My birthday yesterday!

I had a really marvelous time, even though I had to work and I spent the evening alone (Harlan had to work). I treated myself to a new book called Pinkerton's Sister by Peter Rushforth. Here's from the back of the book:

For Alice Pinkerton, trapped in a suffocating life of convention and party chatter, 1903 New York society is enough to make a woman mad--or at least make her a madwoman in the attic. So Alice escapes through the looking glass of literature, finding companionship and inspiration in Shakespeare, Wilde, Hawthorne, Stevenson, Poe, Austen, and the rest of the literary pantheon of her day. Like a character from one of her favorite novels, Alice holds a biting, eccentric view of life, seeing beyond the limitations of her circumstances to create a fascinating portrait of her society.

Heartbreaking and wildly funny, intelligent and dazzling in its range, Pinkerton's Sister is a true celebration of the imagination and a mesmerizing example of the saving power of fiction. Most of of, itis the quintessential novel for readers.

Now I ask you: how could I possibly resist that one? I know, I keep trying to get my tbr under control, but after all, it was my birthday and it gave me something special from my co-workers.

They surprised me yesterday with a cupcake tree (they couldn't find a sugarfree cake anywhere in town for sale) and some Hershey kisses, the ones with cherry in them. They are to DIE for! And then of course some meat and cheese and crackers. And! A gift card for $25. I certainly wasn't expecting any of it. Each cupcake had a plastic ring in it, some with butterflies, some with Easter eggs. I chose a blue butterfly for myself and had fun wearing it all day.

Yesterday had some phone calls after work, too. My sister Mary called and my brother John rattled on for quite a while, too. Michelle, mom to a few of my grandchildren, called last night, too, although she didn't realize what day it was and I didn't remind her. She was having a really bad day and needed an ear more than anything. I'll have to try calling her tonight and see if she is having it any easier in the light of day.

Harlan was home later from work than usual and then had to watch his Mavericks game. Me, I read and fell asleep. All in all, a decent day.