Weekending: Birthday Style

Hello readers of Carole Knits. Dale here to write a special birthday post for Carole. It’s been a while since I’ve had this opportunity to write for you all and when Carole asked me to do this for today I readily agreed. Of course, that was the easy part. Coming up with a clever idea for a post, that’s the tricky part.

I’m a big fan of Carole Knits and I am amazed that she has done this consistently for so long and so well and she continues to come up with new ideas, thoughts, and angles 5 days a week! Then it hit me, why even come up with my own idea? It’s Monday and it’s Carole’s birthday so I humbly present . . . Weekending, The Birthday Edition.

This weekend began on Thursday afternoon. We were babysitting a cat (I’ll explain why later) and when we returned home from work the cat was missing. I mean really missing. Carole was in full panic mode and muttering, I can’t lose someone else’s cat, this can’t be happening, but I was confident that the cat could not have gotten out. Sure enough, after about 30 minutes and 4 times through the house Carole found him behind a chair, under a quilt, in her studio. Thank goodness, right?

I had a Board of Directors meeting with our Kiwanis Club and left for that shortly after we found Tiger The Cat. I have no idea what Carole did while I was gone but I came back with Jo-Ann and we had pizza and wine and an all-around very pleasant evening.

We both had Friday off (I’m recently returned to work, did you know?) but there’s always plenty to do at home. Carole walked down to our sister-in-law Mary’s house to help her with a technical problem, when she came back she hooked up a surround system for our new TV and we spent the rest of the day each doing our own hobbies and tasks. At 5pm, though, we were in front of the TV watching the daughter of our friends Tom and Anne get married. We would have attended this wedding but due to COVID restrictions they had to cut the guest list from 150 to 100 then down to 50. This is where the cat comes in . . . we were asked to have Tiger, the bride and groom’s cat, here with us for a few days while everyone was at an inn for the wedding. Happily, Tiger wasn’t hiding on Friday and he watched the wedding live with us, I’m even pretty sure he recognized the voices of his people! Our evening was going along nicely until we got the news about RBG. Carole was devastated and cried hot tears for quite a while. I’m sure she’ll have more to say about that soon.

Saturday morning Carole ran out to pick up her flower share (dahlias, right? I don’t know but they are very pretty) and in the afternoon we went to our Town Hall for a ceremony dedicating a POW/MIA chair in memory and honor of a WWII veteran from our town who, as it happens to be, was one of Carole’s favorite library patrons when she was the Director of our town library. Delivering a speech to honor him was very special for her and I can tell you that her speech was awesome.

After the ceremony we went to a nursery to get plants and pumpkins and gourds to decorate our front door and then to the local lobster pound to get provisions for our Saturday evening dinner. When we returned home, Carole decorated the outside for fall (she had done the inside earlier) and then it was time for a drink on the deck. Normally we go out for a special dinner to celebrate but again, with the COVID stuff, we felt more comfortable staying home. We had lobsters (she makes me put them in the pot, FYI) and baked potato, conversation and music. It was even better than going out, at least to me . . . even if Carole did weigh the lobsters to make sure she got the biggest one!

Sunday mornings are quiet around here but in the afternoon we headed to Sean and Michael’s for a very small outdoor gathering to celebrate the birthday. We had a really great time hanging out with friends, eating good food, and celebrating. Life felt normal for a while and it was so nice, especially the macaroni and cheese and chocolate cake!

And now here it is, Monday morning. It’s Carole’s 55th birthday and we’re both back to work, feeling content and happy about the weekend we had.

My hope in writing this post is to let Carole know how much I admire and appreciate everything she does and, man, she does so much! During this strange year she has maintained a sense of normalcy for me. She’s doing her librarian job, as well as her work as an elected official, she volunteers in our community, and she works hard to keep our family close. On top of that, she continues to explore new hobbies (there’s a lot of yoga going on here recently) and skills (I heard her yesterday discussing a wedding sweater for Hannah) and she continues to teach me new things. Just this weekend she taught me how to fold a queen sized sheet so that it doesn’t get wrinkled! Also, I just finished reading Hamnet and she just finished the latest Louise Penny and we discussed them together in place of our old book club gathering. Again, keeping things normal and keeping me sharp – which could honestly be a full time job!

What’s even more amazing is that she’s been doing all of this without a lot of help from me for the past four months. She’s been my rock since the accident and I count my blessings every day. We talked about how altered this birthday would have been for her if the outcome of my accident had been . . . well . . . different . . . and we’re both grateful for this life we have together. Yes, it’s different these days and it makes me think of that great line from a Kathy Mattea song, while the world outside my window goes insane, you’re here to remind me, a few good things remain.

Happy Birthday, Carole. Thanks for being the glue that holds this life we have together.

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This Post Has 37 Comments

  1. Happiest of Birthdays to you, Carole! Wishing you a wonderful day and a blessed year ahead! ??????? You did an awesome job, Dale! ???

  2. Happy Birthday, Carole and Bravo, Dale! I’m so glad for both of you that things did not turn out differently, that you got to enjoy a lovely birthday weekend together, complete with dahlias, a wedding, Tiger, macaroni and cheese, and unwrinkled queen sheets. There is much love and respect between you and I’m grateful that you give readers a glimpse of what marriage can be. I hope you both stay safe and healthy and have a great year ahead!

  3. A really lovely post, Dale. I appreciate your sentiments and willingness to share your thoughts with Carole’s loyal crowd. I think you are both lucky to have one another, and it’s fabulous that you are mindful of that. Happy Birthday, Carole!

  4. Happy, happy birthday, Carole! I loved this cameo post by Dale, and it’s clear just how much he loves and appreciates you. I hope that by the time your next birthday rolls around, the world is in a better place so that you can celebrate with everyone you love!

  6. Oh, Dale. Now you’ve made me cry! What a beautiful post for my beautiful friend. XO
    Happy birthday, Carole!
    And well done, Dale!

  7. Happy birthday, Carole. How delightful to hear about the weekend, and you, in Dale’s voice. It’s a wise man that recognizes and acknowledges the skill, beauty and joy his wife brings to him and the world. Seeing how you two respect and honor each other is always a good way to start my day.

    Now, how many more days of sneaky cat management lie ahead? >^^<

  8. Dear Dale: great post. Now could you please take a video of Carole folding a fitted sheet so it doesn’t wrinkle? And post it here? Thanks!

    Oh, and Happy Birthday Carole!

  10. Wonderful Dale! (My line regarding Doug is Pink Floyd’s-you rearrange me ‘til I’m sane). Wishing Carole the Happiest of Birthdays!

  11. Happy birthday, Carole. Dale’s post is a lovely combination of the day-to-day unrolling of events in a good marriage, and a tribute to the underpinnings that make it work.

  15. Happy Birthday Carole!!! I love this post so, so much. You both just exude the true meaning of happiness and a strong support. And, I must say I was pretty happy to be one of the first to know Mr. Dale was driving my girls again. 🙂 It sounds like you both had an amazing weekend and Carole you truly deserve it and more! There are so many things I could say about this post as there was so much covered but I will keep it brief and just say YOU Carole are certainly a rock in your family and they are all so lucky to have you! Cheers to many, many more years!

  18. What a loving birthday guest post! Sounds like a wonderful weekend with the scary stuff (lost cat, RBG, and what might have been) making the sweet parts (weddings, flowers, cozy life) all the sweeter!
    Happy birthday, Carol!

  22. Awwww, such a wonderful post about one of my favorite people ? Great job, Dale! And happy 55th to my best friend – glad I don’t have to navigate this crazy world without your beautiful soul ?

  23. Happy Birthday, dear Carole! Do you know I was 55 when we met(?) (15 years ago!) and I feel very fortunate to have watched you become who you are today. In my eyes, you have grown more vivacious, stronger in presence, and even more beautiful within. Not really having the words to tell you how I see this evolution over 15 years, I will say you are a very caring and dear friend and I feel fortunate to know you and to be one (of many) who hears your stories and loves every word. XO

  24. Happy birthday Carole! And great post, Dale. Life is kinda hard right now, but being able to share is the greatest gift. Thank you both for that.

  25. What a wonderful salute to you from your favourite romantic guy!! Happy, Happy, Happy Birthday and enjoy many, many more!

  27. Happiest of Birthday to you. You are kind yet gifted with many talents. Dale, you did a great job in honoring her birthday and lifestyle. You both are partners for life. Enjoy ? and tackle life each day with love ??. I too, cried uncontrollably with the passing of RBG.

  28. Well done, Dale! I am so glad that you are back to work! I thought of both of you this weekend while I was immersed in the War of 1812 history and the Battle of Lake Erie. (Steve was less than impressed, just sayin’)

    Happy, happy, happy Birthday Carole! May this be the best year yet! XOXO

  30. OH MY GOODNESS, I love that Dale is back … and what a beautiful post. Carole, every word is true. and I hope you’re taking it all in. Bestest birthday wishes!! with love, Mary

  31. Happy Birthday beautiful friend! I agree with Dale. You are pretty amazing! Ox
    Dale well said… You are a lucky guy.

  33. Happy Birthday Carole! I have always liked the phrase, we aren’t getting older, we are getting better! You are amazing how you take adversity and tackle it head on. You are an inspiration!

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