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Ol' 55

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Well, my time went so quickly

I went lickety splitly

Out to my ol' '55.



 As I pulled away slowly 

Feeling so holy, God knows

I was feeling alive


And now the sun's coming up

I'm ridin' with Lady Luck



Freeways, cars and trucks

Stars beginning to fade



And I lead the parade


Just a wishin' I'd stayed a little longer

Oh Lord, the feeling's getting stronger



with many thanks to Tom Waits for his lyrics and his song, "Ol' 55."


There are a couple of ways to look at where I am today. I suppose some might look at it and see this.


I consider the alternative and choose

happy. 

I'm glad my body is in good working order,


that I have a family to love



photo by Sara Stratton

and that I live in a place I adore.


I like that Sabatia angularis opens into abundant bloom on July 24.


I'm glad that Mr. Antill spares the weedy bank where they grow as he mows the township roadsides.



The chicory and Queen Anne's lace and butterfly weed will grow back. This one is a biennial; it won't.

And so I stand up for it, and it stands up and shouts Hallelujah! 

Seems like it's just for me. 

Maybe because I'm out there every morning,

 listening.


My beloved Piper, ringing the morning bell.




22 comments:

Thanks for sharing all these wonderful pictures. It's like I always say every year I get older...it sure beats the alternative!! Happy Birthday.

As a friend of mine would say, 'Happy 16th Anniversary!... of your 39th B-day.'

Happy birthday, Julie! Thank you for sharing your lovely spaces and dear Chet Baker with us.

You always inspire me to look at things in a positive and blessed way. Thank you so much!!! You make a difference.

Happy birthday Zick! I hope it is wonderful and you are completely spoiled by that great family of yours.
Tickled pink to know ya, and proud to have you as a member of the 55 and alive gang.

Happy Birthday & thanks for being so kind to the roadside mowing guy while saving the day for the flowers!

Happy Birthday Julie! Have a great day!
Lynda in Michigan

Thinking of you. Happy, happy birthday, baby. Love forever,xxoom

Posted by Anonymous July 24, 2013 at 6:05 AM

Happiest of birthdays, dear Julie! You are living and breathing the poetry of treating every day as a gift. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Happy Birthday, dear friend and Paw Paw Pal. Wishing you a day that's filled with everything you love.

Happy Birthday Julie.
You have and give the best gift of all, the ability to see and wonder at everyday marvels. Thank you from all of us for sharing your generous nature (pun intended).

Happy Birthday. I read your blog regularly and so appreciate the way you see the world, it has opened my eyes. Since you are a musician/fan, would an appropriate caption to that last photo be "Piper at the Gates of Dawn"?

Posted by Anonymous July 24, 2013 at 7:39 AM

As it happens, Anon, it is...and was... http://juliezickefoose.blogspot.com/2012/09/piper-at-gates-of-dawn.html

Happy birthday friend Julie.
The ones with 0's are a nuisance.
Repeating digit birthdays are somehow different. You realize you are a speed limit now, right?


Happy Birthday! A beautiful post for your birthday. Wishing you all good things in this new year of your life.

I'm trying to think of something witty

Like that cow chip you posted on your Birthday Blog was kinda Sh*T*Y

But I can't think of nuttin' Honey

I Hope You Can Stop That Baby Bunny Hard

From Eatin' Your Swiss Chard.


Happy Birthday, Haiku, Bird, Garden Woman and Thanks for sharing parts of you with US.

Happy double nickle! Mine was last year. My hope for you is many more blue birds singing in the future.

Someone, some famous photographer probably, once said, "Light never knew how good it was, until it hit a wall." Or, maybe, until it provided a canvas for an artist and her loyal companion, drawn in shadows, on the side of an obliging Ohio barn. Love that shot, best of all!

Welcome to 55, land of the suggested speed limit on the roads less taken. Seems like a plan.

xoxoHodge

Posted by KH Macomber July 24, 2013 at 12:00 PM

Happy Birthday, Julie!

They're all good. Keep 'em coming.

Happy Birthday! You are I are the same age. I turned 55 in March. I am enjoying this stage in life. Too old to waste time on things that I don't enjoy. Young enough to be creative and find new interests. Wise enough to know what roads not to take and foolish enough to take a road not traveled sometimes. I wish the same for you, but you already know it!

Glad to be sharing this planet with you, Julie. May you bless us with 55 more.

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