Getting a Head Start on 101

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Thursday, May 23, 2013 – Getting a Head Start on 1-0-1

Last year at this time, we were deep into 100^th birthday celebration mode.  Guests were arriving from all over the country and our refrigerators (yes, both of them) were already bulging with party food.  This year, by contrast, the festivities for Elliott’s upcoming birthday are much more low-key.  So instead of stressing out, we’re feeling relaxed and are looking forward to the big day on Saturday.  But we’re getting a head start on the celebration.

First of all, today we joined a group from the JCC for a trip up to the Music Center at Strathmore in Bethesda, Maryland.  We were treated to an hour-long performance by students and faculty from the Levine School of Music followed by a tour of the beautiful concert hall and the stunning modern facility.  This is a venue that we hope to visit again in the near future.  Before returning to Virginia, the group had lunch at Parkway Deli in Silver Spring.  I surprised Elliott by arranging for a special dessert – a piece of strawberry cheesecake with a birthday candle.  Also, everyone on the bus serenaded him with “Happy Birthday.” 

Elliott has already received several cards, which he opened immediately.  (At his age, it’s smart not to wait around.)  And our friends Joel and Liz (Joel is “The Idiot” who wrote about his trek around the Mediterranean in The Idiot and the Odyssey) sent a pair of “idiotic” mugs.  We picked up a Wegman’s birthday cake inscribed with Elliott’s new motto: 101 and still having fun!

 

On Friday, we’ll have a special dinner at home with the boys (Matt and Marshall).  I planned a menu that I hope will please everyone:  skewers of marinated chicken with red and yellow peppers; kasha and mushroom pilaf; sautéed fennel, asparagus and arugula with shallots, garlic and goat cheese; a salad of mesclun with roasted beets, walnuts and raspberry vinaigrette.  After dinner, we’ll be going to Sabbath evening services at Beth El where Elliott will receive a blessing from the rabbi.

On his actual birthday, which is Saturday, we’re going to see Show Boat at the Kennedy Center.  The celebration will continue on Sunday, when our friend Judy is taking us out for dinner at a local restaurant.  We’ll keep the momentum going by having our neighbors over for a birthday gathering a few days later.  And that, I think, will be enough birthday for one year. 

It’s amazing how quickly the months have passed since the big long-weekend celebration in 2012.  Over the course of the past year, Elliott has maintained his energy level and his positive outlook.  If only his vision were better, though.  He thought he’d been using stick deodorant, but I discovered this morning that he’s been applying Resolve Laundry Stain Removal Stick to his underarms.  No harm done, however, and his armpits are sparkling clean!