As I’ve written, I only take portraits of people I like or love or who know how to smile and make me smile.

Pam volunteers at the town’s Co-Op, Cambridge Place, where Maria and I get most of our fresh and healthy food. Pam comes every Thursday to cut up the fish and prepare it for the buyers.

Pam and her partner have sold antiques for years when she isn’t cutting up fish and wrapping them. She’s a captivating storyteller and a warm and funny person to know. I’m always amazed at the depth and character of the people who have, like Maria and I, come to the country to live.

We’re signing up for some fresh salmon that the co-op orders weekly.

We’ve known and loved Pam for a while now, and I think she has the best and warmest smile I know of or have seen. I’ve always wanted to take her portrait. She has a beautiful face full of feeling and has many great stories to tell.

Like Maria and me, she loves holidays when she can spend alone with her husband. We are planning to do the same thing.

Pam is one of the people I love, but I don’t see her unless I come in on Thursdays. The fish prep is difficult and time-consuming.

She is one of the volunteers who makes the co-op work. I wouldn’t mess with her; she can be tricky as nails.

I’ve been waiting to catch that smile for months, even years. I got my picture this morning, to her surprise and shock. But she gave me a sweet smile. Pam is a storyteller, and she loves stories. I suspect I am her morning story of the day.

She goes into my “People I Love” portrait folder.

Thanks to people like Pam, we can eat fresh and healthy food and meet some of the nicest people in the world. This morning, I bought a small quiche pie, spinach, and goat cheese. Maria and I will share it for lunch.