The table was set
Sarah and Ed
and Ben were relaxing
though Ed did feel that he should dress for the occasion
even as the maror
and charoset
were put on the seder table
and the wine was prepared for Elijah
and asparagus
and strawberries
were being prepared in the kitchen as plates were being assembled for the first course
as the watched pot
wasn't boiling
but many pots were cooking
as eggs were prepared for a tradition we don't remember (but we know it's an important tradition)
and cups were given to Ben
even as the traditional wine found its place
among the festival napkins
and as the fish plates (sans fish)
were being assembled, the meat was being cut
just in time for the arrival of Willa and Bill (and, of course, Martha)
who thought this picture of me had to be taken
as Jane and her friends
and Jeff (posing with Sarah) arrived
so that hors d'ouveres could be served
to the waiting crowd
before OtherJane arrived and the seder (which was not photographed) could begin.
Then it was time for food and we (or some) began with gefilte fish
and a mamouth salad
that looked like this on my plate
even as the soup was cooling
and the meat was passed
and served
along with the vegetarian artichoke dish
and potatoes
that made this array on my plate
before more meat arrived
along with a kugel
so that my plate took shape
though the asparagus
and tofu dishes
were needed to complete the design on my plate
as the assembled ate away
and Bill and Jeff bonded
which seemed to embarrass Bill
even as the meal proceeded
so that I could take a photo of Willa
and this self portrait
and then this picture of the people on the right of the table
as the tofu was completed
and the strawberries were brought out
so that Jane could try the whipped cream
before fruit,
macaroons
and cakes (all kosher for passover)
came out to accompany the strawberries for our dessert.
Having recovered, I returned to work and several days later took a picture of Mike Smith who would be acting chair of the Philosohpy department.