What's It All About, Buttercup?

 

Every year at some time around my birthday I write a reflective post about life, getting older and other assorted thoughtful ideas. At least that was what I had in my mind. In preparation for writing  this post I went back to my birthday posts from the beginning of the blog (2009) and didn't find all that much reflection. I found pictures of cakes and pies (2020), recollections of celebrations and a number of thank you posts. In between all of that I saw some reflection, but it was more action than contemplation. 

This year is different. First, my birthday has yet to happen -- it's not until Saturday -- and last Friday I attended a funeral for a friend/colleague a decade younger. There's no cake yet to photograph and that event set me to reflection. So I asked myself  -- with thanks to the movie and song, Alfie -- What's It All About, Buttercup?

"What's it all about when you sort it out?"

I'm still sorting, friends, and I'm pretty sure I'll be sorting it out until that's no longer possible. Sorting it out is living and looking at new situations and issues that I never thought would be part of the mix, especially at 73. My life, for as long as I get the gift, is sorting it out and then resorting it out because  love, death, plague and every other thing both good and sad upend the construction that I'd so carefully sorted out. The photograph above is a breakfast for my 50th reunion class at Mount Holyoke. There are long and deep connections entwined in that photograph, both with the institution and with individuals. It's a gift that I know is a blessing. 

So what's it all about? Alfie said it was all about "love", but I prefer the term connection. Connection is the glue that holds things together in tough times, a pandemic, for example, and it's the glue that gives me happiness in the good times, the birthday celebrations for the next while.  

So here's to connection -- whether it's to people I've known for decades and people I met last week. A cheer for connection to people I spend time with in person and those I only visit with virtually. I'll be sorting it out for what I hope will be a long, long time, but one item that won't need any resorting will be the joys I've known with those I share a connection. Thank you, all! 

As ever, thanks for visiting and take good care, dear Buttercupland. 

 

The Autumn Is Gold

Autumn in Maine, 2019

 At (one day short of) 72 I know my summer days are past. Though I'm feeling amazingly youthful having spent almost two weeks of the last few months with friends who knew me when, I realize that it's time now for the golden days of autumn. I'm not going to lament the green days of summer gone by and miss the the beauties of autumn that are ahead. 

Make no mistake, my friends, I'm still (much) the same fun-loving Buttercup and Pep remains my faithful companion in escapades. But the last few years have taken a toll in light-heartedness and the two fiftieth reunions and a birthday have shifted my thoughts to the passage of time. I'm not dwelling on it, but the words "55th reunion" evoked an awareness that lay dormant. 

While I was ruminating on the passage of time a song lyric popped into my mind and it was the phrase, "It's never too late." The song has the same title as a 1965 movie starring Paul Ford and one of my all-time favorite actresses, Maureen O'Hara. It was sung by Tony Bennett in his complete summer years and it's a sweet and slightly cheesy song. I looked up the lyrics and one line stood out, "the summer is green and the autumn is gold." 

I'm going to disclose my birthday wish, however unconventional that may be. I'm wishing for lots of bright autumn gold shared with friends and family, with sunsets at the beach and  books and coffee. 

Let's share a virtual toast to the glories of autumn!

As ever, thanks for your friendship and wishes to all for summer sunsets and autumn leaves. 

(My) Belated Birthday

 

Perfect summer breakfast, waffles and blueberries with 

a splash of real maple syrup

It's been a whirl of a week. I celebrated my 71st birthday on Thursday and very happily, it's been busy and fun and filled with friends and travel and yummy food. I can't have asked -- or been given -- more. 

I took a quick trip to Connecticut to begin to catch up with some of my friends of longest duration. My birthday breakfast included the beautiful waffles pictured above and my birthday lunch, at one of my all time favorite ice cream spots, included an ice cream sundae. Local mint chocolate chip ice cream and real whipped cream and of course, hot fudge sauce. 

But the best gift was actually sitting and talking and laughing and talking some more with dear friends. We weren't on the phone or Zoom or texting -- though I'm grateful for all of the ways we kept in touch when we couldn't get together -- but together. It's taking me some adjustment to get used to being "in person" again, but it's worth any adjustment to spend time with people who fill my heart. 

In a little while I'll be back on the train, this time to Westchester, for a 70th birthday celebration for my dear friend, Nancy. Thankfully, today seems to be the only sunny day in the midst of downpours, and  I'm so excited to see more dear friends. 

I know I'm remiss on announcing the mystery book contest winners, but look forward to that post in the next few days. I'll also be back for a Pink Saturday photo post tomorrow. 

As ever, thanks for visiting and have a sweet Saturday.

Who Knows Where the Time Really Goes

Exactly forty years ago today...

...I turned thirty years old. This picture was taken just before I was about to leave for a celebration dinner at the fabulous Windows on the World restaurant on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. It was a wonderful evening and forty years later it is still a fabulous memory. What I had no idea of, on that hot July night in 1980, was that two months later I would interview for the best job I've ever had, in the Mayor's Office in City Hall.   

Today I turned seventy. I find it almost impossible that forty years have elapsed and the job I didn't know existed is now long ago history. I am amazed these years have gone by, slowly at times, but mostly like a freight train trying to make up for lost time. There's a lot of life in the rear view window, but despite all the turmoil and difficulties of 2020, I am optimistic about the time to come. 

The smiling young woman in the photograph is still smiling, at least some of the time. I am so grateful for the gift of seventy years of life. I am especially grateful for the people I've had the good fortune to share these seventy years with. It's unlikely that there's an exciting new job just over the horizon, but I know there will be people to meet, books to read, flowers to enjoy and sometime there will be new places to visit. Join me in a toast to the next journey of the freight train. It's pulling out of the station and the scenery ahead looks beautiful.    

Now I'm Sixty-Four, Plus Five

 I spent part of my 69th birthday at one of my favorite places, the West Side Y.

 

My 69th birthday has come and gone. As birthdays go, it was a quiet one, with a small celebration -- eating wings! -- in the evening. I had two celebrations before, a weekend of fun and two celebrations are yet to come. I thought about how I wanted to spend the day and realized I wanted to go to my water aerobics class at the Y.  

 

Though I haven't become a "gym rat" and likely, never will, I do enjoy my exercise time. I took up water aerobics, which is technically "Aqua aerobics for active older adults with arthritis," a few months ago and love it. I love being in the pool and exercising to music. I've still got "Take Good Care of My Baby" on the playlist of my mind from my class on Monday. It's a lively and very friendly group and I enjoy seeing my water buddies every Monday. One of my Y friends who is a regular at the morning class celebrated her birthday at the Y with her water aerobics buddies. She is turning 70 in a few days and has inspired me for possible celebrations for next year. 

 

At sixty-four plus five I'm more committed to good health and healthy habits than I was at 64. Every year seems to bring a new health awareness and I want to keep up the most active life possible. I know how quickly good health can slip away and am grateful for the opportunity to exercise and eat healthy. I like my treats, but the wings I enjoyed on my birthday are just that, a treat, and not a daily or even monthly occurrence. 

 

Here's a cheer for another birthday! So grateful for another year of adventures, great and small, good times and I pray, the blessing of health and peace for family and friends. 

 

On a different birthday note, I received my new driver's license today. If there is an award for the worst photograph taken at Department of Motor Vehicles in 2019, I know I will be in contention. My previous picture was pretty good, maybe even good for a license picture. This one will scare small children. It looks like I've just come face to face with an axe murderer in a movie I would never see. It was about ninety degrees at DMV and any makeup I started with has vanished and my hair is sticking to my head. I'd think about going back for a new picture, but the cost and the time deter me. The picture really is that bad.

 

As ever, thanks for visiting and Louisiana and Gulf friends, stay safe!

(Hoping, Hoping) Sixty-Seven is a Slice of Heaven

 

The wonderful pies at Judies, in Amherst, MA

I came up with the title for this post a few weeks before my birthday. I liked it for the rhyme and for the thought. Now that my birthday is two weeks past I've come to savor the thought that this year -- and every year that I'm given in the future -- will be a slice of heaven. I don't envision angels and trumpets, but rather the imagery of William Blake and my hope is to see "a world in a grain of sand and heaven in a wildflower."
 

Love my lemon meringue!

 

One of my birthday celebrations was spent at Judies in Amherst, Massachusetts. This is one of my favorite restaurants with great food, popovers and pie, lots of pie. I was with my friend Lonni and we chose to split two pieces of pie. Perhaps it was a little much, but I only turn sixty-seven once. Our first choice was a classic, and delicious, lemon meringue.

We followed up with a slice of equally delicious and very rich, derby pie. Derby pie is a wonderful combination of chocolate and walnuts. I didn't know its origins in Kentucky and recommend following the link to learn more about it. Is anyone else a fan of derby pie?

I feel that I'm finally settling back to being home after reunion, BookExpo, BlogHer and my birthday weekend in Connecticut. It was all wonderful, but it's taken me several weeks to settle back into yoga, walking, eating more vegetables than pie and blogging. I'm looking to schedule less for the time until Labor Day and enjoy the pleasures of New York City.

I'm once again joining with my friends at Pink Saturday for some pretty in pink fun.

As ever, thanks for visiting. Hope you're having a weekend that includes pie and fun.

Happy Birthday to Me!

 

In just about two hours I will be sixty-six. I am amazed by the number. I don't feel whatever I once thought sixty-six would feel like. Yes, my right hip gets stiff and I have more scars than I ever thought I would have. I don't hear as well as I once did, but those are all relatively minor issues. I'm sitting in my air-conditioned apartment, typing and eating blueberries. I'm looking forward to travels, holidays, weddings and my 45th college reunion next May. The scale definitely tips in the balance of all that is good and fortunate. 

 

I know people visit Buttercupland -- another thing for which I am profoundly grateful -- for a fun, happy, upbeat time. I am pleased that for the last seven years and over 1600 posts, Buttercupland has been a friendly place to visit. I'm not going to change that in this post, but if I had one birthday wish I'd like the world to be a less contentious and more decent place. I'd like more talking and less screaming, and a lot, lot less violence. Despite all that is happening all over the world, or maybe because of it, Buttercupland will remain an upbeat place.  We need more places where everyone is welcome and we are kind to each other. In seven years there has been only one negative comment. Would that the rest of the world were able to say that.

 

The birthday donut above is from one of my favorite eateries, Glazed and Infused, in Chicago. My sixty-fifth year has been a year of much less sugar and very few donuts. But I am thinking of researching donuts in New York City and treating myself to one in the next week. Turning sixty-six definitely deserves one little sweet treat.

 

I would be remiss not to thank all of your for your friendship. My blog friends have become a very important part of my life and without all of you there would be no Buttercupland. Lots of love and thanks!

It's All Over (Almost) -- Except for the Thank You Notes

Two days of being 65 have flown by, mixed with both celebration and the mundane details of life. I've gone out to eat twice, opened cards, talked on the phone and was delighted by remembrances from friends of long, long standing and shorter duration. I've been feted, fussed over and had a wonderful time. All the good wishes and celebrating were very much appreciated.

In the past I've written about my birthday -- especially at the milestone of turning sixty. But this time I felt much less philosophical, which somewhat surprised me. I have a philosophical turn of mind and I generally reflect on milestones large and very small. Not this one. Besides the festivities here are a few other moments of my day of becoming sixty-five.

  

The New York Times waited at my door, as it does almost every day. I was hoping for a birthday headline, but that's not the paper's style. Happily, there was no across-the-page headline trumpeting disaster and war. That may be the best gift I received yesterday. 

 

On the totally mundane, I dropped off dry cleaning -- not a picture opportunity -- and took the subway to Weight Watchers. There was no special birthday gift, other than losing a pound. On reflection, that's a happy gift, too.

 

 

I walked south on Broadway and came upon this doggy quartet, and then I came to one of my favorite summer moments, the Wednesday Lunchtime outdoor concert. 

 

There wasn't a rendition of "Happy Birthday," but the music was terrific. I've stopped by every Wednesday after Weight Watchers and enjoyed the music. 

 

 



I ultimately made my way to this restaurant, for one of the best birthday lunches ever. I remembered to take pictures as the food was served and I will be doing a separate post -- time for a New York summer food post -- early next week. 

 

 

One more celebration dinner and then for this birthday Cinderella, the coach becomes a pumpkin once again. But not for long. I've got to get my thank you notes done quickly -- grateful to have thank you notes to write -- because BlogHer is in town next week and normal mundane life will be suspended once again. 

 

Thank you all for your sweet and thoughtful birthday notes. As I look forward to the second half of my sixties I am so grateful for my Buttercupland friends. Some of you I've had the good fortune to meet and others I know only from your words and pictures. But I know, too, the good hearts and kind thoughts and that also go with your blogs, and am so glad that you have chosen to visit Buttercupland. 

 

As always, thanks for visiting and have a sweet day!    

It's All Over Except the Calories...

...Sort of. This is the thought that popped into my mind this morning when I thought of my birthday. I had a yummy dinner last night and this morning the celebration of the day was over, except for the calories that remain with me. My second thought was the "sort of."  The calories do remain, but the good wishes and good feelings are still with me, too. I am going to settle down later today and slowly read and cherish the good wishes, both electronic and paper, and give thanks for the friends and family who reached out to me.

A second thought, as I return to my New York life, was that all that was left of vacation was the calories, but that is a "sort of," too. There are photos, memories and new friends and I cherish those as well. I'm still in a Dublin state of mind this afternoon and I'm going to share another few Dublin photos today.

I would be remiss not to share a photo of the Guinness Stout complex, probably the greatest attraction to visitors of Dublin besides the Book of Kells. In the interest of truth in journalism, I confess that I didn't go on the tour, but rather took this picture from the bus. I'm not a drinker of beer, stout or ale and I thought the experience would be wasted on me, but I know I am in a distinct and small minority.

The Guinness Storehouse, a very popular stop for visitors to Dublin

The gardens at the Beatty Library at Dublin Castle. The Library has an extraordinary manuscript collection. 

Next to the Beatty Library I found a wonderful exhibit by stained glass genius, Dale Chihuly, illustrating James Joyce's "Ulysses." I am a big fan of Chihuly's work and was delighted to find this exhibit. I've never read "Ulysses," but this exhibit may just be the push I need. 

As always thank for visiting and thanks, too, for the comments and good wishes for my birthday. Take good care and please come and visit often. 

Today I'm Sixty-Four

Some people may see this title as a shameless ploy for comments -- I might be one of them -- or just an homage to one of my favorite songs by the Beatles, "When I'm Sixty-Four." The song has been in my mind for a blog post title for months, and today, my friends, I am 64. I get to share my birthday with #RingoStarr and I am happy to give Ringo, who happily is still going strong, a birthday shout-out. Happy birthday, Ringo, and here's to many more years that we will share our birth day. Happy and healthy!

I'm home from my travels, and happy to report that my luggage decided to come home, too. I'm slowly unpacking and contemplating the mountain of laundry that is waiting for me. Yes, even on birthdays, there is laundry, if I want to have something to wear when I'm sixty-four. There was also grocery shopping first thing this morning and later this afternoon there will be a few errands, first of which will be taking my ailing iPad to the Apple Store. My body is still on Dublin time and though I woke up at my usual time, just before eight o'clock. But it was eight a.m. in Dublin and, unfortunately, three a.m. here. I'm hoping to make it awake to nine tonight and get myself back on a New York schedule.

I've been an inconstant blogger and it feels good to be back at the computer blogging away. I'm going to share pictures of the trip in no special order. My mind is also back in Dublin and that's where I'm going to start today. I had long wanted to visit Dublin -- maybe forty years -- and see the Book of Kells, and it more than lived up to my expectations. What I didn't expect was the beauty of the Trinity College Library, where the manuscript is housed. I felt as though I'd walked into a scene in Harry Potter, but it wasn't a film.

Trinity College Library, Dublin, founded by Queen Elizabeth I

This is the Ha'penny Bridge, one of the bridges that connects the North and South areas of Dublin, divided by the River Liffey. I was so lucky to be there at twilight. The toll for the bridge was once a ha'penny.

Sunset at Christ Church Cathedral

I had a wonderful long weekend in Dublin. Besides my visit to Trinity College, I visited the Dublin Castle, the Beatty Library and its extraordinary manuscript collection and the National Gallery of Ireland. But I also just enjoyed the city, wandering down medieval and Georgian streets and snapping lots of pictures. It was everything I'd hoped for and I'm already thinking about a return trip to see more of Ireland. 

The laundry calls. Thanks so much, blogger buddies, for sharing my trip, and as always for your friendship. I am a very lucky sixty-four year old and I don't feel a day over sixty-three. 

I Don't Feel a Day Over Sixty-Two...

...and it feels great!

I've been on a party round since noon yesterday and it has been so much fun. Pene and I started the celebration of her birthday with a lovely lunch. It was delicious and the high point was rhubarb sorbet. Last night's surprise party for Pene was a warm and sweet evening. Our friend, Carol, the best cook and most gracious hostess I know, put it together and all of the guests kept the surprise. We laughed, talked and ate, and laughed some more. There was champagne for toasts and a beautiful flourless chocolate cake, trimmed in fresh raspberries. As Cole Porter would say, "What a swell party it was."

Today -- officially forty-five minutes ago -- I turned sixty-three and what a good day. The day was full of fun and affection. What I especially liked was how easy and relaxed it was. I started with my morning iced coffee and then met a friend for a casual lunch. Tried to run a couple of errands at Macy's, but they were out of stock, didn't have the color I wanted, etc. I may have more time, but I will stick to shopping on-line. I so enjoyed phone calls, e-cards, delightful mail and lots of fun wishes on Facebook. Sweet Jess sent a beautiful bouquet of flowers and I had dinner with Mary at Luke's Lobster. It's not fancy, but they have the best lobster rolls this side of Maine. 

In the past I've been completely traditional and ordered the lobster roll, but this time we both got the trio of crab, lobster and shrimp rolls. They are half sandwiches, and completely fresh and delicious. The only sides are potato chips and there is no pretense of eating vegetables. I could happily eat here every day, but then of course, it wouldn't be a treat.  

I'm happy to return to my regular life tomorrow. I am so grateful for the good wishes and especially for the relaxed feeling. The latter may come from being retired, but I think it also comes from a deep well of gratitude. I'm grateful for what I've been given, and not unhappy for what I don't have. It took me awhile, but I'll just call it the wisdom of sixty-three. It's been hard won, but so worthwhile. 

I'll be back tomorrow for Turtle Tuesday, when I announce the winner of the giveaway for A Turtle's Tale 2. Until then, sweet dreams!

I'm in Good Company

In April Jay Leno turned 62

Source: Uploaded by user via Joseph on Pinterest

In May Stevie Wonder turned 62

Source: madeinthesixties.tumblr.com via cmputrbluu on Pinterest

Today, Buttercup joins them!

I have to be honest, sixty-two sounds old. I don't feel old -- whatever feeling old means -- but when I say sixty-two, it doesn't seem I can be in my sixties. But thankfully, I am.

Tomorrow I am going back to work. Today I grocery shopped for my lunch things for the week, got my clothes in order and will spend some time tonight getting organized to be at work this week. I will write a few cards and checks and just get things tidier to be able to get up in the morning and find everything I need. I've kept up with work email and chatted with some of my colleagues, so I hope there aren't too many issues that surprise me. I know I will be tired at the end of the day, but I also know that I have more energy and it's time to return. I've been out of the office almost a month -- a very emotional and demanding month -- and now I'll be back in the routine I know very well.  Three weeks ago I could barely get out of bed by myself and tomorrow I will dress and go to work. I'm counting my blessings tonight. 

Wishing you a cool and sweet week!