When a birthday begins like this, what can go wrong…

Spike and Charly were up early with me

the sun also rises

I love the early morning outside in the back yard when the sun is coming up through the trees, and all is quiet except the jets on the pool which sound like  mountain waterfalls discovered after a long hike in the hills of the upstate, a hike which I never thought I’d really be able to make because I stopped so many times along the trail to catch my breath and look upward to try to see the end of the trail, hoping to be able to finally hear the majestic roar of the waterfall.

In reality, when I stopped to rest for a few minutes, what I saw when I looked up was the posterior of Pretty as she forged ahead to scout the next section of the trail to make sure I would have a place to dilly dally along while she continued at her measured pace.  When I stop to think about it, I have spent the last 18 years of my life following Pretty’s posterior. It’s a view I’ve always loved.

Today my mind meandered to one of my favorite hikes with Pretty. It was six years ago when we followed the trail to Peachtree Rock.

wherever we hiked, Pretty led the way

Ollie liked to lead, too so he stayed with Pretty

the waterfall was just enough beautiful

Pretty and Ollie climbed all the way to the top

Pretty surveys her spoils as the Victor of that day’s climb

Peachtree Rock in March, 2012

(vandals and erosion destroyed the rock in 2013)

I was lost in my reverie of memories on my birthday in the early a.m. hours when I heard Pretty calling Happy Birthday to me from the hall for the first birthday greetings of the day. By this time I had moved inside to the den, and Pretty sat down next to me as she straggled in sleepily to chat.

I really can’t believe you are 74 today, she said.

That’s because I’m 72, I replied and we both laughed out loud.

Numbers have never been Pretty’s strong suit. She had a convoluted explanation for her gaffe, but in the end was, of course, incorrect. Too funny. If only she’d miscalculated in the opposite direction…

Birthday # 72 was a rousing success that apparently continues along with anniversary adventures on the horizon. April is a banner month for our family. Number One Son and Pretty Too celebrated their 3rd. Anniversary the day after ours and are thrilled to take their party to an Eric Church concert – whoever he is. I say Party Hearty, kids; these are your good old days.

I also say stay tuned.