Another Birthday

It has been proven over and over that they come around every year. Birthdays. There seems to be mixed emotions from those who have them about their worth. Although it seems silly considering the alternative. Most women and a few men will not even let you know their age for no amount of money or bribing. I think they are afraid that people will think less of them some how. Don't see how they figure this to be true. Or are they just afraid to let you know exactly how old they are under the disguises that they wear? I believe birthdays should be celebrated, each and every one of them. It is a special gift that was given to you and your parents upon your birth. And one we should honor each year as our birthdays come across the calender pages. I have never been shy about telling my age and I am not about to start now. Today I celebrated living 54 years. I pray I will have many more, but if not ~ I am not going to waste this one, hiding it. One more year and I will be "double nickels". A bonifided senior citizen and able to collect some of the discounts offered. Although the government keeps changing the age for benefits, so I may have to wait a few more years for the paying ones. I have decided that when you reach the magical years of Senior Citizenship, you need to claim all the rights you can. After living these many years you've earned the right to all the bonuses you can get! It is neat to have your birthday on a lesser holiday ~ St. Patricks Day. There are many who want to celebrate the day and you can kinda pretend that it is because it is your birthday. Lon is having to work today. Which is what prompted Mom & Dad to come down. They didn't want me to spend it by myself.

Jason & Leah came out yesterday to surprise me for my birthday and to let Meme & Grandaddy see their one and only great grandchild. We were even more surprised when they stayed for dinner and Brian drove out to join us. It was nice having the table surrounded with family. Though my daughter-n-law wasn't too pleased to be on call at the hospital and missing all the fun.

Daddy and I hiked our woods this morning after chores. I took him down by the creek and up over the ridge. We saw lots of new growth on the different trees, revealing that Spring is just around the corner. We spotted several deer trails and a place where two had been sleeping just hours before. It started to sprinkle on us as we walked for over an hour. Mom became a little concerned about us, as we had no idea that we had been gone that long. Neither of us had a watch on and it was easy to get lost in the adventure. Walking with my daddy in the woods was a great birthday treat for me. I have always loved walking the woods with him, ever since I was a little girl. Daddy never had any sons, just my sister and me. Guess you could say I was a tomboy of sorts and as close as he got to one. I remember following in his footsteps along unknown paths, as he called out the names of different trees and such. Still today he will question me from time to time about the name of something. I am always proud if I can remember the names, by looking at the bark or leaves. I have hiked many a trail with him and Lon over the years as they deer hunt. I wouldn't trade the times for any gift of any amount.

We spent the afternoon in a nearby town doing a little shopping. Mom wanted to take me out to eat for my birthday, so I wouldn't have to cook on it. So we opted for an early dinner at O'Charlies. We each enjoyed our meals and was stuffed, before being treated by the restaurant with a birthday dessert. They have added a Caramel pie to the menu and our waitress brought us one out instead of the usual birthday treat. My, my, my it was wonderful! Yummy goodness and way to much for one person. Glad I had my parents there to share it with me. ;o)

I have started some seeds again, using a fellow blogger ~ mmpaints baggie idea. I had started some back in the middle of February with not much luck in sprouting. So this time I tried putting a tv tray in front of guest window (it gets a southern exposure and bright morning sunlight.)Then adding a heating pad on low under the baggies to add bottom heat also. I am hoping the combination will yield some good results and give us a head start on our garden this year. The seeds I have my fingers crossed over were . . . .

peppers - jalapeno, sweet banana
leeks - "American Flag"
pumpkins - a small sugar pie variety
butternut squash - "Waltham"
salvia - "Bonfire" red
basil - "Genovese", for making pesto
lavender - a perennial for my future herb garden
marigolds - petite, mixed colors

Enjoying my day!

Deborah