Celebrating a Birthday!

where I'm sitting to blog

We sit out here on the lanai many afternoons to read, enjoy the view of the back yard, and I compose these blog posts. During the depths of summer's heat or in our short winter months, time spent here is brief, if at all. Twelve large windows help to regulate the amount of heat or cold.

Today is perfect. The overcast sky emits fleeting rain showers that are gone before they really get started, and a brisk breeze is fluttering softly through my hair. We're wearing shorts and short-sleeved T-shirts. One of us is wearing sandals and the other is barefoot.

Gary is in a nearby chair, talking on the phone with his son while I type on my laptop and inject an occasional comment into their conversation. 

It's birthday weekend here, for Gary. If you're asking if it is a Big One, my response is that at our age, every birthday is the big one. 

To celebrate another trip around the sun we prefer to go low-key. On Thursday we had lunch at one of our local favorites that sits absolutely on the very edge of the Rainbow River. I took the snapshot you see here (below) to give you an idea of how casual this place is: corrugated metal decor, lots of beer advertisements, and most of the dining area is open-air with huge picnic tables and metal patio furniture. The serving staff all wear blue jean cut-off shorts.

The hostess always asks us where we prefer to sit. Our usual response is on the outer deck within a few feet of the river. 

our first table

We had driven through a blustery rain storm to get there, so we brought our jackets and the umbrella with us to the table. It's good that we did!

That same storm caught up with us, so we grabbed the menus and found a drier place to sit. This time we stationed ourselves on bar stools that had us sitting side-by-side, which I usually avoid, preferring face-to-face conversation with my dining companion.

However, our view of the river from the countertop and stools was excellent. When it's just the two of us, we may ask to sit there all the time in future visits!

We have kayaked and canoed this river together in the past. It's a "lazy river" kinda thing with slow-boat traffic, inner tubes, paddle boards. Be sure to note the gray Spanish Moss draped from the huge oak trees above the canvas awnings. "Swampy's" is aptly named!

As for what we ate, the Birthday Boy had sausage and shrimp over grits with a spicy cheesy cream sauce. He said it was sooo good!

I had the grilled chicken sandwich with all the available vegetables and a side of cole slaw. Sweet tea, too. (Always sweet tea when we eat out.) Very good; we enjoyed it all.

So that was on Thursday. Since the actual birthday was on Saturday, and we generally try to avoid weekend traffic, we did the eat-out-lunch celebration on a weekday. (Friday was my Bible study and a pedicure appointment.)

On Saturday morning I gave Gary this card when he brought my first-of-the-morning coffee. By mutual agreement early in our relationship, we decided to not usually exchange gifts, preferring shared experiences instead. At our age, we have: 

had it all

have it all

have either worn it out, sold it, or donated it

just don't need it

My son from Out West texted this snapshot of his family (minus the 2 cats) with his greeting for Gary's birthday:

This is their mule, the one who jumped the ranch fence twice a couple of weeks ago. They tell me she's not done that any more, so hopefully that escapade won't be repeated.

Gary also received emails and text messages from his family, some of his former co-workers and even a couple of high school classmates!

Although we stayed home (Gary rode his bike after breakfast; I'm still grounded from that for a few more days), we maintained a festive feel throughout the day. I wore my ice cream shirt that was purchased at Jekyll Island last year. Gary wore his souvenir shirt from Billy Bob's in Fort Worth (acquired before we met).

Gary cooked hamburgers on his indoor grill and put together a French Fry - Tater Tot combo in the air fryer. Yes, I caught him in this picture with his mouth-full! 

We watched the Air Force vs. Navy football game. Our favor leans toward Air Force, since Gary and members of my family are veterans. But Gary has also spent a fair amount of time at the Naval Academy with his investigative career after USAF retirement. 

Late in the day we had German chocolate birthday cupcakes with a candle and Klondike ice cream bars. As you can see we are big party animals and we like it this way.

Returning to the topic of giving each other shared experiences instead of gift-wrapped presents, I spent some time reminiscing about the fun places/trips we've taken since his last birthday. Here are just some of the snapshots taken:

Gary's Birthday lunch at Flagler Beach 2024

Christmas 2024 model train
and miniatures show

Valentine's Day 2025 @ Tarpon Springs
(sponge diving excursion)

Barbara's birthday lunch 2025
Crackers on Crystal River

Everglades, Florida 2025

Key West, southern-most tip 
of Continental USA
April 2025

spring 2025 
Dudley Historic Farm, Newberry, FL

Mermaids @ Weeki Watchee
April 2025

49th Avenue biking trail
Summer 2025

National Corvette Museum, Bowling Green, Kentucky
September 2025

It's been a good birthday celebration. Every year, every day, every breath -- all are gifts of mercy from our Lord who has blessed us more than we can possibly know this side of Heaven.

Teach us to number our days, 

that we may gain a heart of wisdom. 

Psalm 90:12 

Until next time, grace and peace.

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