Auntie made one of her students pass over his song book to me. Now I have a binder with her playlist and the names of everyone who committed to show up at Anna Ranch to entertain us. I have a color xeroxed watercolor of a hale (house) by a bridge and I have a little return address label with Margie’s address.
I know exactly how this works. You line up a handful of likely people from your club or class. You tell them to put on their best aloha wear and to tune up the uke. You make a bunch of copies and you put them in order and you sit and play for strangers who may or may not be paying attention.
They knew we were coming,they knew there was someone in the group who played. I asked to borrow a uke and one of the uncles handed me his, and another slid over while an auntie pushed a chair up for me. Then all of us, in the beautiful light filled hall at Anna Ranch sat down together and we sang.
After, Auntie Margie gave me a big hug and took my face between her hands and kissed me. She waved her hands at one of the uncles and he gave me his notebook. It’s just a couple of xeroxed sheets of some songs I already know, but it’s a perfect souvenir.
My trip to the Big Island of Hawaii was sponsored by the Big Island Visitor’s Bureau.
OK, so… you’ve been posting all these idyllic pics from the islands and I’ve been saying, “I’m not jealous” and you’ve been talking about terrific munchies that are apparently only available in Hawaii and I’m saying, “I’m really not jealous” and you’ve checked into the freaking Royal Hawaiian — where Uncle Bill has trod in both his callow and later years — with yet *another* gorgeous pic and I’m saying, “No, srsly, I’m NOT jealous” but now…
Look at that beautiful face and her right hand is just a blur and dammit woman, I’m jealous! I want some lovely elder auntie to take my ugly old mug between her hands and kiss me too. On the islands. With a belly full of ono grinds and a ukulele in my paws.
*sigh*
@HH You get the “best comment ever” award. Though you should know that I’m NOT at the Royal Hawaiian in Waikiki, never stayed there, though oh, how I want to some day. I’m at the remodeled King Kamehameha in Kona which, even though the lobby is still under construction, is very nice, it’s going to be sweet when it’s done.
Auntie Margie, though, there’s no denying her extreme awesomeness. 🙂
I love Auntie Margie. And you. And your uke.