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"...the leaping goldenly (sic) spirits of trees and blue true dream of a sky..." (with my apologies to ee cummings)
How did you celebrate life in your little corner of the globe this weekend?
My experiences ranged from celebrating birthdays to moving boxes and household paraphernalia into a new, first proper home.
July is certainly birthday month on my calendar - friends, a daughter and myself. On Friday a group of six enjoyed a lively ladies' lunch at a restaurant in the mall while a pianist played smooth tunes to accompany the clatter of forks and knives and the chatter of conversation. Saturday meant several phone calls to Ruth in Bloem to follow the progress of her birthday, hour by hour. She had general surgery hours in the morning but a special dinner of prawns at home in the evening before a private viewing of the Three Colours: Red, White and Blue. Saturday morning saw me at a breakfast on the balcony at Harry's Pancakes overlooking the wooded surburbs of Irene soaked in glorious golden winter sunshine. It was a friend and colleague's birthday, which she always celebrates with an infectious childlike delight: "Julle (trans. You all) I love birthdays especially my own! I know it's not etiquette but can I open my presents now?"
The rest of the weekend was taken up by packing and unpacking cars as my daughter and son-in-law moved into their first townhouse amidst the dust, rubble and chaos of unfinished renovation. Interrupted only by a joyous church meeting on Sunday, we worked hard and moved lock, stock and barrel.
Friday 11 July is my 57th birthday and you are all invited! Do dress casual and come at noon to Thatchwick for a selection of winter soups and crusty breads. If you only have a lunch hour, there'll be time for a warm bowl of broth! If you have the afternoon off, linger for coffee and fairy cakes which, I hope, will be stacked in a sweet, toothsome pyramid! I have asked far too many people ("Mom, you always ask too many people! So it's a little late to start worrying about seating now!")so one, two or a dozen dear bloggers will be more than welcome.
And to celebrate birthdays, spiritual or biological, is ee cummings' lovely poem.
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everthing
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any - lifted from the no
of all nothing- human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ear of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
How did you celebrate life in your little corner of the globe this weekend?
My experiences ranged from celebrating birthdays to moving boxes and household paraphernalia into a new, first proper home.
July is certainly birthday month on my calendar - friends, a daughter and myself. On Friday a group of six enjoyed a lively ladies' lunch at a restaurant in the mall while a pianist played smooth tunes to accompany the clatter of forks and knives and the chatter of conversation. Saturday meant several phone calls to Ruth in Bloem to follow the progress of her birthday, hour by hour. She had general surgery hours in the morning but a special dinner of prawns at home in the evening before a private viewing of the Three Colours: Red, White and Blue. Saturday morning saw me at a breakfast on the balcony at Harry's Pancakes overlooking the wooded surburbs of Irene soaked in glorious golden winter sunshine. It was a friend and colleague's birthday, which she always celebrates with an infectious childlike delight: "Julle (trans. You all) I love birthdays especially my own! I know it's not etiquette but can I open my presents now?"
The rest of the weekend was taken up by packing and unpacking cars as my daughter and son-in-law moved into their first townhouse amidst the dust, rubble and chaos of unfinished renovation. Interrupted only by a joyous church meeting on Sunday, we worked hard and moved lock, stock and barrel.
Friday 11 July is my 57th birthday and you are all invited! Do dress casual and come at noon to Thatchwick for a selection of winter soups and crusty breads. If you only have a lunch hour, there'll be time for a warm bowl of broth! If you have the afternoon off, linger for coffee and fairy cakes which, I hope, will be stacked in a sweet, toothsome pyramid! I have asked far too many people ("Mom, you always ask too many people! So it's a little late to start worrying about seating now!")so one, two or a dozen dear bloggers will be more than welcome.
And to celebrate birthdays, spiritual or biological, is ee cummings' lovely poem.
i thank You God for most this amazing
day:for the leaping greenly spirits of trees
and a blue true dream of sky; and for everthing
which is natural which is infinite which is yes
(i who have died am alive again today,
and this is the sun's birthday; this is the birth
day of life and of love and wings: and of the gay
great happening illimitably earth)
how should tasting touching hearing seeing
breathing any - lifted from the no
of all nothing- human merely being
doubt unimaginable You?
(now the ear of my ears awake and
now the eyes of my eyes are opened)
5 comments:
Happy Birthday Week, Eleanor! I would be delighted to come to your birthday lunch. Is it possible to attend via internet? I would really love to hop on a plane and be there in person! Maybe some day. Enjoy your special week.
Have a lovely birthday! And thank you for reminding me of this lovely poem. One of my favorites!
I can't wait for your birthday party Friday! I've never beento a birthday in Africa before.
Rhondi xo
I'm rummaging through the closet looking for my best party dress even though you said to come casual. Just feel like dressing up for my first party ever in Africa!!!
Hope it will be a wonderful day Eleanor - and that this coming year will be a truly happy one.
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