Bobby died.
I pour your cup of tea. You're by my side.
We linger over story after story.

These are the gifts that I would waft to you:
blue skies, blue water always by your shore,
forget-me-not and larkspur, Stellar's jay.
I wish for you a wealth of all things blue.
I wish continued friendship even more
and Peacock Blue to cheer my every day.

For those who do not understand
the above verse, go to Peacock Blue
and see the post for August 27.

It turns out that I will have a few (very few) days at home after all. I'll take advantage of it to post a tiny sampling of the joys of our Asilomar reunion. There was a total of 26 or 27 Smiths, Shocks, Bishops and Andersens there, most for the full three days, but not everyone stayed for the full time, and I will not even try to post pictures of everyone, only samples of the pleasures of our glorious party. And don't forget that picture of waves breaking against the rocks that I posted last time.

Music is an important part of every Smith reunion.

Anna and Cedric rock-climbing.

From my window at dawn.

Otto and me with great-grandchildren Summer Bishop, Jon Andersen, and Baxter Bishop

Bicycling along the shore.

Photographing tide pools

Just visiting..
.