One of us is the strong, silent type!

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Sydney and Nyel

What a fabulous birthday weekend I had! Parts were planned – friends arriving from afar, a House Concert here followed by a gathering of yet more friends for cake and coffee; even a group dinner party on Friday evening given by a friend across the river. But, as if all of that weren’t enough, Nyel pulled off a surprise party on Saturday night complete with food, drink, 80 long-stemmed red roses, and a houseful of friends from past and present! It has taken me two days to recover enough to return to this blog!

People usually describe Nyel as “the strong, silent type.” Neither he nor I would disagree with that portrayal – especially when the two of us are together. I’m considered the ‘social one’ and Nyel appears to just ‘go along with me.’ But, truth to tell, he almost always has the last word about things and, if the occasion demands, can (and did!) plan a surprise and pull it off perfectly. In fact, probably those strong, silent genes helped a lot.

Rose City Mixed Quartet

Rose City Mixed Quartet

In addition to his silence about that surprise party, he said not a word about the gift from Martie and Steve of their Oysterville Guest House as the two-day quarters for the Rose City Mixed Quartet. I was dumbfounded when, at the conclusion of the Saturday night ‘Surprise!’ they put on their coats and headed out the door. I thought that they were staying here ‘as usual’ when they do a Sunday afternoon House Concert! Encore Surprise!!

Another Surprise!

Another Surprise!

And, even at the House Concert there was a surprise. Phil Allen came up to me during intermission and handed me a piece of paper. I recognized the Archway Theater’s “Hamlet” logo and saw my son Charlie’s handwriting: “Happy Birthday, Mom! Charlie.” And I simply could not connect the dots. It seems that Phil had read my blog about Charlie not being able to come up for my 80th because he is performing in L.A. in “Hamlet.” Phil was going to be in L.A. visiting his daughter. They got tickets, went to the show, went backstage to meet Charlie and voilà!! A souvenir program with the signature of Polonius, a.k.a.  Charles Morgan Howell, IV! I was blown away!

Even yesterday the surprises weren’t over. The RCMQ and our houseguests came for breakfast and then, in a way-over-the-top gesture, put the house back together. That included moving every piece of furniture to vacuum under and behind, topping off the water in a dozen vases of flowers, doing a load of dishes. All wrapped up by being treated to lunch at the Roo!

My recovery is still in progress… and I’m continuing to cards and discover presents left in the nooks and crannies.  Eighty Shades of Party!

One Response to “One of us is the strong, silent type!”

  1. Sandy says:

    Sydney!
    So happy you got such a great birthday! You deserved it, even if recovery took some time. Let it all keep gong for the fun of being 80. Know you don’t feel that old as I don’t. People are so amazed.
    Love, Sandy

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