Heather also finally ate her piece of key lime pie, and proclaimed it delicious.

Awe inspiring gluttony eh? I’m not sure if that’s a compliment, but I’ll take it as one Only for your cooking, dear sister…only for your cooking…

Your gluttony is still awe-inspiring.

(For the record of those who do not know Dan and I, as zaftig as I am, I had a very small piece of cheesecake. He, the eater of one slab, a half a slab and a third of a slab, is quite slender. Ah, the joys of having a male metabolism and an ectomorphic body type!)

I forgot that you were Zak’s hetero-life Partner, “Not-so-Silent Dan!”

Forgive me!

And I didn’t even get into the fact that Howie bought Morganna from the gypsies, nor did I mention her other uncles, (from my side of the family, of course,) Thomas, Bry, and Torquil.

Together with Dan, she calls this group of my stronger-than-blood-kin-brothers as “The Uncles,” all of whom she has known from early childhood. Now that she is dating, “The Uncles” have all stood ready to confront any wayward boyfriend if need be, and she is very careful to introduce all of her boyfriends to this rather intimidating bunch of men.

It is fun to watch the boyfriends’ reactions.

I swear, I may have to write a satirical serial about our “family” called “All My Relations” that includes not only the human characters, but our cats, dogs, companion critters and the local wildlife drama as well.

It would be fun. Especially if I could get Zak to illustrate it.

Oh, and Dan–you are welcome for a good birthday dinner and cheesecake.

And let’s not forget Heather’s favorite, (she just reminded me of it.) When Barbara was VERY pregnant with Kat, Zak enlisted my help in retrieving a the wee one’s crib to be from a “Babies-R-Us” in Columbus, (I’d just gotten my Scion xB, and was anxious to test the hauling capacity.)

Well, here’s the two of us in this store, and we’re looking at the stuff, and Zak is showing me what they’ve ordered, etc. etc. So one of the store minions comes over, and is treating us like a couple. So, while we did nothing to encourage her, we also did nothing to discourage her. It was just easier that way.

So, I’m also Zak’s “Hetero-Life Partner!”

There…I’m done now…I swear.

I’m also Morganna’s boyfriend according to one restaurant owner in Columbus, (I think I shaved my beard off around then, which makes me look 15 years or so younger. Funny thing is, this was the SAME person that mistook me for Barbara’s brother the visit BEFORE that. I guess all us round-eyes look alike!)

But don’t worry, fair readers…I won’t try anything with my niece/girlfriend Morganna. I’m scared to death of her Karate-instructing adopted father, Howie, who bought her from the Gypsies.

(This could go on…but I’ll spare you…)

I DID finish Morganna’s piece of cheesecake!

It was the half-piece of Heather’s I COULDN’T finish, (actually I think I could have, but I wanted to remain conscious, upright, and gastric-ly sound.)

You sully my good reputation, and consider your challenge won. Well, as Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ’till it’s over!” and as Yogi Bear said, “Yeah-ay-ay! ”

There are two “Dan Sized” pieces left, and I haven’t had breakfast yet, so I hope you have a nice recipe for crow!

(to all those who AREN’T Barbara, and don’t know me, please understand that my tongue would be planted firmly in cheek, if it weren’t saving up it’s energy to tackle that cheesecake! And yes, Suganya! It is INDEED a lovely combination! Thank you for a great B-Day dinner, Barbara!)