March 16, 2012

White Dog and the others looked at Steve suspiciously when he reached for the hanging leashes. "Can't we just have a morning to do nothing? Momma's endless birthday is killing us!" He grabbed White Dog's lead. "Well, Baby Girl, the rest of The White Dog Army does have the morning off but you have an appointment at the spa and I have to go into work." WD sighed and the WDA let out a long breath of relief.

"But remember we are all meeting Gordon for lunch at one," Steve said and sailed out with WD in tow.

WD was silky smooth and blindingly white when she and Steve returned at noon. It was pleasant in the house with the doors open but Steve said it was hot in the sun. He reminded me the outdoor seating of the restaurant was plaza style and not well shaded; he suggested that we might consider leaving the WDA behind. I expected a surge toward the door and the usual "you can't leave without us" demands. Instead, WD settled on the arm of my chair and each of the others got into comfortable nap positions. We called out to let Michael know we were leaving and headed out sans Army.

We were carrying my birthday gift from Gordon when we reentered a while later...a beautiful brown, succulent, applewood scented turkey breast that he had smoked for us (Gordon is a master at smoked meats). Suddenly, the WDA desire celebrate was renewed! Steve allowed each member a slivered sample and then carefully put the bird in the refrigerator for later divvying. The WDA promised to guard the icebox against theft.

Tonight things are beginning to return to "normal." We ate at home, just a simple meal, just us, just like normal... well almost normal...there was still carrot cake so we didn't have to stop celebrating cold turkey.