Another year

I swear I sometimes look in the mirror and say, "Who is that old lady?"

And then I realize it's ME!

I cannot believe that I'm 56-years-old today. I have a friend who scolds me whenever I make my age public. She says that people will start guessing how old she is now!

I don't feel like I'm 56, though I don't know how 56 is supposed to feel. I really don't think I look 56, though I don't know how 56 is supposed to look.

I'm in reasonably good shape, and I'm in pretty good health.

I have a wonderful family and loads of great friends, many of whom have e-mailed or called me.

I had one friend, John Chapiewski , take me to lunch today at one of my favorite restaurants, the RiverMill Cafe. And executive chef/owner Jamie Keating made me a fabulous chocolate cake. And I ate the whole thing. Well, I let John taste.

My friends in the newsroom have all wished me a happy birthday. Sonya brought a bunch of goodies from my favorite bakery, Pat-a-Cakes, for me. I shared those.

Now, I'm on a sugar high.

What more can a girl want?