la dolce vita

ok, so one my birthday cards had a sweet roman mosaic of fruit in a basket on the front, with the sentiment.....Oh, the sweet, sweet pleasures of this abundant life................inside.....today and always, may you savor every moment..............sweet because the card was from my spouse, and sweeter still because it is so true....despite my aches, and pains, and petty complaints, i do live la dolce vita here in danville...............of course, a short visit to florence next january would enhance this conclusion................i am grateful for all of those dear people who called, or wrote, or sent cards........and i am looking forward to my birthday book club tonight.......where 17 of my special family/friends will dine on pecan encrusted honey-marinated chicken, bourbon and maple sweet potatoes, country-style mixed greens, cornbread muffins, red cabbage and blue cheese slaw, and a cold rice salad...................sound like enough?i hope the wine and beer is completely consumed, as i have to go 39 days or so without..................yeh, yeh, i know that lent started today, but on the kcw calender of life, it starts when my birthday is over..........................and i am not even catholic...................