how i spent my 64th birthday, by faustina

First, I listened to The Beatles' "When I'm 64", as I started the coffee brewing.

I could have popped in the cd that Michael and his girls gave me for Christmas, but that would have taken too long to cue up.

Far easier to turn on the computer and pop out for a beachwalk!

Hey, remember, I hadn't yet had coffee!

(smile!)

I even had a second listen to the tune with my first sip of that aromatic decaf... aaaahhh!

There's magic in that!

Next, I set about freeing up some ice cream.

One thing about ice cream made with coconut milk: it's very, very hard.

I had to stop for another swig of coffee, reveling in the "you were born to dance" message - blessed to have had that marking my way on so many travels up and down I-95!

Eventually I had 1 1/2 cups of Peanut Buttery Cocoa Chip in the bowl - hooray!

Added to that was two slices of lemon cake!

Cake and ice cream for breakfast!!!

Plus, two slices of Canadian bacon to amp up the protein count from 14 grams to 21 grams.

The fiber was already to the good: 12 grams from the ice cream!!!

Oh, yeah, that works with my new meal plan!

(smile!)

Smitty and Mary called to wish me "Happy birthday!" while "CBS Sunday Morning" was on and we had a good chat!

Then they rang off, but not before I told them about "Teen Kids News", the only other news program I watch.

They'll be sharing that, and its driving tips, with their grandkids!

 

Then it was off to Asbury Memorial Church!

I hadn't planned to go, but Rev. Billy - you know, my stepsister's husband's cousin! - had written that it was to be free of gun talk today... and it was!

It was about singing praises, even in times of hardship!

He and the choir leader had reworked the lyrics of "Hallelujah" to tell the story of Paul and Silas in prison.

That song always brings to mind Jeff Buckley's version - nice!

And we all sang one of my favorites: "Trees Of The Field"!

So many people there gave me bday64 greetings!

(smile!)

 

Paul and Cathy had texted while I was there, but before I could call them back, someone else called, no doubt conjured by that thought of one of his favorite singers.

I speak of Jeff, of course!

He and Amy were about to go out for a boat ride with friends, but bday64 came first!

 

That call ended just as Savannah VOICE's "Opera Idol" was beginning!

I whipped up a BIG tuna salad, with garlic-basil vinaigrette - Elaine would have loved it! - and settled in for this free treat.

I had thought it was just to be performances by the four scholarship contestants... but, delightfully, I was wrong!

It was actually a special Master Class with Sherrill Milnes, the purpose of which was to see which potential student was best at utilizing his tips.

What a smart approach!

Each had a vocal piece that they presented, but then the opera professional gave them pointers (for the next fifteen minutes or so) to make it truly the polished work they already thought they had, with them incorporating the changes along the lesson and, at the end, performing the piece in its entirety again.

Congratulations to Sydney Fabregas for her win!

Thanks, too, for singing tips I can use!

(smile!)

During the show, youngest brother Tony came by with Laura to sing to me!

"Star Wars" trivets in tow, as well as a very funny card (about using candle wax for my "mustache and legs" - lol! I have chin whiskers, not lip fuzz!), plus a gift card for groceries - what a fabulous treat!

And I'll be treated to their company again at the cookout at their house!

(smile!)

Then the bf texted with birthday greetings! I'll see him on Tuesday for a movie!

And Christina texted with greetings! I'll see my first niece on Wednesday in Hinesville... and it will be for a very rare, just-her, visit!

And Barbara texted! And Sandy texted! And Carolyn texted! Todos de mi tres amigas!

Then Chuck Eyler called! Remember, he was the one I'd so enjoyed talking to during the ZOOM coffee hours that AMC held. What a pleasant surprise!

Finally, Paul and Cathy of California called! As a rare treat, they each talked to me for over thirty minutes each! He regaled me with the tale of his Death Valley camping trip in April and she extolled the travails of travel in New Jersey in early May. What a special treat!

(smile!)

Then, time to wind down with a movie!

Nothing like a Christmas-themed flick to brighten the heart for me!

Even better, Michael Gross was in this one, too.

He'd played a cantankerous old landlord in 2012's "12 Wishes Of Christmas", viewed for breakfast yesterday.

In the 2018 "Christmas At Rosemont", he was a mild-mannered country doctor.

Both movies were delights that I will gladly watch again!

And afterward, Jeff's cousin Michelle texted with birthday greetings! Like everyone else, she was elated that I'd had my cake and ice cream for breakfast!

(smile!)

What a thoroughly wonderful day this has been!

Leisurely and filled with love and laughter!

Now, I'm in fb to respond to greetings left there, and I hope I'll finish in time to end my day with the usual two episodes of "The Big Bang Theory".

Again, what a thoroughly wonderful day this has been!

i thank You, God, that I am 64!!!

(smile!)