Thank you, dear friends, for all the birthday greetings! I seem to spend a big chunk of time on my birthday responding to birthday wishes on social media! Between this blog and instagram and facebook, my cup runneth over. Friends from elementary school, from high school, college, grad school, community theater, various places of employment, theater, theater, theater – the list goes on! I’ve met and worked with a LOT of people over the years – one of the joys of the kind of work I do. To hear from so many people is a blessing that wouldn’t occur without social media. So, even though I curse it occasionally, on my birthday it is simply marvelous.

Yesterday was a simple, easy day. Thanks to Don, it was just what I wanted. I’m not one for a party these days. I am not comfortable being the focus of attention. Besides, our friends and family are truly scattered all over the country. Don made a wonderful birthday dinner. I’d asked for a beginning set of watercolors and some brushes and he delivered. We’ll see how that goes…

Today, I have to run a few errands, as does Don. I set up the little Christmas tree we have in the den yesterday afternoon. Next up will be the porch lights.

Here’s the puzzle I finished a few days ago. “The Romantics” – all about Byron and Shelley and Wordsworth, etc. It’s another of the puzzles from Lawrence King. The quality is top notch. I’ve started another one, but just barely.

Thank you again, my friends.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.

This was taken about 5 years ago, so I look older now. But this captures my spirit; my silliness, my way of dressing, my smile. Don will be happy it shows my dimples.

Yes, today is my birthday. There was repeated sneezing during the night last night and some weird dreams, so I woke up feeling tired and edgy. But I’ll shake it off. I’m happy that I’m spending this day quietly with my husband, who will – as always – make this a beautiful day, despite the gray skies.

Thanks so much for being here. For spending some moments of the day on this blog that will be 18 years old in a few months. How can that be?

Praying for peace. For the return of morality and honor to the White House. For the removal of all that’s vile. That’s my birthday wish.

Stay safe.

Happy Friday.

I started decorating the girls’ cubbies for Christmas.

It’s too dreary and dark today to get a better photo. That can only be done when we have late afternoon sun. But you get the idea. I’m trying to find the rest of my little deer(s). They must be upstairs in the jam packed closet. I managed to find the trees, but not the deer.

I have a confession to make. We have been watching the latest Ken Burns series on PBS – The American Revolution. As with all of Burns’ work, it is excellent. I learn so much. But every evening, I have fallen asleep in the middle of the two hour episode. Something about the darkened room, the gentle voices of Peter Coyote and assorted actors makes me conk out. And then when it’s time to go to bed, I can’t go to sleep. And then, like this morning, I feel sleep deprived and cranky. On the other hand, it could be a positive thing for some of you; if you’re having problems falling asleep at night, tune into an episode and turn off your lamps.

This is not a negative comment about the series, which we love. Don isn’t falling asleep. I am. But I may have to avoid watching it tonight.

It is now November 19th. We have had several days of high winds. When they began, I placed all the porch plants on the bluestone floor near the glider and the chair in order to protect them. Consequently, they’re still in bloom. I water them every few days but I do the bare minimum. And still they’re thriving!

On one hand, I love that. But winter is coming and I’m wondering just how long they’ll last. I am incapable, truly, of dumping a potted plant that is still alive. It’s not in me.

I’ll keep you posted.

Almost finished with the puzzle. I should finish it this morning. I already have another one on the way.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.