birthday tradition: a vintage essay by me

THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE CELEBRATED BIRTHDAYS with me here on A Way to Garden any of the last four June 10ths know the routine: I show you my favorite childhood photo (above), and then try to make you read an essay that I wrote to mark my 35th. Or you can skip it and just chip in for a new umbrella as a gift. Kidding–since truth be told, what I like about the snapshot is its optimism: Busted umbrella? No worry. To quote Leonard Cohen: There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in. A good mantra, for gardeners and old gals. Here’s to imperfections!

Happy Birthday! Love the photo & quote. Hope you had a lovely day in your beautiful garden.
Thank you so much, Jeannine, and welcome. Sweet of you to send your good wishes!
A belated happy birthday and many more. What a delight to find you and Martha. Now I have three women to relate to. Tasha Tudor, Martha Stewart and you. Thank you. (My birthday is 6/9)
Thank you, Dorothy, and welcome! And happy just-belated birthday to you as well. Nice to see you here and hope it will be the first of many visits.
Dear Margaret:
Sorry I missed the day, but I don’t want to miss the opportunity to wish wonderful things to an absolutely delightful person! Thanks so much for mentoring us all, and for your great sense of humor. I have learned so much from you, and I know there is so much more to come!
Belated Happy Birthday Gardening Gal ;-}
I’m sorry I missed your birthday yesterday Margaret. I hope it was a fun filled day full of your frogboys croaking “Hoppy Birthday to you”. :)
:-)
Welcome, Diane. Yes, indeed. (But yikes, am I an oldie.)
Happy Birthday Margaret……I hope you had a wonderful day .Thank you so much for your wonderful blog . I love on a busy stressful day to take a moment or two to join you in your garden , it seems so peaceful there .
Carol
Thank you, Jennie, Lynn, Tara, Peter, Bettina, Terri, and Carol. How nice of you to stop in and say hello.
I was happy to get advance gift of rain the two days before my birthday, and more today (the day after), but not so happy to get yet another black-fly bite on my eye on the actual day. Third one this week! Seems like they just love me this year. :)
Hope you’re having a lovely day!
Thank you for the Leonard Cohen quote (he’s one of my favorite song writers). I might just have to borrow it! And Happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday!! Enjoy your day and relax. Love the picture.
Happy birthday and thanks for sharing your thoughts.