Life Is Such A Sweet Insanity.

Actor Robert Gant turns 55 today. Best known for his role on the original “Queer As Folk”, Mr. Gant is holding up quite well as he reaches his eligibility for AARP.

Robert and I share the same birthday and for the last few years I’ve wished him a happy birthday on the social media and he’s responded in kind.

I really don’t know how I’ve reached 55 so quickly. I was struggling with the double digits earlier this week but I’m good with it now. The family took me out to dinner last night and we had some carrot cake and I opened a couple of very nice gifts.

My husband and I are going out on a date night tonight. I’m looking forward to the birthday celebration continuing through the weekend.

My focus on the number 55 evokes memories of high school when two very old teachers were photographed for the yearbook while exchanging cards proclaiming they were now eligible for 10% off their purchase on Tuesdays at the local Ames Department Store. They had grey hair but were full of smiles.

Kinda like me today.

With my 55th birthday on the horizon, and 55 being a really big number in my head, I thinking of this moment to be milestone, a stepping stone, a launching point. (I couldn’t think of another stone).

Up until age 50 I did my best to hide my eccentric thoughts and my quirky ways. I’ve probably not been that great at it, but I’ve used a lot of energy trying to subdue my impulses and different ways of thinking. I’ve mentioned before that I’ve been told to thinking outside of the box, when I don’t even see a box, I haven’t found a box, and I’m probably not even in the same box as the box. “Look at the big picture” evokes the same response, what picture? What wall? Is it in a house?

As I turned 55 tomorrow (and it’s not official until the time I was born in the Eastern Time Zone back in 1968), I’ll be my more authentic self. That’s the way of 2023, right? Be your authentic self.

We’ve been trying to eat healthier over the past month or so. Having good cooks in the family certainly helps the situation.

Earl, Marshall, and I went camping this weekend at a Men’s Retreat a couple of hours from here. We had a very relaxing time, made some new friends, and a good time was had by all.

Camping is a generous term; we actually stayed in the ranch lodge in a comfortable room. Camping facilities are available. Tents, RVs, and sheds converted to sleeping quarters, all outfitted with air conditioning, are scattered about the property. There were about 40 men in attendance this weekend.

We look forward to going back when the temperature is a little more moderate.

Chris and Mike have done a fantastic job sprucing up the guest suite here at the Desert Compound. The room is officially known as the Solarium on the blueprints, and the space offers a private bath, a king sized bed, and wonderful views of the mountains and Saguaro National Park East.