Well, this is the week that makes me feel old. I have bookended family birthdays. Two Taurus (or is it Tauri?) in the family is interesting. We have lots of strong-willed people in my family. I think you have to be to survive in our family. I think a mild-mannered person would be bulldozed in our house.

But on to the birthdays, Ryan (who we helped to raise) turned 21. The only thing worse than a benchmark birthday for me is a benchmark birthday for a loved one. 21 is that big legal day. Drinking and all. Drinking with your wards puts you on a different level than before. It just sounds old.

On the end of the week is my father’s birthday. My dad is 69, not quite the same as 21, though he still acts much younger than his years. He does not go quietly into the night — it’s more like being dragged grumpily into the night. Birthdays are not a pretty sight around my parents’ house. The week before and the week after are always a bit dicey. I think I’ll Fedex my present next year and then visit in June!

But even with the hazardous conditions, it makes me feel old. If everyone else is getting older, than it must follow that you are too. It’s not something I think about until this week comes along. But then of course my nephew is graduating next month, so be prepared for more grumbling.

The worst moment of the week was realizing that I had white paint in my hair (from my bathroom adventures) and no one had noticed!!!!

Currently reading The Black Dove by Steve Hockensmith