I am not sure why but birthdays always bring out the contemplative side of me and, especially, those that end with a zero as happened today. I really do not have any issues with getting older as it is inevitable. I always told my mother when she complained about getting older that you have two choices 1.) birthdays or 2.) obituary. I will always opt for a birthday.

One advantage of my life is that I do not look my age so no one ever accurately guesses my age. As I wrote in an earlier post, Hugo said I ran like a 25 year old – someone else mentioned the same in a birthday text I received.

But with all that said, today was one where I thought about life and where it has brought me and where it will take me. I am happy of where life has brought me. I have lived a very interesting and full life. I have experienced both highs and lows but the highs have greatly outweighed the lows. I have traveled to 33 countries and 49 states and experienced many cultures and people.

I am currently living my best life. I am retired and live half a year in Toulouse, France and half the year in Alexandria, VA. I have a good balance of enjoying French life and culture. I am experiencing a new and different way of life. The other half of life is spending it with my friends and doing all the things I enjoy with them. I have good health and can run the way I want, be totally mobile and do what I like physically. I have the financial freedom to live the life I want which is a blessing.

The only thing I miss is having someone to share my life with but that has never happened. It would be nice to share life but it definitely does not stop me from living life to the fullest.

Enough of the contemplative portion of life. I am looking forward to the future and seeing what the next decade of my life brings.

The day itself was very fun. I got up and did my regular trip to the St. Aubin farmer’s market and shopped at the stands I like. I had a fun conversation in French with the olive purveyor which is a step forward in my French. It was a banal conversation about the weather but I still could do it without translating every word and speak freely.

Next stop was Maison Pillon, the chocolatier that makes fantastic chocolatines. This is my treat for Sunday as I would be tempted to have one every day but even with running that would not be good for my weight. When I got home, I had a great breakfast of fresh strawberries with cream, the chocolatine and Earl Grey tea. This is a great start.

My table looks messy with my iPad and some wires, my wallet and other odds and ends. Definitely will have to clean it up with my OCD kicking in.

After breakfast, I headed to Saint Sernin for Palm Sunday service. My birthday always falls with Lent and Easter Week depending on the calendar. I think my birthday has twice been on Easter Monday but always during the Lent/Easter week period. Good Friday is never a good day for a birthday so I was glad it was Palm Sunday this year. The English language services started late because the earlier service ran late. The service was packed, the most people I have ever seen at the service. It was a nice service with added music and the procession of the palms. I still sometimes get distracted as the basilica is still open to tourists during the service so there are lots of people just wandering around as we celebrate. I understand the reason but it can be disconcerting.

I had my normal lunch in the afternoon and read. Reading is one of my main activities here in Toulouse (and generally). It is good for the brain as well as keeps me occupied.

Around 6:00, I headed to the Reserve for an aperitif. I love the bar and have an Aperol Spritz when there. It is very lively and has a fun atmosphere.

For dinner, I had reservations at La Braisière. It is a restaurant that grills meat and other food on a wood fire in the center of the restaurant. The restaurant had been recommended by Evrim at Le Panache. I had taken Jesse and Jen there for dinner when they visited and they both enjoyed it.

I like it because it has foie gras. I know that many people believe that the way it is created is inhumane but I really like it. The tour guide who gave a tour of the market said it is not really cruel so I am going with that view. The foie gras at La Braisière is made by the restaurant. It is rich but they serve it with onion jam which breaks some of the intensity.

For dinner, I had lamb chops which is one of my favorite meals. I had them two days in a row which shows how much I like them. The restaurant provides roast potatoes and salad. I guess the restaurant does not have many single diners as the servings of both the potatoes and salad are more than one person can eat. The meal was great!

I had a nice bottle of Cahors to accompany the meal. They are one of the few restaurants where I can get a half bottle which is both more cost effective and is just the right amount of wine for me.

I received a lot of birthday wishes by text which added to the pleasure of the day. Getting older is not that bad.

I saw a quote that said you cannot get older and wiser without being young and crazy. I definitely lived the young and crazy part of life and hope I am getting older and wiser but in reality I think I am just older and still crazy. It works for me.

All in all it was a good birthday!