Saturday
Apr172010
Lulu and I: The Sublime and the Ridiculous
Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 12:28 AM (...or a week in the life of a Bailey Tomlin fascinator - see this post)
If I wanted to test the adaptability of my fanciful friend, I couldn‘t have devised a better trial than today. Talk about extremes…
It’s my birthday. And it’s a special one.
My friend, Rachael, and I were born on the very same day. Yet in the almost 29 years we’ve known each other, we’ve never once spent our birthday together. Until today. We finally did it. Celebrated in the same place at the same time. And of course Lulu came too.
The three of us met in Harrogate where Lulu was in her element. Harrogate is just the kind of genteel town in which she feels most at home. For the first time this week, I felt truly comfortable!
During lunch at Betty’s, Rachael drew two winners for last week’s spectacular Florentine give-away (congratulations to Tessa and to Tracy!). Then we took a walk in the Valley Gardens, where Lulu garnered some admiring looks. The weather was utterly perfect. All in all, it was sublime.
But then…..the ridiculous. Lulu in a pig sty! This evening saw the final pig pen ceilidh before the lighter nights make us take a break from such gatherings. In honour of the occasion, we had real, live musicians serenading us and the pigs.
Ridiculous the idea may have been - Lulu amidst the muck and straw and swine - but she was entirely at ease in the situation. And the most gigglesome surprise greeted us: several friends sporting fascinators in sympathy and support - and for the sheer fun of it! (But can you believe I failed to take any photos of this hatty abundance? Grrr!)
Reader Comments (10)
NO!
Delighted to hear that you had such a wonderful, varied birthday. Harrogate would be lovely in the sunshine and with Rachel at your side and Lulu on your head. Do wish you'd been able to take photos of all the fascinators in the pig pen!
What a fabulous, funny birthday story! I am glad your day was filled with friends and fascinators!
Pleased to hear you had such a lovely day. Lulu must have wondered where to next? Do let us know
Happy Birthday, Helen! Wishing you a beautiful day, a beautiful year! And thank you for the wonderful, generous giveaway... I still can't believe I've won..such fun! I look forward to the treats--thanks so much! :o)
Glad you hear about your wonderful day of birthday celebration!
Have a beautiful year.
Happy, Happy Birthday, Helen! Happy to know you are here on this earth, and even happier that I know you.
I have to tell you, I saw someone wearing something very similar to Lulu (except it was red) this morning, and I nearly jumped out of my skin. I was in the nearby town of Hudson, browsing at vintage clothing "trunk show" in a sweet little coffee shop. I could have kicked myself for not having my camera, I have been trying to take it everywhere. I simply had to talk to this woman, so I made my way over and asked . . .ever so shyly . . ."excuse me, but are you wearing a 'Fascinator"? . . . leaning in for that moment of recognition. She did not know what I was talking about; she is a hat designer who has a studio nearby, but she was delighted with what I had to tell her about you and Lulu. There are many kindred souls walking about this world. I told her over and over how wonderful she looked, all the time with you in my heart. Funny that this should happen on your birthday.
Wishing you a year of health, happiness, love, and many fascinations. xx, K
Delighted to hear that Tessa won one of your prizes. I remember her from many years ago with much affection
dear beauty*
it's still your birthday here, in my home.
happy, happy, happy day to you, lovely.
blessings,
gem
It sounds like a wonderful day, containing all the elements of a full, rich life -- which of course includes the ridiculous. Bummed that we don't get to see the sympathy fascinators! Were any of the wearers men?