Happy Birthday to Me

Sunday, 29 August: my birthday. My friend Laurie and I spent the day in Half Moon Bay, shopping, talking, and eating lunch. On Main Street we chanced upon a store called "Half to Have It" which was littered with garden accents that we just had to have. Fortunately, we got hungry before we bought anything and left to find a restaurant by the wharf. We couldn't find the wharf. I knew there was a boat harbor, because once upon a time, I (and another) sailed from San Francisco to Half Moon Bay and spent a couple of days anchored near the harbor. Since this time I had traveled by land, I had no clue where that harbor might be. We drove back to downtown and picked an Italian restaurant with a patio.

We had spotted a few interesting garden places on the way into town and decided to check them out. We hit the mother lode of garden accents: dinosaurs, fountains, birdbaths, turtles, Buddhas, elephants, angels, gargoyles, and more. Laurie found a waterfall perfect for her back yard and I found ,not one, but two turtles that asked to be adopted together. How could I refuse? I also bought a birthday-discounted bird bath.

My birthday self-portrait

It took some logistical maneuvering to fit everything into Laurie's car, but we managed. We headed out of town again but spotted an Orchid Outlet that was having a sale; hundreds and hundreds of orchids, row upon row, lined up, waiting to be chosen. A white one with a yellow labellum, and a yellow one with pink chanted, "Pick me. Pick me." So I did.

We were more than happy with our acquisitions. The car would hold no more. We left town. It was a good birthday. Tomorrow the celebration continues with Janet & Donna, friends from Morgan Hill. Spending time in the company of good friends is the best way to celebrate a birthday.