Celebrating number 89

 Dad was 89 today.  It was a good day.  Dad was awake most of the day, had a pretty good check-up at the doctor (I mean, really, who has to go to the doctor on his birthday?), and we had a wonderful evening.  Our friend Boogie grilled steaks and asparagus for us, and we had ice cream and cake with Dad's granddaughter who lives here in town.  We laughed...and laughed...and laughed...at everything and anything.

 Boogie fired up the grill, with real mesquite wood.  It was hot, of course, letting the fire burn down, but the smell reminded me of my childhood and how Dad always cooked on mesquite coals.  We did not know there was any other way to do it!

 Mom used to make a fudge cake that we all loved, and Daddy would sometimes say "I am getting ready for a Betty fudge cake" so I decided I would make one for his birthday.  Here's the deal on the plan, though:

• couldn't find mom's cake pans, so used two bundt pans--tip for ya'll: don't do it
• out of chocolate, so used cocoa--tip for ya'll: don't do it
• no shortening, so used butter--tip for ya'll: don't do it
• recipe calls for baking powder and baking soda; no baking soda so added a smidgeon more baking powder--tip for ya'll: don't do it

Sis took it out of the oven for me while I went to the store to get the steaks.  I said it was pretty squatty looking.  She said it tasted fine.

I think we know that was not the case.  Good thing she had bought a cake for back-up.  But, one more time today, we laughed and laughed.  It was a good day.  As dad said, "you just don't turn 89 very often."