It’s someone’s birthday today!
Okay, let’s do this math together. If there are roughly 6.5 billion people on the planet (ignoring the fact for the moment that this hiving mass of humanity is just one fragment of the magnificent Son of God), and there are 365 days in a year, that means, uh, er, ah… (reaches for fancy HP calculator from finance days at college with tons more functions than he knows how to use) that each and every day of the year nearly 18 million people are celebrating their birthday. Maybe, just maybe, you’re one of them! Or maybe you know one of them. Or maybe you know someone who knows… you get the picture.
Now, what do we really want to celebrate on this particular day when our decision-maker decided to slip in the video of ‘our life’ and kick back to watch the specialness pyrotechnics set into motion? Well, we could celebrate remembering that we have no real birth date as such… After all, the Infinite can neither be born nor die, right? We always were, and always will be. Period. But that’s maybe getting a tad metaphysical for this page. Maybe we could just celebrate the fact that we’ve found our way to this remarkable spiritual philosophy that teaches us that every day can be our birthday, like, “I could see birthday-like joyfulness instead of this?” Or maybe we can just practice letting go today and knowing that we can cut ourselves some slack and just for one teensy little day not give ourselves quite such a hard time – over anything! Or at the very least, maybe we can invite the guy with the beard and sandals and peaceful eyes to raise a glass with us in honor of the Son of God we belong to…
Any reason is good enough to celebrate today. And I think you are a good reason.
Please feel that this page is celebrating you, in all your continued questioning and striving, your hopes for bringing this message further into your heart, the hope that your heart will welcome the message of God’s Love just a little more each day when it feels its soft approach.
So, maybe we have to wait a few days still for your birthday. But today we can still celebrate because it’s someone’s birthday, and that lucky, wonderful person is: Anne!!
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Happy Eternity, uh, Birthday, Annie!! Welcome home… to Your Self! We’re kicking off this page with your birthday, soooo get used to accepting that people are thinkin’ of U!
Here’s your party page… We have Slipper (the lil mouse) who has worked up all his courage to deliver you his cake, then there’s Herman, a very friendly Pug who just wanted to come to see you, then there’s Walter who’s a bit strange and had a problem with the candles on his cake, then there’s this guy who wanted to stay anonymous so we’re thinkin’ it must be Lawrence with his head in the cake. Then there’s a whole heap of other people who just happened to come along when we told them it was your birthday and we couldn’t stop them now, could we? Together the Villager friends and I worked up a few cakes and to wash it all down a few margaritas and daiquiris (hope you like strawberry).
And to top it all off, we managed to come up with a few timely COW presents… including the one and only cowputer, your handy-dandy thermal cow mug, cosy slippers, and your very, very own… Holstein Cow! Yes, we found you a cow who is just so happy looking forward to coming and sharing home with you. Her name is Marybeth, by the way, and she has beautiful eyes. She doesn’t eat too much (she told me to tell you). And she likes coffee, so the two of you can visit the Village first thing in the morning over your mutual morning brew.
Lots of love, your Village Family.
(I know I’m putting this up one day early, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get to it tomorrow on time.)
Oh MY Gosh!!! This is great Annie and everyone will love it.I love it OH MY GOSH gotta go get the rest of the stuff from the tavern and move it all here. this is so Cool!!
Rushing to get on time for Annie´s birthday. Bringing hot fresh oven baked, garlic and cheese Italian bread to add to all the goodies the Mayor and all Villagers brought for the party.
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ANNIE!!!! Love you so much, and I am very grateful for all your contributions so filled of love and humor, really delightful humor.
Lots of big, fat hugs and much love, Lisi
Thanks, Lisi, for the steamy garlic bread – I found it in the wicker basket on the Tavern counter and moved it here. I’ll try to get to all your contributions but in actual fact we’re heading out of town in a few hours for a few days. Pam, what’s your birthday wish for Annie? I’ll see if I can do something about it before I go.
Well done Bernard! I can so handle being one of 18 million today (saftey in numbers). Until I choose my right mind and accept the number one (#1) this will work. Clearly a labor of love to build a new gallery overnight ( you can never really leave the building trade entirely).
I stand (ok I’m sitting) here speechless…I want to express what I’m feeling but its all rushing past me so fast. I will allow today to just unfold and make no comments but already there is a smile on my face and in my heart. I L o v e Y o u A l l.
Happyhappy birthday for you, dear Annie. I so love to celebrate with you here in the Birthday palace, where there will be a special clown-performance this evening. AND it I manage it electronically, I will send you a sound-track of me singin the birthday -song to you pr mail.
AND you have been a good girl all year I see – the weather in the <village is perfect this day.
Most of my friends are Leo's. My late husband too. mmm I like Leos.
(Doing Cartwheels of Delight discovering the Birthday gallery and knowing it was made just in time for our first celebrant…..our inimitable Annie!!!!!!!! Huge thanks to our amazing Bernard)
(Finding the cart full of lattice work tuberoses to hang around the sides of the performance/ art space platform for everyone who has a little ditty/song/poem of some sort for your birthday)I will do the story of the Buddha and the Goddess….as part of the this evening’s offerings.
Yay!!!!!!!!!!You are such a light Annie, wise, kind, funny as hell and I’m sending you big heaps of Love right now and will be checking in again later.
Wishing you a fantabulous day!!!!!
xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox Michele
re.#4 Gee Bernard I think you covered it all except the tiramisu.
Happy Happy birthday Annie. Wish I could still do cartwheels like Michele(:
Big Big Hugs with deep Peace and Love.
Happy, happy birthday Annie! Don’t worry anyone, I have the tiramisu covered!
‘Morning, Annie – Happy birthday, dear friend. And many thanks for all the hours of lightness you spread here whenever you visit.
Love,
a
Well, I’m just going to post this over and over till I get it in the right place!
Fantastic day !!! Any day that is your birthday, Annie, has got to be a fantastic day. Have a joyous wonderful time, hope your coffee is buzzing you up. I wanted to tell you how much your immigrant story warmed my heart. I have to laugh at Anne calling you “LA-Woman”, and she’s been there to meet you and, I’d say, reset that title to fit the busy cosmopolitan LA Woman you truly are.
What a birthday present your being you offers to all of LA — redefining the whole concept of LA Woman from wild party girl to loving, responsible, honest, forthright, spiritual, kind, joyous, sharing, compassionate — that’s right, the whole sheebang! That’s you — and so much of it tying back to your immigrant roots and family traditions of loyalty, and what you learned through the innocence of that perception.
You are a gift to us!! Hugs and cartwheels, Katrina
Hi Annie! Happy Birthday! Love, Leni
This is SO beautiful. I have to bring some fresh made pomegranite juice and blueberry/cherry scones hot from the oven. Annie as we celebrate our “LA Woman” what comes to my mind is kindness and smiles and a deep sharing wisdom. I am so glad you are here. You are Loved.
Ruth-Anne
Happy Day to everyone who is reading this.
Great big hearts and hugs to the Village and dearest Annie. Thank you for this opportunity to show my gratitude. Love, njn
Oh, i don’t think i can chose. i’ll need one of Ruth-Anne’s blueberry/cherry scones to dip into Melody’s tiramisu. oh, annie, try this!
{{{Katrina}}} hey Beauties. Here’s the thing. This is a birthday party! You don’t have to choose. As long as we eat it with Jesus/Friends we can fill our faces, right? That’s what the Course is sayin to me right now LOL
hugs and stuff to all the boithday gals –
Stopping by your party Annie my love with bottles of Billecart Salmon Rose Champagne and cartloads of Dahlia’s. Everyone looks grand in their party spirit.
Yum…triple yum with your scones Ruth Anne and Melody the tiramisu is superb!
Hoping to be emailed the Buddha and the Goddess story tonight….if not for another day then xoxoxoxo Michele
Hugs all round adn especi Great to see your greeness Anne…
By that, I meant us and you, Annie!
I’ve got the coffee for the “next morning” rush!
Here’s some with sugar free flavoring!
Well Good Morning my sweet sweet family. I’m sitting in my livingroom lights on at 5:40 am cuz its still dark outside. As I look to the right, out the sliding glass doors the sky is starting to change. A light orange almost pink color has just presented itself over the Verdugo Mountain range, followed by a lighter shade of yellow blending in with light blue then progressively getting darker as I look straight up. Soon the darkness will be no more. It’s all changing so fast. Faster than I can type. It is my most favorite time of the day.Sometimes I think I should just go back to bed when the shows over cuz nothing can beat this feeling. That’s when I turn to my sweet coffee cup who believes in me and gives me everything its got to keep me plugged in and going.
Going where? I ask myself that each morning. Oh I can be as dark as my French roast when I awaken then I add my half and half and watch the whole bitter brew mellow and smooth out to perfection. It’s my morning miracle and this ritual gives me comfort as I know by now you are probably so tired of hearing. But I can’t help myself I’m like a yound girl whose fallen in love for the first time each morning as I await the sound of the final growls of my coffee maker beckoning me to remove it from the flame. (I use an Italian stovetop coffeemaker to create the perfect brew). I feel like this is vital information I am passing on to you. But the truth is I’m avoiding to speak of the overwhelming love you all showered me with yesterday. I will have to say it will take me sometime to process but until I do let me say first say I thank you all from the bottom of my expresso maker.
I’m totally serious!
The sky is now as bright as can be. I can turn the lights off in the house. Time to open the blue book (told Jesus to hold on this morning) I wanted to send you all lots of kisses for a beautiful day.
All my Love,
Annie
Wow, Annie –
What a lovely message. It took me to a very deep and peaceful place. Many thanks, dear one.
a
Annie, I second Anil who said it perfectly. You probably have no idea how powerful your writing is in transporting us to the same place you are.
I started the workbook again and my lesson for the day is “I am not alone in experiencimg the effects of my seeing.” Minds are joined and this was illustrated to me by you this morning. That peaceful place has stayed with me.
Love from Ruth-Anne
Oooo, Annie, did you see your candles from the silent ones?!
Thanks Annie, ditto all the above. We can feel your love in each one of your ponderings.
Lots of hugs and much love, Lisi
You had me at “coffee!”
Wow, it’s like a long, peaceful meditation just reading through all these sharings. Thanks especially to Annie for the beautiful hymn she wrote, only slightly disguised as her coffee making ritual. As Anil said, it also lifted me to another, lovely place.
woo hoo Katrina’s birthday tomorrow. Lets see… Ahh some of Ruth-Anne’s pomegranate wine that she left on her last quick fly through. Purple and silver party glitter. Shamrock shaped candles for the tables. Some of Winnie’s pixie dust that I’ve saved up for b-days. A nice dark chocolate cake with Irish Cream frosting(-:
Is there anything else you would like Katrina?
The chocolate cake and Irish Cream frosting sounds sooo good. Yum, yum, yummy! Well, there is this one thing, i do have this one wish for forgiveness, if you could. (heh, heh..) And a little confession after 5 years. So, you can listen to my tale if you are feeling gifting with your time.
My DAD (aka God) called me ‘katrina’ whenever i was good. It was an endearing nickname. There were so many girls in my family, that he would usually go thru a litany to get to the one he was calling, but he had to go thru them all first. When he went thru the loop and got Back to me, he would say – Katie, Cathy, Katrina. Katie was my Grandma, so I got the post WWII 1947 American favorite, Cathy. The local parish priest told them they couldn’t use Grandma’s ‘K’ because they had to use Catherine (with a C) so i would have an appropriate patron saint for the Baptism. Nevertherless, i always thought Dad reserved ‘katrina’ for when he wanted to let me know that, as the oldest, I was his favorite. (NONE of my sisters are ever allowed to read this site.)
THEN 5 years ago, Hurricane Katrina came to the Gulf coast RIGHT ON on my birthday. I felt ‘found out’ as the real reason for the tragedy. It became a deep dark secret that my ‘good’ nickname was katrina. (Note different capitalization from the storm, big noticeable difference between us.) I deeply apologize to the people who were affected for my even thinking anything was about ME. But i still cringe and worry people (aka GOD, again, no doubt) will realize it happened on my supposed day. I sort of need to be forgiven for that hurricane and its effects.
So i can return to the old easy-going identity for my birthday, the feast of the beheading of John the Baptist. (Going to Catholic school was much like a 4H branding workshop.) But enough of that, forgive, forgive. Dust be diamonds, water be wine, happy, happy, happy, all the time time time. Odd that comes from Beautiful Day, and not Bob Marley. But then Bob Marley always advised good use of beautiful days.
And speaking of Dust, thank you sweet {Winnie} for leaving little deposits stashed in the tree limbs for when your power cord thingee was to be useless; and we would only need to think of you to have the essence of your dust floating about. {Al}, you can’t be too far away from Winnie, either — after all, there is only ONE Southern hemisphere. {Pam}, you are nearly a Virgo for having stored it away for emergency birthdays. {Michele}, I was definitely going to keep my birthday under wraps, but then all this hullabaloo popped up, and i realized that if we are to go about our be-loving business, how could i keep a perfectly good birthday unutilized? Let’s tie bells and ribbons and wildflowers on all the goats and cows, and send them to the four winds to ring out our joy at celebrating in the French countryside (TY {Bernard}) – though the ribboned and belled participants seem more Alpine, i love those mountains. All together with {Anne} — Yoo lady, yoo lady, yoo hoo hoo.
You couldn’t have been born on a better Day Katrina! Happy Happy Birthday my Irish/Portlandian/San Luis Obsipo friend!
When I think of the Irish, I think of John O’Donohue. What a joy! Makes me want to be Irish more than once a year! So good of you to set the tone for the new day. The day that we want to be just the same as every other day. Full of brotherly love, heartfelt exchanges that require no gift wrapping, just goat rides and yodelling up and down the hillsides are the plan of the day. Well that’s just this mornings plan till everyone arrives. Just keep the hints coming and who knows what this day will turn into! The possibilities are endless. Nothing is to outrageous just ask and you shall receive! So thank you for not holding out on us. You did right to speak up. By the way Pam knows how to pull this stuff together in no time…she was left in charge of Winnie’s pixie dust and things start to appear out of thin air. Gosh everything really does look and smell G R E A T!
Now how do we celebrate the Feast of the Beheading of John the Baptist? Did a quick Wiki search and I know it was written in all seriousness but people you have got to go read it unattached to form; this will be easier if you weren’t raised Catholic but heck if you are on this site then no one will be laughing harder than us Catholics. I’m tempted to say we can pull off a skit to re-enact this apparently oldest of Feast Days on the liturgical calendar. No disrespect but you can’t make up this kind of s*&! Another priceless piece of information you left Katrina, gosh you are such the giver even on this your Birthday.
So before I forget I do wish to give you something; A poem from a man I had so wanted to meet in this life time. Well, one can’t get more intimate then sharing like minded thoughts. So I really have met him a hundred times over. Anyhow, his words are beautiful but to hear him speak them with his Irish lilt is to send the soul soaring into full rapture (well at least for us non Irish). I’m sure you have heard of him. Enjoy Enjoy Enjoy your Beautiful Day.
Hugs, Annie
Beannacht / Blessing
by John O’Donohue
On the day when
the weight deadens
on your shoulders
and you stumble,
may the clay dance
to balance you.
And when your eyes
freeze behind
the grey window
and the ghost of loss
gets in to you,
may a flock of colours,
indigo, red, green,
and azure blue
come to awaken in you
a meadow of delight.
When the canvas frays
in the currach of thought
and a stain of ocean
blackens beneath you,
may there come across the waters
a path of yellow moonlight
to bring you safely home.
May the nourishment of the earth be yours,
may the clarity of light be yours,
may the fluency of the ocean be yours,
may the protection of the ancestors be yours.
And so may a slow
wind work these words
of love around you,
an invisible cloak
to mind your life.
— from Echoes of Memory, by John O’Donohue
Happy Birthday, Katrina! Inspired by Anne’s poem I am sending one too. The more the better, I think. May this year bring you freedom and a gradual sweet awakening
Fresh
To move
Cleanly.
Needing to be
Nowhere else.
Wanting nothing
From any store.
To lift something
You already had
And set it down in
A new place.
Awakened eye
Seeing freshly.
What does that do to
The old blood moving through
Its channels?
~ Naomi Shihab Nye ~
(You & Yours)
LOVE from Nina
{{{{Katrina}}}} Happy Birthday!!! Just wanted you to know how much I appreciate your companion on our way Home. Always love to read your posts, always learn a lot from them and from you, sweetie Irish girl. By the way, all my life have loved Irish stuff, but now I have a real Irish to love.
Send you lots of hugs and much love, Lisi
Time 7:25 am
Weather for San Luis Obispo, CA –
49°F | °C
Current: Partly Cloudy
Wind: N at 0 mph
Humidity: 90%
Sun
67°F | 50°F
What’s with the Humidity?
Quick Pam a bit of Pixy dust.
Look at how serious they take life in San Luis Obispo!
This just happened the other day …did you go and watch the contest katrina (with a small letter k)?
I say we re-enact this skit. Who wants to sign up? We need at least 5 challengers. I’ll start a sign up sheet. In the meantime do read over the rules as listed below…I will tweak them only slightly by saying that they are strickly “f o r g i v i n g ”
The Cupcake Challenge at Granada Bistro
Posted on August 26, 2010 by Whitney Diaz
Five Contestants from all walks of life will come together tonight to stuff their faces with San Luis Obispo’s favorite indulgent treat, Amy Bakes Cupcakes.
The Cupcake Challenge will be held at 7 p.m. at Granada Bistro, 1126 Morro St, San Luis Obispo. The event is held during Farmers Market ensuring plenty of space for spectators to watch these brave souls gorge themselves on Amy’s delicious and decadent baked goods.
Amy O’Kane, owner of Amy Bakes Cupcakes and provider of the contest’s delicious edible art will be the official timekeeper for the event!
As usual, this eating contest sounds sort of gluttonous; the challenge is to consume 12 cupcakes of all different flavors and fashions in less than six minutes.
The rules are strict and unforgiving; Must eat all cake, frosting, and any edible art toppings on cake. Winner must have no traces of frosting or cupcake on fingers or face.
Meet the Contestants:
Challenger #1- Victoria Kromhout. Age 35. We call her ‘The Hammer’ at Granada, because the woman rules with an iron fist. Loud, feisty, and one hell of a booty shaker.
Challenger #2- Larry Nash aka Chocolate Thunder Buns. Age 43. When he is not relieving Granada of our day-old cupcake’s he is training in Juizitzu, driving race cars and dancin’ the stanky leg in clubs across the county.
Challenger #3- Karlyn Age 8 With a face like that, she manages to sweet talk her way into a cupcake a day without opening her mouth. And being 1 of 3 kids, she can eat sweets at lightening speed.
Challenger #4- Luke Age 2. He is the OG cupcake king. If there is a cupcake in sight, he is reaching for it.
The winner gets bragging rights, a gift certificate to Granada Bistro, and a cupcake
trophy! Though the contestants may not be professional gluttons, they’re still taking it seriously.
Happy Birthday katrina! Love, Leni
happy birthday, Katrina !
Hi Katrina, I’m glad you liked the cake. I liked your story. I hope you don’t mind but I copied the last paragraph and sent it to Winnie via e-mail. Her computer is still down but she goes to the library once in a while to use their’s.
Dear Katrina ~
Happy Birthday!!!! Thank you for the gift of your Katrina story today!
An Irish Blessing for your birthday:
“May green be the grass you walk on. May blue be the skies above you. May pure be the joys that surround you. May true be the hearts that love you.”
My thoughts for you today:
We know the hearts that love you are one, are true and feeling grateful for you! xoxox Michele
Happy Eternity, Katrina! For you on this fine day we have double chocolate birthday cake, chai latte, Samie the Leprechaun, Mabel and Eustacia, two very fine mountain goats fitted with bags of gifts and goodies, a picture of the plot of land we all chipped in to buy you on the Irish coast, and Chester, the finest royal ram we could find. Enjoy!
Wow katrina look what the winds blew in for your birthday this year…what a blessing(:
A computer glitch just in the nik of time so the message would be delivered on time…how can we deny the perfection of now.
Announcing the winner of the cupcake competition….Lawrence!!!! His mouth is still full and he’s not able to talk, sing or dance (might have a bit of a tummy ache) plus its gonna take him some time to get all that frosting out of his beard. I’m taking lots of mental pictures so I can tell him all about it next year. katrina I can already see this Feast of John the Baptist is an awesome day to be born.
Whirling Dervishes are scheduled to start dancing at sun down…
Hope zafu brings some extra pillows. Looks like all the Butteflies are here,
welcome {{Leni}}
Hugs back atcha Annie. Guess you didn’t notice me fleet by on your birthday. Number 13 above.
My bad girlfriend! I have a much easier time giving than receiving and being overwhelmed by all the attention made me hyperopic. Still no excuse! A thousand apologies. Thank you for bringing it to my attention.
Well no time to waste Michele we can do this without the Mayor. Let see we need at least a thousand balloons that will be released upon Deb and the crowd when she makes her appearance. Aside from the balloons we will need a thousand candles that can’t be extinguished by the wind all these represent the lights that she so generously has been tending for us these past months. No expense to be spared on food and drinks that just goes without saying no matter whose birthday it is. Music selections by Anne she is so good at that. Skits and poetry readings by Winnie and Nina respectively. Anil’s in charge of presents since he can pick up something unique while he’s down in Brazil. And maybe the Domincans can join in on the happy Birdie song and help us keep the rhythm.
Oh another Birthday how Grand!
Superb Selections my Friend….loving the unextinguishable lights in form and metaphor! I lit a candle for her on Nina’s blog, just having happily received the link thank you Nina. I think I remembered that Nina spelt out the link to her blog in a recent pondering so in case anyone else wants to light her a candle from Nina’s they can!
Ooops…. I just found out Debbie’s Birthday is Oct 1st. So we have a month to prepare. I was looking at the end of Sept page that includes the 1st of Oct in my Bday book hence the mixup.
of course you’ll all forgive me
and she spells her name Debbi….
Hi Michelle!
Heee Hee Hee jokes on us! That Mother is a trickster!!! Always was and can bilocate and get into our minds. She waited for Bernard to leave so she could stir up a bit of fun. Can you tell I am so ready for any distraction (: and can you also tell how I’m totally happy that it happened Michele with one ‘l’ and Debbi with no ‘e’ and geez Nina you thought you were special with your pecan request… these two are special every day of their lives. Well there is plenty of food so lets eat I’m hungry.
Hi Anne ~
you can give me two LL’s anyday!