Yesterday, I was invited to have lunch with my friend Beth and her granddaughter Piper, who soon will be two.

Before lunch we played a game of peekaboo.

Then came a wonderful lunch of chicken salad with grapes, almonds, and a bit of marmalade with the mayonnaise; raspberry muffins; and cantaloup.  For dessert, hermit cookies. Let’s just say my reputation as A Good Eater remains untarnished.

After lunch, we had tea and chatted while Piper played, involving us from time to time in say, ball or change the baby doll’s diaper.

All too soon, it was time to leave so that Piper could have stories and a nap.

Before I left, I said, “When the weather is good, come join Liam and me for a walk on the trails behind the Winthrop high school.”

“Piper has a jogging stroller,” Beth said. “And we’ve gone on the trails in Vaughn woods.”

“Then trails at the high school shouldn’t give you any problem,” I said.

Piper blew me a kiss, and I blew one back. As I drove home, I thought about what I would have for Beth and Piper after the walk. A light lunch, perhaps, and some little toy—toy farm animals or dinosaurs for Piper to play with.

I’ll be on the lookout.