Little gestures and a big celebration

Written last night:

Dear Friends,

Such an encouraging day! I connected with family and friends from here — and also there — helping,  laughing, nudging me on … Thank you! Your “little" gestures keep me going and make me want to pass them on.  

The day ended with dinner celebrating my friend Mary Kaye’s birthday at Mulvaney’s restaurant on 19th Street. We five had a private room, which generally means a nondescript spot on the edge of the fun. At Mulvaney's it was more of an adventure. We were led through the dining room, to a place where they were maybe slicing meat or some other food prep chore, then around a corner to a cozy room with golden light, walled with wine bottles floor to ceiling. Little candles flickered on the shelves. The special, intimate space encouraged conversation, and we covered everything from water protection to wind-up clocks and rattlesnakes. Dinner was charcuterie, cheeses from near the coast, salmon, cod, rice, and the best green salad I’ve tasted, with leaves so dangly and bitter. Napa wines. Green tea cheesecake. Chocolate whisky cake. Panna cotta. What a lovely celebration. 

Love,
k