Dena is going to be Sixty (60).

What are you going to do when you have a sixty year old angel??? Love her with your whole being. How many women can get her way as they stands toe to toe with the "captains of industry", sits at the bedsides and graves as her parents die, listen to horrible tragedies told to her by frightened, suffering friends and then 'on a lark', lay down in the snow and make 'snow angels' as if she were six and this is her avocation and her first frozen precipitation. Everyone loves her and she loves them in return, warts and all.

She loves flowers, so the flower fairy gave her 60 roses and "one to grow on". I'm sure she is in the photo somewhere???

Dena is at least as much fun to give a gift to as any child I have ever had the privilege to watch receive a present. That is the best part of it for me.

The oddly and overly wrapped gift in the photo is a hard backed photo album created by apple books and me. It is quite beautiful, if I must say so myself. It is after all a collection of the "Life and times of Dena Olivia Takmajian-Pierce". We expect the movie to follow this summer. :)

It took many weeks and hours to assemble the photos and learn how the create the book. It was even lost to the world in a computer 'fart', but I overcame this momentary setback and rebuilt the book from scratch for my sweet wife. I think she likes it.

When we got to Ramone's El Dorado last night, they were going to close the doors at 4:30 pm because of the snow and very cold (single digit) temperatures. When we left at 7:30 pm the restaurant was still half full and people still coming in. Who'd have thunk it ???

We were the first one to arrive and for a very short time it looked as if it was going to be a "Mary Tyler Moore Party".

Dena, (still blind as a bat when it comes to her mate), has the most beautiful eyes and smile, Always. Thank God for Dena and thank him sharing her with me.

Mark and Carrie, who shared their house with us at Christmas, joined the crew to wish Dena a happy birthday. We are always happy to see them.

Jose' our long time friend at Ramone's, takes care of our every need. The margaritas flow like a river (well at least a cold stream). Our place is reserved every week and we need to call Jose' so that he will not worry if we can not get there. He knows what I will order and usually chooses the best and freshest delight for Dena.

Crash (Debbie) and Phil helped to put this small secret together. Crash is one of Dena's oldest freinds, that is not to imply that she is in anyway "old". Deb would do anything for Dena and was glad to take over responsibilities for the 'Gayla Gala'. Her sweet smile and easy demeanor belies the strength and wisdom under the surface. Phil is a good match her and friend to us.

Kathy and Frank are possibly the uber partiers. They are great parents and grandparents. Their son is a stellar student, mostly do to their dillagence. Kathy is another of Dena's oldest friends who have a much longer history that I with her. Kathy and Dena walk together in the coldest or hottest or just most miserable of days and seem to not notice the weather. Dena is a good listener and Kathy is . . . well, Kathy.