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IT'S SIMPLY SUBLIME how birthday greetings continue to slip into my days. Yesterday--one day beyond the actual now-I'm-a-whole-year-older date--a sister of mine called with belated birthday wishes, and apologized for the lateness. "It's okay," I explained. "You're not really late. I've decided to celebrate my whole Birthday Week."


"Ha," she laughed. "Why stop there? Why not celebrate your Birthday Year?"

Well, Dear Reader, I was attracted to the novel idea. It was still only Day Two of my Birthday Week, not too late to extend my options. So, after mulling it briefly, I went ahead and opted for an entire festive year! Since my yard man and I were invited to a picnic in the park with six of our friends that very evening, I hurried right out and got a chocolate truffle cheesecake to share in celebration.



















The park where we picnicked offers a spectacular panoramic view. Everyone contributed to the pleasing array of food that graced the table (unexpectedly blessed by a Praying Mantis, which I took as an auspicious sign [occurring, as it did, on my Birthday Year!])


What with the fabulous weather, the three kinds of chocolate, the pumpkin pie and the camaraderie of friends, I reveled in my birthday wealth!












As the sun sank below the horizon, ending our picnic (the gates to the park are locked at sunset; not a one of my friends was clambering to spend the night there), it cast a rosy birthday glow over Day Two.





Day Three, of course, is today. I'm afraid you will need to wait for today's news, Reader Dear, until tomorrow (ahem, Day Four).

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