Hopalong Hollow....

Hopalong Hollow, where the Blueberries grow sweet, and the moss feels soft beneath your feet.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

Sallying forth into my 6th decade...

  I guess it would be more accurate to say, that I had to drag myself, kicking and screaming in coming to terms with turning 60 today.
    But as I sat  in my garden with morning coffee, contemplating my "new age", witnessing golden finches snatching the best bits of seed from spent cone-flowers and minute flickering hummingbirds flitting this way and that, I became filled with peace.
 
 The October garden silently bursts with Shasta daisies, Russian sage and the fading purple blooms of Hyssop. Bees still contentedly  hum and the last of the butterflies linger amid the  dwindling petals of pink phlox. I inhaled the October air and felt the sweet comfort of my precious garden as it settles into it's next phase of being. I feel a bit like my garden, my prime season is past but  I am consoled with the thought that as life continues and priorities change, I can be comfortable with myself; silvering hair, crows-feet and all the maladies that seem to go hand in hand with aging. The more I think on it, the more I rather like the idea of being 60. It is a good number. 

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(These birdies in the garden are from a painted papercutting I just finished last week. )

38 comments:

  1. Every birthday with a 0 in it seems to be hard to accept at first. I know it is that way for me. I love the papercutting that you just finished. You are such a talented lady. "Happy Birthday, Jeri" Hugs, Deb

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  2. Bonjour,

    Je vous souhaite un très heureux anniversaire... L'essentiel est d'être jeune dans sa tête... Il n'est pas nécessaire de compter.
    L'oeuvre que vous nous montrez est très belle. De belles heures de travail...
    gros bisous

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  3. Well, Jeri, you don't look a day over 40. No kidding. That means you are aging slowly and will likely live to a ripe old age. You're either a young old person or an old young person. You can decide which. Happiest day, dear Jeri.

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  4. happy BD!!! you are my age and it is weird but not all that bad! party on!

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  5. 60 is the new 40...or so I hear. (Okay, maybe I made that up just to make myself feel better.)

    Happy Birthday, Jeri, and may your whole year be filled with joy and laughter and many rich experiences! Hugs!

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  6. Wishing you a very happy birthday
    Love Leanne

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  7. Happy birthday my dear friend ! You certainly are the youngest 60 I have seen.
    I hope your day was full of joy.

    I just love your birdie papercutting . You do such exquisite work.
    Love and blessings,
    Penny

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  8. Happy Birthday and may you have a serene and peaceful decade.

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  9. Happy birthday dear Jeri! Wishing you all the very best for happy days ahead.

    Sending hugs
    Carolyn

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  10. Happy 60th dear Jeri ~ I passed that mark 4 1/2 years ago. I think you are aging beautifully and gracefully.

    You inspire me with all that you do. Your paper cutting is beautiful as is all of your artwork.

    Have a wonderful birthday celebration.

    Love and hugs ~ FlowerLady

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  11. Dear one, I'm only 4.5 years behind you, and let me just say that as I type, I see your GORGEOUS SELF on the right side bar, hold a fabulous duck! YOU ARE SPLENDID! YIKES!!!!!!!!! Let me tell ya, 60 looks good to me, Jeri Landers!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR ONE! Oh how I wish I had a moment to make you a post at Nowhere...we shall celebrate soon. Much love to you, and I truly believe with all my heart that aging is a gift. Much love to a great woman, artist and soul. Anita

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  12. Happy Birthday Jeri, You are a magical woman! I don't know how you accomplish so much.. but I'm glad you have. Beautiful work!!

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  13. You look fantastic for 60, Jeri! And just remember that it's only a number. I certainly don't feel as old as I really am. I think it's beautiful how your garden spoke to you and said, Hey look at me - it's not so bad. Autumn is the most beautiful season of the year, and of our lives :) God bless you! and happy birthday!

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  14. Happy birthday, beautiful lady!

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  15. Dear Jeri - Happy birthday friend. From your pictures I think 60 looks good on you. I love these beautiful paper cuttings. Your work is fabulous and I so enjoy your creativity. Hope you have a wonderful day.

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  16. Happy Birthday !! I love the title of your post :-).

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  17. You are so kind Jeri! Thank you so much for leaving me words of praise.. I am touched and honored..
    Did you have a birthday cake? Hope so...

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  18. Happy Birthday and welcome to your 60's. I've never really thought about getting older until this year. My hubby will be of retirement age and so will I but there will be no retirement for either of us. Too much to do and not enough time to get it all done.....onward and upward. Oma Linda

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  19. HBD and you certainly do not look like 60. I hope you are healthy and feel great. I pray you are blessed with plenty more!

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  20. Happy birthday, Jeri!!! I beg to differ, you are certainly NOT past your prime. We artists reach our peak later than other people and your art is definitely at its very, very best!!!
    On a similarly happy note, this week I've made my best batch of walnut ink ever. Would you like a little jar as a birthday gift??? If you do, please send me your address and it will come, a belated but happy little present in return mail. If you already have gallons of your own walnut ink at home, consider it a gift of thought.
    Wish I were closer and could bring the ink in person, along with a cherry pie! Birthday wishes and happiness. Your sixties will surely be the best decade ever.

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  21. Happy Birthday! I will be following you in a year or so. I hope you have a fabulous day.

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  22. Oh dear one-you are lovely, and will continue to be. I will be 59 in just a few weeks-and I love it! It's just a number, and my grandma was my example of aging with a young heart. She was silly and wonderful and creative. I love my wrinkles and for some reason-don't have any gray yet-but I will welcome it when it happens.
    Your art is just so lovely. I hope you had a lovely birthday-God bless and keep you dear.

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  23. I am so sorry I am late with my Birthday wishes. (Our internet was down) Hope your day was grand. Life just gets better, just in many different ways!
    Happy Birthday my younger friend!

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  24. Hope you enjoyed your birthday, we both turned 60 at the same time, mine a few days before yours. 60 is the new 40, I have decided! xxx

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  25. Happy happy birthday, Jeri! I must say you wear 60 quite well....you are beautiful!! And I agree, 60 isn't anything like it used to be!!

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  26. Happy Birthday to you! Sixty was my hardest birthday. I was grumpy for weeks. But now I'm 64 and I guess I got over it LOL Every year seems like a blessing now.

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  27. A most blessed Birthday to you, dear Friend. Anyone fortunate enough to be in
    your presence would experience the childlike splendor and grace you radiate.
    You will never grow old, dear Jeri, for your imagination is timeless and boundless. Just look at that exquisite birds in the garden production and tell
    me the age of its creator....now get off your tuffet and celebrate the beauty
    that is yours at any age. Peace and well being wrapped with a Christie dyed
    ribbon to you, dear heart.
    Our Mary

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  28. A bit belated, but a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY , DEAREST JERI!!!
    I celebrate your loving heart, your beauty, your talents...
    This indeed is a GREAT number, and as long as we retain our wonder (like you do so beautifully), we are ageless..you look GORGEOUS, by the way... :)))
    Hugs and kisses!!!!
    - Irina :)

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  29. Belated Happy Birthday, Jeri! What a good way to greet another anniversary. Really like the painted birds! Lesley x

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  30. Let's see, you are a awesome artist, have glorious long hair like a 20 something chick, know what to do with every animal in this world, are happily married, hmmm...do I fell sorry that you are 60 ? NO! But I can relate. will be there before i know it. You are remarkable, you have made a difference in this world, God has given you so much talent.Kudos, claps, hugs, wow!!!!!

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  31. Oh Happy Belated Birthday Jeri ~
    You are beautiful in so many wonderful ways at 60 ~ mind, heart , and soul, and of course your looks are still honestly gorgeous .
    What a wonderful number for you indeed .
    You look marvelous , are quite the woman, and such talent !
    Hugs ,
    Willow

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  32. My goodness friends, I blush in embarrassment and delight. Thank you for such kind birthday wishes and generous comments, ALL of you are just lovely people!

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  33. JERI LANDERS! Well, the birthday girl is making her rounds, and I want to thank you for coming my way. Yes, the world is harsh and unkind most of the time, but we at least have our own corners (like you do!) to create worlds that could be. Thank you always for coming to delight me with your visits. ENJOY THE FALL at the Hollow! Anita

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  34. Dear Cousin Jeri,

    Happy Birthday Greetings!

    Love your fabulous papercutting with an abundance of birds and flowers!

    Your cousins,
    Diane and daughter Sarah, and Tillie Tinkham the seamstress mouse at the
    Corgyncombe Courant

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