november

*

*

one is happy

as a result

of one's own efforts ,

once one knows

the neccessary ingredients

of 

happyness

simple tastes 

a certain degree of courage

self-denial to a point

love of work

and above all

a clear conscience

happiness

is no vague dream 

of that I now am certain .

George Sand

*

November 2 was my birthday

and I turned 

66

so I am now driving my very own

ROUTE 66.

I cannot help it but it feels very MERRY .

in dutch the word is 

VROLIJK .

For many many years I have had the pleasure

of looking forward to my birthdays

as a mother ( with my children)

and as a teacher ( at school )

Both bringing so much more to having a birthday.

I do love the time towards the day .

The little secrets 

the rejoicing 

and at THE DAY 

I love the surprises 

the things I did not expect .

Once when I was a kindergartenteacher

my birthday would be on a saterday 

no schoolday

the 2 class-mothers 

organised that all the parents and their children

send me real old-fashioned MAIL.

so that saterday when the mailman came along 

he was really busy putting all the mail

in my mailbox

and I was beyond HAPPY .

Not only for the mail 

but the idea

all those people 

at home 

picking up /making

something specially for me 

taking time to put it in the mail 

WOW

so much has changed

I now live on my own

and I am retired

How was this birthday going to be ?

well very well 

because 

finally I have been able to do all the preparations

myself again

after many years with bad hips

and now TWO new ones 

and recovering

I did all myself and that was

BY FAR 

not as usual as it is for the most of you .

I enjoyed each and everything TO THE MAX 

I was happily washing the curtains and hanging them again

I polished the copper at my frontdoor

I even went to one of my favorite stores 

the HEMA 

to buy new decorations

and 

you know

with all the things I was SO AWARE 

of how greatful I was 

being able to do those things again 

by myself .

I decorated myself and I was HAPPY.

why I choose to put the colorful cup 

at te top ?

I wish I could have coffee/tea

with you too

because meeting in person

hear a voice

see expressions

is so much more than meeting overhere .

Happy november to all of you 

Francis