Laughing Dog Arts

Thursday, August 28, 2014

Significant Birthday

It seems like such a short time ago that I was a little girl, blowing out the candles on my cake.  That was quite a long time ago.   With apologies to Mary Oliver for unauthorized use of her poem Self Portrait:
 "I wish I was 20 and in love with life and still full of beans.
Onward, old legs!
There are the long, pale dunes; on the other side
the roses are blooming and finding their labor
no adversity to the spirit.
 Upward, old legs! There are the roses, and there is the sea
shining like a song, like a body
I want to touch
 though I’m not twenty
and won’t be again but ah! sixty. And still
in love with life. And still
full of beans."
Mary's poem reads "but ah! seventy."  Maybe I will use this poem again in another 10 years.
The group photo above shows me with members of my family earlier this month.  The two men on either side of me are my older brothers.  We are all in the 60's club now!  Everyone else in the photo is not yet in their 60's but give 'em time.

Yep, still in love with life and still full of beans.

Be well.

16 comments:

Heloise said...

Happy Birthday! Enjoy all your celebrations.

sonja said...

many you always be full of beans and dreams then!
I love Mary Oliver's POV and poems too!
Very happy birthday Jan!

Carol- Beads and Birds said...

And you look great. I am 63 in October and a young clerk told me I had to be 60 to qualify for a senior discount, Thank you. Don't forget to ask for yours!! Sometimes none is offered but you can get a courtesy drink anyway.

Happy Birthday! 60 is the new 40!
xx, Carol

Nancy said...

Happy day! Full of beans is a darn good way to be.

DVArtist said...

Happy Happy birthday sweet lady. I loved your post. Ahhh 60 it is the beginning of new awareness. Anyway it has been for me. 62 and life seem pretty darn good.
Your family photo is truly lovely. You are a good looking family.
Have a fun and safe weekend
Nicole/Beadwright

Janet Ghio said...

Happy Birthday!! And welcome to the club!!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

Again, Happiest Birthday wishes and so very glad you're still full of beans.....you are in very good company. xoxo Oma Linda

Maggi said...

A lovely poem and images to celebrate that special milestone. You don't look so different now than you did back then.

Robbie said...

Jan, happy birthday!!!!! You are one great 60 Year old!!!! And it's true...we are only as old as we feel...keep it up!!!! Hope you have a great few days of celebrating!!!!

Anonymous said...

60 won't dampen your overflowing spirit. Happy Birthday, I'm just a couple years behind ya. (we are still 20 in our heads right?) xox

Patty said...

That yellow kitchen, I love it!

I have to say that since I hit the
60 year mark I've been happier or
maybe that's not the word...more
'me' and less concerned that this
pleases everyone. As a result my
days almost always please me. I
wish you the same plus a lot more.
xo

Tanya said...

Happy Birthday! I'm not far behind you. You are a beautiful 60!

Janice / Dancing with Sunflowers said...

Happy Birthday to you! Isn't it strange how recent those past memories seem to us. Enjoy your sixties - I'm sure you will! x

Judy Ziegler said...

I think you live your art. What a wonderful use of that poem. I could sort of use it for my 70th
birthday next month.

Judy Ziegler said...

I think you live your art - what a wonderful way to use that poem. I could sort of use it next month for my 70th.

Cindi Myers said...

Somehow i missed this post.
Must have been when I was without a laptop. :(
Happy Belated Birthday
and you look damn good girl!
obviously 60 is the new 40.