SAID THE CAT: 23 & Power Birthdays

On the 16th and today, the 19th, Keoni and I celebrated our 23rd and 81st birthdays, respectively, together. His for the first time at home in seven or eight years. Wendy and Aidan and John put together a wonderful outdoor "distance" birthday for us early in the week. They day was predicted to be rainy, but turned into the most exquisite evening temp with a light, soft breeze to enhance the sense of a French meal outdoors...

Aidan's pano. Happy Birthay #23!

Wendy's French menu. It was all delicious.

John barbequeing.

Aidan spent hours making a wonderful German Chocolate cake complete with chocolate curls, all handmade.

The book Keoni is looking at is my present from the family--"The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and the Horse" by Charlie Mackesy. It is the most beautiful book I've ever seen. Mostly, drawings and handwritten vignettes. I've been through it now more than once.

That is Wendy's wonderful mocha goat ice cream she made to go with the cake.

The whole evening reminded Wendy and I of 31 years ago when she put together another birthday meal for me with friends and guests. Long ago but not forgotten.

Today, which is my actual birthday, Keoni and Aidan came over and played a concert for me outside under the shade trees at the end of my wing.

Pastries, produce and program.

I love their program fastened to a slate tile from a stack in their barn.
Favorite pieces of mine.

This is a portion of the first piece...

I'm posting next the Humoresque piece, but my phone gave out. (I really, really NEED to get busy and replace it.) Aidan loaned me his phone and here's it is from him...

Sitting and listening to the music was wonderful.

I'm having the birthday that keeps on giving. So many welcome and heart-warming messages and people to love and cherish.

(The Amazon trucks zooming (!) in the videos are from one of their distribution centers about a half mile away. Late at night they're parked row upon row in unused parking spaces of defunct shopping centers and strip malls.)

Cousin Jackie's birthday greeting included her husband Taylor's message that I am having a "Power" birthday. What's that? she asked. Turns out I had one 17 years ago and I won't have another one for 19 years.

9 x 9 = 81

Now I get it.

Out west, the family is keeping in touch as they help and support each other through their time of great readjustment and change. Before Val and Tim returned to New Mexico, and Duane and family returned to Wisconsin, they spent family time together. Here's some captured from their texts...

Kingston.

Valerie and Sonja.

Tim and Sonja.

Valerie, Sonja and Tim.

Valerie and Elijah.

Elijah, Jeff and Duane--Elijah's dad.

Kingston and Duane's family--Meagan, Erika, Simone and Joanna.

Sonja and Jeff

Trying out something new.

And today, Sonja just sent this of Kingston...

He's learning from big brother Elijah!

From the Art Desk:

Keoni trying out his new iPad features.

Keoni requested from me a rendering of his favorite corner of his mom's kitchen which I managed to complete for his birthday...

And between crushes of recording music for the virtual institutes he's in, Keoni has been walking over at Green Lane Park where the Perkiomen Creek lies...