Oysterville Party Goddess

     Yesterday I wasn’t yet seventy-five (I am now!) but there were already six-point-twenty-five dozen roses in the house.  I kept wandering around admiring them and being amazed they had arrived two days before my birthday and that I was already celebrating the landmark day.  But I had things to do, so I finally settled into my little office and got to work.
     I was stewing about the next story in my ‘Jail Book’ series and thought I might focus on the description of a number of the prisoners here in 1891:  “insane.”  I spent several hours in the afternoon trying to find information on the internet about nineteenth century attitudes and treatment of the mentally ill.  I wasn’t having much luck when Nyel appeared at the door and asked what I was doing.
     “Trying to find out about insanity,” I told him.
     “Well, come on out to the living room,” he said.  “There might be some help here for  you!”
     That got my attention but it certainly didn’t prepare me for the room full of people who chorused “SURPRISE!” and burst into the “Happy Birthday” song.  A party!  Now that’s the kind of insanity I know a lot about! 
     So many friends!  So much food!  So much fun!  There were even cards and presents and if I could wear them I did, right then and there – especially the crown and jools addressed to ‘The Oysterville Party Goddess.’  And, of course, there was a cake.  But that deserves its own story so I’ll keep it in reserve for tomorrow.
     What I couldn’t get over is that I didn’t have a clue.  Nyel, bless him, arranged it all and set it up – down to ironing a tablecloth for the dining room table, laying a fire in the fireplace, and picking up some of the usual house clutter.  And with his gimpy foot, too.  I was (and remain) absolutely flabbergasted.  What a guy!  (Just one thing though… has all this fetching and carrying I’ve been doing for him since his foot surgery really been necessary???  He sure did manage to rise to the occasion, apparently effortlessly.  Hmmm.)