ONE DAY OLDER THAN GEORGE WASHINGTON

I meant to write this yesterday on my birthday, but it's maybe even better to write it on George Washington's birthday.

When I was in school many years ago, we celebrated Abraham Lincoln's and George Washington's birthdays by having the school days off on Feb 12 and Feb 22. Every kid had those birthdays memorized. My birthday is Feb 21 so I was in school to hand out cupcakes on my birthday and be the "Birthday Girl" and then I got a holiday the next day. It was a great arrangement.

When I was first teaching Junior High, all my students knew those birthday dates too as we were still celebrating the individual days with a school holiday. If we were talking about when our birthdays were, I would say that I was one day older than George Washington and most kids would figure out when my birthday was and also laugh at such a funny idea as young Miss Stafford being older than the first president.

As the years progressed, however, I noticed the students shaking their heads in agreement and not finding anything strange about the idea of my being that old. I dropped that little attempt at humor.

Of course, now none of my students know what date George Washington was born as we lump the two presidents' birthdays together by celebrating a Presidents' Day on a Monday so we can have a 3-day week-end. Worse, now even I'm beginning to believe that the idea of my being one day older is not so far-fetched.

HAPPY PALENTINE'S DAY

Here is an e-mail message that I received today from a girlfriend I met when we were all stationed at Ramey Air Force Base in Puerto Rico in the 60's. Her friend wrote it, and she liked it so much that she sent it on to her friends. Perhaps you will want to send it on to your girl friends too. Maybe next year we can find "Palentine" cards in the shops.

Sent: Tuesday, February 14, 2006 9:15 AM
Subject: To all my dearest pals

This morning as I was putting on my red turtleneck and heart jewelry, I was thinking less of romance (please don’t tell the salamander!) and more of all the women friends I have that mean so much to me, and where would I be without them? You, my friend, are one of those women. You have been there for me, have added richness and joy to my life, and have accepted me just as I am, and have allowed me to be a part of your life. These are the relationships that are most lasting and influential in my life, and I am who I am today because of all of you! THAT”S what Valentine’s Day should be all about and we could call it Pal-entine’s Day! So happy Palentine’s my dear friends!! You rock. And you are all on my mind today.
Much love and gratitude,
R
XOXO

SO HAPPY PALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL OF MY WONDERFUL GIRLFRIENDS TOO!

Today is Bill's birthday. I bought myself a nice plant Saturday for him to give me because otherwise he will stand in line somewhere (probably with all the other guys at See's Candy), and I don't think that's right on his birthday. We can't even go out to dinner for his birthday because the restaurants are too crowded. (Peter always hopefully suggests "I bet we can get into Hooters.")
Connie