Safe choices

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My birthday this year seems to have snuck up on me, just one week to go before I’m 61 years young. I’m always thrilled to celebrate another year of life and eager to see what the new one has in store.

Since Easter falls on my birthday this year, my friends decided we should celebrate ahead of the holiday festivities. We met at Two Ten Oyster Bar for dinner, and I’m pleased to say the food was fantastic, better than ever, with each dish more scrumptious than the last. It’s Restaurant Week, so there was a four-course dinner menu for just under $50, don’t mind if I do! We started with salad and Oyster Rockefeller, followed by chicken Milanese, and finished with a delicious chocolate torte. No wonder I’ve gained a few pounds!

We were popping champagne and whooping it up, and since we may or may not have overdone it the night before, champagne seemed like a safe choice… a quick buzz that doesn’t last long. As Tim says, “It’s the Chinese food of alcohol.” Although after the third bottle we realized maybe it was going down too smoothly?? We seem to be dining like rock stars lately, but you won’t hear me complain...there are worse problems to have! 

After dinner, everyone was eager to keep the night rolling, so we headed over to my Elks Lodge for a few games of pool, after-dinner drinks, and music from the jukebox. I was exhausted but would never turn down the chance to watch Carole play pool with random guys from the lodge, entertainment worth staying out for! Donna was the big surprise, showing off pool skills we didn’t know she had.

We all headed out just before eleven, much to Tim’s dismay. He had hoped we’d stay for the clock striking 11, when the entire lodge goes silent for a prayer for absent members, followed by a moment of silence before the party resumes in full swing. He was clearly disappointed when we got into the car at five minutes to the hour, insisting everyone else wanted to stay, though I suspect it was mostly him.

Either way, it’s always fun to have something to do after dinner, and not always easy to find the right kind of fun, this was perfect. My friends may have to become Elks themselves; there’s only so long they can ride on my coattails!

As I head into another year, I’m feeling grateful for good friends, good food, and nights full of laughter. If this celebration is any indication, 61 is going to be a very good year.

“Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.” — Carl Jung