June 29, 2013 – Jacksonport. Door County Wisconsin

For Norb Blei

From this side of the peninsula, we get the sunrise and not the sunset. The morning is rife with heavy clouds just leaking light.  The great lake walks with gray feet away from the beach, slowly like an old man sauntering on the sand. What would make this scene perfect would be the man, himself, bounding into the  room, talking about authors before sitting down to digest his group of students.

This is a sad day––the memorial for Norb, but true to his giant spirit it is an extravaganza of people reading his words and toasting his life with music and fun. It will have its sadnesses, but remembering Norb writes its own memorial, a noisy, people-plush fact of life. The one tlhing missing is the grist of the man, his deep voice, presence that takes over the room, will we find him there among the tributes? I will look for his face of granite with white mustachios flowing, his khaki vest, filled with voices that surprise us, his students.

Perhaps the overcast is sweet for our moods this morning. Later, with the love in the room,  sun will shine on the  Bay.