Nyel and His Happy Birthday Present

     This promises to be a big weekend in Oysterville.  Not big.  HUGE!  For a tiny village of fourteen (or is it thirteen now?) full-time residents, the activities planned for the next three days are amazing indeed.  I am so looking forward to it all that I can scarcely concentrate on the getting ready part.
     For us, things begin this evening at our house – 120 guests at a catered dinner in our garden.  This is in honor of my young cousin and her fiancé who will be getting married up the street at the Red House tomorrow.  The bridegroom’s family is hosting tonight’s event and our responsibilities are limited to providing a presentable venue.  Nyel has been spending lots of time on his spiffy new rider mower; I’ve been kneeling in the flower beds, tidying up the obvious problem areas.
     Under ‘normal’ circumstances, this ‘night before dinner’ would have been held at the Oysterville Schoolhouse.  But this is Jazz and Oysters weekend and even though J&O doesn’t happen until Sunday, the Water Music Festival worker bees are already busy getting set up.  It seemed like a no-brainer to offer our place – especially since we can just mix and mingle and have a good time with no worries.
     Tomorrow’s wedding will be held down by the bay at the foot of Division Street which we all call “the Red House Lane.”  It’s scheduled for 3:00 in the afternoon.  High tide, one of the highest of the summer, is at 5:22 p.m. and the bride chose the date especially for that reason.  Meanwhile…
     The annual Oysterville Regatta is also scheduled for tomorrow afternoon and for the same tidal considerations.  I am so looking forward to watching the bride and groom say their “I do’s” with all those graceful laser class sailboats plying the bay waters behind them.  Whether or not the sun cooperates (and the weather man assures us it will), it is certain to be an Oysterville day to remember.  I can’t wait!