From: regan1016@bestsd.sdsu.edu (T. ELIZABETH HARVEY)
Subject: Re: Song of Sixpence - Part Four
News-Software: VAX/VMS VNEWS 1.4-b1  
Organization: San Diego State University - Dept. of Redundancy Dept.
Date: Sat, 3 Oct 1992 23:23:00 GMT

In article <1992Oct2.193624.11820@cs.mcgill.ca>, braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca (The Didi-Sprite)   writes...
> 
> 
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> 
>Now that the cats (and dogs) are out of the bag ... oooo, groan! ...
>all of Callahans is in a convivial uproar.  Everyone seems to be trying
>to give Liralen birthday hugs and kisses all at the same time!
> 
>"My goodness!  What a crush!"  chuckles Mike to Didi and Bertie who have
>very wisely squeezed out from the midst of the mob and taken up positions 
>at the bar.
> 
>"It is good to see everyone so happy again, isn't it?"
> 
>Mike nods in agreement then steps around the counter and wanders over
>to the French Doors.

[*Discovery and walk deleted for bandwidth*]

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> 
> 
> 
>the ensemble ... arrives!  And, typically, wander off in every which
>direction in order to see what they can see!
> 
>  The tents are set on grass and filled with long tables and benches.
>The flaps, rolled up on two sides, block the breeze and provide shade
>for those wishing it.  There are some tables near the back that look
>like they would make an awfully large buffet.
> 
>And, guess what!  Mike is standing there grinning and set in front
>of him are Caithelin's unique pizza and Nick's Soccer Field Birthday
>Cake!
> 
>Just then, out of the orchard the noise of an engine it heard.  People 
>cannot see quite what is coming because of all the trees but, down by the
>ground, first some small wheels appear, then a grill, then some large
>wheels ....
> 
>  It's a tractor ... and two wagons ... and a frood.
> 
>  Frood pulls up between the tents and shuts off the engine.  "Gee.
>That's fun.  I've always wanted to get to drive one of those!  Funky
>shift pattern though." he remarks and grins.
> 
>  He climbs up on the larger wagon and pulls off the tarp.  Under it
>are wooden boxes full of bushels upon bushels upon bushels of apples
>of all varieties.  Among the vast splendor are red and golden
>delicious, green granny smiths, and the tart red and green skinned
>winesaps.
>  
>  "Could some folks lend a hand bringing a few boxes of each type to
>the buffets?  Thanks!"
> 
>  Frood jumps down and heads for the second wagon.  There are some
>delicious smells coming from this one.  He carefully detaches it and
>brings it around to the back of the biggest tent, behind the buffet
>area.  Chocking the wheels, he opens the back and sides revealing all
>sorts of hot food.
> 
>  First come the fresh baked rolls which are laid out in baskets
>covered with cloth to keep them warm.  There's butter too.
> 
>  Then folks notice the great pots, a little steam escaping from
>beneath their lids.  Some have spigots while others don't.  Albert and
>others grab towels to help lift them over to the stoves set up to keep
>them warm.
> 
>  "Hot cider in these,"  frood points to one side.
> 
>  And lifting the lid from one of the pots on the other side,
>"Bratwurst.  Your choice broiled or boiled, with or without
>sauerkraut, on a plate or on a bun."
> 
>Suddenly Frood is surrounded by bodies with helpful hands and arms
>attached and it isn't long before the tables are groaning under
>the transferred load.
> 
>  "OK, one and all, let's have fun!  Eat, drink, wander all
>hereabouts, and have fun!"
> 
>  With this frood sets to keeping the buffet table stocked from what
>had better be an inexhaustible supply.  People look hungry!
> 
>========================================================================
> 
>Didi giggles at Liralen:  "See what a frood can do when he is in the
>mood!"  she pauses ... "Yes.  I know!  That was awful!"

Elizabeth follows along the trail behind everyone else and finds the 
fair-like setting.

"Oh my ... sorry I'm late.  The Didi-Sprite sent me mail telling me about 
Liralen's birthday, but I wasn't quite up to answering it when I should 
have."

She walks over to Liralen and gives her a belated birthday hug.

"And now to help celebrate this birthday bash/autumn festival/whatever you 
want to call this shin-dig ..."

Elizabeth finds an empty booth and pulls in a large, portable convection 
oven.  She then takes out numerous Pyrexes and sets them about.

"My mother's *fabulous* rice pudding!  Trust me, the stuff is good.  With 
raisins, or without ..."

She calls Phee over and slips the little girl a small grab-bag.
"You're probably full of caramel apples, but when the mood hits you later 
on, here's some strawberries dipped in sweet chocolate, and a freshly-made 
candied apple with nuts. Have fun, and may you make a complete mess of 
yourself ..."

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>				     @>-->----
> 
>The Didi-Sprite
>Montreal * Canada
> 
>braley@binkley.cs.mcgill.ca

Great party, so far ... who knows, I may even stay a while.*smile*

---<--<-{@ | "I believe that before all else, I am a reasonable human being,
Elizabeth  | just as you are -- or, at all events, that I must try and 
	   | become one." _A Doll's House_, Henrik Ibsen