Home Again
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Back home again to the boys, the rest of the family, and to the lingering of snow.
The essence of the Bahamas lingered. And the trip, as a whole, had been a fine success. There was nothing more blue than the Atlantic of those particular islands. Then mixed with a stretch of white sand, albeit tainted with the suited mess of humanity… was satisfying, as it ought to have been. And with the silver grace of sky, that, as the day progressed, became sun once more, the water, sky, and land were a pleasant combination.
Though there was nothing like that famous gleam of silver as they entered St. Louis late on Friday afternoon.
When Collette saw her Puck, he jumped in surprise and gave her a big squeeze. Then he hugged everyone else. Francis and Joe talked about how weirdly quiet everything had been with the women of the house, sans Rose, being away. Joe then fell asleep on the couch. And gifts were delegated: a Del Sol professional frisbee for the boys from Linnea-Irish that turned a dark red in the sunlight, a silver ring for Rose identical to the one that Carrie-Bri had purchased for herself, some Bahamian shot glasses for Francis, and cruise chocolates for Dad, who had not yet returned from visiting Grandpa and picking up his new suits.
With a trip account to follow.
Meanwhile…
Rose had cleared out the entire garage and freezer/storage room in the basement. It was amazing. And the huge garbage bin was overflowing when it had been hauled away. It was a monumental endeavor.
Joe was to take Francis to the youth group late night ski at Hidden Valley that night.
Grandma was to return home.
Mom had decided not to attend her first Jane Austen book club.
And Linnea-Irish and Cherry were to attend Linnea’s basketball practice that evening at eight.
Then it was Saturday morning back at the Silverspoon’s.
Ham and sharp white cheddar quesadillas by OLeif.
An arrangement of pink-white tulips sat in a glass vase on the kitchen table.
And a 3:30 basketball game.
Of the family, Dad, Mom, and Francis had made it. Also Cherry. After the game she would be taken to the half-way-to-Iowa-City point in Hannibal, escorted by Mom, Linnea-Irish, and Eleda, along for the ride.
The game was a 32 to 14 win. And there were cupcakes afterwards. Puck was even given one on account of his green mohawk pirate hat.
“I’ll make you a trade,” said the lady who handed him the cupcake.
When they returned to the Silverspoon’s, OLeif was out working on things with Theodore at his office.
Theodore had also bought OLeif a labeler while Collette was away, which he seemed to be using constantly. Already a ‘Puck’ label had been affixed to Puck’s green drinking cup.
And Puck was sent to the tub, where he was reluctant to get into the ‘too-hot’ water and made a fine cry-out about it.
“Are my ‘boosegumps’ here because they want to get warm here?” he asked.
OLeif also brought home ice cream for dessert that night. Good old chap.