Birthday boys, girls and fillies

This day really packs a whallop in my quirky storehouse of useful facts, specifically birthdays. My husband Bill turned 57 today, so did his sister Margaret (aka Margo to her circle of friends). I've been told since the first day we met, after Bill came clean that he'd lied about his age, that Margaret is a few minutes older. So, she ran the show when the twins were little tykes in their native Louisiana.

As far as Bill, the squeaky-clean Presbyterian, lying about his age, that came the moment we first laid eyes on each other in a tent at Farragut State Park. I was doing an interview with Angus McBride, when a bunch of other guys showed up. That was the setting where I offered to arrange dates with the guys and my drill team girls (fat chance I'd still have a job today!).

Then, I asked if anyone in the crowd was 25 suggesting I'd need a date for myself, Bill raised his hand. The Love seed was hatched, but later on our first real date, I saw his driver's license and learned he'd lied. He was really 22 and dating an "older woman." Well, we've dealt with that one just fine. I've trained him right (:), and I like his birthday each year because for almost three months, I'm only two years older.

I guess the lie was okay cuz he raised his hand, and I took him at his word. Thirty-four years later, I haven't caught him in TOO many lies.

Now, we'll be celebrating Bill's birthday today, but we actually started the celebration Saturday with a trip to Bonners Ferry and the purchase of a new Husqyvarna chain saw. He's fired it up a couple of times, and I know it will get plenty of use out there in the woods. I told him he needed some of those Husqyvarna suspenders so he'd look like a real woodsman, but Bill opted to pass on that one.

Besides Bill's celebration, we're also making a special effort for Miss Lily who turned 2 today. Three carrots went to the barn for an early morning birthday snack. I'll probably hand out a few more as the day goes on, and I'm hoping Miss Lily appreciates her special day. The one thing I did notice this morning is that she's truly a calico Appaloosa this morning with more than the usual additional green stains highlighting her leopard coat. I'd give her a birthday bath, but it's a bit chilly today.

Now, this paragraph is devoted to the birthday girl in California. Happy Birthday, Margaret. Hope you have a great day. For all readers' information, Margaret works for the California State Parks Department in Sacramento.

Now on to the almost family birthdays. The Chambers family and the Feist family are pretty close folks as far as Loves are concerned. The Feists were our next door neighbors on Great Northern Road, and today is Chris Feist's birthday. I believe he may be 22 today. He's been a state champion wrestler and he's continued doing well as a college student---about to wrap it up at Portland State University.

Then, the Chambers----our Annie Dog came from the Chambers house. Mari Chambers owned my horse Rambo's brother. Marilyn took care of Willie for several days when Annie was born, and two Chambers boys----count 'em TWO---are celebrating birthdays today. Bill turned 47 and Chris is now 45, I believe.

And, speaking of Chris birthdays, I can't forget my publisher today. Chris Bessler, owner of Keokee Books and Sandpoint Magazine, is also celebrating his special day today. I know there's one more birthday down at Outdoor Experience, but I can't remember if it's Kevin or Mark.

That's almost the extent of my useful knowledge about who's celebrating a birthday today, except for one more I've never met. It's Chud's mother's birthday also. Chud's that fun guy you see on TV selling cars.

I'm sure there are more, so to all who are looking forward to balloons, cake, ice cream and greetings from friends, family and even strangers you've never even met, have a happy birthday. And, that includes horses, dogs, cats and even your gerbil!