A great friend had a birthday this week – a kind, gentle soul who has been spreading her love on this earth for a long time – so we had to have a party to celebrate.  Last night twenty of our closest friends celebrated on her patio and gazebo under the moon and patio lights.  Even though it was hot, we had food and drink and sang happy birthday while the lights twinkled and the fans blew away as much heat as possible.  To borrow from the movie Throw Mamma from the Train, the night was sultry!

Writers are a special kind of people.  They love greatly, express themselves well, and enjoy life.  I thought of the literary greats who met at coffee houses (or bars) and discussed their latest creation.  And we did. We spoke of life and fiction, travels and old times.  The moon rose and the heat subsided.  We stayed later than we should and exhausted our hostess.  But I know she loved it even as the ice cream melted onto the table cloth.

This morning when I went back to gather my things and clean up, she was talking about when we could do it again and how we could make it better.  I doubt we could make it better; it was a starry, starry night.  But we can try.  Maybe spring or fall when it is not as hot, but what are you going to do when you’re a July baby?  Birthdays come when they do, you can’t adjust the weather.

I look forward the next time.  We can eat, drink and be merry. Mostly we can enjoy the company.  You don’t have to have a birthday to enjoy your friends.