Ye-HA! HogRoast/Birthdayparty/EndofSummerCelebration

 When we arrived at the cottage on Friday night, picnic tables littered the road in front. Nearby parked a pick-up with a cage attached. THAT had held a real, live, oinking pig only hours before. Now, she had given her all and was butchered, ready to cook. And across the yard, our neighbor had set up the smoker.

We awakened Saturday morning to smoke. Savory smoke.

 The day was sunny. Various neighbors (and look at that cutie without the shirt) lent hands and backs to setting up.

Several friends from Kokomo were coming to the bash. Some arrived early for boating, biking, and general whatever.

Help trickled in. What had begun as a general pitch in was now on track for a really well-organized bash. Our neighbor Lori took the helm. Nice touches like PIG name tags, PIG table clothes, and PIGGY banks started sprouting.

The band arrived at 3 to set up. Time Travelers, a well-known Indiana band was going to be ready at the 7 PM start time.

Time Travelers, as some may know, consists of three great musicians, one being Mike's brother, Matt. And, by the way, Saturday was HIS birthday.

Greeting guests

 This was just before the crowd began to crowd. Lori had sent invitations to everybody on the Island. She had receive some RSVPs but we knew that this was in no way an accurate count. Our goals, mainly, were that we would not run out of food, drinks, and fun until everybody wore down.


Ready, set.....

 There's the hub, entertaining the ladies who came early. He found his shirt.

To the right, that's Eric, one of the Time Travelers. The road was already shut off and several women were standing guard. There were not going to let him in. Good thing they changed their minds.


A few special pictures.

This is Cynthia Evans, long time friend. We met when Natalie (center) was just a baby. Mom was THRILLED to have her little girl and used to doll her up in ruffles and lace.

 And here is Mike's Aunt DeDe (married to Homer) and my mother-in-law, Mary Ann. What you can't see behind them is the sea of future revelers, making their way toward the end of the street.

Friends from Oakbrook made the drive.

 And so it began. Lori and my sister-in-law Stephanie had hand-shredded the pork. It filled two large pans. Many people brought food to add to the feast: the BEANS food group, the SALADS food group, POTATO food group, and the CHIPS food groups were well-represented. And, of course, the SUGAR food group got its own several tables. You could not turn around without finding a cooler or tub with soda or beer or water.

 What was really fun: although the 'start time' was 7, quite a few arrived early and were ready. And as the evening wore on, more and more arrived. Some came, assessed, and tweeted their friends to 'get down here.' And some, inspired, walked back home and returned with more stuff. Munchies, yes. But also sidewalk chalk, uncut melon, helium balloons; one guy came back with his 'train,' a kid-friendly ride with an engine and 4 attached cars.

 The Time Travelers performed for 30 minutes and then we sang Happy Birthday to Mike and he blew out his candles. Then, he took the mic and gave a little speech, this time about how important friends and neighbors are. Especially THESE neighbors.

Of course, our great neighbor from Kokomo, Mike, was here along with his wife. Plus several other fans of the hub. His angel oncology nurse, Cathy P made the trip. Made his night.

 I realize as I look at these pictures, besides the back of your body shots, I haven't captured the crowd. Lori told me that they had 200 name tags and ran out early.

Matt said he was not good as estimating. I say we had about 400 on our little corner of Winona Lake.

 AND, they stayed. The sun went down, the street got dark. Several late additions fired up portable back yard pits.

Dancing, singing, eating, more eating.

And for me, what I loved about last night: this is the 4th time we've celebrated a birthday for my guy. It gets bigger every year and people around him just grow more pleased.

And as I sat with my friend Cynthia and watched the action, I could not miss Mike working the crowd. This man who for most of our marriage was a bit of a social recluse: strolling among his friends, laughing, entertaining them with stories.  In the past, he might have attended if I nagged him; he would have stayed a few minutes and disappeared. Last night, he outlasted me. Joyous.