A Symphony Anniversary

February 14

In my house I’m the boss, my wife is just the decision maker. ~ Woody Allen

This was our 21st anniversary. By custom, the gift for the 21st is fire (a theme). I have no idea what that means? I do know, however, the 21st denotes that we are now eligible, as a couple, to legally drink adult beverages. So, why not. We returned to our oft used venue for such events, The Garden Bar (nee Sixth Avenue Wine & Ale). I dusted off my AGC black sweater vest (always the fashion plate) and off we went. We were greeted with a glass of champagne from Vicky, our forever server there, who wasn’t even working that night but phoned it in. Then friends Jeanne & Tom Mulder dropped in (after their Valentine’s Day repast) to enjoy the previously noted adult beverage. The symphony was actually two days previous, but who’s counting. We included it as part of an extended celebration . . .

By all means marry; if you get a good wife, you’ll be happy. If you get a bad one, you’ll become a philosopher. ~ Socrates

[This winter has led many Alexandrians to search for places with a milder climate. Antarctica comes to mind. So, the days before our big events, we decided we’d better carb up. Homemade baguettes was a good start . . . ]

I love you more than coffee, but please don’t make me prove it. ~ Elizabeth Evans

[Carbing up the morning of the symphony. The previous Saturday morning (as discussed then) I made the doughnut run in a blizzard. This Saturday morning, the car’s external thermometer starting dropping right out of garage, dropped the entire 2 miles to the bakery, and continued dropping even more on the way home. I believe it bottomed out at 200 degrees below zero . . . ]

[Jeanne & Tom joined us at the Garden Bar for a little pre-meal wining . . . ]

Without Valentine’s Day, February would be…well, January. ~ Jim Gaffigan

[There were two specials on the evening – I opted for the mahi-mahi . . . ]

[The Super got the prime rib . . . ]

You know how people say, ‘You can’t live without love’? Well, oxygen is even more important. ~ Dr. Gregory Houser

I love being married. It’s so great to find that one special person you want to annoy for the rest of your life. ~  Rita Rudner

[Before I doze off, I would like to report that we ran into some folks we generally only see at the golf club – you know, in summer. At the table behind me is Karlie. She does her level best to see that the Wednesday night fine dining group is reliably served – whether or not we deserve it. And we were happy to see Ed and Suzie Buttweiler, before they belatedly head to Florida now that Ed is healthy enough to do so . . . ]

My friends tell me I have an intimacy problem. But they don’t really know me. ~ Garry Shandling

Two days previous . . .

‘Twas another daunting winter evening for the Central Lakes Symphony Orchestra performance of the Sound of the Cinema. I had emailed in advance as to whether the school would provide golf cart rides from the parking lot to the building for those of us who have ambulatory issues when it comes to traversing ice. We had to, of course, use our winter penguin walk (where both feet are continually on the ground) to obtain access. We were quite amazed that in spite of all we had a two-thirds house . . . ]

The trouble with some women is that they get all excited about nothing—and then marry him. ~  Cher

An archaeologist is the best husband a woman can have. The older she gets the more interested he is in her. ~ Agatha Christie

As a man in a relationship, you have a choice: You can be right or you can be happy. ~ Ralphie May

[An hour before each performance Brad Lambrecht entertains the early arrivers with his Maestro’s Notes, a history and explanation of the music to be performed . . . ]

The secret to a long marriage is to stay gone. ~ Dolly Parton

[Can you read this? Thank a teacher . . . ]

Love thy neighbor — and if he happens to be tall, debonair and devastating, it will be that much easier. ~ Mae West

A girl can wait for the right man to come along, but in the meantime that doesn’t mean she can’t have a wonderful time with all the wrong ones. ~ Cher

All you need is love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn’t hurt. ~ Charles M. Schulz

[Soprano Nicole Lambrecht (yes, they are related) beautifully sang The Lord of the Rings . . . ]

[Tenor Nicholas Swanson received a standing ovation for his performance of Bring Him Home from Les Miserables . . . ]

Unless you want to forget your marriage, it’s a good idea to remember your anniversary. ~ Melanie White

For Marriage to Be a Success, Every Woman and Every Man Should Have Her and His Own Bathroom. The End. ~ Catherine Zeta-Jones

Women marry men hoping they will change. Men marry women hoping they will not. So each is inevitably disappointed. ~ Albert Einstein

Up Next: High school tournaments have begun . . .