“Our birthdays are feathers in the broad wing of time.”
They are my fault. The last two thunder and lightning storms started when I got up to go to the bathroom. This morning it was around three when the sky lit up several times over and over and the thunder roared. The same thing happened last week. It sounds unlikely I know, but it is far too much of a coincidence to ignore. I will no longer have any cold drinks before bed.
It is a damp, dark day, befitting after all the rain we had. The humidity is thick enough to cut, and the house feels closed as if the walls are getting closer. Nothing is stirring, not the slightest breeze. I do hear a few birds but all else is quiet, dulled by the heavy air.
The roads will be filled with tourists looking for something to do, something to amuse them and keep their kids occupied. The movie theater will be crowded and parking will spill over to the grass and the road across the street. I will stay home.
Today I will don my tiara, my long gloves and my favorite gown with matching slippers, figuratively of course, to celebrate this auspicious occasion. It is my birthday, and I am as old as I have ever been. My friend Clare always leaves on my front steps the biggest mum she can find, and there it was when I opened the door. I can think of no lovelier way to start a birthday. Tony and Clare will make dinner, all my favorites, and we’ll celebrate.
I don’t remember most birthdays when I was a kid. There were probably parties and gifts, but for some reason they never stayed in my memory drawers. I remember turning twenty-one when my friends took me out for dinner and my first legal drinks. They had a few drinks themselves and forgot to buy my dinner. They also forgot the tip so I got stuck with both. Once they realized what had happened, they offered to take me out again, but, with tongue in cheek, I told them I couldn’t afford it.
Birthdays need to be celebrated with balloons, confetti, noisemakers and good friends. I’ll have those tonight, and it will be a grand celebration.
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
August 17, 2010 at 11:59 am
Happy Birthday you peridot child. I hope the weather cheers up and helps you celebrate in grand style.
August 17, 2010 at 10:35 pm
Thanks, Caryn
The sun decided to shine a little later so I got to sit outside for a bit. It was a grand celebration!
August 17, 2010 at 12:16 pm
Hoppy Birthday to my friend. 😉
August 17, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Thanks, S
It was a fine day, well spent with good friends.
August 17, 2010 at 12:21 pm
And, as we say in the old country “Many Happy Returns of the Day”
Happy Birthday Kat
August 17, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Many thanks, my dear Hedley
I couldn’t have asked for a better day!
August 17, 2010 at 1:25 pm
Kat,
May this be the best birthday you have ever had! …
But not quite as good as the ones yet to come.
Jeff
August 17, 2010 at 10:37 pm
Jeff,
I love the sentiment-each year better than the last!
August 17, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Happy Birthday! or as we say in Sweden “Har den äran på födelsedagen”!
Much the same weather over here, but the rain is pouring down now when night is comming closer.
Have a great birthday now!
Christer.
August 17, 2010 at 10:38 pm
Christer,
It was a hot, humid day, but I didn’t care. Life is good when you get to spend your birthday with people you love.!
August 17, 2010 at 3:32 pm
Best wishes for a very happy birthday!
August 17, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Thanks, Nosila
Far more than 50, and I’m still thrilled with another birthday!
August 17, 2010 at 4:17 pm
Happy Birthday Kat! Purrs from the Zoey. I know you will do some serious celebrating tonight. That’s a great line to your friends. I would say the same. I do remember pub crawling with my buddies when I turned 21. We hit all the bars in Georgetown and ended at Mr Smith’s to listen to the Ramsey Lewis Trio. It was a fine birthday and I will always remember it.
August 17, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Thanks, Z&Me,
And please give Zoey my thanks-nothing nicer than a purr!
That was so much fun harassing my friends after my birthday-they still remember!
August 17, 2010 at 6:24 pm
Ooooh … 29 ….. again?
Cheers
August 17, 2010 at 10:42 pm
Minicapt,
This year I admit to 30!
August 17, 2010 at 6:31 pm
Happy Birthday good friend. Heck, you don’t look a day over eighteen… 🙂
August 17, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Colleen,
I’m taking you at your word! Eighteen indeed!
August 17, 2010 at 6:49 pm
Happy birthday and many more in the future. Best wishes for the day!
August 17, 2010 at 10:58 pm
Thanks, Bob
I spent the evening with friends, and we had the best time!
August 17, 2010 at 7:50 pm
Ferchristsake,,,,
I almost let it pass by.
HAP
HAP
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
August 17, 2010 at 10:43 pm
John,
Thanks for catching it before it went by!!
August 17, 2010 at 9:05 pm
Happy birthday regardless how many you have had. Having them sure beats the alternative.
August 17, 2010 at 10:44 pm
Bob,
You are so right about the alternative!
August 18, 2010 at 12:57 am
Happy Birthday!
August 18, 2010 at 9:30 am
Thank you, Rowen
August 18, 2010 at 9:49 am
Happy Birthday to my very favorite Author!!! i hope the day brings much foder for tomorrow’s post:)
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo
August 18, 2010 at 8:18 pm
Thank you, my friend.
It was a most wonderful birthday!
August 18, 2010 at 3:38 pm
oh my! it’s very Augusty around here– while you were celebrating your birthday, we celebrated our 42nd anniversary, and tomorrow is my birthday (i always told people i got married and in 2 days aged a year)– HBD to you! courtesy of the Incredible String Band: may the long-time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you, guide you all the way on
w
August 18, 2010 at 8:19 pm
wolf,
That was beautiful, and I thank you and the Incredible String Band.
Warm wishes on your birthday and anniversary. You gave me a chuckle!
August 18, 2010 at 6:06 pm
Belated happy birthday wishes, Kat! I hope it was a fantastic day.
August 18, 2010 at 8:19 pm
Thanks, sprite
Good friends, favorite foods, a game and then watching baseball. I’m not sure life gets much better
August 18, 2010 at 6:56 pm
Well, it appears that I missed the excitement while closing things down in Austin to return home. I see that the day WAS good and that you are continuing around the Sun, just like the rest of us.
The house was completely finished by 8:30 last night, but had already leased on Monday for 9/1. I’m excited, as this will be the first time we’ve actually made money off of the house. (Of course, there are attendant bookkeeping problems caused by that, but it is worth it, I believe.) I made it home by 1 this morning, almost falling asleep at the wheel in the last 30 miles. That is always the hardest part of a late-night trip. I’m glad it was ALMOST.
Today has been a lazy day to recuperate. Back in the comment seat.
August 18, 2010 at 8:22 pm
Rick,
I missed you and did wonder where you’d gone, even worried a little until I got your e-mail.
I know exactly that feeling of falling asleep on the road. I was silly enough to take a later flight in exchange for a voucher and found myself waking to the sound of me on the side of the road. I ended up pulling over for a nap.
I’m glad you’re home safely.