Tom's Eightieth Birthday Celebration...4 Months Early

After my big surprise birthday party, I began thinking about Tom's next birthday.  It will be his eightieth and he will again be as old as I am.  

Since he was born in January and we live in Ohio, we didn't think it would be easy to have a big party like he had for mine.  My sisters told us not to expect them to come.  Nobody who lives in Florida is likely to chose to come to Ohio in January.

Finally, Tom said, "I'd like to go to a Reds baseball game."  

Now that is something he can't do in January.  But he can do it now.  I told him to order the tickets and I would pay for the day's expenses.   

Years ago we would go to a game or two every year. but the games are expensive now.  We haven't gone to a game for eight years or more. I paid for the expenses out of my savings account.  That way he could forget about the cost and enjoy the day.

Tom was able to get tickets for his favorite seats, the handicapped accessible seats on the street level so we were close to food, the restrooms, and under a roof to protect us from the sun.

We got to see one of our favorite Reds, Joey Votto.

Billy Hamilton made one of his astounding catches out in right field.

By and by it became clear that the Reds were not going to win.  That was disappointing but the day was beautiful...sunny, a light breeze, sweater weather.  We even saw a Monarch butterfly flitting over the heads of the fans seated in front of us.

We watch the Reds regularly on TV but it was fun to actually be part of the crowd and see things not usually seen on TV like this truck with a revolving shooter on the back end that shot favors into the crowd.

This man had an air gun that shot off  favors.

In the last few innings, by the magic of computers, catcher's masks covered fan's faces caught by the Great American Stadium's cameras.  The "K"s (for Kroger) were turned to celebrate strikeouts by the Reds' pitchers.  If only the batters had hit in a few more runs!

Afterward, Tom said wistfully, "Do you think you have enough money to eat at the Hofbrauhaus in Newport?"  He is a lover of German food.

I decided that I did.

Part of the brewing system is on display behind the bar and the entire process is pictured on this diagram between the men's and women's restrooms.

It took Tom a while to decide on his meal.

Saurbrauten with spatzle and red cabbage. (I chose Salmon.)

Happy birthday, Tom (four months early)

Our Anniversary...Number Fifty-six

Our anniversary is November twenty-second.  This year the date was the day before Thanksgiving, just as it was the year we were married.  That year we didn't have Thanksgiving Day dinner to prepare for but this year we did.  It was wonderful to see all the Ohio clan except Jacquie who had to work.  ( She is a manager for a restaurant.)  Twelve of us are below.  Three more arrived later in the day.  The other six live in North Carolina and had Thanksgiving there.

Tom and I decided to celebrate our anniversary the following Wednesday.  We went to Schmidt's German Restaurant in Columbus and then to the Columbus Museum of Art.

My dinner.  Tom chose the buffet but I enjoyed having my food brought to me.

Our waiter, Dave.

Looking out the window.

First new item in twenty-five years.  We didn't try it.  We have our old favorites.  Next time I plan to try it.

Afterward we took a short walk in the village.  Normally this time of year the weather would be unpleasant but on "our" day, the sun shone and fifty degree temperatures felt like early fall.

The homes and businesses were decorated for Christmas or in the process of being decorated.  If you look closely, you will see a black and white dog behind the gate enjoying the day.

We stopped at The Book Loft and bought a Christmas CD which included Christmas songs sung in German.

Our next stop was The Columbus Museum of Art where we enjoyed comparing many Pointillist paintings. in the Post Impressionism special exhibit.  There were also prints done in a variety of techniques.  

Harris Crab House at Kent Narrows, Maryland

"Kent Narrows", I said.  "I remember that sign from the last time."  We had just driven over the bridge in the photo.  Tom was searching for a seafood restaurant where he had eaten a crab cake he had never forgotten because it was perfect.

A  moment later, he saw the hotel that he remembered from staying there the year of the marvelous crab cake.

It didn't take him long to find the restaurant.

Outside, to the right of where we parked, discarded shells were being sent up a conveyor belt and into a dump truck.

The yellow bins are full of  oysters waiting to be processed.  I assumed these were oysters.  Being from the midwest, I could be mistaken.  I wish I had asked but I didn't want to interrupt someone in the midst of his work.  Next time!

Here is the boat the oysters were brought in on.  They were in the red buckets .

Insert November 26...Beyond the boat was an interesting sign that told me more about oysters.  It was enlightening to read of the ways oysters are a vital part of our world and particularly, vital to Chesapeake Bay.

I noticed another sign yesterday at the grocery store when I bought  the oysters I'll put in the stuffing for Thanksgiving.

Two views from the restaurant windows.

And here is the crab cake.  Tom said it tasted as good as he remembered.