Turning 80 means yet another party!

 This one was a surprise. Three more friends joined in celebrating with me, as well as the two who I'd expected to have a regular lunch with.

Those two! They had it all together, I must say. First, when the original restaurant wasn't open (staffing issues) they switched to another one. They brought presents, a tiara, and lots of flowers as well as a carrot cake. I was a little kitten in heaven!

Teresa, one of the organizers...who toted lots of decorations and the cake!

and Helen, the other culprit who hid the flowers somewhere in her car so I didn't see them when she picked me up.

Linda, my goddess friend

Cathy, my Mud Buddy friend

and Suzanne, who went to the original restaurant looking for us, then went home, where she finally got the voice mail on her phone. She doesn't use her cell phone. So she arrived late, but joined in the fun!

My tiara...

My wonderful yummy carrot cake! The remains which went home with me are now in my freezer, to be enjoyed and bring a smile to my life in future days.

The food is always yummy...with variety for vegetarians too.

I had 3 serenades: first the regular birthday tune, then one with a waltzing rhythm, then the staff who had drums and rattles and gave a cha cha birthday song! They even put a sombrero over my tiara...somehow no photo from that remains (thank heavens!)

Today's quote:

Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation.

Healing is an act of communion.

—bell hooks

All About Love 

Some views of friends and a favorite restaurant

 When having a lovely luncheon with friends last Saturday, most of them refused to have a photo taken of themselves.

When I asked Bette if she'd let me take a selfie with her, this is what she did.

Then she was brave and let me see her smile. I reminded her the last time I took her photo had been at the Pisgah Inn in the spring. She smiled more then...and proposed another trip there. 

I said, I had to buy new horses to take us!

There are changes being made at Ole's.  Roof over the garden part of the patio...rather dark but maybe cooler.

Glad that tree was finally cut...it didn't look long for the safety of the restaurant.

This is what I've been doing all weekend...

They are selling quickly, I believe...so I doubt that I'll see these exact cars when my friend M. takes me looking at them Monday.  By the time you read this I'd happily amend it to say I've got a new car.

Today's quote:

George Santayana said the famous phrase: "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."