4/10/06
I would like to thank WWI and WWII, along with Ben Franklin, Nixon and the Kaiser of the Weimar Republic, for Daylight Savings Time. As I have oft opined, in Chapel Hill, this meant much longer hoops games on the playgrounds of Carrboro, and in general, it reduces the burden I've placed on Celexa.
Here in Venice, the weather finally got warm enough to sprawl out on the beach, as I was helping Tessa get the hang of the "set-up shot" in volleyball (she has a game on Saturdays) and watching Lucy dip her orange slices in the sand and then eat them (yuk). In essence, Daylight Savings Time gives us the Endless Afternoon, the lazy hours after work, even after the commute, that opens up pores, opens up possibility, opens up cans of PBR.
April also kicks off the Birthday Season in my family, as seemingly everyone except my mother was ejected from the warmth of the womb into the warmth of the season. Lucy's first birthday is on Friday, followed quickly by Tessa, me, Sean, Michelle, Jordana, Steve, Kent, and my dad. Close friends also have warm birthdays: Jon V., Kendall, even Lindsay sneaks in by Labor Day. Salem is twelve days older than me, and Chip is only eight days my senior.
I always thought we were lucky to have birthdays during this period because it meant our toys (bikes, Matchbox cars and basketballs especially) were instantly usable, spending .06 seconds between unwrapping and outside usage. Plus, we avoided the dreaded "double present" of a near-Christmas birthday, where folks would get you one thing in the hopes it would take care of both.
It's nice to keep updated on the weather in New York, because part of my spirit remains there no matter where we are. It looks like the beginning of a fabulous week, like Brooklyn may miss the seemingly-inevitable mid-April snowstorm. The tulip bulbs are emerging upstate, and soon, the cherry tree I got Tessa for her birthday is going to light up with crazy flowers.
Take a deep breath, and pretend for a moment it's your tenth birthday. No global warming, no world wars, no adult-onset migraines. Just an Orange Push-Up, a new bike with three speeds, and the warm molecules of April made vaster by the expanse of saving daylight.
Hi Ian. I will be gone for the next few days, and I wanted to wish Cutie Cutiekins an early HAPPY BIRTHDAY! I hope that she has a wonderful day full of smiles, giggles, fun presents, and yummy cake. I am looking forward to seeing photos of Lucy with frosting smeared all over her Cutie Cutiekins face!
On Lucy's bday, I will be making the inevitable pilgrimage of every parent of a little girl in first grade. My mom and I are taking my daughter to the American Girl Place in Manhattan. On Good Friday. With millions of other parents and their squealing girls. Actually, I can't wait. She has been saving up for her doll since January, and she is over the moon with excitement. I will send NYC your regards.
Take care and HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUCY! And, congratulations to you and Tessa -- you made it through your first year of parenting with flying colors!
a little George Harrison can go a long way
Ahhhh.... hmm? Oh yes -- a very happy birthday to all!
Ah. That felt good. Thanks, pal.
>>>opens up pores, opens up possibility, opens up cans of PBR.
Cute.
Can't you get Natty Boh in Ca?
I'd like to lodge a complaint against Ma Nature. Here in northern CA, we are feeling no spring, no warmth, whatsoever, just Noah's Ark-like constant rain, every day, every day. If we get a moment of sun, we don't even celebrate it, because we know in 4.7 minutes it's gonna be gone again, lost behind the dark grey.
Tulips are blooming in New York. Rivers and creeks are flooding in Napa, homes sliding off hills all over the Bay Area. Dear Gods of Weather, please let us see the sun! For a whole day!
Do they still make orange Push-Ups? I haven't had (or even seen) one in years...though I must say the "Orange Dream Machine" from Jamba Juice comes close to capturing the taste, if not the spirit.
Yum.
Michelle! How did your Lasik go?
Sean M.--They still make them. Look for Flintstones wrappings.
of course, i am sure you didn't forget jay murray's birthday - the day before yours....
Ah yes, but Jay Murray's birthday is the SAME DAY as mine!
yes! tulips - AND daffodil - bulbs are emerging upstate... what a sweet thing to see!!
so sorry about that no-CA rain...
Orange push-ups are kinda gross. I always preferred Nutty Butty's or ice cream sandwiches.
In this spirit I just spent the better part of the afternoon and evening at this wonderful garden on Gimghoul Rd in Chapel Hill. Anyone famililar with this yard? Two vivacious twin 90 year old ladies (both patients of our practice) own this 1920s white clapboard Sears home (truly it was ordered from the catalog) on Ghimghoul just down from the castle. It has the absolute most beautiful garden you've ever seen. They open it to the public and tons of people tour it. They came out and told me about various flowers and their amazing histories. Add an orange push up (or a PBR) and heaven it would be!
By the way, you are terribly lucky to have a birthday right now. It's a wonderful time to celebrate. Both my daughters have birthdays within 4 days of Christmas and that's a big bummer. My husband's birthday is next week though and he'll be 40! That's a biggie. Ideal 40th birthday present anyone?
neva -- i've heard about that garden! partly because i love me a great garden, and partly because i have twins and someone told me about the twin 90-somethings in chapel hill...
we spent part of this gorgeous nc day out at the maple view farms ice cream shop, rocking on the rocking chairs, watching the clusters of cows dot around the fields.
and here here for april birthdays. i've always said that april was the best time for a birthday. mine is about 3/4 of the way thru the month and my whole life it has come at a great time. good weather for outside kid bday parties; short sleeves; college classes ending but exams not yet begun; everyone of all ages is up for a party in april. plus, for the moms involved, it's not a bad pregnancy, weather-wise. unlike, for example, end-of-august babies...