It is common knowledge and an indisputable fact that if, on the anniversary of one's birth, one begins the day by scrubbing petrified chicken poop from hens' bottoms in a freezing coop, the day can only improve from that point on. And thank God for that.
Yes, I am forty-nine today, and feeling fairly okay with that. I wonder if I will fall apart next year when I turn fifty. I don't think I will, but you never can tell how these things will hit you until they actually hit you. In truth, I am just too busy and too distracted to allow much time for the thought. I'm in pretty good health, I have my husband and kids to keep me grounded, the house and farm to keep me busy, my faith to keep me focused on what's important, and my knitting to keep me sane. Life's pretty good in spite of the challenges.
My mom came by today, as she always does. She brought me my favorite Nusskuchen (hazelnut cake), a bottle of wine and a monetary gift ("for a little wool", her note said). She also brought some lovely books on herbs and country living, gifts from my sister. I took the day off from teaching and baked some Selfish Brownies, so called because I baked them so that the kids would leave the hazelnut cake to me.
Forty-nine is fine...
PS: Una tells me that my opening paragraph would sound like Jane Austen, if I left out the chicken poop.
That is a lovely photo of you. Happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteWell, I've said my, "Happy Birthdays," but I must comment on your picture! You are beautiful and look quite young! +JMJ+
ReplyDeleteHappy, happy birthday. I do so enjoy stopping by here. Thank you for sharing bits of your world.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday dear dear friend! You look so beautiful! (hooray for not-quite-fifty year olds with long hair) Your cake looks scrumptious, your outlook refreshing, your brownies so savvy, and your daughter quite a gem (like her mother). Pax et bonum (and enjoy the wine)
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! You look so lovely in that photo.
ReplyDeleteLast year's 40th birthday started with me planning on sleeping in but being woke early with 'I'm sorry Momma I had an accident' and finding Ella's bed completely soaked -including the down duvet.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you had a good birthday (after the poop). And I agree with Una, that paragraph does sound like Austen.
Happy birthday! :) you look wonderful. and the cake looks super yummy.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! I never would have guessed your age. You certainly don't look a day over 30! :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd the lingering question after such a beautifully composed opening, is why in the world did you scrub the chicken's bottoms in frigid weather? (or at all?) ;-)
Cheers!
Happiest of birthdays to you dear woman. I love that photo of you. Enjoy the cake and wine. Jacinta x
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday! Hazelnut cake and your whole birthday - minus frozen poop - sound great. Hope it set up the way for a year that is better and more fulfilling than the last.
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