Yesterday was my 78 birthday. As I made it to the Cave with a protein drink in my hand, I was glad to be alive, but not much more.

Shelby bounced through the door singing Happy Birthday. God, I love her! She asked how I was, I said depressed and suicidal, and I have no idea why. I suspect it's brain damage.

She told me were having a birthday poker and tacos party, with a few friends. Then she gave me a couple of those green hemp pills to fight the depression, and I wondered out for a walk.

I wanted to go to the bar but they only take cash, and I had none. So I hit the B/A next to the place and got some. My new favorite bartender Brooke was there, along with a couple good old boys I'd met before. They asked how I was and I said depressed and suicidal, and it was my birthday.

I quickly said I was kidding, even though I wasn't, and I got a birthday drink from Kramer, along with a delicious chocolate truffle from Brooke.

Then I walked the short blocks home to see what Shelby's birthday plans were. The place was hopping! Tacos were being cooked, tables were being set up in front of the cave, and great country music was blasting out from the speakers Brian put in front of my truck.

Brian also brought over a couple of expensive cigars which we smoked in the cave. Then friends arrived and we partied.

This is Stormy (a world class body builder) and his son Shaun.

This was the party gang.

Here's a winning hand I had (five sixes).

Our neighbor's Dan and Crystal dropped by as the poker game was going on. These two are a very nice, cool people. They have a massage therapy studio and Dan is also a local lounge singer, and he performs on cruise boats. They gave me a birthday coupon for a massage (yay!) and I got them stoned from a jar of fresh bud.