PICK A NUMBER, ANY NUMBER

photo by kate gabrielle

In the spring, "Doris Day was all set to celebrate her 93rd birthday," until a dug up birth certificate proofed her to be 2 years older than believed.  Some speculation was her age got bumped around as a young starlet.  Nonetheless, 95 it is.  And she's stickin to it.     story              

Principle in the type:  "The limitations that are the natural consequence of advancing age can in fact become remarkable sources of spiritual learning and insight. . . . Physical restrictions can expand vision.  Limited stamina can clarify priorities.  Inability to do many things can direct focus to a few things of greatest importance."    David A. Bednar 

ANGELS AMONG US

photo by Marc Cooper

Is Los Angeles 234 years old or not?   That has become the quibble historians find themselves in.  And not all historians agree on its said original name either; El Pueblo de la Reina de Los Angeles (which means, for you gringos like me, 'the Town of Our Lady the Queen of the Angels').   No matter.  Angels at any year are a good thing.    story

Principle in the type:  "Each of us has more opportunities to do good and to be good than we ever use."     Spencer W. Kimball           

 

OLDish

photo by Corey Balazowich

Essay writing at it's finest:

It is my birthday today, so I get to write whatever I want AND pick a favorite random quote (or two).  (Then again, I do make the rules here.  So this isn't so extraordinary.)
 
I was on a plane ride home yesterday.  I'm not a great flyer.  I don't enjoy it.  I'm a little bit nervous.  I like people, I don't like people.  I like to use a normal sized restroom.  I feel like I can't relax.  I believe in seat belts, but don't always want to wear them.

Life is like---yes, a box of chocolates, #1 you never know what you're going to get, and, #2 always spit out the bad stuff---but it is also like a plane ride.  Right down to the 'put your own oxygen mask on before helping someone else' bit.  Case in point:  Pay your own way, watch for warning lights, bring something to read (ever learning), enjoy the view(!),  it's not all about the destination but the journey too, and if you're tired, sleep.  There are highs, and there are lows.  You can fly, and you can land.

It's this simple.  When you're young you think about presents on your birthday, when you're middle ground you think 'Queen for the Day,' when old(ish), you pontificate about life.

Principle in the type:  "The dance steps require discipline, but the joy of the dance will be experienced only when we come to hear the music."      Wilford W. Andersen

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Principle (not exactly) in the type:  "Crown molding, wasted on the young."  Amy Poehler 

     

MO

photo by Jason Weinberger

Hey, it was Mozart's birthday yesterday?  You knew?  Mozart wrote hundreds and hundreds of pieces of music.  Some pretty good stuff too.  Of course geniuses had more time on their hands back then.  They weren't endlessly watching Robot Wars, or The Kardashians.    When Mozart moved away to Vienna, it was after he'd been "fired for the third time . . . decided enough was enough," and left to be a freelancer.  Sometimes we gotta do what we gotta do.    story           

Principle in the type:  'That luminous part of you that exists beyond personality--your soul, if you will--is as bright and shining as any that has ever been.  Bright as Shakespeare's, bright as Gandhi's, bright as Mother Teresa's.   Clear away everything that keeps you separate from this secret, luminous place.  Believe that it exists, come to know it better, nurture it, share its fruits tirelessly."    George Saunders