IN THE MIDST of the Saturday Young Reader’s School, a feast arrived.

Look at this pot, this lid—pounded and shapened into a lid, the handles (carried in with towels), funky to USA standards, but my gosh, isn’t it fascinating?

This woman brought to Ms. Jeanne and us, cruisers, and the kids, a delicious lunch treat. Why? I don’t know, except her daugher is one of the kids that comes every Saturday to the Young Reader’s group.

I couldn’t help myself and lifted the lid to see what was inside. It was fragrant “dirty rice” with chicken. Dirty rice is not “dirty” as we know dirty, but browned with herbs and sauces of the island of spice. The smell was intoxicating. I could hardly wait to eat. And of course I, as well as others, pigged out.

What a special day for us, the volunteers, at the Mt. Airy Young Readers gathering. It’s one of the most fulfilling things I do while away from home; it’s becoming a home, and I love it, just love it. Speaking of gratitude . . .  thank you.