One hour to go

"Alonso of Aragon was wont to say in commendation of age, that age appears to be best in four things, —- old wood best to burn, old wine to drink, old friends to trust, and old authors to read." Francis Bacon (from Wikiquote).

In less than an hour, I'll turn 40. Good times.

My mom used to be (rightfully) concerned that I was too interested in being older when I was young, 11 or 12 years old. I wanted to dive into my late teens and the associated risks were not a part of my view of how adults lived. Now that I'm older, I've been excited to reach 40. In my 30's, the last hour of which I'm savoring, I said over and over again how close I was to 40. Six years ago I was saying I was almost 40. I tease my friends about my ongoing enthusiasm for ageing, saying "You know what comes after 40? 50!"

A year or two ago, I thought of all of the people I could thank for their help in demonstrating how I could be a better person; Richie, Beth, Kachi, Richard, all of my friends in San Francisco - Pax, Andruid, Olive, Raisella, Miriam - folks at St. Martin De Porres soup kitchen... my friends now, sisters especially - Laura's example of a very sassy 40 leading the way. We're having a party tomorrow & though it's because of my birthday ostensibly, it's really for all of those folks who continue to show me the way, simply through being themselves.

I didn't get a chance to write out my thanks for Thanksgiving, but they are for all of those folks, named & unnamed. I'm lucky... I know that.

Bashville, USA

Tonight's adventure: I went to the Henry Art Gallery's Bashville bash. I missed the auction preview, but got to catch up with old friends, Art teachers & took a very few pics of the cowboy themed party. DJ Riz spun the sweet tunes & I got a few good pics of him, but haven't purchased the recommended flash & so the rest of the pics are fairly random. I am very grateful that Jen gave me the ticket, what a swell gal!

I've loaded the rest of the Emerald Downs race track photos here.



I went to an herbalist this week, next week is the physical therapist & the nutritionist. I'm still working on my physical health & got a lot of good information from the herbalist. A few more walks around greenlake per week, maybe some yoga & weight training should do the trick.

The painting I'm working on has moved forward significantly. I'm ready to wrap it up, but not in a hurry. I plan on painting tomorrow & hope to move on to a new piece in this next week. It was great to reconnect with folks who can speak to what they see in my work. Tonight's event was really good.

J is in Bend this weekend, camping with friends. I've rented movies to watch while I work. I enjoyed Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso & Castle in the Sky. I'm watching Arsenic & Old Lace just now. I am fond of classics, remembering going with Mom to the AFI theater to watch her favorites when I was young.