Party Party Party

That pretty uch sums up last week; its why I love having my birthfday on the 23rd; its one continuous celebration. The party started on the 21st, lunching with Ry, Brenda and Jennifer; celebrating the December birthdays, which is everyone but Jennifer. We started at Taco Billys, had beer at The Whale, and finished up at Archetype, where I got a free birthday pint glass.









In the evening David and Renee, who had visiting family in Hendersonville, made a surprise visit, bringing me flowers and presents!



On the 22nd, my friend Kip took me out for pre birthday fun. We had drinks at Cultivated Cocktails, then walked through the beautifully decorated Grove Arcade, admiring all the holiday lights. Asheville is an odd little city, that despite having a heavy tourist presence especially during the holidays, doesn't decorate; its a pretty sad looking town. Our next stop was The Botanist and Barrel, for local cider and raclettee; both were delicious. Just as we were finishing our snack, Jennifer texted asking if we wanted to meet her at Rye Knot for drinks, so off we went to have an old fashioned. The day was so much fun!











My birthday was pretty low key. It started with a friend singing Happy Birthday, and the morning spent at Megans, drinking coffee, reading birthday greetings on FB, and chatting with friends on the phone. In the late afternoon, my friends gathered at my house where we drank champagne as I opened cards and gifts. Tied with steak as one of my favorite meals, my friends treated me to sushi for dinner...I could eat sushi everyday. It was truly one of my best birthddays,







My gift to Megan this year was an annual pass to the Biltmore. We had been trying all month, with out success, to snag tickets to get in the house, but Megan loves a challenge and after a morning of constantly refreshing her browser, was able to get us entry times. The house was beautiful as always, and because of covid retrictions, not as crowded as in the past.

















In the evening, I was driving down Kimberly Ave, on my way to pick up a friend, peering in windows as I cruised. I could see lights and Christmas trees; families gathered around holiday tables. My intitial thought was, "Thats what I want to be doing." It lasted only a moment. That was my old life. Instead I was on my way to a sake bar to have dinner and dance to live music. Not your typical Christams eve, but exactly the kind I needed; it was different from the past, as am I. I had so much fun!









This photo embodies what I did all of Christmas day. Megan had lots of delicious food prepared, and after opening gifts, we lounged, read books and in the evening had a zoom call with Cory and Eric, in Texas, and watched a movie together.

Its been a most fabuolous week.