Early 20th-century French children's game pins.
Remember the Stephen Sondheim song Send in the Clowns from the Broadway musical "A Little Night Music?" I've never liked clowns and the song is a bit melancholy, about the rich irony of timing and choices in love and life. Today is my birthday. And I've been thinking a lot lately about timing and choices and goals I'd planned to accomplish by now. On Wednesday - the all-important 09/09/09 - I was not heartened by the "magic" of a once-in-this-century day. In fact, I spent much of the day lamenting that time is flying at an alarming rate and I still have much to do. We Virgos can be quite hard on ourselves.
Today I woke up realising that yes, while there is much to do, I am on the threshold of achieving one particular dream I've been chasing since childhood. And exciting new opportunities are unfurling, defying all expectations. Travel and adventure remain staples of my life.
My daughter is happy and healthy and following her own dreams. I'm married to a good man, who loves me. I'm fortunate to have many friends scattered all over the world. I live in Europe, where women are valued more for their talent, intellect and contributions to society than for any Hollywood faux ideals of youth. As long as I take care of my health, the only limit is my imagination (and suppressing that annoying perfectionist tendency; a curse of being born a Virgo).
I'm joining with other September babies in making a birthday contribution to Charity Water, which helps provide clean drinking water around the globe. What better way to affirm that what matters isn't one's age, but how you expend your time and energy?
P.S. Stayed up until after 3 a.m. Paris time watching President Obama's address about health care reform. Brilliant speech; now let's see ideas transformed into actions. Shame about the distractions of GOP moron(s) rudely interrupting the speech either by shouting, waving pieces of paper or texting. As President Obama said, "When we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter, we don't merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves."
Oh, I'm so late -- but wishing you a very happy birthday, Tara! I hope it was wonderful - still wonderful, really - a whole new wondrous year for you! Sans creepy &/or sad clowns, but filled with your own brand of fun. Much love and best wishes to you~XOXO
Posted by: tinker | 16 September 2009 at 11:31
Dear Tara - I'm very belated (I've been away in yoga retreat land again) but didn't want to miss out on sending my birthday wishes to you. You inspire me and have been such a great voice of wisdom and kindness when I needed it most. I wish you a year of ease and love and joy. x Marianne
Posted by: Marianne | 15 September 2009 at 22:40
A belated but sincere Happy Birthday. I enjoy your blog and you're a great role model for all of us, Virgos and otherwise.
Cheers and all the best from Sydney (and sometimes Paris),
another Virgo (13th)
Posted by: Carolyn | 15 September 2009 at 10:13
Happy Birthday. Your life sounds magical and I hope it continues to be so for the rest of your days. Wishing you all the best.
Posted by: Carla | 14 September 2009 at 00:27
Happy birthday Tara. I meant to check in yesterday and wish you well. I hope it was a lovely day for you.
I have to admit that I fell asleep during Obama's speech and it wasn't 3 am where I was watching it. What an exhausting couple of weeks. All good, though! All good!! I have since read it, heard excerpts, read editorials and for the life of me, I can't fathom why anyone would be against his plan. What the heck are they afraid of? And how insensitive and inhumane those people are who are losing their minds and their perspective when they can't see the need of others. I swear to God we have to somehow get rid of the mentality that continues to act as a prejudicial barrier and disgusting thorn in the side of what is right and just and good.
Keep on fighting the good fight....
Posted by: dana | 11 September 2009 at 18:18
Bon anniversaire, ma chérie! Wishing you a year of love, adventure, beauty, and fulfillment of dreams.
I really hope that the US will take a major step towards better health care for everyone. Thank you for posting about the vital need for clean water around the globe.
Posted by: dutchbaby | 11 September 2009 at 18:02
Happy Birthday!! I love Paris Parfait.
Posted by: Catherine | 11 September 2009 at 15:23
Happiest of Birthdays to you Tara! A fellow Virgo...you are doing SO much with your life, please know that!!
Thank you for the link to the charity water, I will join you in that water gift.
I was so very happy listening to our very intelligent, insightful, eloquent president last night...shame shame on those that did not give him the attention he deserves. I hope he got through to enough people.
x..x
steph
Posted by: Stephanie | 11 September 2009 at 05:59
i am not a Big Fan of Clowns either,
but
these seem creative, forthcoming and to the point
and
ever~so stylishly into ~~fashion~~
:-)
...like you ♥
hope your birthday was stellar.
Posted by: somepinkflowers | 11 September 2009 at 05:46
Happy Birthday to a woman who embodies all the qualities that so many people strive to have but may only attain a fraction of. A real renaissance woman who I hope was celebrated in a grand way!!
XOXOX
Posted by: Lisa Oceandreamer S. | 11 September 2009 at 05:03
Happy, Happy Birthday Dear Tara!!!!
Here we are still celebrating your birthday in Texas, where it is 90° still!
Thank you for your giving heart,
Your intellect,
Your kindness,
Your openness,
Your voice for others,
Your photographs,
Your poems,
YOU
Are a Shining STAR ~ TARA
May the sun continue to shine down upon your heart
and all of your visions.
May your health be perfect.
May this be the year you meet all of your dreams, so far!!
You are an incredible woman, who I admire and cherish.
Thank you for being you!
I'm so glad you were born!
I love who you are~
Constance
ps
Our President Obama gave an astonishing speech, one that ALL could understand!!!!
His heart is in the right place, he is a smart man, and health care for all in US citizens is needed, more than war!
Posted by: Rochambeau | 11 September 2009 at 00:51
p.s.
How could I forget to mention...you have a care package en route...I didn't forget!!! xoxo
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 11 September 2009 at 00:44
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
BEAUTIFUL!!!!
Wishing you more gorgeousness, more travel, more success, more friends!, and basically just more of everything you love and embrace that spices your life up just so!
September is such a great month to have a birthday, it is such a rich and full month. Change is in the air, promise lingers, hope prevails. I have always adored September!!!
Now I am just waiting for the right light to do a fabulous ( I hope! ) birthday post for you with some flowers I bought you today. They sit in my kitchen but they are none-the-less for YOU!!!
So bear with me until the light is a little softer, a little more golden hued....and your post will be up!
Wishing I were just next door so that I could POP in and attack you with a huge hug and kiss, take you shopping, take you out for dinner and a bottle of champagne.
Much love, ALWAYS, and many MANY happy returns my friend....
Gillian xoxox
Posted by: Gillian daSilva | 11 September 2009 at 00:23
((((((BIG BIRTHDAY HUGS)))))) :)
I do think you have years and years and years to mak eall your dreams come true. And I believe you can do it, too. You always inspire THIS Virgo. ;)
Take September easy. Mercury is retro all month-- and we Virgo's feel that more than some, anyway, let alone in our birthday month. Use it as a time to listen and be still, and pay extra attention to your self. Be a little more gentle with you, lady.
:)
Posted by: Amber | 10 September 2009 at 23:40
Happy Birthday! I came over because I knew you'd have to mention the national faux pas last night with the Republican fool and his big damned mouth. A crying shame. Imagine what children think, knowing the "important" adults are acting like clowns. Morons, all of them big bullies "acting" like they weren't paying attention, and showing the world they'd rather be any place else. SHAME ON THEM! I wish a Secret Service agent would have yanked him out of his seat and ushered him from the room to stand in some inconsequential corner. That's what he deserved. I hope his state's constituents give him hell for embarrassing them!
Brenda
Posted by: Brenda Kula | 10 September 2009 at 22:53
Happy Birthday Tara!!
namaste,
elsie
Posted by: elsie | 10 September 2009 at 22:10
Happy Birthday dear! Many happy returns of the day, with dreams fulfilled, good health, plenty of love and chocolates and from here, a glass of champagne raised to you, with much love.
Posted by: Allegra | 10 September 2009 at 22:05
Oh, My! You're having a birthday! Happy birthday to you! (It's better sung!)
I wish you a beautiful day -- what a wonderful, deep and thoughtful post, beautifully illustrated. I think we all have that list that is so very hard to accomplish, but my dear! Look upon what you have accomplished -- I think you already are doing that; your beautiful happy daughter and wonderful husband (I'll second that! He's great! And a good cook!). But also, look at your great talent -- I know; that perfectionism bug kicks in. But your eye -- it sees things other eyes don't. It sees not only things, but people and the people photos see into their hearts. You see with your heart, too. I see that with your stories, your photographs, your passionate commitment to a better world.
All I can say is that the world would be a lesser place without you, and I'm honored to have you in my world, too. (And by the way, I thought of you last night as I was watching!)
Posted by: jeanie | 10 September 2009 at 21:28
Well, happy birthday, Tara! My step-sons birthday is also today! A great post that has me thinking, which all great writing should do. Have a wonderful, reflective day :)
~ER~
Posted by: Elizabeth Rhiannon | 10 September 2009 at 19:25
That was the best line of the speech.
Hey, birthday girl! Happy one to you. Mine is the 15th. Virgos rock!
Posted by: Chris | 10 September 2009 at 18:46
Happy Birthday beautiful girl!!! Took me by surprise, I thought you were a Capricorn!
Posted by: Yoli | 10 September 2009 at 18:13
HappyHappy Birthday, dear Tara!
I do heartily concur on two of your notes today:
"Brilliant speech; now let's see ideas transformed into actions."
(sadly, all to often , he seems to be falling down on the latter)
"I live in Europe, where women are valued more for their talent, intellect and contributions to society than for any Hollywood faux ideals of youth."
(your are, indeed, blessed)
Jjjjj
(one who is far older, but not nearly as wise as thou)
Posted by: judith | 10 September 2009 at 18:12
Happy Birthday, Ms Virgo! I understand you well. I'm a Libra, but with Virgo Rising. Birthdays are a good day to take stock and see one's blessings. Here's to a rich and fruitful year ahead. xoxo
Posted by: colette | 10 September 2009 at 17:46
Happy Birthday. Hope you have a wonderful day. How wonderful to be valued for your talent,intellect and contributions to society. I am not a Virgo, but still give myself high expectations. Sometimes that is difficult to live with, but I like it. I am so looking forward to meeting you soon and learning more about you.
I also love the picture of the children's game pins.
Thanks also for the quote from Obama's speech. Wasn't it a good one. I took in every minute of it.
Posted by: Marilyn | 10 September 2009 at 17:41
Happy Birthday!!! I lamented years ago that the older I get the more time flies and it is true! There was a study done on it, that I will probably never be able to put my hands on! You are a lucky woman, Tara, and thank you for sharing your blessings with us and reminding us that we are all lucky. Showing gratitude is important. Have a fabulous Birthday week!
Posted by: MiddleAgedWomanBlogging | 10 September 2009 at 16:59
yay, happy birthday! love the image of the game pins.
my birthday day is in one month. i will be 35 which i find hard to believe!
Posted by: D R E W | 10 September 2009 at 16:56
Happy, happy birthday, fellow Virgo! I know exactly what you mean about those perfectionist tendencies - left to run amuck I would put "Friends'" Monica Geller to absolute shame;) You may find the song a bit melancholy, but when I read your reference to it I laughed because many years ago, as a college freshman, a young woman on my floor gave me a sketch of clowns for Christmas, with 'Send in the Clowns, don't bother they're here' written on the page. That mercurial wit, I guess... Kudos for dreaming - dreaming is ageless!! Again, felicitations.
Posted by: Barbara | 10 September 2009 at 16:47
Tara
Great site
Would you mind if I used (with proper credit) one of your photos from your Merci Paris piece for a follow up on one I wrote in March about the same topic on 'Serge the Concierge'.
Merci d'avance
Serge
'The French Guy from New Jersey'
www.sergetheconcierge.com
Posted by: serge the concierge | 10 September 2009 at 16:20
Happy, happy birthday Tara! Here's to a day as wonderful as you are!
Posted by: Nancy Sotham | 10 September 2009 at 16:10
Happy Happy Birthday my dear friend I had no idea it was even close to that date. You will always fulfill your dreams as you are a get up and go person.
From your friend who got up and went :)
Di
xo
Posted by: Di Overton | 10 September 2009 at 16:10
Happy Birthday,
and many happy returns and adventures and may your days be filled with happiness always!
Posted by: Merisi | 10 September 2009 at 15:59
To Tara, May the coming year be full of good health and creative adventures. Your idea to celebrate with the gift of water to those in need is fantastic! I'll drink to that.
Posted by: Patricia | 10 September 2009 at 15:56
Dear Tara, Happy, happy day to you! It seems to me, one watching from afar, that your life has been full and rich beyond measure. Time does fly, but your accomplishments to date defy the speed of time. Wishing you many more life adventures!
Posted by: RD | 10 September 2009 at 15:47
Happy birthday, my friend. I love ya, with all my heart. You inspire me. And I am incredibly, proud of you.
Have a piece of cake for me. Today is a new day.
: )
Posted by: christina | 10 September 2009 at 14:45
Happy Birthday Tara~
Posted by: robynpope | 10 September 2009 at 14:28
Have a gloriously happy birthday! Time is fleeting for sure, but to enjoy today is probably the best we can do. Hope your day is a happy one!
Posted by: Helen | 10 September 2009 at 13:42
happy birthday to you my dear friend. i hope your wonderful husband spoils you as you deserve
hope to see you again soon
x
Posted by: postcards from... | 10 September 2009 at 11:10