Songbird and gumbo: the perfect antidote for a rough workday

My sweet Songbird singing_phoenix  is staying with me through Saturday afternoon, after flying down from DC last weekend to drive to Tybee Island with me for a somewhat-rainy beach visit. And I have a big ol' pot of Zatarain's gumbo with chicken, andouille, bell pepper, onion and okra simmering on the stove while rice cooks in the microwave.

After a day when things just seemed to blow up in my face all over, this is just the ticket. And there should be plenty left over to bring by to anyone who wants a visit from SB while she's here (yes, kitanzi  and autographedcat , I'm looking at you... :-) ).

Birthday wishes for a dear and talented friend

Happy birthday to longtime SMOF, filker, roller-coaster fan and the better half of stevemb, starmalachite! Here's hoping your natal day is everything you hope for and more. And thank you from the bottom of my black, flabby little heart for everything you have done for me in the astonishingly long time we've now known one another.