August...my birthday month, usually very hot. When I had a t
herapy practice, the month for vacation. In 1983, particular focus for therapists and their clients arrived in a new book, Judith Rossner's novel, simply titled, "August." Looking for a link to add here, I am sad to read that Rossner died--in August--two years ago, at 70.
Never one to make public my natal day (till this post), I was surprised to be wished, "Happy Birthday" as I stepped into my friend Bethene's apartment for lunch. As usual, we had a list of important things to discuss. But first lunch, Soba Noodle Chicken Salad" pictured here, a different and delicious spin on the familiar. She was delighted to learn that her recipe book, "Cooking for Two," co-authored by Bruce Weinstein, was someone I know from Kitty City where he started the Wednesday Men's Knitting group.
Most of the time we talked about her idea-filled trip to North Carolina for the Women Living in Community conference at the end of June. She has written three posts about it at her blog, Sensei and Sensibility. Shared what I had learned from time spent in meetings for a hoped-for co-housing development in New York City. If this type of idea interests you, look for Jane Porcino's 1991 book, "Living Longer, Living Better: Adventures in Community Housing for the Second Half of Life."
Bethene passed along something useful she had learned about facilitating work in partnerships, the State of Grace Document. The idea is people need to begin by clarifying goals as well as acknowledge what causes stress for each before beginning a shared task--in business, organization, or personal life. There's much more to it. I can think of times that it would have been very important if I'd told someone on a committee what my limits were--too many phone calls, for example.
My contribution to lunch was raspberries and blackberries. Both of us are good at eating and talking! The one question still on my mind is how she found out it was my birthday, but that mystery enhances my pleasure with this unexpected gift. I told her that my personal goal is to accomplish something special in time for the next one--seventy-five.
If you're wondering about a gift for next year (Bethene tried to find something artful in the hen category), I'd like to make a request. Peace--for all of us. Please work on it over the next 12 months.
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A very happy birthday to you with many many returns.
See you in Knitty soon :-)
Posted by: Karen | August 11, 2007 at 10:54 PM
Happy birthday, Naomi!
Posted by: Claude | August 12, 2007 at 02:30 AM
Now we all know it's your birthday! A Leo?
Posted by: Rhea | August 12, 2007 at 09:10 AM
Happy birthday to you!
Posted by: archcrone | August 12, 2007 at 03:12 PM
Happy Birthday, Naomi!!!! May a gracious and loving God grant your wish!
Posted by: Kay Dennison | August 12, 2007 at 10:10 PM
Happy Birthday. Working toward your wish is a wonderful gift for all.
I remember reading that book many many years ago. I'm sorry to hear that the author died.
Posted by: Jennifer | August 13, 2007 at 01:47 PM
I love being surprised on my birthday! I tried to check out Sensei and Sensibility, but the link was broken :(
Posted by: susannah | August 13, 2007 at 02:35 PM
Hey, Happy Birthday!
August is a big birthday month for us - my son, my niece and my nephew....
Posted by: donna | August 13, 2007 at 09:25 PM
Dear Naomi,
You do get around--and you keep your eyes open! It is always such fun to find out what you've seen, done, thought about--and more. That you knew the author of my cookbook was a surprise. Not surprisingly, the afternoon was filled with them. I'm delighted I could "surprise" you, too, with "Happy Birthday, Naomi!"
Posted by: Bethene LeMahieu | August 14, 2007 at 10:03 AM
Happy Birthday, Naomi. Have you seen the relatively-recent book, "Senior Cohousing", by Charles Durrett (Ten Speed Press)? It gets to the core of many of the community issues you're looking at. I'm studying in that area of practice and also the "Beacon Hill Village" model for creating community in place and hiring a neighborhood care/transportation coordinator through a nonprofit that does referrals and education as well.
Raines Cohen
Cohousing Coach
Berkeley, CA
Posted by: Raines Cohen | August 14, 2007 at 11:43 AM
Happy Birthday! Sure wish I could wrangle peace for ya.
Posted by: dez | August 14, 2007 at 01:11 PM
Wow! The happiest of birthdays to you!! What is it with you folks who do not tell your actual d.o.b?? My friend Gemma died two years ago, and still nobody outside of her immediate family has been able to figure out the precise day of her birth. She really really did not want people to know.
Posted by: m.e. | August 14, 2007 at 03:44 PM
A belated but nonetheless sincere "Happy Birthday" wish to you.
Posted by: joared | August 16, 2007 at 04:27 AM
Hi Naomi
Wishing you a very happy birthday!!!!
I'm a Leo too! Leo's are very nice people. ;-)
Posted by: mildred garfield | August 16, 2007 at 06:11 PM
Belated happy birthday greetings! We've been out of town and then I was slow to get back to my blog reading.
Posted by: doulicia | August 17, 2007 at 09:16 AM
Wow, I'm glad I clicked on your post! Belated birthday wishes to you!
HAP-PY birthday to ya!/hap-py birthday to ya!/happy bir-r-r-th-day!––Lyrics from the Martin Luther King Birthday celebration, sung by Stevie Wonder; it now suppliments the traditional "happy birthday" song.
I'm stuck here at work, so I can't sing it. Enjoy your birthday for the rest of the month!
Posted by: sahara | August 17, 2007 at 06:16 PM