Turning 65

Because we're in the process of moving (again), I planned for a very, very lowkey sixty-fifth birthday last Wednesday.

And the day turned busier with odd projects that I foresaw, along with two back-to-back meals.

My oldest son came up from Streator with his youngest son David (who is turning two on July 22) to treat me to lunch. 

The air-conditioning wasn't working at restaurant number one, so we migrated to restaurant number two.

When we returned home, Rebekah told me Timothy and Daniel had made dinner reservations and to "get ready." Ooof!

So we went to dinner, brought home enough leftovers for the next day's dinner, and then the boys stopped at Walt's Ice Cream, so I could have "something" to hold a candle while they sang "Happy Birthday."

They came home with enough ice cream to last for days. And then we sang "Happy Birthday" without the candles because we didn't have any.

NI had no presents at my request since we are putting so many resources into the new home. Their time and presence and help at all my out-of-the-box ideas and projects throughout the year are presents enough, presents of the priceless kind with eternal value and worth.

But my mother did send these lovely popup cards and kept texting me to be sure I opened them.

And Cindy came to the house on Friday with a box of gifts Eric and Justin picked out for me (and something very special she made for WriteOn Joliet's anthology release party on November 12).

Oh, and I still have two hundred-plus birthday wishes yet to read on Facebook.

While some people bemoan growing older, I love growing older.

Three of my grandparents never saw "older."

My paternal grandmother died at 55 from pancreatic cancer.

My patneral grandfather died at 62 from colon cancer.

My maternal grandmother died at 64 from colon cancer.

And my only female cousin died two years at age 58 from breast cancer.

Moreoever,  I'm fully aware I should have died in 2002 from something of which you've likely never heard.

I have family, friends, a new home, and life itself.

Turning sixty-five was such a blessing!

"30"

 Rebekah's on a roll with good ideas lately.

It was she who thought participating in "Men Who Cook" was a good idea.

And she had this fantastic idea for Daniel's birthday.

You see, Daniel had a lot of health issues when he was younger. And Daniel always says he doesn't remember much of his childhood.

So Rebekah thought we could give him thirty gifts, with each gift representing something he liked or owned or experienced from that year in his life.

So we made a list of years with noteworthy details and gift suggestions.

We bought said gifts.

And then I wrote clues to all thirty gifts on scrolls that we rolled up and tied with yarn.

On Thursday, Rebekah asked for a packing box at Walmart.

On Friday night, we wrapped all the gifts, assembly-line style, and numbered each gift and scroll.

One items (four different flavors of rice Krispies) couldn't be done until Timothy and Daniel left for Men Who Cook on Saturday.

Although Daniel's birthday was Saturday, we saved the presentation and unwrapping until Sunday, so we could take out time.

It took two hours for Daniel to open them all - and the clues spurred lots of guessing, remembrances and the telling of fun stories. 

Three were movies that represented three different "likes" in three different years of his life.

So after we opened gifts, we settled down to watch three movies in one of the most eclectic family movie aftenroon/nights ever. 

We watched "Stayed Tuned" (the year Daniel wanted this cake and we gave away this cookbook in a hilarious Facebook contest). 

And then we watched "Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog" a birthdnd finally "Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Movie."

There you have it: thirty years of memories packed into a box - with many more made yesterday afternoo and last night.

Now go forth and building some beautiful memories today.

Happy Monday! :)

The Twelve Irish Tenors Sing Happy Birthday

Sue's Diner: Tiger Brownies

This week's recipe is for Tiger Brownies, a family tradition instead of cake for Timothy's birthday on September 8.

Timothy's nickname as a baby was "Tiger Tim" and we even signed his name on greeting cards from the family by adding little paw print.

I stumbled upon this recipe years ago in one of those little cookbooks one could buy on the rack near the checkout line in groceries stories. 

Rebekah has since perfected the version by increasing the amount of cream cheese, and she makes them for Timothy every year instead of the more traditional birthday cake.

This recipe does not appear in any of the BryonySeries cookbooks.

But you may try this recipe on the Sue's Diner page on the BryonySeries website. 

However, try the recipe this week. It will be gone some time next week. A new recipe will take it's place. 

If you have any troubleshooting questions or comments, email us at bryonyseries@gmail.com. 

By the way, Sue's Diner is only real in the BryonySeries world. But didn't Timothy do a great job making the page look like a real menu at a vintage diner?

Here is the full diner page: bryonyseries.com/sue-s-diner.

All proceeds from "Memories in the Kitchen: Bites and Nibbles From 'Bryony'" benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters of Will and Grundy Counties at bbbswillgrundy.org.

Order the cookbook at bryonyseries.com.

RECAP: Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash 2025

Ever since Bertrand the Mouse leaped out of the BryonySeries young adult vampire novel "Staked!" and into his own books in 2013, we wanted to host a "Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash" to help get people (children especially, even if through adults) excited about reading.

At first, I thought a Facebook party might be fun (remember those)?

But for one reason after another, we delayed the party's execution year after year. 

Finally we held our birthday party for Bertrand in 2023 (in person, complete with Santa and ice cream) which I missed because I was in the ER.

I made the 2024 birthday party for Bertrand, which was quiet, lowkey, and very nice.

But this year on August 30 at The Book Market in Crest Hill was the best (so far) - and not just because I wore normal clothes for the first time since surgery.

And that's really funny, too (not the clothes), because we experienced so many behind-the-schenes glitches.

First, Bertrand thought he packed his birthday hat - but it was his frog hat. 

Then, we had a mixup with the submarine sandwiches, so Timothy and Daniel ran out for snacks.

We couldn't find Bertrand's birthday games-to-go, so we had to print more...around the time we needed to leave the house to set up.

But Cindy made pencil Ribbit-Ribbits, and gave a discount to a repeat customer, whom we met at last's year's birthday bash.

He came out this year on purpose - and bought a copy of "Bertrand Spends the Night."

We gave away most of Bertrand's chef-made birthday kibbles, which are featured in the BryonySeries "Squeak" cookbook.

An author putting her book on consigment at The Book Market bought a copy of the "Grrr" cookbook.

A couple from out of town brought their fourteen-year-old grandson to The Book Market in honor of the grandson's birthday, also on that day. We let the grandson pick out any book he liked. He chose "Lycanthropic Summer."

Grandpa kept wanting to buy Bertrand.

We also shared information about B.L.O.C.K.S.

 And after the event, we sold one copy each of "Bertrand's First Book of Adventures" and "Bertrand's Second Book of Adventures."

Is it wonderful to know that good things can still happen, even if we make mistakes?

Happy Monday! 

Birthday Blanket from Cindy

Cindy, who makes the crocheted Ribbit-Tibbits (i.e. Bertrand's friends) and adoptable mice, crocheted her first blanket for my birthday - and then presented it to me on Justin's birthday a couple of weeks ago.

I wanted to showcase a nice photo of me using it. Instead, I'm hanging out on the couch with it in the early evening yesterday with a wiggly Tiny, while Rebekah worked overtime, and both of us (Rebekah and I) dealt with food poisoning. 

But Cindy did a great job with the lap blanket. The colors and the pattern remind me of a blanket my mother had on her bed when I was a child. I will treasure it for many years.

The recap of Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash will have to wait until Monday. 

Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash is Saturday

Ever sing Happy Birthday to a crocheted mouse? Here's your chance!

Bertrand the Mouse's Back-To-School Birthday Bash will be from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 30 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

We will have refreshments, party hats, BryonySeries books for sale, birthday games-to-go, and crocheted mice for adoption (while supplies last) with the purchase of any Bertrand the Mouse book.

We will also have complimentary BryonySeries tumblers with the purchase of any BryonySeries book, perfect for fun, back-to-school reading on the go.

And Timothy and Daniel will also be there, chatting to guests about B.L.O.C.K.S.

Now, here's what Bertrand wants for his birthday.

For those who don't know Bertrand (yet), Bertrand's always on the go and happy to lend a helping…paw…to bring the joys of reading to children.

All Bertrand wants is for people of all ages to experience the joys of reading. 

So the best birthday present you can give Bertrand is to bring home a book (or two) to read and enjoy.

Even better - buy a book (or two or more) and leave them with us. We will slip them into a Little Free Library in a low-income neighborhood.

So he's inviting YOU and all your friends and family to his Back-To-School Birthday Bash.

Hoping this post makes you smile on this first day of the new week.

Happy Monday!

Birthday Gift From Mom

So the birthday gift my mother sent for my birthday on July 15 arrived on July 22, which was frustrating to her and less so with me, since I had surgery on July 17 and that week was a blur of pre-op preparation.

But she followed the tracking with periodic text updates to me as to its location, with the final one being in our parcel box. So Rebekah brought in the box, which contained a cat and dog T-shirt and a pawprint coffee mug.

I asked Rebekah to snap a photo to text to my mother, which she did, shaking her head at our lived-in background and foreground: box that held the gifts, one purse, a bag of supplies on the table, a box that held the large sign now at The Book Market in Crest Hill that needs a home in the garage, a dog toy, Rebekah's tumbler collection on top of the "five minutes of kindness" cabinet, and bare walls since we are still "moving in" four years later.

Nothing is filtered, nothing is altered. Just one post-surgical moment in time and two birthday gifts that made the trek across the country from intention to recipient, with a smile and thankfulness sent back in return.

May you know both giving and recieving today - and may both make you smile.

Happy Monday!

Calkins Day 2025 Recap in Photos

Calkins Day (Feb. 13) is the BryonySeries' official holiday. It's a day to celebrate laughter, imagination, generosity, and the birthday of Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara: man, myth, and author.

And once again we celebrated at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

The drop-in celebration included free food (including pizza), a chance to win an original acrylic waterscape painted by Ed’s wife Nancy Calkins (an accomplished artist and retired art teacher), and the opportunity to purchase books authored by Ed and books in which Ed appears as a character.

One of those books included the recently released “Recovering Ruthless,” the third book in the outrageous, literary nonsense BryonySeries Ruthless series, all authored by Ed Calkins, Steward of Tara.

The first book is simply called “Ruthless.” The second book is titled “The Fifth.”

Ed also wrote my Irish genealogy. (I’m not Irish).

Ed also appeared as himself (as in himself, a ruthless dictator, and an Irish vampire) in “Bryony,” “Visage,” and “Staked!”

Who is Ed Calkins? Here is a twenty-question interview withthe real Ed Calkins, here is my Calkins Day address from 2020, and here is Ed’s Calkins Day message from 2018.

Here is why we celebrate Calkins Day.

Here is how to celebrate Calkins Day in our "Guide to Becoming Un-Serious."

I must also add that Ed is very dyslexic, which makes writing more challenging for him than many other writers. But he not only works through the challenge, he’s made dyslexia a key part of the plot in his Ruthless trilogy in ways that has nothing to do with reading or writing.

You also might want to listen to this podcast.

But for now, scroll through some of the photos and relive the fun (if you attended) or enjoy a small glimpse of the fun you missed (be sure to put February 13, 2026, on you calendar now).

Bertrand's Back-To-School Birthday Bash is Saturday

Have you met Bertrand the Mouse? 

Bertrand's always on the go and happy to lend a helping…paw…to bring the joys of reading to children.

Actually, Bertrand wants people of all ages to experience the joys of reading. So the best birthday present you can give Bertrand is to bring home a book (or two) to read and enjoy.

So he's inviting YOU and all your friends and family to his Back-To-School Birthday Bash.

The party will be from 11a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 at The Book Market in Crest Hill.

We will have miniature cupcakes, party hats, BryonySeries books for sale, birthday games-to-go, and crocheted mice for adoption (while supplies last) with the purchase of any Bertrand the Mouse book.

We will also have complimentary BryonySeries tumblers and backpacks with the purchase of any BryonySeries book, perfect for fun, back-to-school reading on the go.

Ever sing Happy Birthday to a crocheted mouse? Here's your chance!

Hoping this post makes you smile on this first day of the new week.

Happy Monday!

Birthday Girl at the Mall

During the twenty-two years I wrote the "An Extraordinary Life" feature, I heard hundreds of inspirational stories about the extraordinary way ordinary people lived their lives before they died.

And because I was listening to people who, in many cases, were still grieving, I allotted plenty of time for them to talk.

I remember once such instance when a very young man had died of cancer. His family sat around the conference room table with me, sharing photos and one story after another about the brave was he faced and tackled his cancer.

As the family prepared to leave, one member said, "This was better than the therapy we're paying for."

And yet, all I did was listen and take notes.

Even more years ago - when I was in college - I became a Big Sister to an eight-year-old, the youngest in a family of five children. 

This little girl had a habit of eating very slowly, not a bad habit, right? But if the family were eating at a fast food restaurant, they often either packed up the rest of her meal or divided it among her siblings so the food could get eaten and they could get going.

So for our first "sister" date," we had dinner at a sit-down, family-style restaurant, her first experience t such a venue. I let her order what she wanted and let her take all the time she needed to finish. She ate A LOT of food, which surprised her mother.

I share a July 15 birthday with my granddaughter Riley. Rebekah and I had made plans to take her to Fox Valley Mall for the day. I wasn't feeling very well. But that turned out to be a good thing.

If I had been feeling well, we would have spent the day honoring a triple set of interests: Riley's, Rebekah's, and mine. 

Instead, we let Riley follow hers for the, and I captured her experiences with my camera phone.

So what's the moral of this story today?

Many children can't enjoy an experience at their own pace.

Many adults never get a captive audience for their words.

Giving another person your undivided time and attention might really be the best gift of all.

Birthday Cake for Breakfast

I share a July 15 birthday with my granddaughter Riley.

She turned eight this year, and I turned sixty-three.

We celebrated on July 13 with a family cookout at a park and then we went swimming.

The candles didn't stay lit on our cakes, so we never blew them out (but we did sing "Happy Birthday").

We went swimming afterwards, but that was cut short with a storm (accompanied by thunder and lightning).

I had spent fourteen hours overnight in the ER earlier that week and did a second act after the party ended.

July 15 followed two all-nighters for me (both due to pain) and a celebration trip to Fox Valley Mall for Rebekah, Riley, and me. The day was bracketed by stressful doctors appointments on either end. The finale was quite the storm that night (and plenty storm coverage by The Herald-News editorial team the next day).

So we never cut into my cake until mid-week, due to circumstances and the fact the four of us who live together wanted to enjoy that cake together. So we did that one day, early in the morning, before everyone dashed off to work.

So what's the moral of the story here?

As I've previously mentioned, we've had a challenging few years of many emergencies and deaths. June and July have been especially intense, with a near constant feeling of hanging off a precipice.

More is in store for us, but we did get a much welcomed breather this weekend. So thankful!

So the point of this post is not to whine, but to maybe offer some hope for dark times.

"This too shall pass" is really true (I am currently not in pain).

Don't get hung up when plans don't work out according to our plans. Make other plans. Yes, really.

Storms will come, but the sun will come out again. (It's raining today, but the sun shone this past weekend).

Circumstances will sometimes rule the day. But every once in a while, rule the circumstances, just to show circumstances who's really boss.

There's nothing wrong with having cake for breakfast.

Blue Birthday Towels (and Cash for Shoes)

Good morning!

I'm holding off posting a new recipe for Sue's Diner today. Rebekah had a rough day yesterday, but she has a special recipe she'd like me to share. 

So our nineteenth century chicken salad recipes with homemade crackers is still on the Sue's Diner menu if you haven't tried it yet.

Instead, I'd like to show you this lovely birthday gift from Cindy: a set of dark blue towels in a dark blue bag with dark blue tissue paper, a lovely card, and $50 toward shoes.

That might seem like an unusual birthday gift, but I'm also the type of person that loved a shower curtain birthday gift. 

Here's why the gift is so thoughtful and shows Cindy gave from her heart.

Dark blue is my favorite color. Just looking at dark blue makes me feel good.

I love objects that project happiness. I mean, just look at that card! It projects joy and smiles.

I almost never buy shoes and clothes for myself until the need for both is high. It's partly because I don't like shopping in general (unless I'm shopping with someone else because they like to shop and I'm just there for the socialization).

It also has to do with the way I budget my money.

I have an overall life philosophy of "use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without." (In short, I'm cheap).

It also has to do with the fact it's difficult to find shoes that correctly fit my feet. And shoes are expensive.

But as a walker (and an aging walk at that), good shoes are important.

Soooo...

Cindy's gift will take me good places with a smile. And when I return home, and it's time to relax and a pamper myself, I'll be surrounded with a stack of soft blue towels.

Happy Wednesday!

A Gift of Earth and Water

Look at the beautiful set of coasters Rebekah made for my birthday!

Yes, they came in a kit.

But you will see the level of detail when you scroll through the individual photos.

Rebekah spent many, many, many, many tedious hours after work at her desk assembling these for me.

She did it because I eat and drink at my desk for most meals and use plenty of coasters.

And also because...

I like water and fish-themed decor.

Rebekah knew they'd make me smile.

Rebekah is cognizant of what people already like - and what they could like based on their interests.

Rebekah is one of the most loving and giving people that I know.

Because of her internal struggles, she sometimes struggles with her own goals.

But when the project is for someone else, she goes all out in terms of her time and attention.

And all of that is packed into each coaster. 

Please scroll through the photos to see how lovely they are.

Happy Tuesday!

Birthday Surprise: 63 Pieces of BryonySeries Swag

Yesterday Jasmine stopped by the house with a late birthday gift she made for me: 63 pieces of BryonySeries tumblers and bags that, among all her projects (including more of my projects), she made time to create for me.

Sixty-three pieces. That's a lot of swag!

The gift has value on so many levels.

The obvious value, of course, is to the customer. We can pair pieces with BryonySeries books for gifts, giveaways, standalone sales, etc. - however Rebekah and other our team decide to use them. (I stay out of most sales and marketing decisions except at the most foundational level). 

The more subtle value is the meaning behind the pieces. Jasmine understands what's important to me and presented me with a gift she knew I'd love.

But the most valuable value (so to speak) is that the gift shows the type of person Jasmine is. She conceived the idea, bought sixty-three pieces and enough vinyl for sixty-three pieces out of her hard-earned money, and then spent hours and hours of her time using a Cricut (which is very hot work, especially in the summer) to hand-create each piece.

So a lot of unselfish love is packed into that box.

And it is that love that customers will take home.

Happy Monday!

Irish Happy Birthday Video jig

"Homemade" Ice Cream Cake

Rebekah really loves ice cream cakes. So for her thirtieth birthday on January 7, Timothy spent the evening of January fifth making her a special one.

So with using a combination of homemade and commercially prepared ingredients, Timothy created this very special ice cream cake.

Perhaps because we were expecting approximately twenty guests for our combination Old Calendar Christmas/Rebekah's birthday celebration, Daniel instructed Timothy to :make it big."

So Timothy did.

We will be eating ice cream cake for a long time.

Happy Tuesday!

 

All the BryonySeries Cakes (Plus One)

I've been blessed with some really gorgeous birthday cakes the last few years.

Jasmine has made most of them since 2019 (all BryonySeries themed). The exception was for my sixtieth birthday in 2021, when Rebekah insisted on making the cake with chocolate-covered strawberries.

So no heavy text to read today. Just feast your eyes instead/

To see more photos of Jasmine's work, visit facebook.com/sugarnspiceandeverything.

2019: Age 58

2020: Age 59

2021: Age 60

2022: Age 61 (photo bombs by Uncle Barty and little Bertrand the Mouse)

2023 (age 62)

2023: Cupcakes, too. 

BryonySeries Birthday Cake 2023

Every year for the past few years, Jasmine has made a BryonySeries-themed birthday cake for my birthday as her gift to me.

This year's cake featured purple "roses" and edible gold leaf, elegant enough for Henry, wouldn't you agree?

Scroll through the photos to see all angles of her talent.

For more photos and to place an order, visit facebook.com/sugarnspiceandeverything.