IN THE DEPTH OF WINTER...

... This beautiful floral arrangement has created Spring inside my home.

SUSPENSE

In the final minutes of her first day as a fifty year old, Sonia unwrapped her last birthday gift.

HAPPY 92nd MOM

Mom was born in 1918 during the flu epidemic that killed more people then all who perished in World War One. Needless to say, Mom is a survivor. Tonight we celebrated her 92nd birthday. I decided to omit the nine candle from her cupcake, because Mom is not your average nonagenarian. She expressed no concern about the massive amounts of snow and blizzard like conditions forecast for tomorrow. After all she said, "I got to the hospital to deliver your brother during the blizzard of 1947!" She's remarkable, always has been. Happy Birthday, Mom!

49

In spite of everything going on with my Mom, tonight a few friends gathered to celebrate Sonia's 49th birthday. In my world birthdays are sacrosanct and each one must be honored. Happy Birthday, Sonia!

NINETY ONE

Today was my Mom's ninety first birthday. She is still in the hospital, but we tried to make it as happy as we could.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

My very dear friend Pam and I have been friends for 41 years. We grew up together and although she has lived in New Orleans for twenty five years, we still see each other many times during the year. Her parents still live in the town we grew up in. So, whenever she visits them I benefit too! Today was her father's 84th birthday and we all gathered to celebrate. I couldn't resist taking a few photos.

THE CAKE

In my family Christmas dinner always concludes with the arrival of my brother's birthday cake. Every Christmas my Mom makes this cake from scratch and it is the ceremonial end of our Christmas celebration and the start of my brother's birthday which is December 26th. Over the years I have come to think how unfortunate it is to have a birthday so close to Christmas. Your special day is eclipsed by Christmas. Mom has always tried to make the distinction between the two, but Christmas is a real tough act to follow. Happy Birthday, Harold!