As Sigrid pointed out yesterday, today I begin another trip around the sun. That’s eighty-five completed, in the course of which the sun has rolled around me 31,046 times (counting leap years), and here it came again.
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That’s eighty-five years of family..
———- Grandparents Louella and William
—————– Parents Rebecca and LeRoy
———————— Siblings Betty Ann and Bill
——————————– Dear late wife and friend of forty-eight years, Marty Lou
—————————————— Dear daughters Kirsten and Sigrid, and son-in-law Bob
————————————————— Dear Grand Daughters Madeline and Gretchen
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and eighty-five years of friends ..
———- Old ones and, amazingly, still acquiring new ones
—————— And special friend, dear Barbara
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My deep appreciation to all of that which inspires me and of which I am in awe and by which I am deeply moved…
Great music, great landscapes, the profound mysteries of life’s recurrence, the sea in all of its moods,
and the universe in all of its magnificence.
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“Flow, flow, flow, the current of life is ever onward.” – Kobo Daishi, 774-835 A.D.
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And my deep appreciation to all those who have befriended me and from whom I have learned and by whom I have been comforted.
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Good Morning to another day of this grand adventure!
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November 29, 2017 at 9:27 am
Beautiful images and thoughts! Happy birthday my friend!
December 1, 2017 at 3:33 pm
Thank you mentor, muse, and friend.
November 29, 2017 at 9:55 am
Just beautiful!
December 1, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Thanks, Bonnie. Nice to have seen you and your family last Saturday. Looking forward to the calendar to get me through the 86th year.
November 29, 2017 at 9:58 am
Wow! Lovely…
December 1, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Thanks, Barb. It’s fun traveling these years with you along.
November 29, 2017 at 11:31 am
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RALPH. Many memories on land and sea.
Tom and Jeanne
December 1, 2017 at 3:37 pm
Yes, Jeanne, I like the “land and sea” reference.
November 29, 2017 at 1:07 pm
Love it, Ralph. Gorgeous composition and photo. And, cheers to 85 years young! xo Laurrie
December 1, 2017 at 3:39 pm
Thanks, Laurrie. I was impressed with your B&W images on F/B. Everyody’s a photographer anymore and it’s getting tougher for old timers. 😉
November 29, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Your words of “Thanks” for what has passed and “Joy” in facing each day on our beautiful planet say “Amen” to me. Thank you…Happy Birthday.
Marilyn and Phil
December 1, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Thanks, Marilyn. Yes, we’ve gotta keep turnin’ the crank.
November 29, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Dear Ralph, your positive outlook is an inspiration to all of us who are “seasoned citizens”. Many thanks over the past years for sharing your extraordinary photos and astute commentaries on a myriad of special moments you have captured and unselfishly allowed us all to experience them with you! Congratulations on your 86th year. So much more, just around the corner. Hugs, Claire
December 1, 2017 at 3:40 pm
Thanks, Claire. Looking forward to seeing you at the party.
November 29, 2017 at 4:11 pm
Beautifully done, Ralph. We consider ourselves fortunate to included among your friends – one of us since grammar school. And don’t forget, 85 is now considered the new 84. Sally and Gordon
December 1, 2017 at 3:42 pm
Thanks neighbors and friends. Geez, I don’t remember as much anymore … was there a grammar school?
November 29, 2017 at 7:39 pm
Good morning!
December 1, 2017 at 3:43 pm
And Good Morning to you, friend and colleague. Get out and shoot.
December 2, 2017 at 12:56 pm
Your perspective on life and beauty never fails to inspire. I hope you had the happiest of birthdays Ralph.
December 12, 2017 at 9:20 am
Thanks, Rich. Yeah, it was a good celebration. My daughter threw a party for us in the Holly Room last Friday. I guess it was pretty good. The next morning I couldn’t find my keys until I opened the front door and found them still in the lock. Oh, well.