Here's what I figure.

Birthdays get to be celebrated for at least three days: the actual birthday and the 2 days on either side.

So more birthday greetings to lostinapapercup, who still gets my vote for President. You got the wishes yesterday. Today you get pimped: you're one of the most fun people I've ever met. Don't let it go to your head. Or, on second thought, do. You deserve it.

Speaking of things that like to surround other things, I'm completely wedged in by cats. Jack's on my left, Tribble's on my right, and Jasmine's right up against my back. Fudge is off to the side looking on jealously; she's a Leo after all.

I always thought that Jack was the reincarnation of a cat I used to have named Tommie. Since he came to us as a stray (like most of my cats), I have no idea how old he really is. But the first time I met him he raced out of the fragrant viburnum shrubs and jumped onto my lap and curled up and purred. Then he meowed just like Tommie, sounded exactly like her. A couple days later, when I opened the door he ran into the house and jumped up on the couch in Tommie's spot and curled up and went to sleep. My vet's convinced he's old enough not to be Tommie's reincarnation, but he at least shares a cosmic consciousness connection with her, wherever she is now. It's kind of comforting in an extraordinary way.

And... I think we should all strive for the extraordinary every day. Life is full of small miracles.