Life Begins at 60!

Today, March 4, was my 60th birthday. My time has been so fragmented lately, with lots of little detours to projects and programs, it’s been difficult to settle back down after picking up and ripping my house apart beginning last summer. But after this big event, and seeing the exhibits and vendor shows I’m signing up for, I think I’ll be happy to finally settle into my chair and focus on creative things. Where, a month ago, I still found it difficult to focus on my daily schedule, just lately I’ve been longing for it. I think my cats are ready for it too—enough of these late dinners and all-night art sessions! Can this human just sit still long enough for a cat to have a nap?!

If you follow me on social media, you’ve already seen most of this. Here’s what I had to say on social media:

I’m telling ya, life begins at 60!

I usually don’t pay any attention to my birthday, but some well-meaning friend will always out me on social media so I decided this year to beat them to it. And I’m turning 60, which I still can’t believe, but it’s a big one so I thought I’d share.

Thanks to my friend Jane Sorcan for helping me with my folly of running around in the stream at Kane Woods yesterday to find a good place to photograph me in celebration! I set up my DSLR on a tripod and focused it where I decided to stand, she hobbled on the trail after her fourth joint replacement–a knee–and double-masked for her safety even outdoors, and hit the shutter button as I ran up the stream bed, took off my shoes and mask and danced around on the rocks. And didn’t even think it was weird or silly or tell me to put my shoes back on and wear a coat in a breezy 45 degrees. Really, you don’t get anywhere in this world without your friends who understand!

And happy birthday to all my classmates and friends through the years who reach this milestone this year along with me. No matter what we have or haven’t done in these six decades, we’ve made it this far from 1961, and seen a lot of history along the way. Let’s all enjoy our respective birthdays and have a great year.

Today was cold and overcast, with a biting wind and even some snow showers. Yesterday, when we took the photo, was non-stop sunshine and I’m so glad I took the time, and Jane could help me, to get outside in a place I enjoy, and which she has spent decades preserving and helping develop into a community asset while keeping its natural elements. It’s a place I went to play and explore as a child, when the land had recently been a farm. Walking along the trail from the parking lot to the stream I passed the spot where a little barn had stood more than a half century ago, housing a pony named Pepper who I slipped off to visit regularly with apples and carrots and sugar cubes. I looked at the spot and still remembered the smell of manure, and that particular scent of old, wet wood in springtime, mud, the cold air inside the shaded space and warm sunshine on my hair as I stook outside the half-door.

And then, because life is full of extras now, I came home to make lunch while I listened to a webinar from the Pennsylvania and federal small business associations on the paycheck protection program now open for sole proprietors like me, then continue on with creative activities, starting with a run out front to take photos of the fully open crocuses.

And then I opened the back door to let Mimi and Mewsette race out onto the deck.

And then we headed out into the back yard. I took so many photos I liked that I only processed a few, and you’ll be seeing them over the next week or so.

Mimi made it out to the picnic table and had a good scratch. She loves scratching wood.

Mewsette followed me out to Mimi, but ran back for the safety of the deck when someone out in the front street got into their car. Mewsette is extra sensitive. Then she dallied around on the steps looking guileless and beautiful.

Mimi explored the garden and found her favorite afternoon napping spot: the wood pile, and let herself doze off a bit in the warm sun.

Then we came inside and I proceeded with the paycheck protection project. At least I’m back at my desk now and then.

See you again tomorrow!

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Copyright

All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission, although links to your site are more than welcome and are shared. Please ask if you are interested in using and image or story in a print or internet publication. If you are interested in purchasing a print of an image or a product including it, check my animal and nature website Portraits of Animals to see if I have it available already. If you don’t find it there, visit Ordering Custom Artwork for more information on a custom greeting card, print or other item.

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