I'm having a quite splendid Fathers Day, thank you very much. We just finished off an excellent dinner of steak, chicken, and baked potatoes cooked in my brand-spanking-new smoker, and chased down with a marvelous bottle of 2001 Marqués de Cáceres. For dessert, I had another glass of this big, buttery, fruity Rioja along with a plate of huge, juicy strawberries and a couple of pieces of Valrhona dark chocolate. Très orgasmique!

The chocolate, along with a digital meat thermometer, was a gift from my darling daughter. My thoughtful son gave me a 13-piece carwashing kit which I immediately suggested that he should use to wash my truck for me. I am a crafty old dad. Muwhahahahahaha!

I believe I mentioned that I'm building a basement tiki bar, did I not? Well, things are proceeding apace. The contractors finished hanging, taping, and mudding the sheetrock last Thursday. The area is now ready for tile floors, followed by tropical mattings and split bamboo wainscoting on the walls. I've also designed a grand entrance built out of Tahitian tiki poles and Polynesian wood moldings purchased from Oceanic Arts. I'm hoping to have the whole shebang done by August.

I've started a photographic record of the building process. I've got a few "before" pictures up at the moment. It should make a nice little tropical refuge from the long cold Wisconsin winter.

I think I'm ready for another glass of wine now. Abysinnia!