"I turned 140 Million and 16 on June 1st," said Stegosaurus. "Another birthday !!! I am going to keep having birthdays I think until meteors fall from the sky !! I have heard that there is something particularly sweet about the number 16, and I'm not sure what that is; next time I see a mammal I'll have to ask. I settled on yet another cake to celebrate my birthday. When I told my friend Congresssaurus Triceratops, he said to me,

"Friend Stegosaurus, I would be glad to come visit you upon the occasion of your birthday. I think of all the things I have accomplished, having the largest head of any land animal that has ever existed on earth; having 800 teeth; being among the first animals in creation to eat grass; surviving battles with Tyrannosaurus Rex; serving in Government over several millennia and in different places..... Of all things in all places I have had the occasion to stomp forthrightly, I am most proud of the friendships I have cultivated. Yours amongst them. In my retirement as I cultivate plants I deal with the public and cultivate more friendships, but it is the longest and oldest I value most."

"Thank you for such kind sentiment," said Stegosaurus. "What a nice thing to say. I'll have to think of something nice to say about you when it is your birthday."

"I see you have a cake here as you did last time I visited," said Congresssaurus Triceratops.

"Yes, as I have observed in the past, cakes are a mammal tradition on birthdays. Pies are far superior, but it is generally accepted that cakes are the birthday tradition. How goes your retirement?"

"We're just getting underway wtih the greenery", said Congressauurus Triceratops.

"Steve Beavers and I are still working on hybrid vegetables. No success yet, but we are determined to succeed. I am assured it will be more successful than extracting sunlight from cucumbers."

"No doubt," said Stegosaurus. "Stick with Steve, he's one smart mammal and he will figure it out."

After we had finished cake, we both went in search of aloe plants and lavender to eat for dessert. It was a very pleasant and relaxing birthday. I hope you have as nice a birthday when you are 140 Million and 16. I am truly blessed, and I encourage you all, with the wisdom of all my millions of years, to try always and keep a sunny and cheerful disposition. When problems arise, seek for a way to make them your stepping stone, and turn adversity to your advantage. With this mindset you can more readily see opportunity as it arises, and you will find that you will have much more success in life. Your success should be in the manner that you cultiviate and maintain your friendships, not just about acccumulating posessions. A large part of happiness comes from the gratitude you have for the things you already posess, not in the seeking of things for the sake of owning them. The more you give, the more you will have; and this is all that you can take with you through the end of your days.

"You are feeling very philiosophical," observed Congressaruus Triceratops.

"Being 140 Million and 16 can make a dinosaur very reflective," replied Stegosaurus. "Here, let me share some aloe plants with you."

"On June 1st I celebrated by 140 million and 11th birthday," said Stegosaurus. "This year was very special, because just as he had promised me, my friend Congresssaurus Triceratops stomped into Colorado for a visit."

"Hello, Congresssaurus Triceratops! Welcome to Colorado! Thank you for coming to visit and taking time out of your busy schedule to celebrate MY birthday!"

"I am very glad to stop and visit; it gives me a chance to rest my weary claws, and spending time with good friends is always pleasant." rejoined Congresssaurus Triceratops.

"How are things in Wyoming?" asked Stegosaurus.

"I did stomp from my native State after visiting my constituents," said Congressaurus Triceratops. "I love my constituents, and they love me, but I am really feeling it necessary to retire soon. I want to get out before the meteors start falling ... I will make an announcement once I return to DC."

"We did discuss a Gardening venture when I was in DC last month," said Stegosaurus. "I would be pleased to have your help on my cucumber project, and we can expand the garden to grow what ever you'd like."

"Though an old dinosaur, I am but a young gardener," observed Congresssaurus Triceratops.

"Now look, I have a cake for my birthday," observed Stegosaurus.

"Cakes sound like a mammal tradition," said Congressaurus Triceratops.

"They are a mammal tradition, and though pretty well set in my ways after more than 140 million years, a birthday cake is a modern tradition I have adopted."

"I had best brush all of my 800 teeth after this cake," said Congresssaurus Triceratops. "It looks delicious."

"It is," said Stegosaurus. "I usually get the same kind of cake every year, a coconut cream cake because I also like to eat a good coconut tree now and again, if I am lucky enough to find one. If I do I have to travel; they don't grow well in Colorado since polar ice caps were invented."

"I haven't eaten one myself in a long time," said Congressaurus Triceratops. "Cheers to your birthday, friend Stegosaurus! May this year be a year of prosperity for you, and may you live for millions more yet to come!"