From: braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca (The Didi-Sprite)
Newsgroups: alt.callahans
Subject: Song of Sixpence - Finis?
Date: 2 Oct 92 22:08:40 GMT
Organization: SOCS - Mcgill University, Montreal, Canada
Originator: braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca



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"Happy birthday, Liralen!", says C, his compound eyes twinkling.
"Here, some Fried Chili Crabs for you. Freshly picked... I hope you
can stand them. ( If u want the recipe, you can drop me a line, though
the spices are pretty hard to find.... )"....

C                                             --- Chua Hak Lien ---
+

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        In the middle of the field, Grant is cooking.  He has pots on
burners on one side of a table with a grill on the other.  He's wearing
a large apron that says, "Breastfeeding is a real let-down."

        Grant grins sheepishly.  "A present from my mother.  She has an
awful sense of humor.  Couple that with a degree in lactation, well..."
He clears his throat. "Ahem, getting on to cooking, it was suggested that
I make something seasonal from my part of the world.  Well, San Diego 
doesn't really have anything seasonal right now as we don't have a real
discernable difference in seasons.  It might rain in winter, maybe.

        "So, rather than try to think of something that San Diegans have
made famous, I have set up a virtual kitchen for use for everybody.  Of
course, my caramel apples are here."  Grant points to a tray full of apples
on a stick next to a large pot of melted caramel. "There's also some wax
paper if you don't want to eat it immediately.

        "Otherwise, I've got plenty of pots and pans, utensils, ingredients
and enthusiasm, so try me!"

        The bell on the oven dings.  Grant opens the oven and pulls out a
sheet of large chocolate chip cookies.  The smell is heavenly.

        "You know," Grant says inhaling the odor, "there's nothing quite
like a chocolate chip cookie fresh from the oven."

                                                       --- Grant ---

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Spacey walks about, not knowing where she is supposed to
go...until she hears music coming from ahead.  She sees a party
in full swing as she lugs the haupia - coconut pudding/jello -
to the table, or a semblence of one.  

She walks over to Liralen and gives her a ginger lei, hug, and wishes
for a happy birthday...

                                            --- Spacey ---

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At long last, Old Sol feels the tug of the horizon as he slowly sinks
over the range of mountains in the west.  Didi smiles contentedly while
snuggling closer to Lord Galdrin as they lounge together on a warm blanket
supplied quite possibly, considering the pattern, by Smoke.

"It has been a long day, -Sprite."  observes His Lordship.

"Ummmhmmmm!  But a particularly rewarding one."  

"Indeed."  Galdrin looks around at the gathering of friends, some sitting
in groups about one or other of the several bonfires; some filling
plates from the bountiful fare still available on the tables.

"It is a shame that not everyone was able to come.  Some are just so
occupied with RL ... it is hard for them to get away.  Ruthie for
example.  She asked that we be sure that Liralen receive her warmest
wishes and a wreath of her favorite dried herbs.  Also that gorgeous
basket filled with jams, jellies, homemade breads, fruit butters,
pickles, relishes, dried fruit mix and all sorts of home made goodies!
It looks very tempting!"

Just then a little grey bird flutters past and lands on the arm of
Liralen's chair.

"Hi!"  she chirps.  "A canary told me you were having a Birthday,
Liralen.  I hope I am not too late to offer my best wishes!"

Liralen, of course, is delighted that Feather has made it to the party,
strokes her crest gently and thanks her for making the trip.  Berty is
also delighted and squawks that he would like to buy Feather a beaker
of her favorite liquid and the two fly off together in search of Mike
and his portable bar.

Galdrin and Didi share a giggle as they watch the larger white cockatoo
escorting the dainty grey bird.  "I think Bertie is hoping for a
'date'!"  laughs the incorrigible -Sprite.

Feeling rested and ready for some more fun, Didi rises, having, of
course, promised Galdrin the first dance of the evening, and strolls 
over to Liralen.

"Liralen, in all the excitement, I never really got a moment to wish
you a Happy Birthday, myself!  So ... Happy Birthday!  And, I hope
you will get to celebrate many more, here, in The Place.

"I bring you greetings also from others who were not able to make it
here today:  Frosty, who is harried and hassled in the final stages
of pruduction ... or is that in the final production of a stage ...
or ... well, he is producing a play for the stage!  Whew!  He wanted
me to wish you all the best.  Our Space Cadet is out looking for a
place to live in Durahm, England, so he wasn't able to make it either,
but he wants you to know that he wishes you the best.  And, TJ wanted
me to extend her birthday greetings as well.  There are so many more ...
sigh.  Some will, I have no doubt, drop by later to say 'Hello!'.

"Oh!  I want to thank you ... for having your birthday on October 2nd!
It proved very timely this year.  And, I have a feeling that his party
is going to go on for days ... maybe even weeks!  In fact, this looks
like a lovely spot for an All Hallow's Eve Party!  What do you think?"

With that suggestion, Didi hugs Liralen warmly, then moves on in order
to allow more of the celebrants to approach the birthday lady with
greetings and gifts.

"Hmmm ... now where was Grantkins, again?  I am really in the mood
for some of his chocolate chip cookies!"


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And, now it is time to thank all of you wonderful folk who have 
contributed so generously of your time and talents.  You have made
this Birthday Party a real success.

And, thanks, too, to my stalwart companions - Albert Goodman, who helped
with the letter distribution, and Bear.  If it hadn't been for the
comapany and encouragement of these two right into the wee hours of
this morning, this post would still be in the creation stages!

And, Arty ... we hope you have enjoyed it, too.

----<--<@

The Didi-Sprite
Montreal * Canada

braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca