grace grits and gardening

ramblings from an arkansas farm girl

Happy un-Birthday!

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When my mother was expecting her first child, her due date was July 4th. But I waited around until July 10. It was the only time I’ve been the slightest bit tardy. And I wasn’t really late, I just needed my own day. I didn’t want to share with the entire nation.
July 10, 1965; 3 yrs old
Nana & Papa Creecy, Staci (3 mos)


My 5th birthday party was in our backyard playhouse. Everyone in attendance (Sara, Martha Ann, Anita, Lesa, Staci) brought their baby dolls for an old fashioned tea party. There were homemade invitations and treats. Momma tied long spiral-shaped pastel colored balloons to the weeping willow tree magically transforming the back yard. The tree was amazing. Life was amazing.
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There were no spa treatments, italian cream cake balls, or hand painted magic wands. We played pin-the-tail on the donkey instead of riding live unicorns through the cotton field.

It was a simpler time.
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And our birthday tradition – my sister always received one small gift on my birthday, and I on hers. An un-birthday present. Nana and Papa started this tradition because they could never just give one of us something. Momma often still does this…
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On my 9th birthday we went to Memphis, ate pizza at Shakey’s, waved at Graceland, and rode the Memphis Queen. For those of you keeping up, this was the trip to the Pink Palace when Momma was nearly arrested for a moon rock incident. Her first run-in with the Memphis po-po. ย (Moon rock story….)
Memphis Riverboat
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Later, most of my birthdays were spent at the lake with candles in a slice of watermelon. We ate it on the dock in the sun with sticky juice dripping down our bathing suits. I’ve always preferred watermelon to most other foods, including cake. The only exception was Nana’s Fresh Strawberry Cake. If she came to the lake, I ate that with my watermelon.
Birthday at the lake 1975

 

I spent my 21st birthday in Tokyo during a Baylor summer abroad program. At a disco. In the Ginza. With new friends. A gift of flowers and chocolate and Kirin and karaoke. I missed my lake and my family and my watermelon…
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On my 30th birthday, my first husband threw me a surprise birthday party. I don’t much like surprises. ESPECIALLY after having spent the Entire Day wallpapering a friend’s apartment. My friend who was InOnTheWholeThing, mentioned not word one to me… but had no problem lettingย meย wallpaper her apartment before my party.

Would a true friend really allow this to happen??? ย Allow me to stroll back home completely surprised, to a house crammed full of friends, wearing my painting clothes with wallpaper glue in my hair?
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I think not.
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Today is my 50th birthday. I’ve decided my mother is the one who should celebrate. She did all the work, deserves the party. I am more excited on Kelsey’s birthday (December 13) and Tate’s birthday (May 18) than my own. Those are the days I celebrate. I worked especially hard on those birthdays… and the following days…
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I think I’ll buy my momma a watermelon for her un-birthday. I wonder what Staci will get?
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talya
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Musical Pairings:
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Birthday, The Beatles
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“There are three hundred and sixty-four days when you might get un-birthday presents … and only one for birthday presents, you know.” — Lewis Carroll, from Through the Looking Glass

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Comments

  1. Reading your blog is a “big deal” around here. I announce that their is a “blog” and then Tom sits in his chair and I read it out loud. We love you Talya! Happy Birthday!

  2. I am celebrating your birthday today with Aunt Frances. We are going out to eat lunch.

    Here is an interesting fact: Talya was born on a Tuesday morning at 9:32. Twenty-three years later, her daughter, Kelsey, was born on a Tuesday morning at 9:32.

    Loved the blog about about your un-birthday. Made me a little teary. (I forgot to get Staci anything! Oooops)

    Talya’s Mom

  5. We enjoyed going back and re-reading about Buddy Holly and the “moon rock story”. The Surf Ballroom at Clear Lake, IA., where he had his last performance before his death, still has an annual Buddy Holly memorial event every February. We haven’t attended a memorial event but we have been there to see the ballroom. There is a memorial set up at the crash site. In the late 70’s when Tom worked for an insurance company he worked a claim involving a business man who rented an airplane from the same company as Holly and he and the pilot were killed in an almost identical manner.

  6. I remember one of your birthdays at the lake. The year you got the stereo system- it was wrapped up in the trunk and we hardly had room for our suitcases. Also,that was the year the car had water in it’s gas tank. It would go along fine then suddenly slow down,then stop, speed up again, slow down, sudden stop, and on and on until our necks got sore. LoL. It was a great Birthday and I was so glad I got to spend it with you, Stacie, Lesa, your Mom and your Aunt Laverne !! Love Ya, FAB5 Judy

  7. I always thought Lewis Carroll’s Un-Birthday was such a great idea and your family actually did them or at least as close to doing them as anyone I have known. Very Cool… and great Blog!! Happy Birthday! Cheers! Harold

    PS: Gale said to tell you Happy Birthday!!
    PSS: The house looks close to ready for our visit!

    • Thanks Harold and Gale! The house is getting there. You are welcome any time, but you might want to wait until the bathroom gut is finished…

  8. Loved the story – I got nothing LOL. Did get some rain for your birthday, and that was great. Hope you had a fabulous day! – your sis

  9. 50, huh? Those were the days! I married the second time when I was 50–for a year, as it turned out. Bad mistake on both our parts. But there’s life after 50, too. I just turned 76 on July 9. Your memories of previous birthdays evoked some of mine. Happy birthday! pl

  10. Loved reading this again this morning. It’s raining here; whose birthday is it?

  11. Your article brought back great memories of birthdays growing up. Mother always made an angel food cake (not a mix). …I loved watching her fold in the beaten egg whites. It was usually served with strawberries and whipped cream (before cool whip). Obligatory candles were added and everyone sang Happy Birthday. Thanks for the memories…

    The Other Barbara

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