seven-decade boo

That's the birthday girl, Barbara, on the right, with her new hair cut and the big smile of someone finally retired from grading papers!

She's wearing a very lovely necklace and earring set, with dainty gold flowers and little pearls, given to her by Rambam school as a parting memento.

How very appropriate for someone with the love of Japanese culture that she has!

Speaking of such, that's Mark of MENSA sitting to her right.

He arrived late and that was the last seat available, so don't be thinking he's her date!

(smile!)

Neither of these men are dates for her, either.

The big guy on the end is Chris, her hair stylist for as long as I've known her.

Brandon is his husband, I think though it could be that they're just in a committed relationship.

I do know they have a 65-inch television that they claim to be as sharp and clear as the Big D movie screen at AMC.

We were chatting about "Black Widow" and how much I loved it on the Big D... and we all know where that conversation went!

(smile!)

They were both sitting opposite me and Sandy, so having a conversation with them on our first meeting was quite easy.

In fact, it was easier than talking to Sandy right beside me!

That had a lot to do with her soft-spoken nature, so maybe I'll get her a microphone to carry around.

I didn't think of when Carolyn and I met her for her birthday lunch at Betty Bombers, back on May 20th.

I would have liked to talk more with Sandy, as this is only the 2nd or 3rd time I've seen her since the pandemic began.

Surprisingly, I had more back and forth with these two than I did with perhaps anyone except mi amiga Boo... and both of these women have hearing problems!

That's Debra on the left, a neighbor of Barbara, and someone I'd never met.

The one on the left, though, is Brenda, and she and I went to school together at HVJ.

Speaking of Jenkins - it is no more.

Rather, the buildings where I attended classes are now rubble.

Really crazy to have that part of my life erased, but at least it isn't the first time that's happened.

Anywho, I have Brenda to thank for taking the great photos of me and Sandy, as well as of Boo and Mark.

That slightly out-of-focus shot of her and Debra?

That one is totally on me.

(smile!)

Many thanks, Barbara, for inviting me out to your luncheon!

I know how much you enjoy Bowtie Barbeque Company and I'm so glad they could accommodate our three-hour party at the front of their restaurant!

Here's to a happy year ahead, and happy retirement, too!

(smile!)