This scene happened to take place on an island in the Great Lakes, although it easily could have been some other place, in fact, many other places. It may even have been a dream. I'm sure I was once this kid on a bike, taking some lilacs to one of these Victorian houses on a cliff, with the anticipation of a magic afternoon - a lifetime of an afternoon - ahead.

A whole afternoon - the very words hold promise for a child. a warm welcome, delicious food and treats, love and affection, good smells, no worries - it's all there in this one timeless moment in a long ago world.

- Nita Engle