The August birthday family

 We start on the 12th, with Kendra, my daughter-in-law, wife of my youngest son Tai. She just turned... 47 years young.

On Aug. 16 my middle son was born, Russ Heym - he's going to be 57 years young.

Russ and myself at my apartment in St. Augustine, around 1997. 

Oh, he's sporting a greying goatee, so let's update his portrait - with Michelle, his wife at a soccer game in 2023.

Then Barbara Baker, another daughter-in law (wife of my son Marty) will have her birthday on Aug. 22 bringing her to great 61 years young!

A very good baker she has used this skill to establish a business out of her kitchen, selling gourmet Macarons at local conventions and shows in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area.

Next birthday is mine, August 23, and this year I complete my 82nd turn around the sun.

Sitting at the Tailgate Market each Saturday morning (well almost) in Black Mountain NC.

And the last August relative's birthday is my dear mother-in-law-sister, namely Joanne Naglieri, mother of Russ' wife Michelle Heym. Joanne's birthday is on Aug. 28, and this year she turns the big 85...which she certainly has not one hint of looking.

Joanne and Kate, our youngest granddaughter, taken in 2021.

I'm so glad to be bunched in with these wonderful Leos and Virgos...and getting ready for some other relative's birthdays in September. What's a grandmother/mother to do? Get the coolest cards I can find for everyone! 

I am skipping Hallmark these days! 

A bit of nursery rhymes on a "card" join my son Tai from his wife Kendra's birthday.

Sharing with Sepia Saturday!

Today's quote:

This universe is much too big to hold onto, but it is the perfect size for letting go.

SHARON SALZBERG

Ah August Birthdays!

This has been a week of birthdays. Today is my son Russell H's birthday (I won't give you the number!)

Last Mon. the 12th was my daughter-out-of-law, Kendra B's birthday. She and my son, Tai R.,  have a committed relationship which doesn't include legal things, like being an 'in-law.' But she's like another great daughter that I'm so proud to have.

I wish they didn't all live so far from me!

This year I've decided to write (while I still can) a poem or quotation into blank cards for birthdays.  The cards were a gift to me, and I really don't know what to do with them. They are very nice art, but I don't write letters/notes to anyone anymore.  Stationary has gone the way of telegrams.

But as anyone who reads my blogs might know, I like to save quotes and pass them along.
So that's how the birthday cards are happening - for now.

Next week is my 77th. And just the day before is my newest daughter-in-law, Barbara B's birthday.  She's great and legal too! My son Marty H. and his new wife, Barbara B.

And then the next week is my daughter-in-law-mother Joanne N.'s birthday...you know, the mother of my other daughter-in-law! (That's Joanne's wedding and her daughter (Russ' wife) Michelle.

Is that everyone?

Nope, that doesn't count the ancestors, so I've been preparing to celebrate them as well.  Without them, where would I be?