That was a good evening. We had a good time though the evening was slow to get off the ground. It started when one of the party goers opened a bottle of very fine tequila and persuaded us to do a few shots with him. It was smooth stuff with a capital smoo. Dinner consisted of Mahi-Mahi, Wahoo, and Yellow Fine Tuna, all fresh caught that day and grilled. There was also sashimi, fresh baked bread, salad, cut up vegetables with dip, local corn on the cob, rice (of course), and barbequed ribs. There was a wasabi based sauce for the fish. The party was BYOB so I had a six pack of beer and some soda. Dinner was eaten on the lawn with the full moon shining down on us. There were about 8 or 9 of us there.

After dinner the Pago Bay Reefers started playing their music, a mix of blues and folk. They really are very good. There were only 3 band members there, Dave on guitar, Steve on banjo, guitar and mandolin, and RR on national steel guitar and dobro. He also plays base but didn't bring it along. I learned that RR is the owner of American Music, the best music shop on the island and that his instrument collection is worth more than most houses here. They played for quite a while and I had begun to think I wasn't going to get an opportunity but I did play along with the bones. At one point we were interrupted by a brief shower but it passed and the moon came back out. Then the dessert came out, lemon meringue pie, chocolate cake and some kind of almond flavored bread rolled up with a frosting inside. Decaf coffee was available but no dairy. Instead she added Bailey's Irish Cream. Very Yummy.

I finally was asked to perform and I started with Henery the Eighth. I wanted people to sing along and that one is sure to get them thanks to Herman's Hermits. I followed up with a number of songs including Sally Free & Easy (at reduced volume, Charley), I'd Like To Have A Mistress, Eat Bertha's Mussels, Dramamine, Long Time Ago, Pump Shanty, Mary Mac, and Northwest Passage. We had a good time and they did their best to sing along. One guy, the tequila guy, just sat their with a smile and listened. Later while cleaning the kitchen I gave them Derelict and I caught him singing along with the "yo ho ho and a bottle of rum" refrain.

The Reefers sat there amazed as I reeled the songs off because they generally work from paper. RR kept making comments about the memory storage in computer terms. I guess they've never had to free themselves from the paper crutch. My thanks to Roll & Go for the repertoire and the need to work from the head instead of the page.

The hostess has two yellow Labrador retrievers. The female had puppies about six weeks ago. At one point I walked through the living room and it seemed as if everyone held a squirming furry little body with a cute fuzzy face. Nothing like a puppy to put you in a good mood.

I finally headed home and dropped into bed around 11:30, very tired but happy with the evening. It was indeed a good time.