to the Professor

It's Tolkien's birthday. Raise a glass. Amidst all the troubles of the new year, this spot of celebration.

I shall have to explain this to the folks I'm dining with this evening. Yes, I'm going out, something I rarely do. (B. is not available, for reasons to be explained later.) One exceedingly long-time - like entire lifetime, but rarely-seen - friend, plus his wife, whom (I told you "rarely-seen") I've never met. Restaurant of New Mexico cuisine, albeit not in New Mexico.