The family gathered tonight to celebrate the birthday of yours truly, Barbara,
Erin’s Mom. Erin is shown here with big brother Brandon, me, and big sister
Colleen. We were blessed with delightful 80 degree weather, so could
eat on the patio.

Erin and Clark went to Caballo Blanco to pick up Mexican food for dinner.

Colleen made guacamole and Caesar salad and Brandon and Lisa
brought an Ettore’s (the local European bakery) kahlua cake. So, I followed
the advice of Brandon’s birthday card (shown below) and did not cook.

Today Erin received a very amusing card from her friend English friend,
Geraldine, and husband Michael. It featured 2 workmen having lunch
seated on a beam suspended out about 6 stories high. Inside both
Geraldine and MIchael had written nice notes to Erin.

But, tonight Erin was in tears and asked me to read the messages to her.
She could see the writing, but could not focus on it or trace it across the
page. Yet, somehow she can read just enough on the Internet to be able
to order things. She said there are fewer words and she does read them
over and over about 5 times.

Brandon, Lisa, and Beck left just after the Queen’s stand-in landed in
the Olympic stadium. Steve and kids stayed for a while longer, and
Colleen, Erin, Clark, and I watched the Opening Ceremonies for much
longer.
Barbara