Birthdays, Pot Lucks, and a Little Square Dancin'

Today is Philip's Birthday! (That is one of the reasons I am writing the blog; he probably wouldn't tell you!) He shares his birthday with his sweet Grandson, Lachlan, who turns one on this day.

In celebration of their birthdays (and all the others of July* and August), we hosted the first pot luck to be held at Miss Aliph's. The house was bursting with friends and family from the back porch to the parlor to the front pizer. The kitchen was filled with traditional Ocracoke fig cake, carrot cake, pineapple casserole, and every other pot luck food imaginable! Every inch of the kitchen was filled! Baby Lachlan was treated to his first cream puff (baked by his Mama) as we all watched him smash it up with fists. (A few bites did eventually reach his mouth!)

After much feasting and conversation, we all gathered in the parlor for music provided by David, Marcy, and Lou. They brought out their madolins, guitars, and fiddles. We all clapped and cheered during "Paddy's Holler." A hush fell over captive friends and family as David began singing "Howard Street." As I looked around the parlor, I could see couples sitting closer, children grew quiet....time was suspended for a short time.

A few folks stayed late into the evening as we moved the furniture to one side of the back porch and decided to have a square dance. Philip called the dance...the musicians played and we all danced and laughed, barefoot, of course.

It was a wonderful night.

Friends. Family. Pot Luck Supper. Birhdays. Music. Dancing. Fig Cake. Laughter.

Happy Birthday, Philip.

Lou Ann

* A comment from Philip: July 22 was Lou Ann's birthday, so this was a party for her also.

[Our current monthly Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the Old Toothbrush Man, published August 01, 2005. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news080105.htm.]
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