Saturday, September 5, 2009

Happy Birthday to Me

Today is the 75th anniversary of my birth. I think that sounds better than saying "I'm 75 years old." Most of the time, I don’t feel my age, and my friends and family say that I definitely don’t act my age. I am greatly enjoying my second childhood, and am thankful to the Good Lord for allowing me to live and enjoy more than my alloted fourscore years and ten.

(Edit [since I am more awake]: as was pointed out in the comments by my blogger friend, rhymeswithplague, I should have said threescore years and ten. )

I don't put a lot of emphasis on birthdays, gifts and/or hoop-la after one reaches, say, 10 or 12 years old. I had a birthday party when I was 10 (during which I dropped my cake, upside down, on the floor) and didn't have another party until I was 50. That occasion was just a gathering for family and very close friends, but I did receive a beautiful floral bouquet and a Julio Iglesias record album (I had a crush on Julio at the time.) My children surprised me with a large, formal party when I reached the ripe old age of 65 (a good half of my church congregation attended) but the intervening years have been party-less, thank you very much.

For the past 10 years or so, my children have pestered me about birthday gifts. "What do you want? Would you like an XXX? Blah, blah, blah." One year, I wouldn't allow them gift me with a new lawnmower (too expensive, I said) and so they gave me a plastic pink flamingo, which has been the subject of many jests (to those who may enjoy having them as part of your yard décor, way to go! They are “not my thing.”) That event taught me a lesson. Since then, when asked, I usually mention that I'd like to have a specific thing to eat or drink, or some trinket -- just so it's something I don't have to dust.

However, at my family birthday supper the year I turned 73, I told them that I had decided what I wanted for my 75th birthday, should I live that long, and they could start making plans to make it happen. And, sure 'nough, they did!

Some time within the next few weeks, Good Lord willing, I will be experiencing my first, and probably only, HOT AIR BALLOON ride!

(image, Wikipedia)


The event was originally scheduled for this morning, with lift-off at sunrise, which would have been lovely, as it is officially my birthday. I’ve been up-and-at’em since about 3:15, awakening before the alarm went off. At 4:30, I was dressed, had fixed my second cup of coffee and was just ready to “fix my face” when I got a call telling me that, due to an atmospheric disturbance in the area, this morning's flight has been scrubbed, and will be scheduled at a later date. I’d been checking the local weather radar on my computer every few minutes since I awakened and was anticipating the call, so I was not surprised, and not overly disappointed. Better safe than blown into kingdom come! I have something to look forward to: an extended birthday celebration.

This afternoon, we will have a family gathering to celebrate the day with homemade-from-scratch German’s Sweet Chocolate cake with the traditional gooey, caramelly, coconut frosting. Elder daughter, at whose home this will take place, is an awesome cake maker!

In the meantime, I think I'll go back to bed, or at least take off my shoes and lean back in the recliner. At my now "advanced" age, I need all the beauty sleep I can get. Then, when it's daylight, and if the atmospheric disturbance doesn't cause it to rain here, I'll do some more yardening.

It's Labor Day weekend; y'all be careful out there!




27 comments:

bittenbyknittin said...

Happy birthday, Pat! You don't blog like you are 75. And a hot air balloon ride is just the ticket. I am putting that on my list for my 75th birthday. Enjoy the weekend!

Richard Lawry said...

Happy Birthday!! Sorry you hot air balloon ride was canceled, but hope you have a great birthday anyway.

An Arkies Musings

Jeannelle said...

A very happy and blessed diamond birthday to you, Pat!! A very special milestone for a very special person! And, may God bless you with many more!

NitWit1 said...

Happy Birthday. At least you'll still be sble to enjoy the balloon ride. Dl\on't get any ideas of jumping out of airplanes like former Pres.George HW Bush. He is nuts.

Take some of those Naked Ladies bulbs and drop them out as you are cruising. Think how excited some one will be with the bulb descides to bloom in some unexpecting yard!!

Then you will be populating all of Central Arkansas!!!

Amber Star should get hers Tues/Weds. The rest went to local Lutheran minister, if he ever picks them up.

I temporarily planted some mums in the bed in front of the deck. I should say I bought them at WM and Shelly stuffed them in the ground, plus 2 went into barrels.

Enjoy your day. Mine is in October and we have already celebrated with our mutual birthday vacation.

Snap said...

Happy 75th anniversary, Pat! (And, many more!) You will love your ride in the balloon. Of that, I am sure!

Enjoy! and Celebrate!

Diana said...

Happy Birthday to you Pat! It sounds like you will have a lovely day and I won't tell my husband about that cake as it is his favorite! Love Di

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Happy Birthday, Pat... Don't WE get younger the older we get???? I think so!!!!! I feel pretty young at times.

I'd love that hot air balloon ride sometime myself. I'll remember that one.

Hope you have a wonderful day with family--and save me a piece of that German Chocolate cake.

Hugs,
Betsy

Peter said...

Happy Birthday Pat! Wonderful to read about your coming balloon ride, a delightful idea, and you are obviously excited about it (restless night checking the weather and so on!). I went for a ride in a Tiger Moth to celebrate my 40th..., but that is becoming a long time ago now! Mmmmmm I must be coming up for some aerial capers too! Hope you have a really lovely day, and a great balloon ride.

Snowbrush said...

Hey, Pat, let me be the ninth to wish you a happy birthday. Too bad your flight got scrubbed, but you've probably garnered a great deal of patience in your time. Just think, no airport security! We should all travel by balloon.

rhymeswithplague said...

Ever the editor, I noticed a teensy-weensy little mistake in your post. You meant "threescore and ten," not "fourscore and ten." Fourscore and ten is 90. Maybe you were thinking of "Fourscore and seven," which is what Old Honest Abe Lincoln began one of his speeches with. (I ended that sentence with a preposition, and I'm glad.)

Oh, I nearly forgot, HAVE A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY BLOGGER FRIEND PAT - AN ARKANSAS STAMPER!!! AND MANY, MANY MORE!!!

Yes, I was shouting, but you have to admit it was for a good cause.

Rottlady of the Ozarks said...

Happy Birthday! Going up in a hot air balloon is something I would love to do! I hope you get to do it soon.

I hope you had a lovely day!

Wanda..... said...

Hope you had a great day today Pat...Happy Birthday!...my greeting is a little late...so have another happy day tomorrow!

Anonymous said...

Oh what a treat for you!!! A hot-air balloon ride!! I can't wait to hear....absolutely a GREAT idea!
Happy, happy....HAPPY birthday to you, Pat.
Smiles,
Jackie

Countrygirl said...

Happy Birthday - what a special thing to do. May the Lord bless your dreams today.

Hilary said...

Happy Happy (belated) Birthday, Pat. I wish you very many more. A hot air balloon ride is a perfect way to celebrate your year. And no doubt we'll share in the ride .. photographically.

I hope you had a great one, my friend. :)

Arkansas Patti said...

Happy Birthday Pat just a few hours late. Just love your gift and your excitement about it. Just think, by postponing it, you can savor it all the more.Anticipation is half the fun.
Never done it but would love to try. Please take pictures.
Have a wonderful day and year.

Anna said...

Happy Birthday Pat! Reconnecting with you through your blog has reminded me what I felt years ago when we met - I'm gonna be you when I grow up. So you just continue being wise/funny/independent/totally cool and I'll do my best to live up to it. Can't wait for pictures of the HAB ride!

Corinne Rodrigues said...

Happy Birthday Patty - Wow - 75 is truly special....I wish you all you need to be happy ...you are an inspiration!
Hugs
Corinne

Saz said...

Happy Birthday!

there is only 11 days between you and Moannie!

Anonymous said...

Hallo PAt.My first bloggy friend[you commented on the first chapter of Meg, which was quickly deleted-the post, not your comment]

Many congratulations on reaching your three score and FIFTEEN, feels great doesn't it?

Number one and only son took a balloon ride last saturday with DIL and said it was the best feeling ever, now he's hooked and is planning the next one. Hope you enjoy it, and sorry for the belated birthday wishes.

Amila Salgado said...

Happy Birthday, Pat!
Good luck with your hot air balloon ride and life. What a birthday gift!

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Sorry that I'm late. Happy, happy birthday to you. I hope your ride, when it comes, is fabulous.

SunShine said...

Happy Birthday Pat! Wonderful idea to go on a hot air balloon ride! Enjoy!

Suldog said...

Oh, geez, did the balloon crash? Where are you?

Just kidding. I'm late to the party, of course. Happy 75th! And at least another 75 more!

starblinkee said...

75 glorious years of life is surely a very good reason to be thankful for. Happy birthday!Like you, although I still celebrate my birthday, I have ceased counting and expecting the next birthday to come after my 21st year.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

How absolutely delightful!!! I've always wanted to ride in a balloon!!! Will look forward to "hearing" all about it!!!! Happy Belated Birthday, my friend!!!! Sorry to be late to the party...but my love and well-wishes are just as heartfelt!! Janine XO

Carolina said...

Happy birthday! (better late than...)
Old? You're not old!
I have an aunt who celebrated her 102nd birthday last saturday. Thát's old. And she isn't even thát old if you know what I mean. What's the saying? Age is just a state of mind?
Rather you than me going up in that balloon. I wish you a wonderful 'ride' and a safe landing. Will you be taking your camera?