Happy 79th Birthday!

New Year’s Day always means a birthday celebration for Mom. Thursday Lenore turned 79 years old! Her special day started off with her playing a church service. She asked me meet her for breakfast at yet another coupon inspired destination, “Old Farm House” in White City.

Shall I set the stage for you? Dark green booths, blasting football game from the mounted TV, sizzling bacon smell from the kitchen and a thick layer of grease over everything. Most customers were either attired in hunting camo or dawned oversized rodeo belt buckles. Although, one gentleman wore a shaved head, two earrings, tattooed neck and a shirt that read F#@k the Critics (the # and @ sign are to protect your innocent eyes...his shirt proclaimed the real deal). Five teenagers straggled in the door, apparently after a night of heavy celebrating, quietly ordered huge amounts of food. Two Lesbians sat kitty corner our booth, both scooping spoonfuls of scrambled eggs on to their buttered toast and shoving it in their mouths. On my way to the bathroom, I kneeled and spoke with a plump redheaded, pierced eared nine month old whose big blue eyes and babble had me drawn in as soon as I turned the corner. I opened two hollow doors into to the powder room , only to be reminded that someday I am going to do a photo expose on restaurant bathrooms... but for now I just want you know that in the women’s room of the Old Farm House, on the back on the toilet, you can pick up an extra Avon catalog.

After breakfast we went to Ross to see if I could find a wallet, I couldn’t. Mom scooted into Catherine’s clothing store next door, to check the sales rack. While perusing the earrings and squinting sideways at an all body girdle called “Spanks”, a quite oversized sales clerk proceeded to share with us how she used to be able to fit into a micro mini in the 60’s and with a laugh added that the mini wouldn’t fit over her knee these days. A disturbing and sad confession that aggravated my well developed phobia of gaining weight. Stories and store like that petrify me.

We went home and mom took a three hour nap. Steve took a break from his project and we were able to have some of that precious down time together.

My eldest sister Lori, her husband Dennis and children Mary Anne and Patricia drove down from Jefferson to have dinner with Mom on her birthday and to visit with Dennis's mom as well. It was mom and Lori’s pick as to where we would dine and both chose the Olive Garden. It was great to visit with them. Tricia is off to Oklahoma the first of February and then on to Kuwait as a helicopter mechanic. Mary Anne is thrilled with her new bike she got for Christmas, Dennis is back to volunteering Fire Fighting in a few weeks and Lori is having fun with her new camera, “Skyping” her children and texting on her phone. We all sang happy birthday and shared a decedent dessert of chocolate cake, strawberries and custard.

Days spent with my mother are always filled with unexpected occurrences and striking conversations. I love being with her, where there is never a dull moment...unless she is napping. Here’s to our mom and many more happy and fun filled birthdays!