Views of the Neighborhood – Two Daughters, An Old Guy, and Wine

58 comments

  1. Smorgasbord - Variety is the Spice of Life.'s avatar

    What a lovely way to celebrate your birthday John and your daughters are lovely… thanks for sharing it with us. I will take the Fried Chicken Sammie please.. hugs

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Sally. One Sammie coming up. 😊

      Liked by 2 people

  2. Klausbernd's avatar

    Dear John
    What a great birthday celebration.
    Happy birthday afterwards
    The Fab Four of Cley
    🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Klausbernd. Wishing the F4oC a super week. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

  3. Darlene's avatar

    I love seeing you with your girls. What a fun outing. XO

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was great fun, Darlene. Thank you.😊

      Liked by 1 person

  4. JFRSr's avatar

    Happy Birthday to a friend and mentor. What a wonderful day of celebration with your girls. Thank you, John for letting us celebrate with you. God bless you my friend .🐳

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jim. We had a great time.

      Like

  5. Gwen M. Plano's avatar
    Gwen M. Plano · · Reply

    How precious! Happy Birthday year, John. Your photos tell a family story that is heartwarming — thank you for sharing them with us. 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you for the warm comment, Gwen. 😊 We had a great time.

      Liked by 1 person

  6. tokragly's avatar
    tokragly · · Reply

    A belated Happy Birthday. And thank you for sharing your family photos with us. Your daughters look like they are having a great time (I’m sure they were). The winery looks amazing. Hope you took a case of wine home for you and the Producer. Great choice of music too. Thanks again John

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Tom. We did have a great time. My Napa taste buds wouldn’t let me buy the wine, but it was so much fun. 😊

      Like

      1. tokragly's avatar
        tokragly · · Reply

        So is 2-Buck Chuck out of the question ?

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          Over ice with a lime wedge, maybe.

          Like

  7. Charles Yallowitz's avatar

    Awesome celebration. Congrats on the fun.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Charles. Time spent with the daughters was precious. 😄

      Like

  8. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

    That’s a great birthday celebration with your lovely daughters, John. It’s wonderful that they celebrated your birthday with you.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was their idea, and I loved it. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. T. W. Dittmer's avatar

        85 and still alive is a blessing for you, John. 😍🙏

        Liked by 1 person

        1. John W. Howell's avatar

          It is, Tim. I’m thankful for each day. 😄

          Liked by 1 person

  9. M.C. Addington's avatar

    I always look forward to your posts. Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thanks for letting me know you like them. 😊

      Like

  10. Geri Lennon's avatar
    Geri Lennon · · Reply

    How fun. Dob May 1941?

    Geri A. Lennon

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      May 22, 1941. How are you?

      Like

  11. noelleg44's avatar

    What a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday! Wine and good food! and your daughters! You can’ beat that! Happy Belated Birthday! We’re both August babies.

    I might try that cauliflower dish!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      It was last May, but it took time to get us all in one spot.

      Like

      1. noelleg44's avatar

        Typical family!

        Like

  12. lois's avatar

    A birthday celebration with your daughters–that is wonderful, John. Happy Belated Birthday to you!

    Has anyone told Beth she looks like Melissa McCarthy?! I think so!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      I think so too. They have similar smile lines.

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Tails Around the Ranch's avatar

    So glad you were able to spend a lovely birthday celebration with your adorable daughters. Here’s to many more happy returns.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Monika. It was splendid.

      Liked by 1 person

  14. joynealkidney's avatar

    A precious trip for you all!

    Like

  15. equipsblog's avatar

    Any wine can sound real fine.

    Like

  16. Liz Gauffreau's avatar

    Those photos say it all!! What a wonderful time you had with your daughters! Belated Happy 85th!

    Like

  17. John Hric's avatar

    Birthday or un birthday it is always good to get together with family. Glad you had a good time !

    Like

  18. Alex Diaz-Granados's avatar

    Great post, John!

    Incidentally, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant inspired the story structure (and, perhaps, the tone) of my first novella, Reunion: A Story. I love that song, and I’m thrilled to see that you like it, too.

    Like

  19. coldhandboyack's avatar

    That looks like a fantastic mini-escape. The idea of caves intrigues me.

    Like

  20. circadianreflections's avatar

    Happy Belated birthday!! It looks like you had lovely venues for wine tasting, lodging, and meals. I’d bet the company was the best part though. 😀

    Like

  21. Cindy Georgakas's avatar

    Happy extended 85th John! What fun to head to the winery with your girls who are just beautiful, It looks like a little slice of heaven. Glad you had a great time!!! Thanks for sharing 💕🙏🏼

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Cindy. Not N. California, but pretty nice. The company was great. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Cindy Georgakas's avatar

        Aweww sweet! ❤️🥰😘

        Liked by 1 person

  22. Resa's avatar

    Beautiful daughters, John!

    How lucky can one guy get?

    What a beautiful place you went to for a quick trip. I’m thrilled you had a fab time!

    YAY!!!!

    OX OX

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      They are beautiful, and you are right, I’m very luck. Thanks, Resa. 😊X

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Resa's avatar

        ꧁ 🌹 ꧂
        ꧁ 🌹 ꧂
        For your daughters!

        Like

  23. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar

    Sure digging this family thing here! You are all huggable AND from the looks of it, totally loveable as well. xx

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Ha ha ha. I guess you could say that, Annette. Thank you. 😊

      Like

  24. House of Heart's avatar

    It’s hard to imagine a better way to celebrate than with your lovely daughters at this amazing destination, good food, good wine, good company. 🥂

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So true. Thanks, Holly. 😄

      Liked by 1 person

      1. House of Heart's avatar

        I hope this is a fantastic year for you and yours John.

        Like

  25. thomasstigwikman's avatar

    What a wonderful birthday celebration adventure and a great menu. I would have had Salmon Gravlax. The photos are awesome. You all look great. Happy birthday John.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Thomas. 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  26. petespringer's avatar

    Best way to celebrate your birthday is with your family.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      So true. Thanks, Pete

      Liked by 1 person

  27. Jacqui Murray's avatar

    What a wonderful family you have.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. John W. Howell's avatar

      Thank you, Jacqui. Such a nice comment to make. 😄

      Like

  28. Teri Polen's avatar

    What a fantastic way to celebrate your birthday, John. Your daughters are beautiful!

    Like

  29. Author Jan Sikes's avatar

    What a great way to keep a milestone birthday celebration going, and precious time spent with your beautiful daughters, John!

    Like

Put your favorite fiction or non-fiction in writing. I would love to hear from you