Airplane Ride!!!!!!!

The King is 70

My dad has always referred to himself in the third person as "The King". We're very used to it. As his 70th birthday in January neared, my mom wanted to plan a very special celebration of this jump to a new decade. She loves surprises as much as I do (which is a lot) so planned a surprise party for The King two months early. It was held at the country club where he golfs so that he could be lured there unsuspectingly on a Sunday afternoon. And WOW, was he ever surprised. 80 of his closest friends showed up, as well as his family and what followed was declared the best day of his life. I'm sure this was due in part to the performance on ukulele by ME of a song called "It's Good To Be King". There was also lots of cake, cheap beer, and tears of joy. Long live The King!

At one point, my nephew Little M approached me outdoors, nodded his head in the direction of a parked golf cart, and said, "Someone left the keys in that. Want to?" Yes, Auntie wanted to. The youngster and I had a fine joyride all the hell over the golf course, and I even drove for awhile. We ran the power down on the cart, then parked it and walked away whistling. I like to lead by example.

Ommegawd!

With inspiration from the Chef's bottle of the week series, I must share my experience with Ommegang Brewery's specialty stout known as Chocolate Indulgence. I can highly recommend every beer I've tasted from this fine brewery, and the CI is on the short list. It's not sweet-ish at all, just a flavorful but not overly powerful stout with the distinct cocoa powder finish. The last glass from the bottle is the most cocoa-y delicious! Do indulge.

Observation

Let it be known that playing The Latin Playboys at en elevated volume does not, in fact, obscure the barely tolerable stench of a collegue's too much perfume in the workplace. GACK...

Dia de Los Muertos

I'm a bit late posting this photo of my annual creation in honor of Day of the Dead, Nov. 2, which was celebrated quietly and thoughtfully this year with the silver owl overlooking the special day. I thought of them all with love and some longing. I discovered, after returning from celebrating my niece's 15th (!) birthday, that it is an appropriate day to acknowledge lost loved ones after all. Alice left us today, slipped away like a whisper. I'm grateful for her easy passing and sorrowful for the husband who will miss her. It was certainly one of those Circle of Life days that Fancy and I seem to notice more and more. I think about how my namesake, the birthday girl, will be going to NYC in a few months and I feel strangely fine.

This image was supposed to be attached to my previous post, but magically disappeared. Poof!

Hitch

Lucky, happy me. I got to once again experience Mr. Robyn Hitchcock and his imcomparable music, this time in reverence at our own favorite club. Such a strange atmosphere, so quiet, attentive and, well....adult. Everyone (except Marco) was hushed and well-behaved, seated in rows on folding chairs set up specially for this early (again, for we oldsters) show. My friend Bobbette and I found a good spot on the edge of a pool table behind theseated folks. We gasped in unison several times as the dreamy guitar sounds of "I'm Only You", "You and Oblivion", and "Balloon Man" launched into the dark room. The songs take me up at least five levels higher than any other favorite bands.

I tried to take a few photos, but the lighting and distance were against me. Luckily, my friend Cheese was front and center, and grabbed this stage shot. I did take the other photo of RH signing cd's after his set. He was wearing reading glasses on the end of his nose. Delightful.

Boo!

A happy belated Hlloween to you and yours from The Dude, Exene, and Maeve the Kitty!

Lucerro Numero Uno

Last Sunday we celebrated the very first birthday of our little friend Lucerro, brother of Ace, son of Chef Joey and Dainty. What a delicious afternoon! Something that's proven true over and over since we had Rosebud is that kid parties are REALLY fun. Lucerro's bash had all the essential elements of the good life: friends, food, drink, and music. And cake! Plates heaped with delectable Meditteranean bites covered the tables, as fine ale and kiddie cocktails by the pitcher flowed. The Outtatoons, Madison's only cartoon song cover band, rocked the room. Love, baby, love and happiness was everywhere. I can't until little Lu turns 2.