Ed and I were guests at Nadine’s (gtf) cookout at her house down the street from us. It was lovely. No fireworks and I don’t care. We arrived at 2 and left at 8. The guests were her women friends who are part of our lunch group plus husbands. I love them all. I didn’t take my swim suit because I didn’t feel like getting wet. It rained part of the day but that did not interfere.

Fatima’s husband, Andy, did the grill chores. He loves to do it. We had Portuguese sausage and hamburgers on the French-style hamburger buns I brought. Toni brought the salad and Sonia brought watermelon. I also brought cut up mangoes.

Sonia, my Armenian born friend, raised in Paris, talked with Ed at length. She thinks he knows everything, so he enjoyed that. Fatima picked his brain about possibly making a transition from cosmetic work that is now getting more difficult because her hands are getting arthritic, and working with residents at nursing homes, since he is an ombudsman for same. Fatima, in case I haven’t mentioned it, is a former airline stewardess, is now 62, has an incredible body, lovely face, not a mark on her impeccable skin, great personal style. I love her to death. Someone asked was I worried she and Ed were talking so long. That is so cute. No I’m not worried.

I tried to walk in the morning but have been having neck and upper back pain and was forced to turn back. Time to get back to my massage therapist.

It was a good day. Happy birthday, country.

xx, Teal