birthday washout

My birthday this year was a washout -- quite literally. I awoke to gently falling snow. We were slated for a Huge! Winter! Storm! -- the kind that sends people to the store in crazed droves to fight over the one remaining can of vegetarian haggis that no one really intends to eat.

I went to work, me and a handful of people -- everyone else worked at home. It was quiet. The hallways were dark. I actually got some work done. I was a little lonely, to be honest. Robert stayed home and worked but forgot to check on the storm status.

At the end of the day, when I called to say I was coming home, he mentioned that perhaps it would be good to start clearing the driveway. Unfortunately, by that time, it had been raining for hours. All that newly fallen snow looked good but after absorbing water, weighed a ton. Robert was manning the snowblower, so I got to shovel out the walkway. Ugh!! (And yes, next time this happens, I'll call mid-day and suggest getting started earlier.)

Once the driveway was clear, Robert, who worked outdoors longer than I did, was exhausted. So we went out to dinner, since I think I need a night off from the kitchen on my birthday. We went to a newish place we both like a lot. It's just been noticed by the Boston Globe, so maybe it will stay in business for a while. We even splurged and had dessert -- a stripey chocolate / white mousse with cake crumbs. Yum.

By the time we got home and did more chores, it was too late for presents -- I knew I wouldn't even appreciate them, and Robert was more tired than I, so we just went to bed.

Besides having a day in which nothing awful happened, one of the hugest highlights was a whole set of notes from friends and family that trickled in all day. It was so nice to be remembered (thank you!). A couple of Robert's high school friends even sent greetings accompanied by lovely messages. And Robert's parents very sweetly sent a card and a present and called.

We then called Robert's grandfather who had turned 101 that day. He was in top form and reported that many women had kissed him at his party, which made him feel that he'd had a very good day indeed.

So the weather was a washout. The day was not spectacular, but very pleasant.

Last evening, we went to a concert by a local symphony orchestra. It featured the winner of a youth competition who admirably performed a Shostakovich cello concerto. He really brought out the elements of the piece. We sat behind the proud parents, who left after their son performed. That piece was preceded by a ballet by Elliott Carter. It's his 100th birthday, so many groups are performing his work this year. The piece was mostly tolerable. For dessert, we had a symphony by Mendelssohn, much more to my pedestrian tastes.

And today, friends are coming for lunch. Then I pack and tomorrow I'm off to DC for momcare.