I think it was about a year ago that I was in love with a little red-haired girl named Linda who sat next to me in third grade. Six months ago, I was a young soldier home on leave from Army Basic Training and proud to show off my uniform and my National Defense Ribbon. Last month I was welcoming my first child into the world. A week ago, Miss Terry and I were on our first date. Yesterday I published my first Big Lake novel.
So would someone please explain to me how I woke up 70 years old today?
Can you believe I made it to my seventh decade in almost one piece? Because I’ve got to be honest with you, it surprises the hell out of me! How did that happen?
I got a great early birthday gift yesterday when our dear friends Aaron Borovoy and Peter Ambrose treated us to dinner at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville. Aaron and I have been Facebook friends for a long time, and then I met Peter online through him. We finally got to meet in person in January when they were staying at a nearby campground, and all four of us clicked instantly.
Since then, they sold their big diesel pusher motorhome, quit the fulltime RV life, and bought a park model in St. Petersburg, along with a Ford pickup and small travel trailer for short trips. They are camping in Titusville for a few days and invited us to dinner. Great seafood with great friends? Heck, yes, we’ll be there!
After dinner, we talked for a bit, but the place was getting busy, so we left and hung around outside feeding the fish and turtles in the restaurant’s pond as we visited for a while longer. Then we went our separate ways but we look forward to getting together with our friends again one of these days real soon. Thanks again for dinner and some great conversation, Peter and Aaron!
And finally, here’s a chuckle to start your day from the collection of funny signs we see in our travels and that our readers share with us.
Thought For The Day – Money can buy you a fine dog, but only love will make him wag his tail.
Nick Russell
World-Famous, New York Times Best Selling Author, and All-Around Nice Guy!
Happy Birthday Nick!
Happy Birthday, Nick! Have a joyful day!
Turning 50 and 60 was not a big deal for me. In fact, I welcomed 60 because I was able to draw my military retirement. Reservists cannot draw pension until age 60. I actually turned 60 while on active duty as a mobilized reservist. My wife is also a retired Navy nurse reservist. We both celebrated 60 with a happy dance and two new retirement checks.
70 did hit a little harder. I also found it hard to believe that I was now 70 years old. This past June, I hit 71.
We have never met, but we were fulltimers for 10 years and a subscriber to the Gypsy Journal. Being native Tennesseans, we spent a lot of time at Raccoon Valley, the SKP park. I saw your bus conversion there one time, but never made it over to meet you. Kept delaying the visit and one day you were gone.
So….there you go (this seems to be the latest catch phrase)
Happy Birthday!
Actually Nick, you’re in your EIGHTH decade! 😮
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Keep making those trips around the sun and collecting those life memories. (((HUGS)))
Happy BIRTHDAY! Glad you made it and are on your way to many more.
Aww!! Your just a baby, you could have been one of my high school woodshop students if you had a woodshop at your high school. Love to you andTerry. Tom and Barb
A VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AND MANY MORE.
Happy Birthday friend! Selfishly I hope you make MANY more “trips around the sun” as you bring much joy to our days! So glad you were born and that you share your gifts with the world!!!
Happy birthday, Nick!
I have to be honest. I am still trying to wrap my head around the fact that my oldest cousin will be 70 in December. Time passes so quickly.
Happy Birthday! Time does fly by fast, I just passed my 75th last month, still traveling full-time.