saying a few words

12 years ago the gang was gathered, as they often did, at the Marshall's lake cabin. Rainne, my good friend, married into a family of 9 kids. With their spouses and kids and friends of family and kids, and us Soltices, it was a crowd. This time "Uncle Stinky" was there. I tried to tell my 3 kids, then 3, 5 and 7 that it was rude to call someone stinky, but Uncle insisted and let's face it, it was irresistible . He's a bit of a throw-back, all long-haired, and unbathed, making a hippy statement.

Uncle Stinky was recruited to go with the kids down to the beach to throw rocks. Little 3 year old Lindsay was allowed to tag along. 10 minutes after they left, 3 of the young guys came tumbling back into the yard, huffing and puffing and begging for the shovel. "We found a dead porcupine! Uncle Stinky wants to bury it!"Off they went shovel in hand.

Later, the report via Uncle Stinky: "So, there we were, after digging the hole and placing the porcupine into it. I asked the kids if we should have a moment of silence and then say a few words. They all stood there quietly, even though a dead porcupine is pretty cool. I asked if anyone wanted to say anything. There was little Linds, all serious (what is she? 3?), she said 'He was a good porcupine'".