Loose Leaf Notes

My birthday this year was like a Grand Trine alignment. That’s when three planets converge into a triangular configuration and, according to the principles of astrology, usher in an expansion of creativity, optimism, and good energy.
In my recent life orbit, the Grand Trine time started with the celebration of Mother’s Day. Three days later, my first grandchild, Bryce Gabriel, was born. Three days after that, it was my birthday. Three events, spread out three days apart, brought family connections, fun, awe, and almost more excitement than I could contain.
But the excitement wasn’t limited to three days; it has spread out into a season. In between Bryce’s birth on May 14th and my birthday on May 17th, I attended a birthday lunch at Oddfellas as one in a party of three women whose birthdays fall within days of each other. We were carrying on a tradition started long ago, in which we share our birthdays in Grand Trine, Triple Goddess style. It began in our neighborhood with Diane, Dolphin, and me. Gretchen (above on the left) is the newest mid-May birthday member, filling in for Dolphin who is currently living in Alaska. In years past we have worn roses, peonies, and purple irises in our hair. This year it was late blooming lilacs.
At the third Saturday Spoken Word night, which happened to fall on my actual birthday, I was serenaded with poetry written by friends. Earlier that day, I was gifted and pampered by Joe with flowers, foot rubs, presents, and two master chef carrots cakes by Kelly Erb, the ones I wait all year for.
On Sunday, the day after my birthday, a TeaPoet Party was held in my honor. It was hosted by the High Priestess of High Tea, my friend Katherine, and was attended by a intimate group of dear friends, two of whom traveled from outside the neighborhood to surprise me.
“A tea buffet!” I exclaimed when I saw the teapots lined up on the counter. We each had a pot-full of dark and musty, sweet and fruity, toasted, roasted, rosy, black, green, or white tea to sample and share. There were English crumpets with jam and cream and butterfly china cups with handles of wings. A red silk beaded shawl gifted to me by my friend Juniper was draped around my shoulders. It worked well as a queenly prop, giving me the confidence to graciously receive gifts of conversation, poetry, pottery, and original art.
Ah … Rich in friendship and love, I am brimming, still smiling, and now starting to rest.
Photos: 1. Gretchen, Colleen, Diane. 2. Katherine, Jayn, Colleen, Juniper, Alwyn is sitting.