ACROSS THE MILES ... (OOPS, THE YARD)

There's a fairly new fence around Paul and Larry's back yard ... the doggies love it because they can loll around without being tended. When I peek out, I just get a glimpse of what's beyond - pulled window shades, white with black curly-cues running down the center; porch fan with an elongated lantern-type nodule hanging in the middle; swaying fronds in decorative planters on lower and upper porches. Who lives in this blush-colored house - an identical twin (in reverse) to P & L's yellow homestead?? I anxiously awaited Saturday's invitation to dinner ...

At 6:30 pm, Paul, with his favorite red wine in hand, Larry & I went across the yard, through the gate in the center of the fence, to greet our hostesses: Vivian - short, dark-haired, roly-poly, effervescent bundle of constant chatter; Mary - petite, light brown hair, calming demeanor, welcoming warmth. They also have a Maltese dog (like Ralphie but light tan), and two cats. Vivian has a teenage daughter who is a senior in high school. She passed through with her boyfriend and another girl friend - very cute gal! (Not HIS second girl friend ... I can just see you guys smirking!!)

Appetizers awaited us - good, nothing extraordinary - except in the center of the table was a bowl of small, fresh-cut fruit and varieties of berries ... delicious ... I also think I depleted the little platter of olives all by myself - so-o-o good. The ladies had been to Spain not too long ago and hoped we liked Spanish food. We nodded in the affirmative; but Vivian said she didn't like spicy and proceeded to cut up a small chile pepper so Paul & I could flavor our dish - a big steaming bowl of paella with freshly-steamed mussels, crab legs, shrimp etc., plantains, and salad with a variety of greens and a choice of dressings. Dessert was a flavorful custard. Delicious and filling ...

The ladies like to travel. Everywhere they go, they seem to bring back large "souvenirs"; platters, serving dishes and utensils from Spain; three large fixtures of graduated sizes, sort of an amber crystal, hanging from their tw0-story-high ceiling in the foyer (Morocco); paintings from Peru; huge, huge carved window (almost floor to ceiling) made of rubbed walnut ... this is so heavy that it was sitting on the floor, yet to be hung. They had three tall, heavy, quart-size containers with spigots on their kitchen counter - authentic metal bottles (for want of a better description) that they packed in from Peru; Gothic cross, intricately carved, about 12 inches high, from ??? I've lost track of their travels! But Jason (and Emily), they also had a genuine hookah from Morocco. It was beautiful (if you're into that sorta thing!!) Mary had photos taken with llamas and Peruvians (bought a fedora-type straw hat from one of them because she loved it and wanted an authentic native hat,,,remind you of Telander wanting to buy Milly's red CSA cap to wear home from the Hobie Day parade???) Lots of good conversation with excellent wine and many laughs ...

We toddled back to our abode ... checked, momentarily, on the Olympics, and called it a night. As is often said, "Tomorrow is another day!"

Marma