Banana Split

Green, white and yellow stripes glowed in the sunlight that beat down on the new canvas awning.  Hot, lazy summer days were here now, and ice cream at everyone's favorite spot seemed like just the thing to cool down with.  Small wrought iron cafe tables and chairs lined the sidewalk outside the curved windows of the corner drugstore.  They had been freshly painted in a bright yellow to match the awning, and this afternoon, like every summer afternoon, every table was filled.

Shy Casey Trotter filled the silver tray with ice cream cones of all different flavors.  Holes in the tray held the pointed sugar cones in place so that she could carry all seven of them safely out to the group of teenagers sitting around the tables on the sidewalk.  Her friends from school.

Casey could tell that they had all come from the pool.  She noticed that their hair was still mostly wet, though not dripping, and the t-shirts that they had thrown on over their bathing suits were darkened in spots where they had not dried yet.  She looked at Ross through the window as she made her way to the door.  His head tossed back as he erupted in another one of his deep laughs that she could hear from here.  She took a deep breath.  She loved his laugh, she loved him.  Not that he knew about it.  Her crush on him had never been obvious, and she was sure that no one had noticed.  She really missed being part of the group.

She shrugged, it had been her choice to take this summer job.  Hanging out with her friends would have been fun, but she needed a head start on tuition for college, and she was not allowed to work during the school year.  This was it.  A sigh escaped her lips, she might as well get this over with.

Pushing the glass door open with her hip, she put on a friendly smile.  Hands came up to grab the cones as she lifted them out one by one.  She saved the one for Ross for last.  He was sitting at the far end of the grouping of tables, and had to stand to reach her outstretched hand.  Smiling back at her, his fingers brushed hers as he took the cone.

"Thanks," he said and sat back down, still keeping his eyes on her.  Casey tried not to react, but that brief contact had done something to her stomach and she had forgotten to breath for a moment.  Now his attention to her had her flustered and she could feel the heat burning her cheeks in a blush that she could not hide.  His smile broadened and he winked.

Ross had liked Casey since their Sophomore year.  She was quiet and hardly ever talked, but when she did, she always has something important to say, and well, he just loved the sound of her voice.  Always part of the group, they had done so many things together, he knew her well by now.  She was smart, and talented and one day she was going to be a famous artist.  He knew that was her dream, though she told her parents and the counselors at school that she was studying to be a teacher.

Just then, Sherry dropped her ice cream on the sidewalk.  She looked down at it and then, frowning, looked back at Casey.  The kids were all laughing, it had been funny to watch.  The stuff from comedies.  Ross could see the concern in Casey's eyes.  He loved that about her, she was always so kind to everyone.

"I'll go get another one," she said as she turned and rushed back into the store.  Within a minute she was back with a new one.  Sherry smiled and thanked her, the conversation took up where it had left off and Casey went back inside. Ross immediately missed her.

At the end of her shift, Casey walked out of the door to see Ross sitting there, in practically the same place he had been this afternoon.  But now he was wearing dry clothes, and his hair combed.  His hair was getting long again, the silky waves, that she longed to touch, curled a little on his neck.  Realizing that she was staring at him, she tried to look away, but not before she gave him a small smile.

She could not imagine why he was here now.  Alone.  Though she knew what she hoped, Casey would never have dreamed that he wanted to spend time with her.  But she was about to find out that that was exactly what was going on.

"Want some more ice cream?" she teased, not knowing what else to say.  He smiled, shaking his head slightly.  He stood, and slowly moved toward her.  She didn't know how pretty she was.  It intrigued him that she could be so unaware of her appeal to him.  He wanted to change that, but he would have to take it nice and easy.

"Can I walk you home?" he asked and fell into step with her as she nodded and turned toward the street.  He wanted to hold her hand.  He would sometime soon.

The sky above them was finally letting go of the brilliant colors from the sunset.  Stars were starting to make an appearance one by one as the lavender twilight faded into the deeper blue of night.  For once, Casey did not notice.  Her artist's eye for beauty rarely missed the splendor of nature around her, but all of her attention was now focused on the boy walking so close to her.

She nodded at the Sloans who lived down the street from her.  As they passed by, the couple exchanged a knowing look.   They turned and watched as Ross casually reached out and picked a bright flower from the bush along the sidewalk.  He handed it to Casey, and she held it delicately with both hands.  Looking up at him through long lashes, her delight showed through as she thanked him.

"Ah, young love," Mark Sloan whispered to his wife Elaine.  She smiled and nodded, giving him a quick kiss.  It was just so sweet, she thought.  Mark picked a nearby flower and gave it to her, copying the gesture they had just seen by Ross.  She smiled and leaned into him, holding onto his arm as they made their way home.  Mark had a contented look on his face.  Giving flowers to a girl never got old.      





      

Concerts in the Park

Soft breezes whispered through the trees above, as the pink and gray stroller bounced along the path.  Sounds of laughter and snippets of conversations accompanied them as they meandered their way through the tall trees.  Misty Falls was built around the huge wooded park in its center.  They followed along one of the walking paths.  Dappled light played all around them as Chris and Evan Gunn walked briskly toward their destination.   

The park is filled most every day, with kids playing, people walking or jogging, or riding their bikes.  There are always the picnickers and the soccer players, and of course, the impromptu guys with their Frisbee games.  Not to mention the bird watchers and the nature enthusiasts.  But today, many of the people in the park are here for a special event.  

Coming around a bend, the park opened up into a natural amphitheatre.   Evan looked around, scouting out a place on the gentle slope to lay out their blanket.  Chris gently lifted Angie out of the stroller to make it easier to push it along the grass.  She smiled as Evan waved her over to the perfect spot and they settled in to get ready for the concert. Their baby girl, Angie, waved her tiny little hands in the air, aware that there is something special about the evening.  

The hill is filling up quickly.  Attention is now being directed to the pavilion stage where, one by one, members of the local orchestra walk on and start to set up their instruments.  Random sounds of violins and flutes and french horns being tuned up fills the air.  All of these musicians are residents of Misty Falls.  The concert series is the showcase for the volunteer orchestra who practice together all summer long. 

Many of the members are also professionals who play in the Capital City Music Hall.  But many more are those who just love to play.  Elaine Sloan and her daughter Taylor belong to the latter category.  They both play the flute, so they set up next to each other with their families looking on and cheering for them.  

It is impossible to hide the smiles.  All the hours of practice, so painstakingly fit into their busy schedules, are  worth it.  As soon as the conductor steps up in front and welcomes everyone to the concert, they are ready to let the magic begin to flow through them. 

The sun is just thinking about setting when the notes of the last symphony drift away.  An hour of beautiful music ends much too soon.  Everyone remains sitting, letting the remnants of the experience sink in and fill every available space in their souls.  

Angie is asleep in the crook of her daddy's arm.  Evan kisses the top of her head and lets his gaze fall on Chris.  She had been leaning forward, drawn into the magic.  Music speaks to her she often says, he completely understands.  She turned her head, as if aware that he was looking at her.  They share a smile, and she moves closer to kiss his cheek.  

Cooler air of the approaching night fills the park as the crowds pack up and leave.  The open invitation, to return next week for another inspiring evening, is foremost on their minds.  Next Sunday they will be back, eager to hear what the orchestra has planned for them.  Traditions run deep in Misty Falls.  Evan and Chris discovered that when they moved here two years ago.  Now they have found that that it one of the best things about living here.     

    

Upper Falls

Shaded by the tall pine trees, a group of ten year old kids stop and rest on the blanket of pine needles and moss covering the ground.  Each has a backpack, and each of the children can be seen digging out their bags of Gorp trail mix and their canteens of water.

This is a typical scene during the summer months.  Everyone takes advantage of the great weather to get their fill of hiking and exploring up in the mountains.  This particular group is part of the school district's Adventurers program.  With the help of several of the teachers, and a bunch of youth counselors, the kids have been hiking all day.  Their destination is always the Upper Falls.  It is one of the closest of the falls, and it is the hike with the longest trail.

Every hour they stop for a small nature lesson, all part of the curriculum.  Conservation, water, soil, plants, it is all covered.  The best part of the whole thing is that it does not feel like school, but they are still learning.  Kara is one of the favorite counselors, she's always showing the kids that they can do much more than they think they can.  Learning with Kara is effortless because she makes each child feel so smart when they are around her.  This is her second year as a counselor, and she loves it as much as the kids do.

Now that they have had a few minutes to rest, Kara has her notebook in her hands, and she knows that the kids are watching her write another poem for them.  They love this part, and one by one the kid's notebooks are coming out of their backpacks too.

                                                                        Free
                                                                    Flying High
                                                             Watches Home Below
                                                           Soars With Open Wings
                                                                        Free

She stands, walking around the perimeter of the group, reciting her Cinquain poem.  The kids all know this style, she has taught them well.  Pencils are scratching paper as more poems are created.  Danny is the first one to stand, the signal that he is ready to share his poem.  Kara hides a smile as he very seriously clears his throat and begins to read.

                                                                    Sneaking
                                                                Eyeing Its Prey
                                                        Wait for the Right Timing
                                                         Pouncing, it is over now
                                                                      Dinner

Everyone cheers and claps and Danny sits down, satisfied.  Immediately heads are bent, and the kids return to their notebooks.  Kara is so proud of them, after only two weeks, they are grasping the concept of sharing their thoughts this way, and they are not as afraid to get up and read them out loud anymore.  This is so much fun!

Several more poems are listened to and after the applause and smiles, the kids started chanting,
"Dorie, Dorie, Dorie, Dorie"  They clap their hands in time to the chant that continues until a small girl with light reddish blonde hair shyly stands up in her place.  She has her notebook clutched to her chest with both hands and she's trying not to let her grin show.

On the first day, Dorie was the only one who was willing to share her poem.  She broke the ice, allowing several others to be brave enough to stand up too.  So every day since then, they made sure that she got up and read what she had written.  Kara and the other adults were impressed.  These kids were supporting and encouraging each other.

Of course it was exactly the way it should be, but seeing it happen sure did make their hearts feel lighter.  All eyes are still on Dorie.  She slowly opens her book and waits until it quiets down.  Her voice is soft, starting out as just a whisper.  Her confidence grows, as it always does, and the volume gradually increases.

                                                                   Caterpillar
                                                           Beautiful, Mysterious
                                                       Hiding, Waiting, Changing
                                                     Finds a New World Outside
                                                                      Butterfly

Again the kids cheer, and Dorie lets her smile light up her face.  They are learning so many things as Adventurers.  But nothing is as important as what they are learning about themselves.  

  

Scottish Festival

 On the way to the fairgrounds this morning, everyone can see the foggy clouds hanging low over the ground.  It brought smiles to see the base of the mountain looking a lot like the Highlands of Scotland.  Especially today, since it is the time again for the annual Scottish Festival.

With a large part of the community sharing a Scottish heritage, this is a big deal. At some point during the weekend, most of the population of Misty Falls will spend time at the Festival.  Many of them will be dressed in their authentic tartans and kilts.

First thing in the morning, while the mists are still clinging to the hills, several pipe bands will welcome everyone to the Highland Games.  The insistent, rapid tapping of the snare drums can be heard far and wide as it echoes off of the mountain.  Add the distinctive droning of the bagpipes and it calls to that part of all of us that loves our homeland, even if we have never actually been there.

Presentation of the bands is an impressive sight.  From the latest high school band to the Eamon Duncan and Sons band that had been playing for several decades, the performances bring a thrill and a deep pride to all who are watching.  Traditions run deep in Misty Falls.  Old and young alike are glad to be part of it all.

Over thirty clans are represented.  The array colorful plaid tartans is spectacular, but never more so than when seen in the form of a kilt worn by the police officers.  Even Patrick Sloan, working with the Highway Patrol, joined the ranks several years ago, wearing his families green tartan.

As the ladies can attest, and most assuredly agree, there is just something about a good looking man in a kilt!  And while Misty Falls definitely has its fair share of those men, it is also true that the men love to see the women proudly wrapped in their tartan sashes, pinned with the large traditional crest pins from their clans.  Resulting in a mutual admiration society!

Mouthwatering aromas lead the crowds right to the treats that they have been waiting all year to sample again.  Ranging from Scotch eggs, and scones first thing in the morning, to bangers and chips (smoked sausage and fried potatoes) and bridies (flaky pastry with beef and onions) later in the day.

Everyone can find their favorite foods to eat while watching the Highland dancing performances, and the sports competitions.  Parades and processions, shetland ponies and sheepdogs, athletic, dancing and music competitions are enough to keep everyone busy for two whole days.  

Happy Anniversary

Almost everyone from Misty Falls had been there.  It was a grand affair, the biggest event of the year so far.  Richard Bowen and Eleanor Price had been married on Valentines day, sixty-five years ago.  The party to celebrate their anniversary would be something to talk about for a long time to come.

It had not been the elegance of the gleaming marble in Court house, or the fantastic live 50's band that everyone was still talking about.  It wasn't even the magnificent buffet that Preference Caterers prepared, or the flowers that the florists must have had flown in from some far off tropical location.

This celebration included nearly everyone from town.  Everyone knows the Bowens.  That is to say that everyone loves Richard and Eleanor.  Especially their granddaughters Samantha Parkin and Taylor Akerson and Morgan Wallace.  The girls acted as the party planners for the big event, pulling in everything that they could that would represent their grandparent's favorite things.  It wasn't hard to know what those things were.  All they had to do is watch their grandparents.  

Year after year they would see their grandfather finding Magnolias for his wife every time he could.  Of course they all knew the story, they had heard it from their grandmother many times as they grew up.  It all started in 1952, the two of them met at a dance, shortly before he was sent to Korea.  He remembered everything about that night, it was when he had fallen in love with her.  She had also experienced love at first sight that night.  After he left, much to the dismay of her siblings, she monopolized the families record player,  listening to music from the dance.  She wore out several albums as she listened to The Ames Brothers and Les Brown and Rosemary Clooney, all because she had danced with him when those songs were playing.  It reminded her of the moments that they had spent together, and she missed him so much when he was gone.

Over in Korea, magnolia trees grew wild all over the grounds of the base where he was stationed, their scent reminded him of her perfume.  When he took pictures of the flowers and sent them to her, with the note that said that he remembered her every time that he walked by the fragrant blooms, she cried.  That, she told everyone, was the moment that she was sure that she would spend the rest of her life with Richard Bowen. 

Besides the flowers. Magnolias! and the music, and the food.  The thing that everyone remembered about the big party was the look on the faces of Richard and Eleanor Bowen as they danced the night away.  No one ever doubted the Happily Ever After that they had found with each other.  It was written all over their smiling faces.

Everyone is still talking about it.  It is hard to forget how they felt watching the two sweethearts together.  Deep in their hearts everyone dreams of finding the kind of love that they share, and watching Richard and Eleanor together lets them believe that it will happen!  

     

Lights, Camera....

Our favorite place to look at the town of Misty Falls is from the cliffs that tower above it.  A hike to the top of the main falls gives you a vantage point that takes in the whole valley, and out to the plains beyond it.  Of course not many people are climbing up there this time of year.  It is wet and dangerous to scale the trail today.  

It has been another cold, wet winter.  That will be good for the snowpack in the higher elevations (which everyone in town watches carefully) because that water is what they will depend on this coming summer.  It is also good for the packed base beneath the perfect powdery snow that the skiers love so much.   

That is where you will find most of the visitors to the canyons now, the winter sports bringing in a good chunk of the revenues in the area.  Cascade Inn, along with the various Bed and Breakfast Inns and the ski lodges at the mouth of the canyon, are all very busy this time of year.  

Today the sun is out and shining brightly, a perfect day for skiing, but Kent, the town's resident photographer is not on the slopes, he has ventured up the sloppy trails with his camera.  "When the light is right, you've got to strike," he often says, and today he is taking his own advice.  

From up here he can see Main Street.  Many businesses, including his own, are bathed in the sunlight now.  Kent takes a number of shots with his digital camera, and then pulls out his brand new Nikon F6 to take it on a test drive.  For Kent there is no better place to see the range of a camera than right up here on top of the falls, and he can't wait to see what his new toy will do.  

You will be able to see his best photos at his upcoming show at the old Art Gallery.  It might be his last show there, word is that Kent is hoping to open a gallery of his own soon.