50

 just another butterfly on the privet (thanks, Mary, for solving the shrub mystery!)

 and another

 Birthday beverage, came with saurbraten and spaetzle

after dinner walk on the new footbridge...answering the call of the mothership

just thought this one turned out nicely, with the heavy clouds at dusk

My 50th birthday was a very nice day.  While I acutely missed being with my friends and family back home--we were always together for everyone else's 50th... it was very nice.

Dave took me out for breakfast, then we went to the down town Festival of the Arts, an annual event that's always the last weekend of April. 

There, we wandered and looked at the amazing (and some not so much) art for a while, then sat at the stage where the dancers from AALIM dance academy were performing the "festival set," which I don't know yet.  Maybe next year, I'll be on stage with them.  We'll see.

Met up with my friend Johnny (who helped us move) from work, and his boyfriend.  Wandered some more.  It was overcast, but extremely humid, so by the time we headed home, I was completely soaked in sweat, and had unexpected sunburn.

Came home, showered, put on fresh clothes, rested a bit, since I am still sick with the most recent local challenge to my immune system, then headed out to the Royal Bavarian for some real German food and microbrew.

Sadly, in the state of Oklahoma, all microbrew beers have to be 3.2 alcohol content.  I tried the Oktoberfest, and the Pilsner. Both were pretty good, just no beer buzz.. LOL.

Then back home for a quiet night, with a glass of eiswein.  I just remembered, Johnny and Tracy gave me fancy cupcakes on Friday, and I still have one left!  Gonna enjoy that later today.

I got a few more cards than last year....even one from my old office back home, where someone was thoughtful enough to circulate a card for everyone to sign, and mail it to me.  How sweet was that?!

Heard from my family, and on line, heard from numerous friends.  

All in all, it was a very pleasant day. 

My brother asked me "So, what reflections do you have on turning fifty?"  My answer was that it seemed to go by like an eyeblink.....but when I really think about specific things, I think "wow...that was a REALLY long time ago."  It's weird.

He says the rate of acceleration only increases.  Great.

I see the changes in my face and in my hair that are inevitable.  No amount of face cream and make up can make me look like I did just a few years ago.  Stress and change have worn on me.....but still, most folks are kind, and say "you CAN'T be 50!!" and I sincerely appreciate it.