How to turn 40, part 4 – surprise party at Smokee’s

Comments

1. JOB says

   July 1, 2013 at 10:10 am

   Foodstuffs? Drink matter? Please satisfy my overwhelming desire for vicarious experiences…

   JOB

   Reply
2. JOB says

   July 1, 2013 at 10:17 am

   Captions from top to bottom:

   “These men are all smoking and telling rough stories. I wonder if they’d notice if I snuck away on mincing cat’s paws for a bit of Earl Grey and a nibble of Gruyere?”

   “Alas, poor Bartle and James! I knew them, Josephus; fellows of infinite treacle, of most excellent saccharine; they hath borne me on their back a thousand times; and now, how abhorred in my imagination they are! My gorge rises at them. Here hung those bubbles that I have kissed I know not how oft. Where be your peach spritzer now? Your kiwi strawberry? Your passion fruit? Your flashes of raspberry merriment, that were wont to set the soccer field out behind the high school on a roar?”

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   • Matthew Lickona says

     July 1, 2013 at 10:24 am

     If you were here, I’d give you a berry punch.

     Reply
3. Matthew Lickona says

   July 1, 2013 at 10:23 am

   Drinks: Deirdre instructed the guests to bring bottles of tequila, several of which were mixed into homemade margaritas. (Over 90 limes were squeezed in the process.) Eventually, mixed drinks gave way to straight tequila of various ages and brands.

   Food: Smokee made her tamales, which are the best I’ve ever had. Plus there was carne asada from Mario’s de La Mesa. Plus beans and rice and guac and salsa and sauces and suchlike. For dessert, Sophia made a fine berry galette – fruit tarts are my favorite finish to a meal.

   Dinner was perfectly agonizing, as The Wife made people go ’round the table saying nice things about me. It was also deeply touching. Ernie read a story that served as a sequel to Cubeland’s tale of Lickona and Death in the desert.

   We ate on the raised deck off the back of Smokee’s new house, looking out over the valley.

   Because it was my birthday, I made the crowd listen to my new song, “I’d Rather Be Naked Than Right.”

   There was much pipe smoking by the menfolk. Naturally, I demurred.

   Reply
   • JOB says

     July 1, 2013 at 10:25 am

     …and naturally, that led to my smartassery…

     Also, yum and double yum on f and d!

     JOB

     Reply
   • Matthew Lickona says

     July 1, 2013 at 10:26 am

     But the gruyere was smashing.

     Reply
4. Angelico Nguyen, Esq., OP says

   July 1, 2013 at 11:53 pm

   Photo 1: Licontrapposto

   Photo 2: A Heady Drink

   Reply