HAPPY BIRTHDAY !

Although a birthday celebration should stretch over many weeks, there is one week that has necessary celebrations-the actual week that includes the birthday. One of my favorite things is to go to the movies so Duncan and I went to see "Slumdog Millionaire"-a must see- before having a dinner celebration. The day also featured many calls from family and friends which are always appreciated. The week included lunch with friends Darlene and Gail, a Broadway evening "Just Duets" with the Hands and Hendricks, a formal dance with our "Fantastic" dance group, golf with the Blands and then a Wake basketball game late on Sunday. It was a great week to become 60! We had a beautiful snowfall and I was reminded in one card that it was the fiftieth anniversary of "the day the music died"- a reference to the plane crash carrying Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "The Big Bopper" Richardson. This event was noted in the 1971 song by Don McLean "American Pie". (A bit of trivia to help you remember my birth date.)

"GIRLFRIENDS IN PARIS"

As a birthday approaches, one always reflects on their personal "bucket list"-things to do before whenever. In January I succeeded in returning to Paris (the last time being 40 years ago in a college bus tour through Europe), checking it off my "list". It was a grand trip made even more special by sharing with girlfriends Betty, Gail and Nan. Highlights included a quick stopover in London to see "The Lion King", traveling on Eurostar under the Channel to arrive in Paris, museums (my favorite was Musee de l'Orangerie des Tuileries featuring magnificent panels of Monet's water lilies as well as a collection of impressionists including Renoir and Picasso) and Viator's little red "Hop On and Off" bus that took us around the city. We spent a wonderful afternoon in Montmartre visiting the cathedral, Sacre Coeur, enjoying a cozy lunch at a local brasserie and chatting with artists working in an open air plaza; an evening was spent at the Moulin Rouge and other evenings we walked through the city. What would a trip be without shopping? We especially enjoyed the Galeries Lafayette featuring a great champagne bar as well as Printemps and a quaint street, Saint-Louis-en-Ile with charming boutique shops. Adjectives escape me to describe what a special time this was. "A picture is worth a thousand words.".........

A NEW YEAR BEGINS

Duncan and I celebrated with our "fantastic" friends dancing into the new year 2009. This tradition was begun many years ago by friends from the studio where we take lessons, "Lite Fantastic", and it is grand to join them to celebrate in "high style" the beginning of a new year.