Post #131 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompt – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
True Confession: There’s Bound to Be a Writing Tip Buried in Here Somewhere
Well, now that I’ve started with a confession, I guess it’s all right for me to proceed with today’s post. You see, yesterday was my 70th birthday, and it was the very best birthday that I’ve ever had. My 60th birthday was also memorable (both times the Superbowl was played but since we’re not much of a football family that wasn’t really what I remember).
When I turned 60, my life partner surprised me by planning a celebration in Santa Barbara where our youngest son was in college. We drove down, had brunch with some friends and then went on to the hotel where we were going to meet our son for lunch. When I walked in the restaurant, to my complete surprise and delight, I found our other two sons there as well. One flew out from Texas and the other down from Oregon. We had a grand weekend.
Seriously, how could you beat that?
Well, as of yesterday, a new bar was set for the best birthday ever. I thought I’d share a little of my day with you. The pictures can’t show you the joy and happiness, but perhaps they will help you picture the afternoon. I took a few photos before everyone arrived. The scene is our kitchen/family room. I put out a few appetizers — cheeses (a 10-year-old grandson who loves brie meant one was pre-determined) with an emphasis on local ones, salsas (one made by our daughter-in-law), kale chips (made by one of our sons).
I photographed our table — almost set for linner (not a typo). I say almost set because I see that a fork is crooked. Well, I’ve been watching Downton Abbey and I know that Mr. Carson (the butler, of course) uses a ruler to make sure that each place is set precisely. According to this photo, I would have flunked. Oh well, practice, practice, practice.
I knew I had to take a few photos of food before everyone arrived. Here’s my special Carmelita — a never-fail, vegan, gluten-free dessert. It’s always a favorite. After moving to Oregon last year, I changed one ingredient. Hazelnuts (99% of America’s supply comes from this state) have replaced pecans. No matter how I tweek the recipe or how much of a failure I think I might have, the dessert shines through.
My latest cooking experiments are focused on rich, dark chocolate truffles. Here’s proof of how this most current batch looked on my birthday, offered as a post-dessert dessert. Next I’ve got to find smaller paper candy cups.
Notice sunshine streaming in through the kitchen/family room windows? Yes, this really is Oregon in February. We’ve had a week of sunshine and that alone was cause for a celebration.
Before we could begin my birthday, we needed to finish the birthday of our younger grandson. His January 2nd birthday was missing one gift that didn’t arrive in time. I wanted him not only to finally have it but to also get to experience it.
In December, I heard Rowen ask for a Mickey Mouse waffle at a restaurant. When I look puzzled, his mother told me that over the past several months he’d been asking for that when they ate out. Of course, you can only get that specialty at Disneyland restaurants.
You may remember from previous blog posts, we took our grandchildren (and their parents) to Disneyland for the July 4th weekend. So the idea jumped out at me. I’d get him a waffle iron and he could make waffles for himself and his big brother when his parents made waffles.
Rowen opened his very own waffle iron and a big grin spread across his face. We washed it and put it into action. I had made up a great vegan, gluten-free waffle batter earlier that day — a batter that produces light, perfect results. Actually, I got double duty out of it. Our son who flew in from Ft. Worth for my birthday also loves waffles. Of course, he just got regular square ones. Nothing as cool as a Mickey Mouse waffle. And they both got plenty of maple syrup, courtesy of Kendra and Maine’s maple trees.
With scents of cumin, smoked paprika, and chocolate wafting up from my Oklahoma (now vegan) chili, we moved on to celebrating my birthday. The three brothers don’t get together very often so there were many conversations. These two are discussing their quite different businesses.
Of course, it wasn’t entirely a male event although three of our four sons (the fourth was here a few weeks ago) and two grandsons were here. These two wonderful women shared my day and enjoyed each other’s company. I couldn’t ask for better companionship. Right after taking this picture, I joined them.
And did I mention it was Super Bowl Sunday? Although we only watched a few minutes, no one wants to appear entirely ignorant of the game. At that point, we had no idea it would be such a close conclusion.
Fortunately, the more embarrassing moments were not recorded digitally. We bought ourselves a Kinect (Xbox 360) system in the post-Christmas sales. I use it most days for exercise. I was made to show how it works and tried not to embarrass myself as the family cheered me on. Of course, this intrigued our grandsons so we got them involved.
As the evening wound down, I opened presents. (They were so naughty. I said, and no one listened, that their presence would be my present.) I thought I’d share one picture of a gift — a Sky Lantern. We went outside and in the darkness lit the lantern, made a wish while warm air built up inside, and then released both. There were a few scary moments as we didn’t want to create a fire, but all was well. It rose magnificently above our house and our nearby forest. We watched until the light burned out. Then returned inside for final hugs and goodbyes.
Wonderful memories vividly etched in my mind, a family who gathers around and helps create joy, a lovely white tulip plant, the remains of a birthday cake. It’s enough to make me anticipate my 80th. Only a decade to go.
Is something missing? Since I wanted to record the day to share with you, I took the role of photographer. Of course, that meant I was never in any of the photos. Well, next time.
Memoir Writing Prompt
At the beginning, I promised there was a writing prompt in here somewhere. Well, here it is.
1. Think of the best birthday that you ever had. I hope it was your most recent one. I know that my 70th birthday was the absolute favorite. But perhaps your most recent one was a bit of a dud. That’s all right. Just think about all your birthdays and focus on one that you remember with joy and happiness. Think about the day — what you did, who was there, where you were, what age was being celebrated, and what were your emotions. I know that I felt gratitude all afternoon yesterday and knew that I was a lucky woman to have such a fabulous family.
Now, write about your best birthday for the next 10 minutes. Include as much detail as you can remember.
2. Finished with that writing prompt? Okay. Now, think about our ideal birthday celebration. Write about that and start planning so that you can have your perfect birthday within the next 12 months.
Enjoy. Celebrate. And keep writing.
