I've just had the most remarkable evening. I'm symbolically pinching myself for my good fortune to be living at Hillsboro House.

About once each week we gather to share a meal. Last week, Drea and I were treated to some of Vishall's exquisite Indian cuisine. He's quite accomplished with foods and spices and herbs.

Tonight Vishall announced he'll be celebrating his 29th birthday next week. I observed that for many people in America, that's the last birthday they acknowledge. I think he got the humor. He's been in the US of A for 9 years. He's quite tall and slender and gorgeous. His smile is most engaging. He's somewhat shy and very humble and polite.

Last week I sat in the kitchen and chatted with him as he gracefully spun from stove to counter to sink to prepare two amazing Indian dishes. As he took a pinch of this, and a pinch of that he chatted with a beautiful lilt that was as tantalizing as the aromas swirling about the kitchen. His freestyle un-choreographed performance was a delight to watch - he takes to the kitchen so naturally. During his performance I tried to think of clever words to make him smile. His smile is glorious. He's one of the kindest people I've ever met.

But tonight was my night to fete our tiny group, which included Chris who is a 3L at Vanderbilt's School of Law and equally engaging as Vishall. Drea and I chose the dinner hour and joked about it... the blue hair special hour or the early bird special. We sat at 5 and my meal was well received. Upon my request, Drea was kind enough to return thanks with a blessing. I am so thankful.

I prepared a meal with seemingly Mediterranean origins - chicken, green olives, capers, olive oil, prunes, garlic & oregano. Yum! I also prepared lemon rice, snap beans, a tossed salad, bran muffins, corn muffins, and a simple dessert of orange slices sprinkled with cinnamon. We lingered for several hours with lively conversation and than a joint effort with clean-up. It was just so perfectly delightful.

After Vishall and Chris departed, Drea and I retired to her back porch. She prepared rusty nails for us. I've never had one before and it was quite tasty - scotch and drambuie. While we sipped our rusty nails, Drea smoked a cigar. I'm an odd one - I like the scent of cigars. Hmmm, I suppose it was odd, too, that she was smoking a cigar. We talked for a long while with the background sounds of Hillsboro Village punctuating our summer-like evening.

I am one lucky woman.