Guys, I just got back last night from 4 days in Durham N.C. for my parents 65th anniversary.
First, thanks for the input on the champagne.
The Piper - Sted (I can't remember the rest of the name) worked since it seemed like a big deal to my dad that I brought it on the plane from Minnesota.
I didn't think it was all that good of a champagne but seeing how the small dinner went, it would have been a a waste to buy more expensive stuff since nobody seemed to care other than that it was french!
I don't know about you guys, but it is really hard to see my folks getting old. My dad is 87 and my mom 85. They are at the stage where they tell me the same stories every time and are getting frail.
While I was there, I thought about going to J.R.'s but I don't really like most of their cigars and have so many cigars it would be hard to rationalize buying more.
Had a really nice time at night smoking a cigar on the patio outside my hotel and having an evening drink.
Bought some blue label Chimay at Southern Seasons. Thanks a lot for the tip on that stuff. I really like it. Much cheaper in North Carolina even at Southern Seasons which tends to be very expensive. Small bottle was $3.99 as opposed to $5.69 up here in Minnesota.
My dad loved the Chimay. Thanks for all the helpful input. It made a difference for my folks. BinDer, sorry to hear you're not feeling well. I have been on 2 pain killers a day for months so I empathize. I hear that diverticulosis can be really bad. I had a friend who had to keep having surgery for his.
Hope you're feeling better by now.
Bob

You had an interesting time. A mix of this and that. Keep on posting.

Puffingaway, my problem is nothing compared to yours. I know I am lucky and 90% of mine can be controlled by diet. I just fall into bad habits and then aggravate the situation.

Glad to here about the trip and good to see you discovered Chimay! There is a great Belgian beer place in Philly called Eulogy and they serve 450 kinds of beer, many of them Belgian. I think there are 5-6 kinds of Chimay alone. If you are ever out this way, let me know.

65 years? i'm sure there have been a lot of great moments in there. Good for them...

Glad you could share a fine beer with the old man...it's my opinion that one should always match the quality of drink to the quality of company....not that any drink could measure up to a good conversation between father and son.

take care.

Its actually mind blowing when you think about it. My dad was born in 1918 and my parents met in 1935. Can you imagine all they have seen?
My dad was trained to clear mines off the beach for the landings. Right before they shipped out, they kept my dad back since he had training in psychology. None of his group returned. My dad worked with the men that were one day out of battle who had lost limbs, etc. It sounded like a very hard experience for him.
Its fun now, because I was a really big pain when I was a teenager. Now that I am in my 50's and have gotten reasonably well off, I am having fun buying my dad all sorts of luxuries he doesn't buy for himself. I have been keeping him supplied with single malt whisky and grey goose vodka. He is pretty wealthy but buys absolute junk for himself. I have him spoiled now with the top of the line stuff.

quote:

by Puffingaway:
Now that I am in my 50's and have gotten reasonably well off, I am having fun buying my dad all sorts of luxuries he doesn't buy for himself. I have been keeping him supplied with single malt whisky and grey goose vodka. He is pretty wealthy but buys absolute junk for himself. I have him spoiled now with the top of the line stuff.

I think that is just terrific. Spoil them while you have them to spoil. Glad that things went so well for you and the family.

Hey bud im glad you enjoyed your time with the folks. I was wondering where you had been latly. I still have some coffee to send ya, ill try to get it out tommorrow. I have the day off!!!