Laurie flew out for my birthday, which was (as always!) on September 13. As a wedding present, my old friend Marci and her husband Mike had given us two nights at the Black Hawk Hotel — Cedar Falls’ finest — and we stayed there, in a very nice suite, the nights of the 12th and 13th. On my birthday, we had breakfast at the hotel — sitting next to Democratic vice-presidential candidate Joe Biden’s wife, Jill, who’d done a campaign appearance in Waterloo the previous evening! — then explored the Artapalooza art show that was taking place right outside on Main Street. We had lunch at the Soho Deli and a fancy dinner across the street at Montage. The picture was taken in the restaurant, and I’m wearing the shirt and pants Laurie’s parents sent me as a birthday gift. Laurie’s dress is about two years old, bought during a trip out west to Portland, but this was the first time she wore it, so we’re both wearing new duds!