What we do together

One of the favorite pastimes of the ladies down here in the Cape Region seems to be knitting, among other activities. Many of these beautiful ladies on the other side of 60 years of age (as I am, by the way), gather at a coffee and bread café almost daily to spin yarn of a cloth nature. These ladies, as they work their knitting needles through the yarn making intricate stitches, chat with one another on what I surmise may be a variety of topics. Several tables in the establishment have already been gathered to form one long table, but a few ladies find the final length of the elongated wood with legs insufficient, and add one or two more tables. Now the knitting can begin in earnest, as can the conversations.

Actually, I have no idea as to the nature or content of their conversations, since I am seated about 24 feet from them at a table for four. They do seem to be enjoying themselves deeply as they exchange ideas and designs. What is so fascinating about the group knitters is that we rarely catch a glimpse of the finished product or even the nearly finished product. The secret is kept hidden or stored away in a container of some sort until it’s time for the big reveal. However, all seems well as they converse and return to the coffee pavilion for refills of their favorite flavor, including decaf.

What is amazing is that they all always appear happy, full of glee and spunk as they put their fingers and needles through the exercise required for the sweater for the grandchild or pet, or maybe even a scarf for the hubby or self. It appears that at a pre-appointed time, the eight or so beautiful women rise, hug one another and depart. Mission accomplished!

Another pastime worthy of note is the monthly wine dinner usually held at a SoDel eatery somewhere along the shoreline. My more recent entry into this genre took me to Fenwick Island for a three-hour affair with the usual four courses of dining delicacies paired with the appropriate wines. The sommelier was one of my favorites of the chain’s employees, who usually manages a more northerly located restaurant. Thank goodness for that as well as my lovely dinner companion!

We were seated randomly with strangers, who usually are friendly, polite and intelligent. Such was not going to be the case this particular evening! My companion and I were seated at the end of a table where I was facing and she was next to what could only be called an extremely obnoxious and ignorant male of our species. Garbed in a yellow sweater, he was critical of everything that came his way, starting with the size of the spoon provided for our soup. It was a teaspoon as opposed to a soup spoon, and I supposed he wanted the entire table to know that he knew the difference. The utensil was exchanged for him.

The chef assigned to this particular event and restaurant was introduced for the purpose of explaining the octopus salad. He was adorned in the company P-cap bearing the SoDel logo, similar to the usual attire worn by the CEO. You guessed it – Mr. Yellow Sweater had a negative comment for that, using the late golfer Arnold Palmer as the source of proper indoor hat apparel and etiquette, invoking his name twice, no less. The restaurant, experienced in serving wine dinners, had a set method of presenting each course wherein the wait personnel served us from the end of the long corridor of tables, working from the back to the center of the establishment. You guessed it – there was negative commentary about that too.

This gentleman, and the term is used here advisedly, just knew it all, and was intent on sharing his knowledge, or lack thereof, with everyone at the table. He was just annoying and disgusting and sad, and he was clearly missing some prior redirection by a female parent. Also, by the way, this guest announced to all that he had already been married to four different women at four different times. Need I say more?

There are several other tidbits, but no need to share those. You have had enough, my readers! So there are a plethora of things which we opt to do together, each carrying its own set of particulars, each full of fun and adventure, or even annoyance and disgust. However, what is special is that we get to spend time with people we like and love, and enjoy their company, despite whatever outside interference may intervene.