Monday, July 28, 2025

A Sweet And Peaceful Birthday With Time And Space To Think And Be Grateful

Okay. Before we go one more minute, I have to do something that I told Maggie I had already done which was a lie but I somehow thought I HAD done it and now I am correcting the situation.


Or DID I post this picture already? Well, whatever.
That is a picture of Ms. Magnolia June in her mermaid tail in Mr. Gary's and Miss Melissa's pool. Mr. Gary and Miss Melissa are Lauren's parents. 
It turned out that Lily and her family got back late last night and so were able to meet us for lunch today and Maggie wanted to make sure I had seen this picture. I assured her that I had and that I loved it. She then asked if I'd posted it on my blog and, thinking I had, I told her yes. "What did people think about it?" She asked. 
"They loved it too!" 
As Andy Griffith used to say, "Oh, what a wicked web we weave when first we practice to deceive."
He did not lie. 
Unlike me. 
So, please, if you happen to love that picture, let me know and I can feel less untruthful than I really am. 

I have had a great birthday! It's been extremely laid back and also, at the same time, celebratory. It was so nice to get to see and hug all of my children and grandchildren except for the Jessie/Vergil family. We all met at a Cuban restaurant I like very much. May and Michael were there. Hank was all by himself as Rachel is in Boston visiting her best friend from childhood who had a baby five months ago. She is in heaven. Rachel, that is. In all the pictures she's sent of her holding that sweet little boy she is absolutely radiating with happiness. She's been looking forward to this for a long time. 
Lily and Lauren were there and of course, Owen, Gibson, and the aforementioned Magnolia June. So many great hugs! 
It took a while for all of us to order and get our food. In fact, by the time the food hit the table, Hank had to have it packed up to take home because his lunch break was over. But we got to see him for a fairly good visit. We got to hear all about the trip Lily's family had been on and the fun they'd had. It always sounds like a good time at Mr. Gary's and Miss Melissa's. 
Goats are always involved and we all know that goats are just about the most fun barnyard animals ever.

I got to catch up with May and Michael and Hank, too, of course. Owen and I had a good conversation about things we've been watching and also books. He's not much of a reader these days but he knows I am, and that sweet man-boy gifts me with allowing me to discuss my reading. He is just so big now. I mean...BIG! Gibson is sprouting up at an unreasonable rate too, and Maggie? I feel certain she'll be taller than me by the time she graduates elementary school. 

Here's what we all looked like (except for Hank) after we finished lunch and were about to leave.


A sweet lady in the restaurant saw us taking pictures and came out and offered to take a picture with all of us in it. I think she did a good job! 

I took this one. 


That is actually the picture I got AFTER the one where they all posed. I always think the after picture is the best one. My friend Kathleen would always command whoever she was taking a picture of to, "Say Tiny Penis!" and now I always say, "Say Tiny...Peanuts," which cracks the adults up because they know from whence that saying came and the kids laugh because it's just so random and funny although I think that Owen gets it now. 

After lunch I went to Publix and while there, I bought myself some presents. I got two plants which I do not need in the least (and they were not even on sale!), two new teal-colored dishcloths, and two packages of cheesecloth to make more of the fantastic multi-purpose, absorbent, soft, uh, hemmed rags? which I am obsessed with. 
I have no idea why. These things just happen.

Here are the plants!


I actually have a container that I think I'll put the snake plant in and as for the Pink Princess Philodendron, I'll find something when it needs more leg room. 

Mr. Moon left before dawn this morning with his container of chili and foil-wrapped corn bread, pineapple, blueberries, cherries, and I do not know what all. His pillow and blanket for sure. He's sent me pictures of the new faucet he put in the kitchen sink and the new toilet that replaced the one upstairs. Luckily, one of the 12-year olds, as he called them, who came to put in the internet, helped him get it up those stairs. 
Thank god because if he hadn't, the man would have somehow wrangled it up there by himself because it was on his list and the list must be followed in all of its sacred, perceived to-do's. He is also planning on installing the new appliances this week which include a stove and a dishwasher. Have I picked out one of these things? 
No I have not. I could have. He probably would have loved it if I had but I am being all "I don't care" about it. I hope that by the time I start using the kitchen I don't find that I wish I had cared. 
Sigh.
One of the kids asked me today when he'd be back. "Probably when the chili runs out," I said. 
And this is true. 
He is living his dream and I love him. 

Anyway, so yes. This has been my seventy-first birthday and it has suited me just fine. My darling friend from the sixth grade called me and we talked for about an hour and a half this afternoon. I always love these long chats we have and how gratifying it is to have such a long-time friend with whom I can pick up right where we left off the last time we talked and make each other laugh and ask the tough questions like, "How did we get this old?" and "Can you believe we made it to this age?" 
When we were younger, this woman and I, we were a bit wild and had friends who were happy to encourage us in wildnesses that we had not even thought of. Both of us agree that there are things we will NEVER tell our children, just as there are things, we are sure, that we NEVER want our children to tell us, but here we are, still alive, having survived not only our teenaged years but also life in general with all the things life on this planet will throw at you. She is about to have be married for fifty years, me for forty-one. We have grandchildren older than we were when we met. 

So much has changed. 
Nothing has changed. 

I think that sums up pretty well what aging is like. 

I feel very, very, very lucky. I feel very, very, very grateful for all the years behind me and being able to remember at least some of them! And curious to know what comes next. I hope it involves as much love as I have felt today. 

I heard Hawk a little while ago. Or at least a hawk. I did not see him. Or her. But I'm going to take it as a birthday acknowledgement which of course it is not, but I'm going to tuck that in my heart anyway. 

Love...Ms. Moon

P.S. Satan's pie turned out to be about as delicious a pie as either Mr. Moon or I ever tasted. Let's hear it for whipped cream which even Satan's coals cannot defeat. 






 

59 comments:

  1. Lovely family 🤗
    Happy Birthday to you! 🎂

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  2. It sure sounds like you had a great day. I love that picture of Ms. Mermaid Maggie! What a great swim suit!

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    1. Oh, it is far more than a swim suit! It is a real, functional tail! If you can make it function, that is.

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  3. Love the mermaid swimmer! What a beautiful time she had with her tail!

    Fun day! Great photos, and the one after the posing is definitely the best. Sounds like a lovely birthday.

    -Nicol

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    1. I think Maggie is very happy with her tail. What little girl doesn't want to be a mermaid?
      It was an excellent birthday.

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  4. Happy Birthday, Mary. It sure sounds like you had a goody! The family pictures are lovely. Lots of memories to hold and cherish.
    Paranormal John

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    1. I think those pictures came out pretty well.

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  5. A perfect day for a birthday. Happy Birthday, Mary! (Maggie's tail is very fetching).

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  6. Wow! She looks just like a real mermaid! I love it!! <3

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  7. Look at you, all happy. I love it! I'm so glad you had a wonderful day. Love the new plants and the photo of Maggie. I couldn't get into a pool like, with my feet strapped together and trapped inside of that tail. I get short of breath just looking at it:)
    It's supposed to be hot as hell until Saturday, so I'll be thinking of you. I've been moving plants around in my garden and pulling some invasive ones out. That's what I love about gardens, they're never done.
    Sending hugs and love.

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    1. You are so right. Gardens are never, ever done. I worked in mine for a little while today and it about killed me.

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  8. You can honestly tell Maggie that a total stranger way up on the northeast coast thinks her mermaid picture is...astounding.

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  9. Happy Birthday! Your mermaid is FANTASTIC!
    What a great celebration with special people.

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  10. I genuinely do love that picture but I can’t help but wonder how does she swim? It looks to be more of a sitting, not swimming outfit.
    And while the first picture is full of pleasantly smiling people, the second is chock full of uproariously happy ones.

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    1. I'm going to post a video of how to swim like a mermaid.
      Yep. The pic after the pose is always the one.

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  11. WOW I can't believe that the mermaid tail actually turned our Maggie into a real mermaid! Legit! And what a grand picture that is!
    happy birthday- if this was 13.00 you would be dead already...twice , so thank your lucky stars that you were born into these modern times with all of the perks of living three times as long and a hundred times better. Happy family photo!!! Wish i was in it.

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    1. Seriously. She IS a mermaid.
      I think a lot about how early I would have died back in the olden days. I always bled a lot after giving birth and without the pitocin my midwife gave me to tighten up the uterus, I probably would have bled out by my second birth. That's just one way I could have died.
      You are, actually, sort of in this photo. You are family.

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  12. I am glad your birthday was great. I do love Maggie's mermaid tail and May's embroidered top too.

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    1. That used to be my shirt! I bought it a very, very long time ago and loved it. It was made by the Johnny Was brand and it was expensive but it surely has held up well. I gave it to May when I outgrew it. She glories it.

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  13. Happy birthday dear Mary! Love that photo of mermaid Maggie.
    Xoxo
    Barbara

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  14. Now that is a mermaid! Yes, Maggie, I love it!

    It sounds like a practically perfect birthday. Well done, Moon family!

    Chris from Boise

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    1. I love my family. Lily even offered to bring the kids out later on in the day so I wouldn't be alone on my birthday night. I assured her that I would be just fine by myself and I really was.

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  15. Sending you another bit of birthday love and hugs! You are a gorgeous 71 -- that's honestly hard to believe! I actually remember you telling me how "hard" the late fifties were, and here we are -- over sixty and seventy!

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    1. Oh, god, Elizabeth. I remember that! And yes, here we are. Sheesh.

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  16. First, yes, I love, love, love that mermaid photo of Maggie. Tell her I told you AGAIN how much I love that photo. You lie and I’ll swear to it. The lunch photos are wonderful. Your family fills the word with light when they smile. I need to remember to say tiny pea“nuts” from now on. My sister would have loved that! Again, happy 71st birthday!

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    1. Okay, Mitchell. You're my ride or die in this deception. I truly appreciate that!
      And the tiny pea"nuts" is exactly correct. I think I would have loved your sister.

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  17. I love Maggie the Mermaid's picture! The colors in her tail are so pretty!

    Happy Birthday to you, again. I'm glad you had a great day with your sweet family. :)

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    1. She told me which colored tail I should order. I think she chose well.
      I am so lucky in family, aren't I?

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  18. Definitely love the little mermaid! And even more with the family photos! You are so lovely at 71 and I really enjoyed hearing about your high school friend. I had 2 who I began emailing with when we were in our 60s, but have booth passed since then. The internet became active for us about 25 years ago, so we did have lots of good times then, as well as the ones we had had as teens. Enjoy your next trip around the sun, as I'm sure lots of adventures await!

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    1. The internet has really given all of us a pretty excellent way to keep in touch with people although letters? I miss them. But it's easier to find someone online.
      I suppose I may have a few adventures left in me.

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  19. Your Mermaid Maggie looks lovely!
    Glad you had a terrific day, Mary!

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  20. Happy Birthday Mary! And please tell Miss Maggie I love the mermaid photo too. Strangely enough, and just at the moment I read your comment about hearing a hawk, one made his/her presence known by calling out up above my house. I love the hawks and owls that hang around my yard, the chipmunks do not, which is fine by me.

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    1. You know, I'm not sure I've ever seen a chipmunk. We don't have them here. Just squirrels. But we do have our hawks and owls. How lovely that you heard yours just as I was hearing mine.

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  21. Happy birthday. I'm glad you had a lovely day. And Maggie makes a fine mermaid but I would never get in the water in that thing though I guess she can stand up in it. I bought myself a new plant at HEB a couple of weeks ago. I've already forgotten what it's called.

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    1. Well, Maggie is rather fearless, both due to age and to personality, I think. She probably can't see any reason she wouldn't be a successful mermaid.
      It's so reassuring to know that others forget things like plant names. Human names. Country names. Animal names. Well, that's me. All the names. And many of the words.

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  22. Your B-day celebration looks like fun. Everybody is smiling so it is all good.
    Mermaid Maggie has accomplished a good swim. Impressive. The tail must act like one big flipper to propel her across the water and dive. (Can Maggie confirm her swim process?)
    There is some appeal to having a full lake house build-out and then you just arrive with everything done. Bless GM, he's doing great work.

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    1. I need to ask Ms. Magnolia some more questions concerning her mermaid progress.
      Glen is really, truly doing great work. You're so right.

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  23. The mermaid picture IS great. My only question -- and you don't have to relay this to Maggie -- is, can she get out of that tail quickly if she needs to? I'd be nervous swimming around without my legs free, but then, I'm not a mermaid.

    Glad you got to see the family, or most of the family, for your birthday. Everybody is looking great! I bet the "tiny peanuts" joke is more widely understood among the kids than you think it is. :)

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    1. I'm going to post a video about using the mermaid tail and unifin and in it, it shows how to do a quick release from the tail. So they thought of that, too!
      You may be very right about the peanut joke. The kids are not dumb. Nor are they still entirely innocent. Or even very innocent at all in some ways, I guess.

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  24. On my country road walks, I pass a ravine that has water, and big rocks on one side. Traffic on my road is usually only farmers driving out to check their crops or work in their fields. I've often imagined suiting up in a mermaid tail, a flesh top, and a long-haired wig, and sitting on one of those rocks when a farmer drives by with his arm out the window of his truck. He'd slam on his brakes and back up to see if he really saw what he thought he saw, but by then I'd have disappeared into hiding. The thought of this has entertained me for years! I take a particular interest in Maggie and her mermaid tail.

    Happy Birthday, Ms Mary. Glad it was a good one.

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    1. Kate! I love that story! I think you should definitely do that. That could become the basis for a regional legend!

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  25. Happy Birthday! May your 71 st year be a very happy one!.
    Wow- love the mermaid-it must be quite difficult to swim like that.Maggie is looking very pretty.
    Lovely family pix

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    1. Maggie is such a charmer. That girl has all the self confidence in the world.

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  26. Sounds like your birthday was perfect for you.
    Your mention of the hawk reminded me of a Bob Seger song:

    "Just then I saw a young hawk flyin'
    And my soul began to rise
    And pretty soon
    My heart was singin'..."

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  27. your mermaid granddaughter is pure joy and I am glad to hear you enjoyed your birthday celebration xxalainaxx

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    1. I did enjoy it. I enjoyed the lunch with the loved ones and the afternoon and evening with myself. It was perfect.

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  28. Happy anniversary to your spinning around the Sun escapades!

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    1. Yes. That is exactly what a birthday is. Thank you!

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.