“The longer I live, the more beautiful life becomes.”
The morning is cloudy and a bit chilly, summer chilly. From my den window I watched the birds at the feeders. More of them are taking advantage of a free lunch. I noticed a couple of nuthatches here for their first visit in a long time. I hadn’t filled the feeders in a while so I’m so glad the word is out!
I was born in the wee hours of the morning. My grandparents lived in the same town as the hospital so my father kept going to their house for coffee. My grandparents were up and my aunt, also still up, was perturbed. It was her wedding day, and my father was keeping her awake. She complained about getting bags under her eyes. My father went back to the hospital where he was the only person in the waiting room. He said the nurse came in and said, “Mr. Ryan? Mr. Ryan?” a couple of times. He jumped up and said, “I’m the only one here.” She told him I had been born and my mother and I were fine. He ran into the hall, and he saw me just moments after my birth when they were just moving my mother and me. My mother only remembers seeing his head and no face. She was still a bit woozy. She told me she sat in bed wearing her corsage, the one she was to wear at the wedding.
When I was a kid, I wondered about old people; of course, old back then was relative. My parents were old to me, even when they were young. The first time I thought I was getting old was when I turned 30. I remembered the mantra, “Don’t trust anybody over thirty,” and there I was. Fifty was difficult. I was half a century old. I am much older than that now, but I don’t mind anymore how old I am. I am thankful for getting old. I am thankful for every day.
My dance card has two entries, concerts. One is tonight. The other is tomorrow in a gazebo on the beach.
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keepthecoffeecoming.blog 
August 17, 2024 at 1:00 pm
(imaginary ukulele music playing in the background) You saw my “card” on Facebook, but it doesn’t seem like my greetings would be official until I said something here on Coffee where we first met…. best wishes for a wonderfully happy birthday, my friend. Here’s to another exciting trip around the sun to come. (imaginary fireworks here)
August 17, 2024 at 10:09 pm
Im6,
I’m loving the music, and no celebration is complete without fireworks. Thanks for the official birthday greeting!
August 17, 2024 at 1:52 pm
Wot im6 said.
Wishing you a wonderful birthday and waving with enthusiasm from Michigan
August 17, 2024 at 10:09 pm
My Dear Hedley,
That woman you see in the distance is me waving back at you!
August 17, 2024 at 3:45 pm
Happy, happy birthday. And may you have many, many more.
Hi Kat,
Another scorcher of a day. When it’s over 100° it’s hot.
My spouse’s family not only celebrated birthdays, but half birthdays. She continued the tradition with my kids which only makes me a little nuts. My son, I think, doesn’t care, but my daughter makes a big deal about half birthdays. I tell everyone that it’s a good day when you wake up on this side of the grass.
August 17, 2024 at 10:14 pm
Hi Bob,
Thank you! Thank you!
It was a nice day in the mid-70’s. Right now it is down to the low 60’s, long sleeve weather!
I had a friend who celebrated his half birthday because
he was born on Christmas Eve. Each year he would get half gifts like a six pack of beer with only three beers. It was fun.
August 17, 2024 at 5:51 pm
Happy Birthday, Kat!
Have a great day and year and everything!
And concerts and whatever a gazebo is…
(Sorry, not really back to KTCC and ordinary internet life yet…)
August 17, 2024 at 10:17 pm
Thanks, Birgit
I’m glad you dropped by as I was worried. A gazebo is a round structure usually in a park. It has a roof and a floor and usually decorative rails all around it. Town squares often have them in a small park.
We’ll be here when you come back!
August 18, 2024 at 12:35 am
Belated wishes for a happy birthday! I hope you had an amazing day and that the remainder of your birthday week is a lot of fun!
August 18, 2024 at 12:39 am
Thanks, sprite!
I had a fine day. In the early evening I had a uke concert then out to eat with a friend. I loved today!