Grandson David is usually a closer at work, so he often eats breakfast when we are thinking of lunch. I was going to put his doughnuts on the table with a plate, mug of water, a candle, matches, and a sign that said “Do it Yourself Birthday Breakfast”. He surprised me by getting up to eat breakfast with us! I put a candle in a doughnut, and we sang Happy Birthday to him.
We ate lunch at the restaurant of his choice, so I took a photo of the birthday boy and Grandpa.
John insisted my presence had to be recorded, too.
We spent the afternoon on the Blue Ridge Parkway, noting that mountain laurel was at its peak. I made David pose with one big bush. The ones in the valley near us are fading and drooping now. In this area, altitude is the key factor. There are often two seasons at the same time – one in valleys and another high on mountains.
In the Smoky Mountain National Park we spotted four elk in fields near the road. There were two volunteers with stop signs, hanging around near one pregnant female. They would have stopped traffic if she had begun to cross the road. David chatted with one of the volunteers, and she asked if he had seen the baby kick. He watched closely and thought he saw a quick little bulge on her side. She said elk are a bit like deer in that they give birth alone and afterward hide the baby while grazing.
John pulled off the road for me to enjoy a gurgling stream. The bank was a bit steep for me, so David went down to check it out.
We ended the day with a used cake. Our church was given slightly damaged baked goods that couldn’t be sold, so we brought home a chocolate cake that we first shared with neighbors on Memorial Day. The cake I had made with David in mind was lemon, one of his favorite flavors. We’ll finish it next. We, not the elk, will be the ones with bulging stomachs.
Mehrling Muse 
I enjoyed this post, Anne, and I am still laughing at the “used birthday cake” ending. Thumbs up to John for getting your picture, and that did indeed look like a steep climb [she said while noting that David did it with both hands tied behind his back–piece of used cake, eh?]
LikeLiked by 1 person
John was amused at your comment, and so was I.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love mountain streams and so what if the cake was “left over”. It looks to be pretty good.
LikeLike
The cake was delicious. What made it even better to this miser is that it was free.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy birthday David! Looks like he had a good one! That mountain laurel was very pretty!
LikeLike
I’ve taken a fancy to mountain laurel.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Forgot to tell David Happy birthday….HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!
LikeLike
LOL!! That tickled me, and I will tell him HAPPY BIRTHDAY from you.
LikeLike
Happy Birthday David.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A used cake! I love that. We often have leftover cake that is just as lovely as the firstover.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday, David!
LikeLike
YAY for birthday doughnuts! Used cake has me cracking up. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t eat leftover cake. Happy birthday to David!
LikeLike
We enjoyed David’s birthday. Thanks for his birthday greeting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wandered through Reader (behind again) as I figured David’s birthday was a post … he looks happy and stuffed with donuts and cake. These are great pictures and a happy celebration. Happy belated birthday David!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow so nice birthday doughnut. It’s pretty look good. “Happy Birthday to your grandson’s David! God bless you 😉. Enjoyed!
Nice getting your picture. I like!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Happy Birthday to David! The pics with him and John are keepers!!
LikeLiked by 1 person