A Birthday Celebration for the (uh) Ages

Linda Kay didn't jump out of the cake, but I nearly did. As you can tell,
Dan Casey was amused and I was grabbing my heart in exasperation. 

There are days you know will be memorable from the minute the sun rises and yesterday was one of those for me. It was my first day as a 75-year-old, a truly official "old man," but not one minute during the day did I feel old. I felt 18 for most of it, especially when my sweet, smart, creative and funny as hell Linda Kay had me jumping out of my own birthday cake. 

Linda has this unexpected sense of humor that often turns me red and yesterday, she outdid herself. I had about halfway expected her to jump out of a birthday cake in her birthday suit--and don't think she wouldn't--but, as it turns out she presented me with the cake you see above and mortified me to the point that I was speechless--an extremely rare occurrence. 

This roast/toast celebration (heavy on the roast, I'll admit) was about as much fun as a person can have at 75 without the accompanying heart stoppage. Good, creative, warm friends--and not a Trump voter within shouting distance, so we could talk openly and freely.

There were several authors and a publisher (mine, Susannah Smith, Propertius Press) and they were truly happy to meet each other. Gene Marrano, who never has a minute he isn't working, picked up a few stories.

I will mention that one of the truly outstanding results of the birthday is that between Linda Kay and me, we raised more than $1,500 to benefit SARA-Roanoke, which helps rescue rape victims. I had a $750 goal on Facebook and we doubled that. Linda Kay offered up her newest novel, "Pissant and Cinderella," at the birthday and contributed all the proceeds to the cause. I was really proud of her.

We did have a good time and I didn't even have to jump out of the cake. I just lay there.

We celebrated with gusto.

My pal April Marcell, who is a cinema phenom. 

My sweetie and her books help SARA. 

Pretty good pair, I'd say. 

Roses from my rose.

Susan and Linda Kay had a damn good time. 

Becky Hepler grew a beard for the party.

Bill Kovarik has one of those faces.

I'm trying to eat the cake before anybody sees it.

Dan Casey was brutal with the roast portion of the evening.

I tried to hide Trump with my black hat.

My valued colleagues Tom Field, Gene Maranno, John Montgomery.

Roanoke artist Eric Fitzpatrick and my novelist girlfriend were high school mates.

Linda Kay and Gene chat about her new book.

Greg Vaughn shot the covers of these three issues of FRONT.

John Montgomery roasting the old man.

My in-laws, Judy and Wayne Dickerson chat with Dan Casey. Judy likes his work a lot.

Lin Burton shoots Bill Kovarik and me.

Linda Kay reads one of the "roasts," from a friend who couldn't be there.

I like this shot of us a lot.

A couple of sweeties, Noelle and Bella.

Writer Robyn Schon with my publisher Susannah Smith.

I love working with my publisher, Susannah Smith. 

Susannah looking over Linda Kay's new book.

Teresa Berry of SARA and her husband David were at the festivities. 

And here is the woman who shot these great pictures, my friend Susan:

Susan (left) with Linda Kay.

Susan lets go. (I love this shot.)

We love you, too, Susan.

A woman and her camera are stars and can fly away. (Photo by my pal Greg Vaughn.)