This experience has been discussed here before. You encounter a stranger - a man or woman of substance, BHM or BBW, wonder if you know them via posts at Dimensions, and are so tempted to ask. But the moment passes, probably saving you a lot of embarrassment, but also denying you the chance to confirm that "a stranger is a friend you have yet to meet."
We had that experience tonight. First, a bit of preamble.
We are spending the week in Duluth, celebrating our 17th anniversary. Yesterday, it rained all the way up. We stopped at 'our' artesian well to fill a jug for coffee water. I'm standing in this pure, cold rain, surrounded by vibrant greenery, filling a jug with water that is even better than Lake Superior, and thinking "Where else in the world could I do this?" So many people, in so many places, would fight to the death for the water that lies in our ditches.
But today, perfect. Blue sky, cool temps, bright sun, a slight breeze off the lake. Everything is in bloom - lilacs, all the fruit trees - the stuff that we barely glimpse back home, before the rain washed it away. Here, spring comes later, and lasts a while, so you yearn for it longer, but can enjoy it longer too.
Being up here is more than just an exercise in passive relaxation. We have lots of work to do, but the enjoyment is an active thing - even moments spent just looking at the lake or feeling the sun and breeze competing for your attention.
Started the day with wonderful pancakes and coffee 'At Sara's Table', both the site of our epicurian delight and the name of the place too. I whispered in the waitress' ear when Mrs Ho Ho wasn't looking, and my surreptitious efforts were rewarded with a big piece of chocolate cake, on the house, with a little sign, "Happy 17th". I hope our tip made up for the free cake AND the waitress' wonderful attitude.
Tonight we headed up the shore of Lake Superior to the New Scenic Cafe, an old favorite. Another couple came in, arm in arm, and sat a few tables away. Watching them, clearly something was up. They were probably in their 20s - he, a bit stocky and quite handsome. She had a sweetly mysterious face like Cat's, and could have passed for the twin sister of many of our ladies.
There was a lot of eye-locked gazing, an earnest, but nervous expression on the gent's face, and a telling little box on the table. Suddenly, a question is asked, answered, and the box passed to the lady. There is an explosion of applause and cheering from those seated nearby.
Finally, I couldn't resist. I walked over to the couple, told them that, even tables away, it was pretty clear to us what had happened, and explained that the same question had been asked of us 17 years before to the day (in our case, by the judge) followed by two eager and affirmative answers. We shook hands and I expressed the hope that their life together would be long and happy.
I SO wanted to add, "By the way, you may know me as Ho Ho Tai" but I didn't.
So, if one of you out there recognize yourself in my story, please step forward and say, "C'est moi!"
We had that experience tonight. First, a bit of preamble.
We are spending the week in Duluth, celebrating our 17th anniversary. Yesterday, it rained all the way up. We stopped at 'our' artesian well to fill a jug for coffee water. I'm standing in this pure, cold rain, surrounded by vibrant greenery, filling a jug with water that is even better than Lake Superior, and thinking "Where else in the world could I do this?" So many people, in so many places, would fight to the death for the water that lies in our ditches.
But today, perfect. Blue sky, cool temps, bright sun, a slight breeze off the lake. Everything is in bloom - lilacs, all the fruit trees - the stuff that we barely glimpse back home, before the rain washed it away. Here, spring comes later, and lasts a while, so you yearn for it longer, but can enjoy it longer too.
Being up here is more than just an exercise in passive relaxation. We have lots of work to do, but the enjoyment is an active thing - even moments spent just looking at the lake or feeling the sun and breeze competing for your attention.
Started the day with wonderful pancakes and coffee 'At Sara's Table', both the site of our epicurian delight and the name of the place too. I whispered in the waitress' ear when Mrs Ho Ho wasn't looking, and my surreptitious efforts were rewarded with a big piece of chocolate cake, on the house, with a little sign, "Happy 17th". I hope our tip made up for the free cake AND the waitress' wonderful attitude.
Tonight we headed up the shore of Lake Superior to the New Scenic Cafe, an old favorite. Another couple came in, arm in arm, and sat a few tables away. Watching them, clearly something was up. They were probably in their 20s - he, a bit stocky and quite handsome. She had a sweetly mysterious face like Cat's, and could have passed for the twin sister of many of our ladies.
There was a lot of eye-locked gazing, an earnest, but nervous expression on the gent's face, and a telling little box on the table. Suddenly, a question is asked, answered, and the box passed to the lady. There is an explosion of applause and cheering from those seated nearby.
Finally, I couldn't resist. I walked over to the couple, told them that, even tables away, it was pretty clear to us what had happened, and explained that the same question had been asked of us 17 years before to the day (in our case, by the judge) followed by two eager and affirmative answers. We shook hands and I expressed the hope that their life together would be long and happy.
I SO wanted to add, "By the way, you may know me as Ho Ho Tai" but I didn't.
So, if one of you out there recognize yourself in my story, please step forward and say, "C'est moi!"
