They Say It's Your Birthday--Hitting 55

I usually tend to associate the number 55 with the speed limit in some places. This year it means a little something different.

On Tuesday the 28th, I am turning 55. I know--I'm not sure how that's possible either! I could swear that it was only a couple of years ago that I was an adorable little kid. Jeez.

Even then, I was all about the books.

55 seems to have a kind of "Here there be dragons" feel to it. Mind you, I don't have a problem with getting older. (It sure beats the alternative.) I didn't have a crisis at 50. In fact, I had such an amazing birthday that year, thanks to my incredible friends and the terrific folks at Llewellyn Publishing, I ended up saying, "Gee, if I'd known turning 50 was going to be this great, I would have done it sooner." And this year I'm mostly not doing anything at all except my yearly lunch with friends Ellie and Bobbie (whose birthday is May 1st) and  possibly bringing cupcakes to my book signing at Imagicka in nearby Binghamton.

On the other hand, there is something about that number that gives one pause. For instance, in theory, I am ten years away from retirement age. (Feel free to insert hysterical laughter here.) Unless I miraculously become a bestselling author, I will probably never actually be able to retire, but still, I'm suddenly much more focused on getting my financial ducks in a row.

And then there's the body. Oy. I don't so much mind the silver strands in my hair that have, in the last couple of years, become silver streaks. I just tell people it is nature's highlighting, or that I am going blonde one hair at a time. I think I look pretty good for my age (thanks, mom and dad--really appreciate the good genes!), but I'm starting to feel the effects of spending the last few years mostly sitting in a chair in front of a computer. I've been saying for ages that I was going to get back to exercising. Looking 55 in the face seems to have motivated me to actually do so.

Mostly, it makes me think about priorities. Nothing lasts forever. At 55, I have to acknowledge the fact that my parents are getting older. (They're like, 60 now, right? They had me VERY young.) My nieces and my nephew are getting on with their own lives. If I want to spend time with these people, I'd better get around to it.

My maternal grandmother lived to be almost 100--my other grandparents died much younger. Even if I want to take her as the best case scenario, I am now over halfway through my life. That's okay--big huge swaths of the earlier years stunk out loud. I plan to make the rest of them count. Starting with this one.

Mostly I'm just kind of amazed by that number. But hey, it's just the speed limit in some places. Nothing to get all worked up about, right? Please pass the cake...if you dare.

Don't forget to enter my 55th birthday 5 book giveaway HERE -- it's on until Monday the 27th at midnight, EST.

55th Birthday 5 Book Giveaway!

I find it a bit hard to believe, but I am turning 55 this coming Tuesday. Good grief. How time flies when you've been having...well, whatever this is.

I plan to do a nice deep philosophical post on turning 55. But to keep you amused until I get to it, I figured I'd celebrate with another giveaway. Yes, I realize that most people get presents for their birthdays, but I'd rather give them. And since I am turning 5-5, I thought it only fitting to give away 5 signed books! (Each one may also come with some kind of goodie...a bookmark, a broom pen, whatever I'm in the mood for that day.) I'll announce the winners next Tuesday, on The Day.

I will be giving away THREE copies of the new Llewellyn book, Everyday Witchcraft: Making Time for Spirit in a Too-Busy World and one copy each of the novels, Wickedly Dangerous and Wickedly Wonderful 

DO NOT wish me a happy birthday yet (grin).

If you want to give me a present, you can pick one or both of my favorite entry options: Post a new review of one of my books (if you posted one before, thank you SO much, but it doesn't count for the purposes of this contest--although you can certainly take a previous review and post it in a new place--Amazon, B&N, or Goodreads for instance) AND/OR buy a book. Obviously, it would be nice if you bought one of mine. But if there is some other author whose book is on your list, buy that. Just buy a book, any book. This makes me happy. (If you can't afford to buy one, go get one out of the library! And while you're there, feel free to suggest that they get my books, if they don't have them.)

Or you can pick any of the other options, of course, including telling me what you would give me for a birthday gift, if you could give me anything in the world.

Of course, I already have the best gift there is--all of you. Thank you so much for spending at least part of the last year with me. I look forward to the next one...

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