Clydie — having just now celebrated my birthday with our dear Nancy at a lake house in the mountains of north Georgia, I loved reading your references to past birthdays in Vermont. I was blessed to have my August birthday at the picnic grounds in Ho-ho-kus with Granddaddy cooking steaks and us kids enjoying ice-cream cake — all so long ago, but again just yesterday. I love that we shared our childhoods as cousins. Happy Birthday‼️
Your writing just gets better and better. "a clam’s shell become a jewelry box, sea water, foam, iridescent bubbles of sunlight quivering on the surface, an offering from the deep..." lovely images, metaphor of clam shell as jewelry box, sunlight quivering... I can see it, even without the photo.
What a beautiful collection of thoughts and observations. I’m not a writer but love observing the changes of light around our house. Through the mist in the valley below, through our bedroom windows as the sun shifts during the seasons, the backlit light through the petunias on the porch railings. Thank you for reminding me of such beauty all around us. Also enjoyed reading about the brick house. What a special childhood!
I think you are quite expressive as a writer in this comment alone. I can imagine myself high on the hill looking out as you describe, with changing light. Beautiful.
Thank you! I wish I could report that I still have that horn but alas, I no longer do. It made such a satisfactory noise when tooted, especially compared to the 'flappers' we used to make: rectangles of cardboard attached to the wheel spokes with clothespins. Those wore out & fell off pretty quickly. But did the trick for a little while.
Am I right in presuming that you just passed over (to 80)? I did, just two weeks before you! Thanks for such a sweet tale of doing so. You know I love the sea. Betsey McGee
Beautifully written, and I love the perfect photo of shell with treasure
Those shells always remind me of an open hand offering something lovely ...
Clydie — having just now celebrated my birthday with our dear Nancy at a lake house in the mountains of north Georgia, I loved reading your references to past birthdays in Vermont. I was blessed to have my August birthday at the picnic grounds in Ho-ho-kus with Granddaddy cooking steaks and us kids enjoying ice-cream cake — all so long ago, but again just yesterday. I love that we shared our childhoods as cousins. Happy Birthday‼️
I tried to send you another pic of same birthday with Nancy right there! Will try again once not on the road
Wasn't it wonderful when a manually operated bicycle horn could bring such joy?
Yes! Pure delight to open the box, attach, and HONK!
You see beauty everywhere and share it! And I see beautiful you-a child, a writing hand, another year of inspiring words...love it all and thank you!
... how lucky are we, that there is always beauty to be found, no matter how turbulent the world gets ...
<3
Happy happy birthday, dear Clyde. This is lyrical and joyous; I’m grateful for it and you.
Thank you so, Victoria. The gratitude is mutual.
Your writing just gets better and better. "a clam’s shell become a jewelry box, sea water, foam, iridescent bubbles of sunlight quivering on the surface, an offering from the deep..." lovely images, metaphor of clam shell as jewelry box, sunlight quivering... I can see it, even without the photo.
Thank you Annie for this comment. I love knowing what speaks to a reader …
What a beautiful collection of thoughts and observations. I’m not a writer but love observing the changes of light around our house. Through the mist in the valley below, through our bedroom windows as the sun shifts during the seasons, the backlit light through the petunias on the porch railings. Thank you for reminding me of such beauty all around us. Also enjoyed reading about the brick house. What a special childhood!
I think you are quite expressive as a writer in this comment alone. I can imagine myself high on the hill looking out as you describe, with changing light. Beautiful.
Wonder-full
Happy Birthday, Clyde. Thank you for your unique reflection on the meaning of birthdays . . . as we age and try to ignore that number.
So lovely and thought-provoking. The shell photo is stunning. Hope you still have your bicycle horn. Happiest Birthday. 🕯️
Thank you! I wish I could report that I still have that horn but alas, I no longer do. It made such a satisfactory noise when tooted, especially compared to the 'flappers' we used to make: rectangles of cardboard attached to the wheel spokes with clothespins. Those wore out & fell off pretty quickly. But did the trick for a little while.
😊 I made mine with old playing cards.
I bet those lasted longer than cardboard!
Am I right in presuming that you just passed over (to 80)? I did, just two weeks before you! Thanks for such a sweet tale of doing so. You know I love the sea. Betsey McGee
No-o-o-ooooo ... I have not turned 80 yet! A year to go! Hope you had a Happy!
Happy Birthday Clyde. Such a lovely post and it speaks right to me on so many levels. Thank you, thank you.