Happy Birthday to Phil

Yesterday, Phil completed his 62nd revolution around the sun, and all of us here in Homer celebrated him. What a remarkable man I get to share my life with!

He appreciates the tiny and beautiful things, but doesn't sweat the small stuff (and is helping me learn to be better about that too)...

...He's famous for his wilderness adventuring, and creative taste in furniture....

...he's the most wonderful wilderness guide, although I learned long ago not to try to keep up with him!

Of course, he's also famous for his wonderful and wry sense of humor...


(story about this one to come later)...

...he'll do things that many people wouldn't dare to (ask him about the 'grasshopper on the nose' story)...

...but even if he has a devilish sense of humor...

...he is wonderful at making children laugh...

...he may even have made my dad laugh!

He's renowned for braving the waves of inhospitable oceans on tiny inflatable craft with sketchy motors...

...but can trust in his herculean strength to bring him safely home...

...mighty man, also an expert in suitcase repair...

...who loves to thrash around...

...and can find exercise anywhere, even at my parents', taking the concave out of the cutting board!

Endlessly, inspiringly curious about the world around him,

...he also knows better than almost anyone how to let it go...

...and simply rest.

Best of all: he really does believe that love makes the world go round, and is living proof of that. Many happy returns!