My grandfather is turning 85 yrs old we are responsible for making a cake so the trick is the man really doesnt like anything.
Just to give you a history he is a retired teacher/ musician he really only watches baseball and national geographic stuff and the biggest catch of all........ HES COLORBLIND!

it leaves me with the dilema of do i do plain and simple since he really cant admire much but what he can actually see or should i make it nice bright flashy for others to look at as well? Its terrible feeling when you sit with him and say oh something something it was a beautiful color and he gives you a blank look . I guess i want him to enjoy it without feeling left out like what am i missing? Any ideas would be appreciated

How about doing a ball diamond with his favourite team's logo in the centre. Green BC field, white fondant for baselines, home plate, bases, and where the pitcher's mound is, put the logo (or just put the mound if it's too complicated). Instead of doing shells around the bottom at the cakeboard, get a grass tip and pull some grass out.

Why not a black and white music theme? A favorite piece of sheet music, music symbols or musical instruments on an edible image or piped all around the sides of a tiered cake or atop a sheet cake. Which instrument(s) does he play? Perhaps a 3D instrument, like a guitar or piano. Most people who are colorblind are not colorblind to all colors, just particular ones, like red/green. You could use whatever color he can see and appreciate as the accent color. Or pick one you like.

Lots of examples in the galleries. Here are a few:

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=668263

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=62062

http://www.cakecentral.com/modules.php?name=gallery&file=displayimage&pid=1283256

http://www.cakecentral.com/cake-decorating-photos_thumb_54.html

What about the number cake ? #85

thanks 4 the ideas he is completely colorblind he only sees grey scales so shadows im leaning towards the music cake he played the saxophone and clarenet not the easiest instuments thanks all

You can print out silhouettes of the sax and the clarinet and use those for patterns to pipe onto the cake, or to cut out of fondant. I found lots when I googled.

http://images.google.com/images?q=musical+instrument+silhouettes&ndsp=20&hl=en&client=opera&rls=en&sa=N&um=1&imgsz=

I had a look at your cakes and I see that you have successfully done quite a bit of piping. I have great confidence you will do just fine with this. And I bet it makes your grandpa smile