23 August, 2020            “Too many birthday presents” is not a real thing 

Today is my birthday! I have the great good fortune to celebrate another one. When you get to have a large # of candles on your cake the way I do, the celebration lasts several days. Also at this advanced age I already have a ton of “stuff” so the best gifts I get are experiences. Gifts you can buy from Amazon are nice, but by definition they’re not “priceless.” I got a bunch of priceless gifts this year. Every time I interact with a stranger it’s a priceless gift. I was strolling through Pony Pasture this morning, meeting strangers (normally friendly looking families with dogs) and telling them it’s my birthday and asking if they’d take my picture. People invariably seem delighted, or anyway they fake it because Mackey and Turner and Yuki are so sweet. Here’s one I really enjoyed: 

Every single person I met was kind! And I met a LOT of people!

Plus I got to take a quick trip to lovely Beaufort, SC for some different “birdwatching.” The “birds” I photographed were much larger than I’m used to and much farther away and much faster. My friend Pat has spent lots of time perfecting this and he is really good. I asked if I could use a picture he took (we were standing shoulder-to-shoulder when he took it) and he sent me this: 

F-35B takes to the skies over South Carolina Friday morning. Photograph by my friend Pat.

I did take a little video. The plane is just a dot, but you can hear it – and the sound is a huge part of the experience. Play loud: 

Plus  – ready for a non sequitur? – our neighbors brought over Key Lime tarts! Check these out!: 

Fresh Key Lime Tarts! Thank you Hannah and Nora and Owen and Kara! YUM!

Plus – this is so crazy – this is from a blog post nine years ago today on my birthday: 

Nine years ago today! And STILL they bring me delicious treats! How awesome is that?

The one in the solid colored shirt is in college now! And they make awesome key lime tarts! Thank you!

And – as if that wasn’t enough – look what my friend Sue brought today!:

Think this looks rich and delicious? Newsflash: it’s like TWICE as rich and delicious as it looks. Thank you Sue!

Here are a few birds from Beaufort this weekend: 

Birds coming in for a landing in SC:

Landed

Deer running next to the runway where supersonic jets take off and land multiple times every day:

The sound of freedom doesn’t appear to alarm them

And we still have (another non sequitur) gardenias!: 

Gardenias do not remind me of supersonic jets

And look what Evelyn cut and put with my sublime breakfast this morning: 

Breakfast rose

Plus my old friend Ray got me this incredible birthday card: 

Happy Birthday from Turner and Yuki and Mackey – and Ray!

And when you open it up: 

Happy Birthday!! 

Gifts have been coming from every direction this week – what a treasure! “Too many birthday presents”? I am so sure. That is not a real thing! 

Have an excellent week! 

All best, 

Jay