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A View Into My Universe

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Why does late 60s sound so much younger than 70? Tomorrow I’ll be reaching that milestone and will celebrate it quietly: a lunch out with John, time with my cat and whatever else comes up. In my OLD age, I’ve become a bit more anti-plan (within reason) and more spontaneous. John helps with that since he’s very into trying new adventures and going unusual places.

Update: My new glasses are fixed and wearable! The nose piece was the offender and once adjusted, I could see, read and drive more comfortably. I had catastrophized it into having to send the glasses back and possibly not getting them before the Ireland trip. Whew…or is it Phew?

‘Tis the season to chomp on blackberries during my walk. I know…they’re next to the road, they should be washed first, blah, blah. Now that I’m an ancient 70, I can live a little dangerously although my tendency is to be overly cautious.

Little Ian has discovered how much fun it is to play around with his tongue. He loves it when I get into the act as well. I’m supposed to be mature but am really not. 🙂 That’s the beauty of being around grandchildren and letting the inner child free.

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Yesterday there was a disaster when Younger Daughter couldn’t locate the special Rabbit at day care pick up. Anders kept asking about “brown rabbit” when he got home; he wants the bunny near him all the time. YD isn’t sure if that’s healthy; I’ve told her that he lives between two houses (only 2 days at his dad’s though) and that Rabbit is his constant and part of his security. I was concerned about bedtime, but he did OK. And today, Rabbit is back!

I haven’t seen these grandsons for a while; I miss them although I may get some time with the older one on Friday, my late husband’s 73rd birthday. So many people ask if these boys are twins in spite of their size differential. They do look similar, don’t they?

A friend gave our Ram Ladies group flowers from her place and with my plant nibbling cat, I took them immediately to the cemetery. Happy early birthday, Patt! He loved purple. I put some dahlias on my parents’ niche to replace the dying lilies; I’ve been thinking about them a lot lately. I dropped off the rest of the flowers on my brother Doug’s grave. He died the day after my 21st birthday at the age of 16. That birthday isn’t a pleasant memory at all.

I’m hoping that 70 will be drama free, fun filled and full of love.

Comments

47 responses to “One More Day”

  1. Kathy Avatar
    Kathy

    Happy birthday. I’m a couple of weeks behind you. Totally weird thinking about being 70… I’m grateful as I have a number of friends who didn’t make it this far

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! I have two brothers and a husband who didn’t make it this far. Neither of my grandmothers did either. So, I’m thankful for another birthday, just not the Big Milestone. 🙂

  2. Doug M Avatar
    Doug M

    (Early) Happy Birthday, dear Margaret! First of all, your glasses look awesome, what a terrific photo. I think AARP should hire you to be the “New Face of 70”! Love the photos of Ian and his tongue and your other boys, and Anders love for his bunny is sweet and natural. I sure hope you & John have a great day tomorrow, and congrats on the big milestone :^)

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! What a very thoughtful and kind person you are, Doug! I’m so glad that we’re friends and have shared so much of our lives with each other, even if it’s on-line. My boys are unbelievably precious to me, and I want to be with them as much as possible.

  3. Kaye Avatar
    Kaye

    Happy Birthday. I know what you mean about 70. Sixties sounded so much younger.

    You are so active and have so much fun! And you get to see your grands all the time! Happy times! Happy Birthday!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! My parents were the longest lived of their families. I’m hoping to remain healthy, however much longer I have left. 70 makes me think about my mortality and that the years aren’t kind as we age. I watched it with my mother-in-law and with my Mom And Dad.😢

  4. AC Avatar

    Phew! Definitely. 😁

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Now you’re going to make me look it up, John! 😂

    2. Margaret Avatar

      Both are correct. I tend to write it whew, possibly because that P sound makes me think that it should be pronounced PU.

  5. Ed Avatar

    Happy early birthday!

    My dad keeps agonizing over some choices as not being the healthiest and I try telling him that he has already beaten the odds and he will be long gone before the repercussions of his late in life bad choices catch up with him. He should celebrate having beaten the odds by deliberately eating those things he denied himself for some many years. Mostly all that advice just falls on deaf ears… and he isn’t deaf.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you so much! I walk and try to eat fairly healthy food but have a terrible sweet tooth and love of white cheddar popcorn. Everything in moderation, eh?

  6. Maureen Avatar
    Maureen

    Have a really nice, low key birthday Margaret! Eating berries on your walk is the same as stopping to smell the roses. I do the same. The most random things make me think of and miss my parent too. What a gift good parents are for us! Not everyone gets that gift.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It was relatively low key but John made it special as did my family and friends. They acknowledged the day without making a big deal out of it. Yes, eating berries is like stopping to admire plants or flowers; I do both! We were so fortunate in our parents; my brother and I tell each other that we won the lottery in our mom and dad. Most certainly, not everyone is so blessed.

  7. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Happy birthday! We were just talking about 70 yesterday, husband has a couple years left to go, but he says when they talked about being 70 it seemed so OLD! And we don’t feel old at all. Most days.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! It feels like a huge milestone but I’m slowly adapting to the idea of being 70 versus late 60s. I remember turning 50 and suddenly (according to my doctor) needing a mammogram, colonoscopy and bone density test. It was quite deflating!

  8. JT Twissel Avatar

    Happy Birthday! There is life after 70! It might be slower paced but those young ones will keep you gong!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Yes, I think I’ll have to recognize that I can’t act like I’m 40 or a body part (or more than one) is going to hurt. LOL The boys definitely don’t see me as old and treat me like a playmate.

  9. ceci Avatar
    ceci

    That child’s blue eyes are just amazing! I am stunned every time. And brown bunny’s overnight at school must have been a shock to all concerned.

    ceci

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I agree about Ian’s eyes although they still could change color. (probably to green or hazel–like his older brother’s) Brown Bunny was missed although Anders did much better than I expected.

  10. Siobhan Avatar
    Siobhan

    Wishing you a happy and peaceful birthday . Your plans sound perfect
    Siobhan

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you so much! The momentous birthday was great and having it over with is also great. 🙂

  11. Betty Renfroe Avatar
    Betty Renfroe

    I remember turning 70. It sounds so much older. But…now I’m on 80’s door, it sounds pretty good.

    The bunny was located. That’s a relief. Does the youngest son go to Dad’s also?

    The two boys look alike but anyone that would seriously ask if they are twins is a little goofy, I think.

    Be thankful the temperature there is not so hot you don’t even want to go anywhere. We are in an oven. It’s horrible.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      It feels like a BIG number although not old. I can still mostly do what I want, within reason. The baby does go to dad’s also. At certain times when they’re both sitting down and look more the same size (and aren’t smiling), they are very alike. Sorry about the heat! I love being outside so being stuck in the house would be stressful and awful.

  12. Pipe Tobacco Avatar
    Pipe Tobacco

    I am glad that Anders bunny was located!

    Happy Birthday!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! I’m happy too although I think he would have adapted. However, there might have been some rough nights.

  13. Steve Avatar

    Happy birthday, Margaret! I think Anders is still young enough that attachment to his bunny is perfectly normal and healthy. Now, if he’s still carrying it around when he’s 16, something might have to be done.

    I eat blackberries from the side of the road all the time. My only word of advice is pick them from high up, rather than low down. You never know what animals may have passed by, if you get my drift.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I agree with you, Steve. He’ll eventually give up Rabbit or it will fall apart; it’s close to that now. High up is great advice! I generally pick the blackberries at face level.

  14. Susan Avatar
    Susan

    Wishing you all the best on your B-day! You are a young 70 and the grandsons are keeping you active and busy. The boys are adorable and they need you in their lives.
    I am glad the bunny has been found. Many young children have a favorite stuffed animal, and I think it is cute.
    Ian is trying out new expressions. So funny. You’ll have some family photos with tongue smiles.
    I was eating wonderful blackberries on my street until a neighbor sprayed them. Why? He said they were reaching out toward a grassy area where he walks. Neighbors! Ugh!
    Hopefully nobody (including wildlife) gets sick.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I try to stay busy and have a youngish attitude. 70 is just such a daunting number for some reason. I don’t think Anders’ attachment to Rabbit is unhealthy and he did OK without it. So that was a positive, in case it falls apart or gets lost. At least the county here cuts them and doesn’t usually spray them. I’m still able to get a handful or two. Neighbors can be annoying!

  15. Robin Avatar
    Robin

    Happy Birthday Margaret, I hope you have a wonderful day!🎉🎉💜

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Robin! I did have an excellent couple of days.

  16. Linda Avatar

    Happy Birthday, dear Margaret! Your photos are lovely, dear friend!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! Although birthdays are just another day, I like having some celebration. 🙂

  17. kayak woman Avatar

    Favorite stuffed animals are very important, even if a child is not changing between houses. We had many moments of panic when Mouse was lost, a few times she was lost because her owner stuffed her somewhere in the house and then forgot where she was.

    My husband was once on an excursion with our daughters and my brother’s older one (younger one was an infant). They were different ages but they all had blonde hair and he was asked if they were triplets! Nope. A cousin of mine has triplets (non-identical) and they don’t really look alike.

  18. krueth Avatar
    krueth

    Happy Birthday! Enjoy your day, age is just a number. We can be thankful for each new number we reach. Hope you get a good coffee and treat with it.
    I’m happy the rabbit was found. It probably played with all the rest of the animals overnight ;_-)

    1. Margaret Avatar

      I am very thankful; so many in my family never reached 70. (or even close) Rabbit is a special animal although he’s falling apart. Makes me nervous!

  19. Luftmentsch Avatar

    Happy birthday, Margaret! I don’t think 70 is old (my parents passed that a couple of years ago).

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thank you! I don’t feel that old at the moment, so I’m trying to treat it just as another year.

  20. addofio Avatar

    Happy birthday! Decade birthdays do seem to be a bigger deal. I spent two years being 30 (started obsessing about it when I turned 29), realized that was stupid, and have tried with some success not to repeat the mistake. Until this year—i turn 79 in a few weeks, and which seems awfully close to 80, which seems to loom over me like a monstrous wave about to break and submerge me utterly. Anyway, enjoy your low-key day. And your birthday trip.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Yes, the decade milestones do hit differently, don’t they? I was pregnant then had a brand-new baby at 30, 40 I don’t really remember and 50 included a couple of parties, one of them a surprise one. 60 was a quiet one and 70 has been much livelier, thanks to family, friends and John. You’re an August birthday too?

      1. addofio Avatar

        Early September.

      2. Margaret Avatar

        I may be in Ireland then so Happy Early Birthday!

  21. Midwest Mark Avatar

    I was going to say WHEW and PHEW are interchangeable, but I see your curiosity already got the better of you. Happy Seven-Oh!

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Thanks, Mark! As I told John (AC), I think Whew is a more accurate pronunciation. That P in Phew would be confusing.

      1. Midwest Mark Avatar

        Agreed. Besides, I can practically hear someone saying, “Phew, that stinks” with the second spelling.

  22. raincharm Avatar
    raincharm

    Happy Birthday (late now). I will be hitting that milestone in a few short months. I haven’t given any thought of how to celebrate. My feeling is if you want to hang around longer, you need to pass the milestone. It’s a positive! Always.

    1. Margaret Avatar

      Many in my family didn’t hit the milestones; my husband didn’t even reach 60. So, I’m happy to be having another birthday. I would have preferred less fuss.

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