So, turning 90 gets attention, for very good reason. But, besides that, if one is also a wonderful, accomplished and funny woman, there is even more cause to celebrate.
This is exactly the case with my mother-in-law, Ruth Gold, who, though it's still a couple of weeks until the actual day, was honored with a birthday party at Diana and Dick's home in Montecito last Sunday.
Gorgeous setting: Diana and Dick's beautiful home and yard. Plus Diana is Queen of Entertaining. She has special gifts in the area of hospitality and event-making. And she's trained lots of family assistants. Good thing, because we weren't much help.
As for the involvement of our immediate family, on Saturday Tom and I drove two thirds the way from Grass Valley through the Central Valley to Kettleman City (home of, um, something good, probably, but also where there's a major pollution investigation of the local waste management system--eesh!), then finished the final three-or-so hours to Santa Barbara on Sunday morning. Dylan and Emi stayed at the home of friends in Santa Barbara Saturday evening. Rachel had previous plans in Tennessee for the weekend, unfortunately.
Guests of note were Ruth's brother, Harold (88) and sister, Eileen (87). Dick's mom (95) lives nearby and sat at the "head" table, as well. Lots of great genes represented there, I have to say!
I won't go into all the friends and relations present, but I'll just say that it was a fun group.
Here are a few representative photos: First, there's Ruth and Diana, then Ruth and her siblings sitting at the table. After that, Dylan and Emi are getting some food in the kitchen. Tom is chatting with his cousin, Bob and Bob's wife, Roxanne. Lastly, well, mercifully, each candle represented 10 years.
Seriously, a perfect party with wonderful folks in a lovely setting in honor of a remarkable woman.
Can't do better than that, right?
