It was a very good day....

there was cake....

there were balloons.....

there were flowers.....

and

there were gifts.....

but most importantly,

there was family....

Family 

related by 

blood

and 

not.....

So much

 of my life is 

spent with

 adopted family

 these days.

Yes....

people who I consider

to be family...

but we share today...

nothing of yesterday.

I am blessed with

wonderful ladies

who consider me

to be their 

friend.

So 

there was fun,

and laughter,

and giggling

and sighs,

and 

smiles.

Today is my birthday......

I'm gonna have a good time....

smiles

Out in the Country.....

Out In The Country

Whenever I need to leave it all behind
Or feel the need to get away
I find a quiet place, far from the human race
Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the nighttime
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Whenever I feel them closing in on me
Or need a bit of room to move
When life becomes too fast, I find relief at last
Out in the country

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the nighttime
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the nighttime
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the nighttime
Out where the rivers like to run
I stand alone and take back somethin' worth rememberin'

Before the breathin' air is gone
Before the sun is just a bright spot in the nighttime...

I stand alone...

My friend Mary does wonderful things with 

her regular posts "Mosaic Monday"

they are filled with 

imagination,

love,

a creative eye,

thoughtfulness,

and 

a quiet observance of what

makes this world special.....

This week,

her work reminded me of this song...

one of my favorites from the 70's.

It brings back those carefree summers

that I spent in my teen years

lifeguarding at one of the local 

pools......

acquiring a tan,

reading trashy novels,

laughing with friends,

and 

of course,

blowing that whistle!

smiles.

Because it is important.....

Not because it is pleasant to look at...

it is not.

Please read 

this post

 today.


Like I said,


not because it is pleasant,


but 


because it is the right thing to do.


Thank you,


Smiles

DUDE!.....where's my car!

That's what we were all thinkin'.....

them, sweetie and me....

all wishin', hopin', dreamin', scheemin'....

that the crowding would stop...

Nine hours plus

in the same 24 square feet

(no, I didn't measure, just guessin)

bored (them)

tired (us)

When was the last time you traveled with your 

children, of any age,

and if they were of driving age,

did you let them drive?

We couldn't....the car was borrowed...

and besides,

we are fighting the grey hairs

with all we got anyway.....

smiles.

Goin' on a Road Trip....

Yes,

we are headed out of town for a couple of days....

a long couple of days....

very long...

really long...

This will be the scenery....

for a lot of hours...

But I can dream...

of this...

And this...

Even this....

And these are the men I would choose to be with...

Because they are....

My buds....

and...

Like to go where I like to go.....

like here....

and most of the time,

 when I am here,

I look up at this...

Fun times...

I am missing me some

 beach time this year....

and don't see a way

 to get there anytime soon.

But this weekend,

I will be able to see 

a Cin-City Reds game

in person!

Yeah!

And eat cheese conies....

and visit some sweet in-laws...

so life is sweet....

smiles

Authenticity Revisited.....

Or

"How my ego survived intact....."

mostly.

We arrived at the reunion early.....

as I had promised to 

be the impromptu 

"designated photographer".

(Which is funny in a way,

because there was a very good professional photographer

in our crowd, that would have put me to shame)

So.....

I started by shooting a general 

"record the setting" shot,

and was very pleased that the Owner/manager

of the Art Gallery/Co-op 

had all of the lights on 

HIGH!

I have many 

shots from later in the evening,

but I have not asked if it was ok

to use anyone's image,

so....

the only person I felt comfortable with 

a close up shot was 

my sweetie...

checking out the photographs from 

previous reunions...

maybe to see 

one of my ex's

(they don't all live in Texas,

though I wish they did....)

The gallery was the perfect location for this 

35th High School Reunion.

Comfortable, casual, 

relaxed....

it sort of set the tone for the evening.

I had made up my mind that if 

nothing else,

I could control my own attitude.

So....

I was determined to have a smile on my

face 90% of the time spent...

and 

I did just that.

I shot tons of images.

I talked to people I didn't even know in 

high school.

Or, people who I was so intimidated 

by, that I would have never approached, 

previously.

I was bold.

I asked if I could take their picture,

and then just started 

lining them up.....

some balked,

but were coerced by those 

around them.

Who are these old people?

I kept thinking.

Are they sure they are at the correct reunion?

I was stumped.

I didn't stop to eat,

and barely sipped a drink.

I was on a mission....

Well,

actually, shooting people is easier than 

actually making small talk.

I was nervous.

We left by 10 pm.

It was just gearing up to be 

a long night,

and I was tired.

So, 

home to the computer to 

upload the images.....

Good grief!

I looked as old as the rest!

Sweetie had nicely taken a photo of me with

several friends from elementary school.

One of which, I was in 1st grade with.

And do you know what?

Mostly,

everyone was as authentic,

as I could have wished for.

Some not.

But they are the same ones that 

were not in high school.

So be it.

I found that I had quite a few friends....

real friends.

We were actually quite glad to see each other,

and enjoyed catching up on children,

careers, and church (the 3 "C's")

I believe,

that my fun

had more to do with my attitude

than theirs....

Maybe you 

CAN 

wish yourself into a 

Good time!

smiles.....

smiles