Let The GOOD Times Roll!

I had decided a week ago to let this birthday sliiiiiiiiiide.  It wasn't one that ends in O or 5, so it is kinda a non-birthday, in my humble opinion.

Besides, to me, at this point in life, EVERY day is a birth day when I can wake up still on this earth!

Then on Wednesday last week as I was leaving Centro, I was "smacked upside the head" by a procession coming down Mesones.  A procession with mariachis, family and a hearse.  They were walking to the cemetery.  Some times I need a visual image to jolt my brain and senses.  This was indeed one of them.

As I drove home, after the procession and traffic had passed, I thought, "Honey, there will be a time of NO MORE birthdays!  You better celebrate each and every one of them."  I listened to my wise psyche.

The fun began on Thursday night with the joy of accompanying my friend Billie, who writes Reservations for One, which is on the blogroll to a benefit and book reading.  What fun.  The benefit was for Mujeres en Cambio, Women in Change.  It raises money for girls in the campo for scholarships to continue their education.  The organization was started about nineteen years ago.  One of the organizers was Marge Zap who is no longer with us.  Marge was instrumental in starting several NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to benefit the Mexican citizens of Mexico.

Billie and I wined and dined and laughed at the humorous book readings.  It was a delight to see many people that we both know along with good conversations.  Thanks to Billie for that delightful event.  It was the first of several more celebrations that will last til next Wednesday!

Geez, I must be getting REALLY old if there are these many celebrations!  Tomorrow is lunch at my most favorite place to dine, Hacienda de Montitlan which is just up the hill from me.  Delicious food, awesome ambiance along with the best service in town!  Notice I used the word, dine?  Indeed this is a 4 or 5 course pre-fixe menu and it is served leisurely.  It allows for conversations that can be heard while watching the trees wave in the wind as the birds sing.  A complete dining experience.

Monday is the wacky Koffee Klatch group.  I have NOT mentioned my birthday to them in hopes that some silly hats or some other ploy won't show up at our tables.  I'm bringing a coffee cake and some Birthday napkins in order to surprise THEM!  Hopefully that will be the case.

Tuesday is lunch with another group of dear friends.  One of which has her birthday on Tuesday, while mine is on Monday.  We try, always, to get this group of compatible, interesting women together.  It's fun to hear about where they are traveling to next or what they are creating or whatever.

Wednesday will be the final celebration for me, thankfully, with lunch with a food writer.  I'm looking forward to that as his writing is delightful and witty.  I've been approached to write a Restaurant Review column for a publication, but that sounds way too much like that four letter word, W-O-R-K!

I guess the bottom line is, If you're alive CELEBRATE!  I am and intend to do more.........wish all of you were here to join me!