My nose is fine and my feet are fine. What I really am is giddy because day after tomorrow I will be
and I am beside myself. Not literally, of course, but there is a photo of me at age three over there to the right, so in an odd sort of way I am. Beside myself, that is.
I thought about calling this post "Earwigs R Us" because I have had a slew of musical pieces running through my head lately like "How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria?" and "Everything's Up-To-Date In Kansas City" and the Bach-Gounod version of "Ave Maria" (I'm not even Catholic) and "My Darling Clementine" and John Rutter's beautiful setting of "For The Beauty Of The Earth" and I could go on but I won't.
What I probably should have called this post is There's No Fool Like An Old Fool. I don't like to think that I might be a fool (there is growing evidence) but there's no getting around the fact that I am definitely old.
We have had some sadness in our extended family recently. Our daughter's mother-in-law and father-in-law died suddenly within two weeks of each other. She was 81 and he was 93. So I'm treating 85 as a major accomplishment, or at least a milestone.
What I'm also doing is thanking God for every breath I take. One never knows when one of those breaths will turn out to be one's last.
On that happy or macabre (pick one) note, I shall now run this post up the proverbial flagpole and see if anyone salutes.
First of all you got rid of How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria by giving it to me. Thanks a lot! Have a fun birthday. Happy Birthday.
ReplyDeleteI have plenty more where those came from. I do appreciate the Happy Birthday! Thank you, Emma!
DeleteHappy birthday! 85 "ain't bad. 86 will be even better. Yes , I realize that life is fragile at this age.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Keith! I hope to live at least as long as my grandfather, who was almost 96 when he died. I also hope to be in good health all the way to the end.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday to you! Best wishes for a happy, healthy year.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ellen! It’s good to hear from you.
DeleteHappy birthday and many more healthy, happy years to come. Thankful for every breath of every day is the right way to approach life.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janice! You are right.
DeleteHappy Birthday for tomorrow Bob. I look forward to more blog writing from you. Rachel
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rachel! I hope to pick up my posting pace a little in the coming days. Perhaps I will flare up like a supernova just before the end comes.
DeleteHappy Birthday, Bob. I know I'm a year or two younger than you are. However, I have yet to be convinced that I'm anywhere near old and you certainly seem to be living life to the full with the benefits of many years experience. May your mind and body serve you well for the years ahead.
ReplyDeleteMy body is not cooperating but my mind serves me well by thinking of age in hexadecimal instead of decimal. In hexadecimal, today is my 55th birthday and 60 is still a long way off (after 86, 87, 88, 89, 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, and 8F). Thank you, , Graham, my fine young Scottish friend!
DeleteOops, I meant to say after 56, 57, 58, 59, 5A, 5B, 5C, 5D, 5E, and 5F.
DeleteConsidering the fact that I studied for various degrees (and qualified for several as well) and also studied Jevons on Logic and tried (oh how I tried) to improve my memory I never succeeded in that aim, and, despite my Mother's attempts, I never managed to come to terms with hexadecimal. Please don't tell me that it's logical and easy. I know that and it just makes my failure harder to bear.
DeleteI'm sorry I'm too late to wish you a happy birthday but I hope it was good and I wish you the very best for the coming year.
ReplyDeleteDon’t be sorry! My birthday was only four days ago, so “belated birthday greetings” are still timely! Thank you, kylie!
DeleteWishing you a joyous birthday, dear Bob. May the year ahead overflow with good health, precious moments of celebration, and the presence of those who love, inspire, and bless you the most. My love to you, Elizabeth. x
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful to hear from you! Ellie and I will soon have been married for 63 years. The three children are all healthy (our daughter is breast-cancer survivor), our five grandsons are all married and our only granddaughter became engaged to be married a few days ago. We have three great-grandsons and a fourth is due to make his appearance in June. And God has been so good to bless us with friends like yourself. We praise Him! Than you for the birthday wishes, Elizabeth!
DeleteI know that I am rather late to the party but I salute you Bob. Belated birthday greetings young man! To reach the age of 85 is indeed a remarkable achievement. Could you have ever imagined getting to this landmark when you were young and in your prime? I imagine that it is all down to clean living, a sensible diet and never-ending interest in your family and the world around you. I will leave a similar comment when you are ninety.
ReplyDeleteFond regards,
Neil
We go way back, as time is counted in blogworld, and I have one of your poems from 2013 in my sidebar (credited, of course). I will look for your comment on my 90th birthday. Thank you, Neil!
DeleteHello and Happiest of Birthdays to you, dear Bob!! I figure the older we get, the longer we get to celebrate, so in that case I'm not really all that late to the party....right? Glad to hear you are both doing well! All here is same old stuff - goats are kidding, chickens are holding out on us as far as eggs go, the three grandkiddies are WONDERFUL. Dave and I are humming along - (with all those songs you mentioned, of course...) Rambling here, but I forget to check up on you as life speeds merrily along on this road Home. A Happy Birthday Hug to you and one to Ellie, as well!!
ReplyDeleteGreat to hear from you! Your birthday greeting arrived in the same month as the event itself, so technically no lateness occupied. Unlike your goats, I’m not kidding. Besides, it’s the thought that counts (1, 2, 3, 4…). Glad all is well in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you, Pam!
ReplyDelete