#391...on the Confluence of Hams at the HamFam...

                  

"All they could see was sky, water, birds, light and confluence.  It was the whole morning world.  And they themselves were a part of the confluence.  Their own joint act of faith had brought them here at the very moment and proceeded.  Direction itself was made beautiful, momentous.  They were riding as one with it, right up front. "  

                                                   -Eudora Welty (1909-2001)
                                                                      american writer  

                                          (Egad!  How perfect it that Mumsy!?)  

Well obviously, Ms.Welty must have had a HamFam meeting of her own somewhere in an earlier life - perhaps the Green Ghost (now known as The Official Chariot of Confluence) was there....

             

                    but only the Slacmeister could ever really know for sure....       

And so it would be, that the History of Confluence would repeat itself - yet once again. This time the proposed slacsetting was - why, none other than the infamous and newly renovating,  HamFam!

                       (formally known as the Flemish MacGhillacutty or something...)    

              

(Tour note:  The long term mission is to confluence at every known diner with catchy names)

And so the Queen set out upon The Quest of Confluence (Part Deux) with a half tank of gas, a semi-reliable cell phone (ask Kat), and a smeared copy of mapquest directions. 

                         She steadily maneuvered the Floramobile over

                                                  rolling pastures,  

                         

                                                            past barns,

                          

                                                           and cowfields....

                          

...but after careful consideration, decided NOT to pass the Caution WIDE LOAD rig on the winding and rolling little country road.   

 (For "they" it seems, are always moving houses on wheels - on the days of confluence...)

The Slac, The Kat, and The Common Queen arrived in sinc - as if they were
                               an olympic synchronized swim team  -

                                                

- Mumsy however heard the beat of a different drummer and decided to take the longer and more lost - HamFam via slow boat to China, route...

                                              

                                 Finally the confluencers were well=met!

They kissed and hugged and laughter could be heard for miles around - and all this before the refreshments were even served.   The Hamfam lived up to true diner food reputation - featuring chicken croquettes, meatloaf, and liver n' onion specials.

Satisfied that this was, in fact, a bona-fide diner - the confluencers confidently ordered from the chef's specials menu instead.   

The food was good, but the company was even better.  The only thing missing was a selection of  the ever-eclectic, Slac-crooner, on the booth's personal juke box.

After tapioca and rice pudding and corn chowder - (of course!) -  the confluencers walked toa nearby park to muse about geese and ducks, renegade aquatic bird feeders and their subsequent ploppings...(the bird droppings, not the old ladies..)  

Even so, mostly laughter and smiles echoed through the much acclaimed Allentown park system as the confluencers  settled upon a setting for a photo-op.

                                Sunflowerkat, was in charge and ready -  

            

... impishing enjoying watching Mumsy, Slac, and the Queen maneuver over indigenous rocks....(insert inside joke here)...

               

and as Kat set up - the Queen snapped her own pictures....(notice slac wearing the official tee shirt from confluence one - babymae you were missed!)   

Mumsy is the official Grande Dame of Confluence - having traversed the nation in hopes of meeting fellow journalers (sometimes as ships passing literally in the night)...and is a wonderful person and beloved friend. 

The Slacmeister is above all- the gentle man of gentlemen, and the Official Stallion of Confluence - and is simply - brilliant in his uniqueness.   

And what of this new Sunflower of a Person - Kat? Oh, she is just perfect. Open and breezy - and full of light and laughter.  Like a true Sunflower - she follows the light.

              What a honor it was for me to be in such company. No, really...

           

                                              The smiles say it all, eh?    

 "This was the simple happiness of complete harmony with their surroundings, the happiness that asks for nothing, that just accepts, just breathes, just is."   

                                 ~ Countess Van Arnim (1866-1941) english writer