November 26, 1994: Frank and Joe Visit Dallas
	November 11-13, 1994: A Weekend Trip to Austin
	Return to the Index for 1994

For the third year, Fred has helped plan a birthday dinner and gathering for me. When Grant was alive, he planned them, but since his passing, I've taken a more casual approach and just invited close friends to dinner and cake. Last year, I fixed dinner here at the house; this year, Fred thought it would be nice to have everyone to dinner at Celebration- which is often the venue for one birthday gathering or another.

We invited Ron and Lowery, Chris and Ron, Prudence and a new friend of ours, Dan Calhoun. We'd actually invited Dan thinking that he and our friend Larry Marshall might hit it off, but at the last minute Larry had to cancel. At Celebration, we had our usually pleasant dinner; we were able to get one of the small, private rooms, and that made it much better. After dinner, we adjourned back to the house where we visited and had coffee and cake. That's where this evening's candid photos were taken, and you'll be able to see them on this page. Fred also had his panoramic camera here, and took two group pictures at the beginning of the evening (they did not include Dan, who arrived after dinner). Here is the first one:

L-R: Ron Drew, Me (holding Chip), Chris, Ron Mathis, Prudence, Lowery and Fred

Here are many of the candid shots that either Fred or I took during the evening:

I Am Cutting My Cake

(Picture at left) That's Chip on the floor; he is usually less skittish than Chip, but this evening he has hidden out in his spot in the master bedroom underneath the corner table. I always know I can find him there when is is not being the center of attention. He is quite used to Fred and I, but hides out for a while when other folks are over, though he usually comes out to join us fairly quickly.       (Picture at right) I was curious to see what Chip would do with the icing (which is basically a whipped icing, although not exactly whipped cream); he liked it. There is little that Chip doesn't like, although Dale is a good deal more finicky.

Chip Tries Some Icing

Here are Lowery and Prudence looking on as I cut my birthday cake. Prudence is Fred's good friend from college. She lives out in Arlington, and she and Fred take in a movie and dinner every couple of weeks. Fred always says that it's good of me to let him do that, but in reality I can't imagine that I could ever be so possessive as to try. Fred is Prudence's closest male friend, and I think it's good for both of them to spend time together.

At my 48th birthday party, from left are Lowery, Chris Young, and Ron Mathis. My living room seats only four real comfortably; the overflow have to sit on the hearth, as Ron and Chris are doing. Almost everything in the house is just as Grant left it; he did such a great job decorating, I've never thought I could improve on it.

Prudence is a very nice person, and she and Fred have a good time together. I think that she should do more to get out and meet more guys, though. Her job at the library doesn't afford her the opportunity to meet many, and I don't know that she goes out much on her own. I know that I am a bit old-fashioned, but I think an upswept hairstyle would look great on Prudence (but then I'm partial to that style anyway). I know it's a hassle to take care of, though, and that's probably why most younger women these days wear their hair straight, like Prudence does. Prudence has moved into a very nice house in Arlington.

(Picture at left) Some of the foregoing pictures were taken by Fred using the tripod he always carries with him. Fred like to record events on film as much as I do, although he is somewhat more artistic about it. I take more pictures, but he takes better ones. I can always trust him to bring the tripod along, and I have myself carried it on quite a few hikes and trips.       (Picture at right) Dan Calhoun is one of Greg's friends from church. His partner died a year or so ago; he lives over near White Rock Lake. Fred had invited him to introduce him to Larry, as I mentioned earlier. We will have to try again, though. Anyway, Dan's a nice guy, although I don't see him very often.

Here are Ron Drew and Chip. As I said, Chip is very friendly, and new people don't faze him at all. He likes to be right in the middle of things.

Here are Chris Young and Ron Mathis. I guess that they and Fred and I must get a few curious looks when we go out to a movie or something together, as we all look quite similar with our beards.

To finish off this page about my birthday party, I want to include the other panoramic group picture that Fred took at the beginning of the evening:

You can use the links below to continue to another photo album page.

	November 26, 1994: Frank and Joe Visit Dallas
	November 11-13, 1994: A Weekend Trip to Austin
	Return to the Index for 1994