The Birthday Week, Revisited

 

Here it is. The Lady of the Lake at Clear Lake, Iowa. This photo was taken in July of 2018. It was the first time John and I went to the Lake, and the first time we attempted to get a boat ride. The boat takes a 90 minute cruise around the lake with guided commentary twice a day. Except when it doesn't. We have tried to board this boat every time we've been to the lake since that first year. It's been at least two or three times each summer. Eight years and we are still trying. Either it's in dry dock (Wednesdays), privately chartered, the weather isn't right or the water is too choppy. One time we were close enough to actually be in line. Unfortunately, the line was short three people, so it wouldn't go out. Those of us in the line even volunteered to buy the extra tickets. Some even tried to talk random walkers into joining the line. When that didn't work, everyone finally gave up.

This time we thought it was the charm. We got there early for the four o'clock tour. There were plenty of other people waiting, and all the signs were positive. We felt good. And then a lady called to us and told us it was cancelled. Her exact words were these, "They told us it was too hot for old people." Now I'm really not sure if that's what the workers said or if that was just her interpretation. But then we noticed that the people were all walking back, disappointed once again. The 7:00 trip was also cancelled, so once again we missed our chance. I really don't know what will happen if we ever actually set foot on this boat. But it has become a quest.

We love going to the Lake. This time it was miserably hot. Hotter than I can even describe. The weather just zapped all of the fun right out of our dehydrated, perspiring, exhausted bodies. So I have to say it was not my best birthday trip ever. 

We went to the new exhibition center next to the Surf Ballroom. We've been waiting to see it since they started building it. I think the best thing about this building is the architecture. From the outside it promised a lot. Not so much inside. There was a really nice film about the history of the Ballroom. It lasted ten minutes. Then circles appeared on the wall with the names of entertainers who had played there. When visitors pressed the circles, a bigger circle appeared with a paragraph or two about them. That was the whole interactive experience. I expected a lot more than this place delivers. Upstairs is a rental venue. There are also a few displays in acrylic cases on the main floor, but not much. We felt like we saw it all in fifteen minutes, including the movie. I really hope that it just isn't finished yet. There is so much more to see at the Surf Ballroom. But now you need to buy a separate ticket for that at the new building.

As always, the food was good. We like to eat at The Half Moon and Sevens. We tried new places, but didn't have very good luck there. The first closed unexpectedly. The second just closed when we got inside because the air conditioning went out. The third one had too long of a wait because we didn't have reservations.  

We skipped the evening entertainment on the Square, and also the Hampton County Fair on the way home. I don't think we will ever try to go again when the weather is so miserable.

All in all, I was feeling every bit of my advanced years this birthday. I am blaming it on the weather. 

The best thing about coming home early was that I was able to look on MarketPlace and bought the exact set of twenty drawers that I've been wanting for my crafting/sewing room. That wouldn't have happened if we had stayed for all the fun we had planned.

Today is the Day

It's time again for my weekly post. Today is my actual birthday and it is on Wednesday this year. I think it isn't a secret that I love to celebrate my birthday. Not with a big party, though I have had those in my time. I have incorporated many silly and simple little rituals into my day. The first thing I do is stay up until midnight and then read my New Moon list from last year. This is a list of physical objects I hoped to add to my life since my last birthday. It is the one time to feel completely selfish, self-deserving, and self-aware, and not to feel guilty about it at all. I'm not even sure when I started making this list or where I first learned about it. Google doesn't know what it is, and I don't remember why I do it. I'm sure I read about it somewhere. My guess would be in the 1980's. My first list probably said "Nice kids and a clean house." That was my standard answer to my children whenever they would ask me what I wanted.

 I keep all the old lists in a notebook now, but at first I didn't save them in a particular place, so sometimes one just pops up in a box of papers. (I guess I just squelched the rumor that I am extremely organized. I am not. That's probably the reason for so many lists.) And I won't make the list for 2026 until the next new moon. These lists are getting harder to make. Every year I want fewer physical objects. The things that make us happy aren't usually actual objects, are they? And they shouldn't be.

I like to think about what I would buy myself on my very self indulgent day. There are a few items in my Amazon cart that I may just need. I also usually go shopping at a new or favorite store for a little while and either take myself to lunch or meet friends and family.

 I will probably check the "75 (Amended to 76) Things I've Learned post that I wrote a couple of years ago. This year I will add #77. It's an Irish proverb and is my words of the year. 'Enough is as good as a feast." I will have more to say about it later.

John is making my birthday even more special this year. We are going to our favorite happy place, Clear Lake. We plan to enjoy every minute of the two days we will spend there. I, of course, will be celebrating every minute. 

Many people may think that birthday joy is a childish and immature notion. I know some who always say they don't want to think about their day. I had one time several years ago that almost everyone forgot. That's when I determined there were many little things that would bring joy to me, so now I make sure to make them happen.  I'm off to read my FB messages and to get ready for our adventure. I am planning on a glorious year.

THE BIRTHDAY COUNTDOWN

 

                                                                                 

Sometimes I like to stop at a coffee shop and watch people (my guilty pleasure) and write. Usually, I make lists. Today I had absolutely no paper. That's what happens when a person changes to a smaller purse. Pens and paper should always be considered an essential. I know that. Luckily, there were napkins available, so I put together a little booklet. I probably should have tried the paper towels. These were a little thin for the pen. So, this is the list. It's not a To Do list, or a Shopping list, even though it contains some of both. Here are thirty-one things I want to do during my birthday month. They aren't in any specific order:

1. Wear a summer dress just because. Finding a dress has not been easy, especially since I don't like to shop. So far, two purchases have gone directly to Goodwill, because they did not work for me, and returning them was more expensive than the original purchase. Online shopping doesn't always work and isn't as advertised. Buyer Beware. I don't know why, but I always expect the garment and me to look like the photo.

2. Make basil salt. I know I don't cook or garden much anymore, but I do have a nice little basil plant.

3. Have a tarot reading.

4. Schedule all the wellness appointments I have been avoiding.

5. Have a fancy tea party for one. (Still looking for the missing tea set.)

6. Have a meal at a new place.

7. Buy some summer work-out clothes. I am sweltering in the raggy ones I wear. 

8. Simplify my crafting supplies. I could never use all that I have.

9. Take a road trip.

10. Get a new calendar.

11. Take a trip to the bookstore.

12. Take a walk in the park.

13. Write a letter and mail it.

14. Update my journal.

15. Go to a movie. With popcorn

16. Visit a local farmers market.

17. Send some postcards randomly.

18. Order a drink that I've never had.

19. Work on my book outline.

20. Press some flowers and frame them.

21. Join something. 

22. Quit something I don't enjoy any more.

23. Make a list of future projects.

24. Write a story from a picture.

25. Clean out purse. Don't forget the notebook or index cards. They are much better than napkins.

26. Polish my nails.

27. Send a gift for no reason. Maybe even make it an anonymous surprise.

28. Organize photos. haha

29. Listen in coffee shops.

30. Compliment a stranger.

31. Compliment an acquaintance.

As I learned at Caribou today: "Life is short. Stay awake for it." I accept this challenge. I will check in with a progress report at the end of the month.

Happy July

 

Today is July 1st. I am happy to see July because I am always ready for June to end. Oh, and it's my birthday. Did I mention it's my birthday? I'm not sure why, but those of us with birthdays in July always think we need to celebrate for the entire month. Truly, I thought I was the only one, but when I look around, I can see that it is practically universal. And totally understandable. It may be because the year is half over, or because we know we still have half of the year left. It could be because this is the middle of summer. Maybe because we have a holiday this month. And because it is a great month for a party!

I become very pensive when it is time for my birthday. It's almost like it's mandatory to make resolutions. A couple of years ago I listed 75 things that I've learned. I don't think I will have 77 new ones this year, so I'll just read the old ones again. This year I am going to do something every day to celebrate. 1. Today I wore a summer dress all day. That does sound silly, but I seldom wear a dress, especially at home for no reason. And it has pockets, which makes it especially noteworthy. Now, I only have to think of thirty more things.

It feels like summer, especially since we are having a heat wave, but stores make me feel like I am way behind with my seasons. I saw school supplies the other day. And Halloween and Christmas decor has been available for a few weeks. I can only think about one season at a time. Does decorating for the seasons seems to be a lot more widespread than it used to be? Maybe because so much is available online. People I talk to tell me they are doing less. Downsizing is a big word now. Is it a trend or do we just like to say it? I look around and I want to do away with a lot of what is about, but then I want to add more too. It's a conundrum! 

This week the fourth (and final) podcast of my talk with Candee Lucas, the host of Solace: soul+grief. She is a chaplain in California and works with the grieving. I've known her since we were in the sixth grade. We have never lost touch, but don't often communicate. She contacted me to interview me for these recordings and we talked for over an hour, about a lot of feelings I've never put into words before. I really didn't know how this would turn out, because it was way beyond my comfort zone, but I really think I had a lot of helpful insights about this subject. She split our interview into four fifteen-minute segments. I know this is a story that many won't want to listen to, but for those who do this was the beginning of my "Second Story"

(I listened to this on Spotify, but you can look it up on whatever podcast you use.)