14 AUGUST - I'M GRATEFUL

FOR THE SURPRISE THAT WAS BESTOWED UPON ME 10 DAYS AFTER MY BIRTHDAY.

(A STAY AT THE EMPORIUM HOTEL)

FOR ABOUT A WEEK COUNTRY BOY HAD TOLD ME WE WERE GOING OUT TO DINNER WITH AN OLD FRIEND AND I COULD PICK THE RESTAURANT. (GRAPPINO)

CLOSER TO THE TIME HE SAID THAT THE PLAN WAS TO MEET "ANGUS AND HIS WIFE" AT THE EMPORIUM WHERE THEY WERE STAYING AND HAVE DRINKS THERE FIRST.

SO ON THAT AFTERNOON HE REQUESTED WHAT I WEAR AND WHEN WE GOT THERE HE SENT ME OFF TO BUY A BOTTLE OF CHAMPAGNE WHILE HE CHECKED ON THE MEETING.

THEN HE TOOK ME UP TO THE ROOM AND WENT IN AND THERE WAS CANDLES AND A GORGEOUS ROOM FOR US!

THE THING I AM MOST GRATEFUL FOR (AND THERE'S A LOT!) IS THAT HE KEPT IT A SECRET.  SURPRISES ARE THE BEST GIFT!