Our bird feeders are filled with nothing but black oil sunflower seeds. Turns out those seeds are very viable and the ones that the birds drop and lose grow quite well. This spring/summer has been incredibly wet. We’re closing in on 20″ above normal for the year.
Nat and I were invited to Daytona Beach for our friend Chuck’s birthday. Not just any birthday though; this one was designed to be a surprise. Chuck’s girlfriend devised a distraction to get him away from the house. While he was away folks gathered at his house.
He’s not here yet?
While we were waiting for Chuck this guy stopped by for a minute. Chuck wasn’t there yet so he left.
Chuck takes in the size of the crowd
While the gang waited watching the gate to the yard Chuck naturally went inside first. He was steered out onto his deck for the surprise. At this point he’s just noticing how many folks are in his back yard.
Still grasping the magnitude of the surprise perpetrated on him
About now he’s begun spotting faces in the crowd he never expected to see. Look closely and you’ll notice a tear.
A brotherly hug
In a matter of seconds he appears in the crowd and begins hugging. Friends, family, spouses, anybody in reach got hugged. This is one happy guy.
One of Chuck’s high school buddies gets a hugTime for a hug from an old friend’s wife.
See what I mean? He’s not done though…
Looking stunned and seeking another huggerDaughter one gets a hugHugging his youngest daughter
The two daughters helped plan this. Clearly Chuck has forgiven them for surprising him.
Catching up with some old friends
Chuck has finally gotten his fill of hugging for now and is settled into eating and chatting.
Some folks may have started drinking earlySetting down the cake while we butcher happy birthday
Okay we may not sing well but the cake is another cool surprise. It’s in the shape of his business logo. Luckily nobody tried to put 60 candles on it. Unfortunately the only candles around were trick candles that light themselves.
Chuck looks like he recognizes that fish
Time to make a wish.
Chuck makes his wish before snuffing the candles
Much visiting, reminiscing, and some drinking and eating ensues.
Next day we hit the beach to walk down to the Ocean Deck for a drink and a snack.
Chuck, his daughters, girlfriends, and my wifeLooking out at the beach while we ate at Ocean DeckOnly one way to take alcohol on the beach.
Daytona Beach has rules about open alcohol containers on the beach. Ocean Deck is responsible in letting you know about the rules and (if you read the fine print) a quick happy solution to the problem.
Happy Birthday Chuck! We had fun watching you have fun.