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This morning Aaron built a low earth-retaining wall around the greenhouse. As usual, I made him a print of the photograph.
Mum is afflicted by severe macular degeneration. This means that she now only has peripheral vision, that is that she cannot see the centre of any subject. My ingenuity in producing a Birthday Card was therefore somewhat taxed. I took the centre of one of the red seaweed pictures from 26th September and expanded it. Trimming it to size, Jackie then produced the finished article. The idea was to tell her that whatever she can see covers the whole image.
Although it is not actually her birthday until tomorrow, when she will be visiting us, a special tea had been arranged for today at Elizabeth’s. Adam, Thea, and Jasper are all ill, so could not attend. Jackie and I stood in for them. Danni and Andy had produced beautifully textured scones, Victoria sponge, muffins; and delightful, egg, tuna and cucumber, and ham sandwiches. Elizabeth had produced a moist carrot cake and cooked her grandson Jasper’s favourite chipolata sausages, so we just had to help out.
Danni settled Mum in her favourite chair.
Today would have been our brother Chris’s birthday; Mum paid homage to this; and I passed on messages from our cousin Yvonne and her father, our Uncle Ben.
We tucked into the food on offer, and Elizabeth and I drank Calvet merlot 2016 while the others drank teas, coffee, and orange juice. This, of course, meant that Jackie and I could partake of nothing more when we arrived home this evening.
Danni and Jackie assisted with lighting and extinguishing the cake candles.
Finally, the soon to be birthday girl opened her cards, and, with a little help, was able to decipher the seaweed.
Wow this is just lovely! Happy birthday!
Many thanks, Lynn
95, how wonderful! Happy Birthday to the birthday girl!
Many thanks, Cheryl. Will pass it on tomorrow
Oh, this is so lovely – Her smiles say it all.
Many thanks, Jodie
Nice,thoughtful card making. My favourite kind of tea. Happy Birthday to Mum.
Many thanks, Mary. Will pass it on tomorrow
The idea with the card is really good! Happy Birthday to the Birthday Girl!
Many thanks, John. Will pass it on
A special celebration for a special lady. Cheers! Lovely photos, Derrick.
Thanks very much, Jill
The card idea was very clever – and your mum looks extremely chipper for 95 years old! You have a remarkable family Derrick! <3
Very many thanks, Pauline. Except for my Dad (70, and Chris, also 70), they do tend to be long-lived. X
Happy Birth Day to Derrick’s Mum. 😀
Thanks a lot, Widders. Will let her know
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Mum!
Will pass it on, Donna. Many thanks.
Aaron looks talented.
He’s a real find, especially as my knees are shot. Thanks, Jim
Happy, happy day to your mother! My mouth was watering as I read the description of the food. Sounds like you had quite a feast.
Very many thanks, Laurie. We did our best to make up for the absentees, but will have to eat more today. 🙂
These are the poignant moments in life, aren’t they? It was such a pleasure to read and I always appreciate your accompanying photographs.
Many thanks, Dinata. Quite so.
Hope your mum had a happy birthday. How lovely this is ? And such a lovely touch making the card.
Many thanks, Miriam
What a kind and sensitive gesture to tailor that card for your lovely Mum, Derrick. Well done. She is blessed to be 95, as are you all to be a part of her life. Happy Birthday to her.
Many thanks Van. Will pass on the birthday greetings
WOW! Happy Birthday dear lady!??
Thanks very much, Elisabet. Will pass it on.
How wonderful to be able to celebrate this special milestone with a mum who is still going strong – despite the pest of macular degeneration. A very thoughtful way to get around it. That feast is daunting! I would have completely lost my head over it. Happy birthday to your mum xx
Many thanks, Gwen. I haven’t eaten anything more yet (at 8.15 a.m.) ?
Happy soon to be #95 birthday to your Mum. ? ?
I am sure the pink seaweed card was interesting and at least, memorable! ?
The moist carrot cake, sandwiches, scones and muffins all looked delicious.
Sounded like a lovely party gathering.
It was good, thanks, Robin. Will convey your message today.
Happy birthday to your Mum, Derrick. What a fabulous feast you all set forth for her, and the cake looked fabulous. She looked pretty darn good herself! And what a great idea to create something she could experience as a whole in your pink seaweed. I like the picture lighting the candles.
Thanks very much, Lisa. Will pass on your birthday wishes.
She’s going to make the ‘ton’ no worries; looks a picture of health and happiness, well done mum 😀
As for the spread that’s the tucker I like to sit down to now. Wish my scones turned out like that, I bugger them up every time 🙁
Thanks very much, Brian. The scones were Andy’s work. I was well impressed. Actually Mum is really very frail, but has all her marbles. Will pass on your congratulations.
I liked the open title of the post. Aaron must have an album full of images created by you. I am touched by the idea of the greeting card for your mother. For all the advancements of technology, we haven’t found a cure for macular degeneration. It’s time to grow corneas and retinas in labs. On a personal note, I can savour image intensive posts such as yours better after I acquired an iPad recently. Multiple maladies afflicting my eyes have rendered prolonged reading on a smartphone painful. I too have spread the seaweed, you see.
Sorry to read about your eyes, which makes your careful reading even more appreciated. Actually, I have given Aaron an album so he has a portfolio to display. Thanks very much, Uma
Happy 95th Birthday to your Mum, and she seems to be doing so well.
Thanks, Ivor. I will pass it on
Your mom is so beautiful Derrick and moreover she is lucky to have you and Jackie.
Hip hip hurray!
Many thanks, Rupali
Sounds like a peaceful day full of love. How considerate of you to tailor-make the birthday card!
Many thanks, Geetha. The card worked.
Most welcome Derrick 🙂
looked like a lovely way to spend a birthday <3
Many thanks, Kim
Macular degeneration is difficult to live with. It seems that your mother is still going strong. Having a loving family helps so much!
Many thanks, Diane
Happy 95 to your beautiful Mum, Derrick! She looks happy in the pictures.
Many thanks, Inese. She was.
Happy Birthday to your mom! My 95-year-old mom also has macular degeneration.
The birthday tea looks and sounds (and I’m sure tasted) delicious! I hope your mom had a wonderful time.
She did, Merril. Many thanks
Belated Happy Birthday to your Mum! Her special tea looks wonderful and I like the card idea very much. My mother has macular degeneration too and has injections to keep it under control.
Many thanks, Clare. Mum has been having the injections for some time, but now has only peripheral vision in only one eye. I hope your mother’s is better controlled.
Thanks Derrick. Mum has had the injections for just over two years but were not begun before some damage had been done. Mum’s eyesight is deteriorating, but slowly. She also has glaucoma and cataracts!
Same for my Mum
I meant to say how sorry I am that your Mum’s eyesight has got so bad.
Thanks again. Her hearing and her mind are fine.
Your mother looks wonderful at 95, Derrick!
It sounds like your brother Chris is deceased? I am sorry.
Thanks a lot, Lavinia. Chris, younger than me, died 3 years ago. I paid him this tribute: https://derrickjknight.com/2014/10/17/christopher-michael-knight-1-10-1943-17-10-2014/
It’s wonderful you have all those photos and good memories of him, Derrick. Thank you for the link to his memorial post.
Thanks again. Much appreciated
Your mother is smiling and very happy on her birthday. Clearly, you’re a good son.
Greeting.
Many thanks, Walter
You touch my heart, Derrick. Thanks so much for sharing all the love and delicious pastries. I’m now tempted to run to the bakery and eat at least half a dozen cookies and cupcakes!
Very many thanks, Rose
what a thoughtful and very creative concept for a birthday card 🙂
Many thanks, msw. It seemed to work
Another great family party. – you are very lucky.
Iam. Thank you very much, Quercus