There are times when I can hardly believe my good fortune.

Yesterday Laura and I traveled a few miles to Kevin and Caryn’s house in Arlington Heights were the annual family pig roast is convened in Kevin’s back-yard.  A young pig is

slow roasted over a charcoal fire, in the rotisserie cooker.  The steel cooker was fabricated by Kevin, and is a symbol of the coming together of extended family, friends, and neighbors for an afternoon of comity and conversation.  I am always amazed viewing the cooker, —a life time of

learning, of welding skills, of mechanical understanding, of good taste, (always a feature of good design) are manifest in the pig cooker.  The cooker captures Kevin and Caryn’s dedication to

family, and our dedication to one another.

This is the largest gathering of family that takes place over the year.  I believe this is the fifth such event that I have attended.  Fewer of us are together for other holidays.

The center piece of the event is of course the pig.  The domesticated pig, a gift of Nature, is filled with onions, garlic, and other vegetables in preparation for roasting.

I feel a sensation of thanks giving to the earth, and to the animal for the benefit of nourishment and attendant fellowship which we all receive.

Another feature of our gathering is the piñata. This year, we were delighted to have a piñata, hand made

by aunt Laurie and aunt Sonia who live in Louisville Kentucky.  Circumstances prevented their attendance but they sent a piñata-pig to the pleasure

of the kids.

This piñata proved to be tenacious, lasting for quite some time, as the youngest to the oldest took a turn swinging the bat.  Kevin was on the side of the

piñata pig, raising and lowering the rope to make a solid hit more challenging.  At last the accumulated blows took effect and the treats rained down into the grass.  The scramble was on.

I had a great time!  Plans were made with Pat and Cici to go together to the Walworth County fair in the coming year.  Something to look forward to!  I even enjoyed discussing a bit of philosophy with another family member.  That was a unexpected bonus.