Little Compton

Friday a.m.

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Every once and a while and not often enough one experiences this kind of warmth and friendship usually from folks you have known for what seems forever. I have several close friends that I either served in the Coast Guard with, grew up on David's Island with, and some that are blood relatives that have meant so much to my meaning in life. I had mentioned to one or some of you my regret that the friendships and acquaintances at Hinckley had dissolved upon graduation day for me in June of 1968. It wasn't that I didn't want to see anyone but it was difficult to keep in touch with all our young lives moving on at generally a fast pace. Remember - no cell phones, no email, and no texting. Anyway, other than a brief encounter with romance when we, Isabelle and I, were just in the 7th grade I only knew you guys as a youngster that looked up to beauty, intelligence, humor, and friendliness. Fond memories.

Now about this couple of days we have just shared. First of all, hats off, although Effie has recently told me to keep my hat on, to Laura, such a lovely lady; one with grace, a wonderful sense of humor, and such a caring manner. Laura, thank you so much for all your correspondence prior to our get together. Your friendship and the manner that it was portrayed to me were and are exquisite, wonderful, and beautiful. What a lady!

JoAnn, I must admit that I was mightily impressed by meeting a lifelong poet. I would have never guessed that professional route for you (not that I would have guessed any route) when we traveled through high school back "in the day". I think it wonderful and look forward to reading some of your work as well as sharing some of my relative's well-known, then not now, work from the turn of the century (early 1900s). Craven Langstroth Betts, a Canadian born New Yorker married my Great Aunt Elizabeth. She, if you remember was the gal born aboard her father's ship, the Elizabeth Cushing and thus her name, in the China Sea in 1872. They lived on Staten Island that in the early 1900s was an artist colony where poets, writers, painters, and so forth met and probably "solved the problems of the world"; much like we have all done now and again to no avail I might add, other than a moment of self-satisfaction perhaps. Anyway, great to see you again. I know you are in Phippsburg this weekend so when and if you are around Boothbay Harbor, give me a call and maybe we can meet, have a cold one together, and I'll show you some of Craven's work. BTW - he's Google-able.

Isabelle, another classmate from the days of the 1968 and earlier and one who shared many times of what life offered during those days; classes, sport events, concerts, movies and so forth. I've always thought of you "as having it together" as demonstrated by your hard work in high school (Valedictorian) and that assessment was verified by our short time together this week. I particularly enjoyed our Croquet game as well as the "Do you remember the 60's?" game. The additional rules and regulations during those times were very meaningful to me. I would like to announce, if I didn't already know, that being the gentleman that I am, raised along the serpentine beauty of the Kennebec River with forests and farm plowed fields nestled in along her shores, that I wanted all you ladies to have the overwhelming feeling of joy when winning a competition. Thus, I held back with my athletic prowess from taking over the Croquet field and backed away from my intimate knowledge of sex, drugs, and rock-and-roll allowing your joy with feelings to help make this time together such a success for all you ladies. Good to see you again, Isabelle.

I've been struggling with memory of our possible visit, Pam, back in the 70s when you sailed into Cozy Harbor. It had to be me. Brian was married or in the Navy and generally not around. And, although Brian was a "fun" person was not perhaps as outgoing as some of us. In the seventies when in my twenties I particularly enjoyed to dance, prance, and romance and thus visited the establishments along the Boothbay Harbor waterfront to satisfy the needs of the fore-mentioned activities. So, it probably was me and we must have enjoyed the time together. Again, I was a bit younger than some of you (I won't say it - oh yes I will) Old Broads and therefore didn't have the close connections that folks more in your age as classmates may have had. However, it doesn't mean I didn't know you. And, a prerequisite to my attendance in Little Compton was that the conditions of "nice" people are at the top of the list and of course you fit that like a glove. Good to see you again and as a fellow "Maine-iac" we live not too far apart to be able to visit here and there. When next up this way.....

Now for the young lady who forced me to enjoy my D & S way too much, I thank you friend for the laughs and laughter that particularly occurred during the multiple times I demonstrated my technique, over and over, in the ways of winning the 60's game. Yes, I allowed the gentler sex to win, yet again, as I had marked most of the winning ways on my score -card. You were witness to that! It was so good to have so much fun. Again, my memory is somewhat hazy as the decades go by but I do truly remember in the same way, not passed out like you did three times on the table, from a our days in the 1960s. You always had a smile and such a wonderful friendly way about you. Wonderful to see you again, Effie. And if you visit give me advanced notice so that I can restock my rum supply!

The real man of the event was of course our friend Nate. He too appreciates the gentler sex and of course allowed, like all gentlemen do, the young ladies, Isabelle and Effie to win the game. And beyond that the expertise of his cooking skills, his quick wit, and insight into what this was all about was welcomed far and above from what, at least I, expected. I keep on saying we were teammates but if you look at the Lacrosse picture, you will see I was but a skinny kid and only in the eighth grade. My social arena did not exactly include that of upper classmen. I do remember Nate as being a friendly fellow. That of course was shown again during our mini-reunion this week. Fair winds and following seas, my friend.

What a great time. Laura, Isabelle, JoAnn, Pam, Effie, and Nate and as Bob Hope would say or sing, "Thanks for the memories".