Hal Buttrell is among our Friday Night Irregulars, though he is more regular than most.  Since Diane (his other half) often works on Friday nights, Hal comes by himself.  He always brings an appetizer – usually one that he has concocted on his own and we have found him to be an imaginative chef, especially with regard to stuffed mushrooms.

            Last night Hal brought his signature dish plus a wonderful surprise visitor – his beautiful granddaughter, Katie.  If we were told her Asian name, I’ve already forgotten, but I do remember that it means “beauty and wealth.”  It’s readily apparent that the first part of the meaning is true.

            The reason that Hal brought her along tickled me immensely.  He said that he had read my blog about neighbor Fred getting Dear Medora books for all his granddaughters and that he, Hal, didn’t want to be outdone – or words to that effect.  Actually, he said he’d been thinking for quite awhile about getting one of the books for Katie and yesterday’s timing seemed perfect.

Katie is ten.  I’m pretty sure she is a good reader and a good student but, as I told her, I’m not certain that Dear Medora will be one of those books that grabs her attention and won’t let it go.  I suggested that she read a bit at a time and, when she’s visiting her grandparents, come by and talk to me about it.  She was already thumbing through the pages, looking at the photographs and noticing things in the room that are pictured in the book – the tea cart, the library corner etc.

All in all, I was absolutely delighted with the turn of Friday Night events on many levels!  First, I loved meeting Katie and I hope we can get to know each other better.  Second, it was an unexpected indicator that my blog might be ‘working.’  (My original intent in writing a daily blog was to raise my profile for the purpose of selling books.  But I never expected such a direct cause/effect to occur.)

But mostly, Katie’s visit reinforced the growing assurance that Oysterville’s future will be in good hands.  The parents and grandparents of our community are ‘passing the torch’ and I’m delighted that Medora and I can be a part of that process!  Long may it continue!