Last evening we spent a lovely evening with friends enjoying dinner and wine alongside the Willamette River in Portland, Ore. This is a group that has been getting together for at least 30 years, and some in our party have been good friends since high school days. We all started getting together as young marrieds who all lived and worked in the Portland area, but over the course of the years, life has pulled our group apart, with some moving as far away as Texas. Whenever we get the chance, though, we come together to catch up and share a meal and raise a glass (or two or five). This weekend my brother-in-law is visiting from his home near Dallas, so everyone contributed side dishes and appetizers to the paella our hosts prepared. We enjoyed several hours at their lovely shoreside condominium perched on the banks of the river. Downstream we could watch the sun slowly setting and the lights appearing in downtown Portland’s core, while just upstream over the trees on the opposite bank flashed the lights on the rides of the amusement park at Oaks Park. As we sat out on the deck with dusk approaching, we observed strings of Canada geese come honking in low over the water and splashing down near the docks just below us, preparing to settle in for the night. The day had started off cool and rainy, but late afternoon brought breaks in the clouds, the lightest of breezes and comfortable temperatures. The pleasant weather and views of small sailboats drifting up and down the river lured us outside to watch the light fade over the peaceful scene. As full dark approached, we watched as the full moon worked its way up through shreds of thin clouds until it shone out brightly and left a gleaming trail across the water. I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate my birthday than over a great meal and good wine shared with dear friends in a lovely setting. Life is good! — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor