61


 I wrote a whole post this morning and read it then binned it.
Suffice to say I feel a little odd
61….
Yes just a little odd. 

Shortly I’m going to wash my face, put on a clean new shirt and my lovely and lurid green shoes and will meet a friend for breakfast at Bryn Williams. 
Early evening I’m going to see the Finnish action film Sisu which is a real horror fest by all accounts.
I have opened a few gifts this morning (my nephew sent me a new pencil case for college in September which was lovely) and I will fit in a cry this afternoon, birthdays get you like that sometimes

Thank you for your kind wishes, cards and messages .I’m very lucky to have so many, and I appreciate each and every one….

Look at the photo carefully and you will see Dorothy asleep with a tea towel in her mouth
I had used it to wipe up some sweet Korean dipping sauce and she’s been sucking the drips

Ps 

Thanks to an anonymous friend a pair of Albert Socks 


My birthday gift to myself my own red footed dinosaur sculpture



208 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday, I hope you have a lovely day ... wearing those shoes it's pretty much guaranteed, if anything goes wrong just look down and you will have to smile.

    Sixty one is not a bad age, sixty three is slightly badder. Spell check hates me at times ;-)

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    1. My dear sue xx I miss your pragmatism

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  2. It's just a number John, happy birthday.

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  3. Happy Birthday John xx

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  4. Dorothy is a clever one, just sleeping like a real child!

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  5. Two years ahead of you, John. Come on in - the water's fine. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

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  6. Happy Birthday young man x

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  7. Mary D9:41 am

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOHN,ENJOY YOUR DAY X

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  8. Anonymous9:46 am

    Happy Birthday 61 isn't old your coming into your best years as we age we care less what other people think. Look in the mirror and think that is me and I am a good kind person and that is more then enough.
    Regards
    Irene

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  9. Not a time for crying - Celebrate! Well done on another birthday.

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  10. Happy Birthday John. Have a lovely day. You are exactly two years and one week younger than me as my birthday was last Thursday. The number matters less after sixty I think. Hope you enjoy the film.

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    Replies
    1. It was forgettable but entertaining in an odd way

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  11. Anonymous10:16 am

    Happy birthday! May this be the best year yet!

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  12. Anonymous10:19 am

    Wishing you a very happy birthday or as they say over here "buon compleanno" ~ enjoy your special day. In the end numbers are only numbers!! Hugs Ro (n.w. italy)

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    1. grazie per essere così gentile 🍮☕️

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  13. Anonymous10:26 am

    Happy birthday from us John and we wish you many more x
    Wendy & Tom (Wales)

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  14. Happy, happy birthday, John!

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  15. Have a wonderful birthday, John. I hope the little cry in the afternoon is followed by some laughter this evening.

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    Replies
    1. Well it was followed by a ultra violent Finnish horror film

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  16. Happy birthday, dear, sweet, funny, talented, kind, crotchety, crusty, adorable, John Grey.

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  17. Happy Birthday, have a great day, celebrate being alive.

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  18. weaver11:07 am

    Happy Birthday dear heart (and add all the adjectives Mitchell uses above) - tears are allowed on birthdays - I am thirty years (thirty years!!!) older than you and cry buckets on birthdays (will probably have a little weep for you sometime today). Will just add you are also 'animal lover' par excellence! Much love

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    Replies
    1. Yes….I’m not ashamed in saying so….there was a reason

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  19. What a sweet pic of your pack! And a very happy 61 to you. I never feel my age internally, (62) I feel as if I am still 20-something, only a wiser, calmer, gentler 20-something with strong boundaries!

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  20. Ditto everyone else's birthday wishes to a lovely man, John. With much affection from an almost 75 year old fan of yours here in Kentucky in the U.S.

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  21. Anonymous11:13 am

    Happy birthday you lovely, wonderful man. Wishing you a fun filled day Noreen

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  22. Anonymous11:23 am

    Happy Birthday John! Jackie from Georgia USA

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  23. Anonymous11:26 am

    Happy Birthday John, my favourite multi-mooded, funny, thoughtful, intelligent and very talented blog writer. Enjoy your day xx. Jan in Castle Gresley

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  24. Happy Birthday John! 🎉❤️

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  25. Anonymous11:35 am

    It's just a number. It means you're getting more time to do the things you like to do. Happy Birthday!

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  26. Anonymous11:36 am

    Oops didn't sign. Pat in Pennsylvania

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  27. Anonymous11:37 am

    Have a very happy birthday, may your dreams become reality, and your life be full of love xxxx

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  28. Happy Birthday John you are still just a spring chicken, have a lovely day x

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  29. Wishing you a wonderful day. Happy Birthday John. X

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  30. May the remainder of today be a worthy and supremely contented one. XXX.

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  31. Have a wonderful day, John! Happy Birthday!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for your card xx deArheart x

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  32. Happy birthday sweetie!

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  33. Happy, happy birthday, John. Remember, you're only as old as the man you feel, and I hope there'll be a man for you to feel very soon! xx

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  34. Anonymous12:09 pm

    Happy birthday John enjoy the day x

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  35. Happy Birthday John, 61 is still young ... ish 😃

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  36. Warmest birthday wishes to you.
    Bonnie in Minneapolis

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  37. Anonymous12:25 pm

    Blow all those candles out, John, and don’t cry, it’s only a number! Have a wonderful day!! Happy B day. GG

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  38. Anonymous12:33 pm

    I think a good cry on Birthdays isn't an altogether bad thing - can diffuse the slight weirdness that sometimes comes with any special occasion x
    Happy Birthday and I loved the Doggie pic BTW
    Alison in Wales x

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  39. Happy Birthday my friend. Be happy and celebrate you today. Be as self indulgent as you wish and the world be damned if they object. When we get older (and I am a good few years older than you) we have earned the right to love ourselves and to really appreciate the paths that have brought us this far. The good and the bad. All life lessons that have made you the wonderful man that you are. So, again, I wish you the happiest of birthday ever. With love and hugs.

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    Replies
    1. You are a sweet man too and a wonderful support.
      I bought my dinosaur
      Such a self treat

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  40. Happy Birthday John! Hope you have a wonderful day x

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  41. Anonymous12:54 pm

    Happy birthday! 🎂🎁🎉🎊🥂

    Many more to come …

    From a 64 year old in Virginia, USA.


    -Katie C.

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  42. Happy Birthday, John! Wishing you a terrific year filled with lots of fun adventures and good health! xx

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  43. Happy Birthday John! x

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  44. Happy Birthday, babes!

    *smooches*

    XOXO

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  45. Happy Happy Birthday Day John - Congratulations on your 61 years - ( I do so love being older) - Thankyou for bringing colour to my life - and you John bring pleasure to do many of us far and wide xx🌻

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  46. Wishing you all the best! Have a wonderful B-day. Those green shoes are going to bring you good luck...

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  47. It's not a good birthday without a cry and a laugh. Gold rings on ya, John.

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  48. 🎶🎂🍨👎😢🎶🎁📽️🎟️
    That's all I have to say!!

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  49. Little Sue1:55 pm

    Happy birthday mate, my turn in a couple of weeks. I will definitely fit in a cry.
    *Used to be Dollyclothespeg

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  50. Happy birthday. I turned 66 a few days back. I don't really contemplate it much. It just is what it is.

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  51. Anonymous2:01 pm

    Having been told on my 57th birthday that I might not have a 58th, I now embrace every year as a much valued bonus and am happily anticipating my 63rd. Nothing to cry about - celebrate every crazy second! Bel Ami

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    1. My dear friend….I never want to revisit that time outside All Bar One , when I thought I was losing u

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  52. Happy, Happy Birthday!!!
    Wishing you many, many more journeys around the sun, and may they be filled with good health, laughter, joy, love, friendships, and peace!

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  53. Happy birthday, John! It's a joy to read your blog and keep track of life in my virtually adopted village of Trelawnyd. :)

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  54. Happy birthday John. As one gets older, we must learn to appreciate whatever good things we have around us. I treasure my children, grandchildren, my kitties, good friends, (those who are still living (since I am 82, some of whom are no longer here) and every day I wake up is a good day. I would suggest as you turn 61 it might be wise to adopt a similar attitude. Save the tears for when you really need them.

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    Replies
    1. Ana , I have a great deal to learn , even at 61

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  55. Anonymous2:18 pm

    Happiest of birthdays to you John! Savor every moment. Love this picture, makes me want a nap! Rita from Austin

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  56. Happy birthday John! A day for maybe just a few tears, but also I hope, for happiness and laughter.

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  57. Anonymous2:32 pm

    Happy Birthday John - I hope you had fun. Thanks for sharing your awesome blog - much appreciated. Deb x

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  58. Barbara Anne2:33 pm

    Ah, as someone once said, 'It's mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter!'
    Happy 61st Birthday to you and Janet!! May the year ahead bring much joy!

    Hugs!

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  59. Wishing you the Happiest of Birthdays John, another year of good times and great friendships xx
    Hugs,
    ~Jo

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  60. Happy Birthday John 🎂🎁🎊🎉

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  61. Happy Birthday. I am with you on the crying. 70 smacked me in the face in March and I am still trying to accept it.

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  62. Happy Birthday John!

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  63. You're wished the happiest of days John.
    The dinosaur is wonderful!

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  64. Happy Birthday John Gray. I sure am glad you were born!

    Many happy returns! xx

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  65. Jackie M4:24 pm

    Good friends,meaningful work and the best animal companions...so yes, a Happy Birthday. I wish you many more.

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  66. Anonymous4:27 pm

    Happy Birthday! Don't cry, look what you have accomplished this year! Carry on! Jen

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    1. Anonymous5:07 pm

      I understand why u have a little weep. Birthdays can be a tiny bit harder when you are single

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    2. We cry for all sorts of reasons …grief, memories ,

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  67. I do love the Albert socks.

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  68. Happy Birthday John and thank you for writing your blog, I really enjoy reading it xxx

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  69. Happy Birthday , hope it last all year!

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  70. Happy happy birthday John! I hope you've had a lovely day xxx

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  71. Anonymous5:48 pm

    Happy Birthday John.
    Xxx
    Debbie in London

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  72. Replies
    1. Thank younYP XXX MUCH LOVE MY FRIEND

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  73. Anonymous6:44 pm

    Wishing you a happy day - knowing how much you are loved and treasured Jane x

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    1. Thank u …I’m feeling well loved today

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  74. The Albert socks are absolutely perfect! Love 'em!
    The red-footed dinosaur sculpture is adorable and looks wonderful amongst your houseplants!
    Looks like you've started your next journey around the sun wonderfully!
    Be well, John dear. xxx

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  75. Happy Birthday John xx

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  76. Anonymous7:06 pm

    Happy Birthday, John. I look forward to reading your posts every day! Take good care of yourself. Carol in Atlanta

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    1. A southern lady , and the home of the Walking Dead xx

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  77. Anonymous7:38 pm


    Happy birthday John
    Tayz x

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  78. Happy, Happy Birthday John, I hope it went swimmingly! The socks are perfect but the dinosaur is spectacular... I love him. The picture of Dorothy sleeping with a tea towel is a treasure; it would make a wonderful jigsaw puzzle picture. 61 is but a number, I tell myself, reaching that age in February this year made me very anxious but I try to live everyday as if it's my last...but hoping to have many many more as indeed I wish for you.

    Jo in Auckland

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    1. Anonymous7:55 pm

      May happy bumps of the day young un. hope it has been a good one. Pattypanx

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    2. Jo and patty
      Thank u 😼

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  79. Anonymous8:04 pm

    Happy birthday, John...wishing you many happy, healthy returns. Irene in Arizona

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  80. A good start to what has hopefully been a lovely day xx

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    Replies
    1. It’s been nice and full and I’ve been spoilt greatly x

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  81. Happy Birthday, John. At 67 I can assure you, the best is yet to come! With love from Julie in L.A. xo

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    1. Julie….I’m feeling greatly supported today x

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  82. Happy Birthday and the best of wishes for the coming year.
    Linda from Alabama

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  83. Oh John GG, I hope your day was spectacularly fun. And 61 is nothing - I just had one with a big 83 on it! Jog on, my friend!

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    1. I know …..I doubt I will reach 83 dear one

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  84. SueJay9:05 pm

    Happy Birthday - what’s left of it. Hope you have had a good day.

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  85. Eagle eyes9:34 pm

    Just as you snapped a picture of the roses on your window sill a jogger was jogging by!
    In his jogging vest to the left of the roses.

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  86. Happy Birthday John, hope that a wonderful day.

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  87. Happy birthday!!!!!

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  88. And thank you to everyone who made my birthday a little nicer by being so kind
    I do appreciate it
    Nite xxx

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  89. Anonymous11:13 pm

    Am late to the party as usual, being asleep when it all happens, but Happy Birthday John. Am 4 years behind you and though age doesn't bother me, I'm sure 60 will come as a bit of a shock. Where did the years go? A warm Aussie hug for you. Xxx

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  90. Anonymous11:20 pm

    late to the party as well.......but celebrating your *trip around the sun*! Happy Birthday John
    Susan M

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  91. Anonymous1:02 am

    Happy Birthday from San Francisco!

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  92. Anonymous2:39 am

    Happy birthday from San Diego!

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  93. Happy Birthday. I think in colour and anything 60 is golden. You are just starting your golden decade. The photo of the dogs looks like an old master painting.

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  94. Anonymous3:13 am

    Happy Birthday!

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  95. Anonymous3:14 am

    Happy Birthday from the USA!
    Mary

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  96. PS: I came back to say that I would really love to see a close up of the red footed dinosaur. He has such a wonderful look on his face and that tail is very cool.

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  97. Jan from Perth4:06 am

    Happy birthday from Perth, John!

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  98. Happy Belated birthday John. The Albert socks and pencil case were very thoughtful gifts x

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  99. 194 comments already! I didn't know that pencil cases still existed. Happy birthday John. Spoil yourself!

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  100. A happy belated birthday, John.

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  101. Sending you love and belated birthday wishes John. I adore your socks and sculpture and hope you had a wonderful day. Lots of love and birthday hugs, Sharon x

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  102. Anonymous6:04 am

    A very happy birthday (a day late) to you!
    Moonwaves
    (logged in but it will only let me publish as anonymous, oh well. I'm a very, very infrequent commenter anyway.)

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  103. Anonymous7:07 am

    Happy Birthday, John. I hope you had a decent sort of day. All the best from Sally in Ramsgate

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  104. Happy Birthday, a bit late, from Hertfordshire! Love how those dogs are all snuggled up together on the chair.

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