On Sun, 07 Dec 2003 08:47:56 -0500, Margaret Suran
arranged random neurons, so they looked like this:

snippidy

Terry was wearing a dead black animal and opted to not leave it in the
hallway.

"Dead black animal? DEAD BLACK ANIMAL?"

That was a Blackglama mink, fergawdsake, that not only is gorgeous,
but kept me from freezing to death up there in the New York Ice
Bucket. My ridiculous SoCal boots are another story. I still can't
feel my toes.

Margaret's neighbor Laura arrived. Jack finally showed up.

And, boy, was his Real Person Persona (:-) a surprise. For some
reason, I mentally pictured a professorial type of eccentric
persuasion. Love the ponytail, Jack, although I hate it when a guy has
better hair than I do. He's also hilarious. Did Barb mention he drinks
a lot?

Boron and spouse were delightful and many, many thanks for the ride
back to the apt. I doubt we'd have gotten a cab that day and our
frozen carcasses would have been found about May, I expect. Thanks,
Boron et ux! (Also for the grand tour by the 5th Ave. Christmas tree.)

Margaret also had a wine opener that was the absolutely coolest thing
I'd ever seen (I don't get out much, ya know :-) and I absolutely
raved about it. Was very noisy to the DH about a possible Christmas
present. See below for the finish.

Marcel had not yet arrived so Bill was pressed into bartending. He
constructs a praiseworthy Blood Mary. Bill, dahling, I salute you.

He is a dahling and Patience Personified: witness his union with moi.

snippidy

(The service here is pretty good -- you should come.)

snippidy

You mentioned Perle Mesta earlier: ole Perle could have taken notes
from Margaret. A more gracious and welcoming hostess you will never,
ever find. Margaret as a hostess is nonpareil and an absolutely dear,
dear woman. She's also very funny with a wry wit. She and my daughter,
Kristen, chatted a bit in German, which seemed to please both. She
also loaded Kristen, the Poor But Struggling Artist, up with leftovers
the likes of which Kristen's refrigerator has never seen. The kid
slobbered all over Boron's SUV on the way back to the hotel as she
contemplated the goodie bag Margaret had given her. And imagine my
surprise when both Barb and Margaret handed goodie bags out on exit.
My favorite of Barb's is her homemade (not commercial) blackberry
jelly. I LOVE blackberry jelly. Bill, getcher smack! hand offathat!

And from Margaret: the wine opener. Honest to God, I am just thrilled!
I will tell her by snailmail, but, boy, oh, boy do I love that thing!
She may, however, be responsible for an increase in my wine
consumption, as it is so much fun to open a bottle of wine!

more snippidy

It appeared from our vantage point that the weather wasn't as bad as was
predicted. I think that was deceptive.

more snippidy

HA! Read my post about our flight out from Orange County. "Deceptive"?
Yah, I was deceived by the freakin' weather channel that we'd get in
ahead of the mess :-

As for the brunch: what a delightful afternoon. What a delightful
bunch of people. And, Margaret, please visit SoCal soon - I'm betting
that the SoCal RFCers would love to put on a spread and I can
guarantee you bed and board!

Terry "Squeaks" Pulliam Burd
AAC(F)BV66.0748.CA

"If the soup had been as hot as the claret, if the claret
had been as old as the bird, and if the bird's breasts had
been as full as the waitress', it would have been a very
good dinner." Anonymous.

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