Monday, January 19, 2026

At 66, Life is just Beginning

 

Last week I turned 66 - in German we would say this is a Schnapszahl ("liquor number" meaning repdigit). There is a song by Austrian singer Udo Jürgens called "Mit 66 Jahren" (at 66 years) and one line goes "Mit 66 Jahren, da fängt das Leben an" (at 66, life is just beginning) - I take that!

I met with my good friend Lyz and we walked around the lake. The weather was mild and sunny and this was the first time in months that we walked together again, since Lyz had had knee surgery last year. We both enjoyed it so much to be able to walk together again, albeit slowly. But who cares? We had so much to catch up on anyway.

This Great Egret perched right on top of this tree and was observing his surroundings - he must have had a great view from up there.


Afterwards we went for lunch to a Mediterranean restaurant - I had half a chicken fajita wrap and sweet potato fries. It was so good.

Lyz is a quilter and she had made these beautiful placemats for me. They are now sitting on our dinner table and are such happy color spots.

In the evening, the Geek and I had some bubbly - that's how we celebrate our birthdays. This is for Bleubeard and Elizabeth's T Tuesday.


My birthday wish was to have dinner with our good friends Bim and Patti - you have met them on this blog several times. They came on Saturday evening for cheese fondue. Only a week before they had returned from their annual vacation in Hawai'i and they had brought us wonderful Hawai'ian peaberry coffee. This coffee is so good, smooth and full of flavor.


On top of that, they gave me this photo that Bim had taken on Quadra Island, BC several years ago. Both Patti and I love rock cairns. I put it in a frame and it is now sitting on my work table in my studio.





22 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

Happy belated birthday Carola. You are just a tad "older" than me because I will be 66 in March. I love that song quote and I'll take it too. :) It sounds like you had a perfect birthday. And those place mats your friend made are gorgeous. I love the colors. I hope you have a super T day and are having a great start to 66. hugs-Erika

Mae Travels said...

Happy birthday and many happy returns of the day!

I’m puzzled at a Mediterranean fajita. A fajita is a Tex-Mex dish. But I guess all the categories get blurred in some restaurants. One can make good food without knowing much food history.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Happy Birthday, Carola! At two years younger than me, you are a mere child, hahahahaha! You got some wonderful gifts and made new happy memories with loved ones and friends!

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Dear Carola, your photos are absolutely gorgeous. I have never tried sweet potato fries but I would love to sometime.
Amen to at 66, life is just beginning...in my case, 69.
Love your posts, dear friend 🧡

Christine said...

Happy Birthday Carola! I will be 67 in June.

Linda's Relaxing Lair said...

Happy Birthday to you, dear friend 🧡

Coastal Ripples said...

Wishing you a very happy birthday. 66 is an excellent age :) B x

Iris Flavia said...

Dieter Hallervorden hat einen Song zum Thema mit 99 Jahren... :-)
Wir waren auf Jürgens´ Konzert hier in Braunschweig, es war wunderbar! Ich daxhte, wir werden die Jüngsten sein... Pustekuchen!!!
In diesem Sinne: Alles Gute nachträglich. Ich habe gestern 54 beim Zahnarzt gefeiert.
Dein Essen sieht superlecker aus. Schöne Sets! Und Käse-Fondue! Hatte ich noch nie... oh.
Hab einen schönen Tag!

Maria Medeiros said...

Happy Birthday Carola! Wishing you all the best that this world has to offer. May all your wishes come true! :) Much love and peace! Have a lovely rest of the week.

David M. Gascoigne, said...

Happy birthday, Carola. At 66 you are a mere sprite! May you have many more long and happy years, filled with the wonders of nature, a caring husband, a delightful daughter, good friends, and exciting adventures. With my very best wishes and more hugs than you could even imagine - David

Tom said...

...Happy Birthday young lady, I'm not sure that I remember my 66th!

Jeanie said...

Don't you love it when the birds come out to greet you on your special day? It's like an extra little gift. It looks like a wonderful birthday, from the bubbly to the friend time. I send all good wishes that 66 is a joyful year for you, with fun, friends, travel and art!

Éva said...


232
"We are always moving forward on the road, because we have to go even if we want to stay..."
(Attila József: Happy Birthday - excerpt)

Dear Carola, I wish you to continue on your life's journey with satisfaction, joy and health for a long time.
Éva

DVArtist said...

It sounds like you had a nice birthday. Birds, friends, bubbly and fondue? Can't go wrong with all of that. Have a great day today.

Lisca said...

Happy birthday Carola! 66 is a good age. Udo Jürgens is absolutely right. Other than the Beatles who have you knitting a sweater by the fireside at the age of 64.
I love the photo of the Great Egret. What a view!
Your sweet potato fries look very yummy. I have some planned for Thursday, but I can never get them as crispy as they do in a restaurant.
Happy T-Day,
Lisca

Lorrie said...

Happy Birthday, Carola! So glad you had a good celebration. Quadra Island is not too far away from us and we've boated there many times.
How delicious the sweet potato fries look.

Yvonne said...

Happy Birthday! Sounds like you had a beautiful one. Best wishes for a lovely new year.

Michelle said...

Happy Birthday! You have a great attitude toward aging!

Beatrice P. Boyd said...

Belated, but very Happy 🎂 Birthday wishes to you, Carola, and what a wonderful way to celebrate the start of a new birthday year by meeting a dear friend and sharing bubbly with your husband. The placements are a lovely gift.

Lowcarb team member said...

Happy belated birthday wishes Carola.

All the best Jan

Teresa said...

También te deseo un feliz cumpleaños, sí con retraso pero deseándote que seas feliz, con tu marido hija y amigos. Abrazos.

Spare Parts and Pics said...

Beautiful photography, and happy birthday!