Birthday Salutations From A Writer

Um, I just got the COOLEST birthday wishes EVER, of course from Harry Kollatz Jr., a Richmond treasure:

"Felicitous greetings, and salutations to you, Copeland, on the advent of the anniversary of your nativity. Partake of the commemorative rites in a manner appropriate, or inappropriate, as the situation warrants and your conscience dictates. In any case, may there be abundant fine wine.

Should be excellent weather for the Casati Day Parade. How you get Broad Street closed off for that event, I can't fathom. Thankfully, you don't need to concern yourself with the logistics on your very own day. You have people to do that.

I do so enjoy the high-stepping, go-go booted, mini-skirted, twirlers of flaming batons, who while never batting a lash or their smiles dimming a watt, toss up those fiery sticks, and as the airborne batons turn lazily end over end , the girls execute precision spins and kicks and somehow manage to catch the plummeting, fire-spurting symbol. Every time, the demonstration fascinates me. That, and the guys in fezzes who drive the funny little cars in antic choreography.

And remember, though this may be presumptuous for me to bring up, from your float/throne to wave to both sides of the street, "Elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist." -- "

Honeychile, I am slipping my hands deep down into my opera gloves, painting my lips, and securing my tiara carefully to my hairdo now.