Mockingbird Hill Cottage

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Natal Day Replay

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This photo, taken by Don, is a couple of years old. And perhaps a couple of pounds lighter.

But I like it. This is how I see myself. A smile, a flash of humor showing in the eyes, as if I just might be up to something, dimples showing (Mom would be pleased.)

Another November 21st, another birthday. Though the calendar tells me I am 61, my heart and soul tell me I’m ageless.

Besides, how can I be 61? Me? Are you kidding me? I remember when I turned 21 on the 21st. Now, it’s forty years later. What??

Birthdays nowadays are always a bit bittersweet. I’m so aware of the swiftly moving march of time. Every birthday since the year I turned 44 has been a birthday my brother never got to celebrate. My mom resides in a nursing home, with dementia’s grip ever increasing, almost completely taking over. My dad is getting frailer and frailer.

Yesterday, I had one of those moments of self knowledge in which I found myself examining a not-so-nice trait of mine. I still have work to do on myself. There’s growth to accomplish. I can be a better person than I am.

That’s a good thing.

Don and I were going to spend the day together, but he has a last minute audition in the city today. So our little celebration will be this evening. But it will be a quiet one. Our families are far away from us, as are most of our friends.

Above all, I am blessed. With a wonderful husband and doggie, a roof over my head (albeit an expensive one) and food on the table, friends and family, work in the field I love, and by this blog which has brought all of you into my life.

Thank you. I’m off to drink another cup of coffee.

Happy Thursday.

ClaudiaSignature140X93

Comments

  1. Happy birthday Claudia! I hope you have a great day with the company of your loving husband and sweet Scout.Maybe desired present ? A little surprise? Who knows’ Just celebrate whatever the way you wish,but above all,do enjoya happy and peaceful day.No worries allowed today! Only good moments with your family.Have a really nice day!
    xoxo Alice
    Buenos Aires

  2. Happy birthday, Claudia! I’m also 61, and I understand what you mean about the shift in how we feel about birthdays as we get older, especially as we see our parents age.
    Enjoy your coffee, and have a lovely evening with Don and Scout!

  3. Happy birthday Claudia from one birthday girl to another! I was also reviewing my life this morning and hope I can apply what I’ve learned in the past and accept who I am. Enjoy the day.
    Mary

  4. Dearest Claudia, sending the happiest Birthday wishes your way, may this be a wonderful day and may it return for many, many years. Yes, getting older is sometimes difficult but we must make the most of each wonderful year we are given. Each of us has so much to be thankful for……..some things are huge, but the special ones are really just the small blessings such as those you mention, our loved ones who are always here for us through thick and thin, our safe and comfy homes, the little necessities which bring us happiness and keep us well and vibrant.
    I say bring on the birthdays…………each one may be bittersweet but is important. Enjoy 61 – only nine more and you’ll be as old as me, though of course I’ll be nine years older too, good grief do I really want to think about that!!!!!!!

    Love you, sending blessings and happy thoughts your way – take a big breath when it’s candle blowing out time!
    Hugs – Mary X

  5. I think some people are always ‘young at heart’ and I see you as one of those people Wishing you a wonderful birthday with your loved-ones. Hugs, Deb

  6. I just found your blog through your sister’s blog. Happy birthday!!! I am 56, so can identify with your feeling of the swiftly moving march of time. I also live in a small cottage with my husband and our two dogs, so we have something else in common as well! Now I’m off to explore your blog. Have a great day!

  9. Happy Birthday, Claudie!
    Go have a nice birthday dinner and some cake! Hope you get nice presents!

    Cheryl

    P.S. Love the dollhouse!

  11. Happy birthday Claudia ! I hope you have a terrific, wonderful, absolutely fabulous day! Stay in your flannel pjs all day, savor your coffee on this grey November morning and remember all chocolate eaten on your birthday has absolutely NO calories!

    I am also have a November birthday and will turn 55 next week. I find myself having more of those “When did that happen?” moments. When did my hands start to not look so youthful, when did I start to be so stiff after sitting for awhile, when did the written word start to shrink so, when did the grey hairs start to win the war and so on! The good thing about turning 55 is I can now get 20% off on Wednesday at Goodwill and at Hancock Fabrics 2 days a month! So I can celebrate growing older by more thrifting and fabric buying!

  13. Hi Birthday Girl! Happy Birthday from me to you via your lovely sister Meredith! Your both are so fortunate to have each other and I can tell you both feel so blessed! Hope your day and year is wonderful! You are so right, we all can improve no matter what age we are and that’s a good thing.
    Sending you lots of happiness and good health, xoRobin

  14. Happy Birthday my friend!
    I’m sorry Don had to be away during the daytime hours, but it will be a sweet evening when he returns! Get plenty of kisses from Miss Scout in the meantime.
    Miss Bella gave me mine, as well as my sweet husband.
    I don’t know what my evening will hold, but I’m thankful, as you are, for a life full of love and peace in heart.
    Hugs,
    Patricia

  15. Happy Birthday Claudia!! As the years pass I appreciate the days. I turned 65 last month and I will never be this young again! We are so blessed with our years, aren’t we? Eat some cake for me.
    Lots of blessings coming your way for a great day.
    Tana

  18. Happy, happy birthday wishes to you, my friend and kindred spirit! We’ll just be “21” together forever, okay? Have a wonderful day! xxoo, Martha

  19. Happy, happy day! Spending a quiet evening with husband and dog sounds heavenly to me. I sent a card to street address. I now am wondering if you have a PO box instead. I think we should each offer a blessing for every one of Claudia’s 61 years. Let me be the first:
    Blessing 1; Having such a splendid companion in Don with whom you are sharing this amazing journey.

  24. HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAUDIA! That is a terrific picture. C’mon Claudia, not -so -nice trait? impossible!
    Hope your day is Happy! Judy A-

  25. Happy Birthday Claudia!

    You always look marvelous in all the pictures I ever see of you. Living the life you love with the man you love and doing the work you love is what puts that twinkle in your eye. Love it. Enjoy your day.

    Cassandra

  26. Happy birthday, dear Claudia!!! I hope you have a great day full of your favorite things!! Enjoy your day with Don and Scoutie and have fun!! Love, Francine

  27. I am 57. Aging does take courage, even though we don’t have a choice about it! But I am finding that it has its gifts as well, and I’m not talking about senior discounts, although those are nice too. Would we really go back in time? I wouldn’t. I appreciate the perspective of having lived for many years, a perspective a young person simply cannot have. There is a peace that comes when we have done our personal work (which always continues) and find ourselves stronger than we thought we were and more centered. I’d like to see a huge movement in this country toward valuing aging and honoring the gifts it brings. But age is just a number. And if we’re beautiful and strong on the inside then we can celebrate each birthday as the gift that it is. Happy Birthday to you, Claudia! Thanks for sharing your life.

  28. Happy Birthday, dear Claudiia! The picture does seem essentially you, or how I imagine you would be. That look in the eye that says My name is woman, hear me roar. Because you look perfectly capable of doing it! My friend Tammy at Peanut on the Table recently wrote about an authentic life and that’s the way I see you, living your authentic life in Mockingbird Hill Cottage with you and Don both zipping in and out occasionally, one foot in the theater you both love so much, and yet always the other foot at home with Scout and the nest you’ve made there at home.

    I wish you a beautiful day and please don’t try to work on yourself too hard. Whatever would we do with a perfect Claudia?
    A birthday hug,
    Dewena

    • That’s the nicest thing anyone could say to me, Dewena. An authentic life. Bless you.
      (I don’t think you’ll have to worry about encountering a perfect Claudia!(

  29. Have a wonderful day! I agree with the suggestion of flannel pajamas and Scout cuddles. Best to Don at his audition.

  31. A woman I know called me last night and when I answered she asked me how I always sound like a 13 year old. Stymied me! I know I have a very young voice and sound exactly like my granddaughter but 13??? No one ever believes how old I am. Why??? Because I don’t see myself as old. I’m still a young chick, just with a bit of wrinkles now, although everyone says I don’t have wrinkles, I truly and honestly DO! Just in my heart I am still 25 years old. I’ve always thought 45 was the best age in the whole world and still do.

    Happy birthday, young chick!
    xoxo,
    Connie

  32. Happy, Happy Birthday Claudia!!! I hope your day is filled with smiles and happy things!!!
    My Mom always says that even though another year has come and gone, she still feels like that young girl she always was on the inside! I like that…..
    Hugs,
    Kris

  34. Happy Birthday again. Love this picture. Sweet with a little bit of mischief. Time goes so quickly doesn’t it. What used to seem measured by months is now years. I think it happened one month ago and it was 1 year ago. I think I skipped my 50’s somehow.
    I hope you have a nice celebration this evening. xo

    • We are constantly talking about how quickly time seems to go by! Thank you for the birthday wishes, Debby!

  36. Happy birthday Claudia, I hope you have a lovely day. I’m visiting via your sister’s blog, and I’ve really enjoyed reading your posts.

  40. Happy birthday, dear Claudia! I think you look fantastic. Even though the picture is a couple of years old, I bet you don’t look much different. I really liked your birthday reflection…aging is so hard in many ways, isn’t it? Not only do we notice our bodies becoming more frail (hello, current shoulder impingement!), but we pine for our youth and we also see our parents growing old and perhaps suffering from awful things, such as dementia or cancer. I hope you and Don get a chance to perhaps go out to dinner tonight or just have a quiet evening together at home.

  41. Happy, happy birthday!
    You’re looking great, and seem very happy. A birthday is a good time to reflect on all of your blessings, and it seems you have many.
    Enjoy your special day!
    nancyr

  43. Happy Birthday to my wonderful Sister! I think you have forgot something else you are thankful for, me! Spoken like a ture little sister don’t you think? XO, Mere

  44. Happy Birthday Dear Claudia! I will be 59 soon and like you I find it impossible to believe. Most of the time I don’t feel my age but now and then it hits me. My mother was diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s at the age of 56. I don’t let myself dwell on that and instead try to keep myself mentally fit. I try and look at the future as an adventure and live each day to the fullest. I hope you have a lovely celebration this evening.

    • Me too. I try to keep myself challenged, learning new things, doing crosswords, etc. It makes a big difference. Thanks for the good wishes!

  47. Happy, Happy Birthday Claudia! Life is just starting at 60…at least that’s what I’m subscribing to! My mom…92…is always talking about her age…then she reminds me how old I am…62 (shhh). Trouble is I don’t feel or look 62….you don’t either…61 that is! So, my friend, have a HAPPY day….wishing you only the best! ;)

  49. A very Happy Birthday to you! I turned 59 in Sept. and I thought that it seemed like yesterday that I celebrated my 50th! Like you, I still have goals to work on and look forward to each new day. Best wishes!

  50. Happy Birthday to you! I’m flitting over here from Meredith’s blog, and I’m so happy I’m here! I think I’ll make a cup of tea and visit for a bit, I’m enchanted by miniatures…Chrissie x

  52. A most Happy Birthday to a lady that I admire so much..I turned 60 in May so I am not far behind you..I must confess to you..I do love those senior discounts..lol..Have a wonderful evening with Don and Scout..Birthdays Hugs to you!

  53. Honey I am 71 and soon after Christmas 72 young. I am not blind, I can sing well try to sing. I can talk. I can move somewhat with my arthritis and sciatic hip. I had pain for now 9 weeks. I had to use a cane off and on.

    To-day I actually feel my old self no cane. I put on a cd and danced to my Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton. I always loved to dance and still do. I like uppy music. Like The Bee Gee’s beat.

    I even got my cds out of images I had done. Me being silly and older looking by far. Yet When I look at them. I see a young person yes. When I look in the mirror now I see an older person looking back. My mom had alzhimers. She died though at 95. It began at 80.
    I love my Birthday every year. I am blessed. The Lord in his word gives us 71 years a bonus.
    Your young still. Your photo is very beautiful.
    Today at my blog. I have put up pictures to remind me of the silly nutty person who could run, jump be a clown. Be humours to know end. .

    Inside so far I am that person but sometimes my pictures look like I am a sad sack. Well sometimes we get pictured out with expressions. We are human. .

    So Happy Birthday Young lady. Your beautiful inside and out. Your very talented as well.

    Drop over to my blog sometime and have a laugh or two. Laughter is a good medicine.

    Hugs

  54. Happy Birthday Claudia! I hope you have a wonderful day. Tell Scoutie that she needs to kiss and amuse you today. Not that she doesn’t anyway. I will turn 58 on Monday the 25th. Most days I don’t feel “that old”. But on days like monday where everything hurt…. My mom always said that the older you get the faster time goes. I think I believe her now!!! Love your picture. You look so strong in it. But still have that wicked humor in your eyes. Kind of like here is Claudia. Strong, caring but silly at times.
    Wishing Don luck at his audition. I bet he hated leaving you today.
    Do something for yourself today. Then celebrate with Don and Scout.

  58. Happy Birthday! That’s a wonderful photo. I understand something of what you mean about the bittersweet aspect of your birthday due to the early death of your brother. My mother died on her 45th birthday of a disease that also struck me while I was in my early 40’s. Ever since my own 45th birthday, I often think that this is a day my mother didn’t get to have. I feel bound to cherish each day, with the fullness of the small and large tragedies and victories it might bring. I’ll be 64 on Christmas Day and find it hilarious to see this wrinkled woman looking back at me in the mirror, but I’m glad she still has dreams and things she wants to accomplish. I know you do, too!

  59. °*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆ ★ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆Have a great day!!
    ╔╗╔╦══╦═╦═╦╗╔╗ ★ ★ ★
    ║╚╝║══║═║═║╚╝║ ☆¸.•°*”˜˜”*°•.¸☆
    ║╔╗║╔╗║╔╣╔╩╗╔╝ ★ BIRTHDAY ☆
    ╚╝╚╩╝╚╩╝╚╝═╚╝ ♥￥☆★☆★☆￥♥ ★☆•

  61. Well, I guess I blew this one… I had planned on being one of the first to wish you a happy birthday – as a little bird informed of the important date earlier this morning. I hear you on ALL points, well except working in the field I adore (a story for some other time). In 5 days I turn 59 and I too am doing a lot of wondering about how all this time has passed so swiftly and silently into the reaches of this period of life! Lots of work to do on myself as well, so much so that I don’t even know if I will get it all done, eeek! Honestly though, we seek to be the best person we can be but really, we are the best we can be at each given moment. So, I will say to you my sweet blogging sister that you are the best you can be right now…. just strive to continue on that path and you will be more than fine!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    Next year you can help me celebrate that momentous turning of the page into the 6oth year. I am blessed to have found such a sweet friend on this wild and crazy ride called the Internet and I am very thankful! :D
    Hugs and wishes for the most beautiful birthday ever my dear blogging sister and kindred spirit…
    Beth P

  62. Happy Birthday to you, Claudia! Enjoy the day and don’t worry about age and stuff. It’s okay. We all are getting older. So you are surrounded by people experineces the same. Regula

  64. HaPpY bIrThDaY Claudia! You indeed have a blessed life and many friends who wish you the best in life. I know your sister Meredith adores you. I hope you have a wonderful day and that Don’s audition goes well today. Enjoy your celebration tonight.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

  65. Happy Birthday to you,

    Happy Birthday to you,

    Happy Birthday, Dear Claudia,

    Happy Birthday to YOU,

    All best wishes for a happy day and a happy birthday year to come!

    xoxoxoxo

    Sheila

  66. Happy Birthday Claudia- you are an inspiration to me.
    You certainly don’t look 61 to me…
    enjoy your day with your family. ~Pat

  69. Happy, happy birthday, Claudia. You will always be a couple of years behind me, so you are still pretty young. Enjoy your quiet celebration. xo Laura

  70. Happy Birthday to you, Claudia. How I would love to be there with you, to enjoy that cup of coffee
    you were about to have. I would bring cupcakes and a treat for Scout. Enjoy your special evening with
    Don, and have a wonderful time together. Hugs, Bonnie

  71. Happy Birthday!!!! I hope you and Scout have a wonderful day, and that the 3 of you enjoy your birthday evening. Sometimes I look at the spots on my hands & face, the amount of gray/white in my hair, and my not as firm face and wonder “What happened?” But most of the events in my life are not something I would want to have missed, so I keep reminding myself that I have many wonderful adventures (& glorious quiet moments) ahead of me. I hope that you also have many years of fantastic experiences ahead of you.

  73. Happy birthday to a beautiful, talented and wonderful person. Your blog shows us that you are growing mature gracefully and you are a role model to many and even though your parents are in there twilight years the love that you all have for one another will never diminish. Wishing you a lovely day filled with love, laughter and the simp!e joy. Love Janine. P.S make sure you get 61 hugs from Scout, and Don too!

  74. Happy Happy Birthday to a vey kind lady. I have enjoyed getting to know you thru your blog. Your eyes really light up and convey your kindness. Happy Day!

  75. Happy, Happy Birthday to a Special Person! I echo some others to say you are a role model. Your blog reaches many and offers such an honest, fair & respectful voice plus some fun thrown in! Thank you ~ and I love the picture!
    Melanie

  76. Blessings on your birthday, Claudia!
    You are one beautiful baby boomer!
    P.S. I love Janine’s suggestion of 61 hugs. Go for it!

  77. Happy Birthday Claudia and age is just a number. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you are? You live life to the fullest and that’s why you have a happy life. xo J

  78. I know the feeling–I still feel like a 16 year old girl on the inside. I still listen to the same music and have the same wicked sense of humor. I look in the mirror sometimes and I am caught off guard by the 53 year old reflection staring back. Thankfully, most days I have the attitude that I’m only just getting started.
    Happy Birthday, Claudia, and wishes for the coming year–health, creativity and greater still, Love. Sue

  79. “There’s growth to accomplish. I can be a better person than I am.” Ha! You nailed that one, for me. And I’m absolutely more sensitive to the swift pace of time. But we should look at this life as if we are always growing and trying in one way another. Happy Birthday — your sister sent me, and I’m glad she did. You have a lovely way of writing.

  80. Yes, lovely photo!
    The face in my mirror is such a stranger to me these days! I am grateful to my mother for showing me how to surmount the bumps in the road before me. Both Mom and Dad had dementia to deal with, paranoia at times too. I have lived through their final days and now have an older brother and sister to think about and help as I can… I am almost 11 years your senior (in years) and still find it amazing that people consider me “over the hill”…Not at all what I feel. Lots yet to plan for and enjoy, beyond the concerns. We both enjoy our dogs, crafts, gardens, books and cameras – and much more! Both lucky.

  81. Happy Birthday to you! I’m just a few years behind you so I’ll be celebrating the big one soon. I feel that it’s a privilege to get older, we gain so much more knowledge. Enjoy your lovely birthday dinner, Claudia!

  82. Happy Birthday! I would call you and sing to you but you would quickly hang up with your ears bleeding. LOL Hope your day was wonderful you deserve it:) XO

  83. Wishing you a wonderful day! I know being in my 60’s myself, I often wonder who is that woman in the mirror since I’m still a young woman in my mind! I’m so blessed by you and your blog!
    hugs,
    Linda

  84. Hello Clauda, I have come over from Merediths blog to wish you a very Happy Birthday, I was 61 yesterday and I must admit I get a shock when I see that stranger whenever I look in the mirror and wonder where did the time go? I hope that you have had a lovely day and now that I have found your lovely blog I will be back to visit again. :)

    • Happy Belated Birthday, Linda! I get that same feeling when I look in the mirror. Thank you for stopping by!

  85. Happy Birthday!! It is just so hard to believe we are the age our DL, etc. says we are. It is always good to remember we are fortunate to celebrate another one ~ even though it means we are, indeed, another year older & wiser!! Hope your day is/ was wonderful, and that this next trip around the sun will be an amazing adventure for each of the 365 days ahead ~ and that Peace & Joy is abundant throughout that journey!!!

  86. At the time I’m posting this comment, you have 169 comments. So let me be Number 170 to say HAPPIEST OF BIRTHDAYS. And 61? Only 4 years older than me – so you’re Just a Kid!! Just getting started. Who knows what wonders lie ahead?? Again, very Happy Birthday, Claudia… ❤️❤️

  88. Meredith sent me to wish you a happy birthday… and, I ‘m so glad she did. I enjoyed your birthday post very much… we do still have things to improve…. growth to work through… and time does fly past so quickly… Wishing you a year of “a-ha”s and joy and contentment with all you do. blessings ~ tanna

  92. Happy birthday Claudia! Hope you’ve had a great day.
    Yes, the sound/look of the numbers can be jarring but it’s our spirit that counts.
    Wishing you many more!
    hugs,
    Beth

  93. Happy Birthday dear friend! It was good to talk with you on your special day! Hope you and Don got to go and do something special – even if it’s eating out!! Blessings to you both.

    Judy

  94. Happy happy birthday Claudia! I hope your day was filled with the same kind of joy you bring to all of us through this beautiful blog. My paternal Granny lived 101 years and 2 months. When she turned 99 I remember asking her if she FELT 99 … she said, in her mind, she thought of herself as more like 35!! At that moment I realized we really are only as old as we feel.

    • I love what your Granny said. I suspect that’s exactly how most of us feel. Thank you, Debbie!

  96. Happy Birthday Claudia!! In September I was 62! But I Certainly don’t feel it or act it! I just try to ignore that person in the mirror!!!And the good news is…”they????” say that the sixties are the new fifties!
    But seriously you have all that is really important in life, Don, Scout, beautiful Dream Cottage and a job you love! The greatest gifts of all; you are blessed.
    Debbi

  97. Ah, dear sweet Claudia. Happy happy birthday! I hope it has been a wonderful day for you, filled with joy and love. Thank you for sharing a tiny part of your life here with us. Time passes so quickly and you are blessed to celebrate another year!
    Rachel

  98. Hello Claudia and Happy Birthday!!!!! I stopped at your sister’s blog and she left us know you were another year older. I do come here time and again. I see you are working on the dollhouse. I still have not done a thing to mine. One regret, my hubby assembled it for me a few years back but never lived long enough to see me even start decorating it. It is always nice to see others with the same interests. Hope your birthday was a special one and you got to do something you love to do.
    (((HUGS))) Susanne :)

    • Oh, Susanne, I’m sorry about the loss of your husband. Someday, you’ll be ready to play with that dollhouse. You need time.
      Thank you so much for stopping by and wishing me a Happy Birthday.

  99. happy happy day dear Claudia. you brighten my days with your words of wisdom, wit, honesty & beauty. celebrate!!
    pam

  101. I hope your day was a happy one Claudia, and that this new year will bring peace, health and prosperity, and fill your heart with joy.

    xo
    Lena

  102. HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU :)……nice picture!!!! Have a good one with many more to follow!!!!
    ♥Addie!!!

  104. Happy Birthday Claudia, I hope your day was awesome and special
    I am stopping by from your sister’s page, with Birthday wishes.
    I turned 64 in October and I can’t believe my age either-LOL as long as we stay young in heart-we are good
    Kathy

  105. You have 211 comments (212 with mine), that should tell you how many lives you touch with your blog!
    We love you, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, it’s all good and we are all blessed!
    nancy

  106. My Internet service was out yesterday, and I see I missed your birthday, Claudia. I just read your entry for today, and it sounds like you had a lovely day, working on your dollhouse and enjoying Scout’s company, and then having a great dinner with Don. Enjoy those cupcakes!

  108. Happy Belated Birthday! Just hopping over (a day late, I’m afraid) from Mere’s blog. I hope you had a lovely day and that the second cup of coffee was as good as the first. :)

  109. Just came from Meredith’s blog to wish you a very happy belated birthday. Sounds like you had a lovely day working on your dollhouse and then dinner out. As for your latest post, I know a few people who seem to be constantly negative or who are toxic in the way they talk and act. If I can’t avoid them, then I limit my time with them. Like you, I want to improve myself with each passing year, to become more kind and patient and giving. I don’t want someone else’s negativity to drag me down. Have a wonderful rest of the weekend. Tammy

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