Birthday with Yellow Ginkgo

That's a ginkgo tree in Golders Hill Park. I love ginkgos for their bright yellow color in fall. I don't see a lot of them here in London, but in New York they're a common tree on streets and in parks, and when I lived there I relished that change of color.

My birthday went well yesterday, though we were busy as all get-out in the library (for some reason) so I didn't think about it for most of the day. We had about 90 check-outs, which may not sound like a lot, but because our coronavirus-prevention measures mean the kids can't come in to get their own books, I ran to a shelf, retrieved a book, checked it out and delivered it to a classroom for many of those transactions. I remember thinking at some point, "Man, I am getting some exercise today!"

My co-workers gave me a bottle of wine and some cookies. There's kind of a funny story behind the wine. Remember that night several weeks ago when we librarians gathered in the evening for drinks? Well, we consumed a bottle of wine that belonged to a co-worker who wasn't there, with the obvious intention of replacing it. Last week, my boss gave me some money and asked me to pick one up, and I went to three wine shops and couldn't find the same brand, so I ordered it online. It came over the weekend, I took it to school yesterday -- and what do you think my birthday present was?! Yes, that SAME bottle of wine.

Dave gave me a new camera bag and a new shirt -- a jungly print with green leaves and a kind of '60s vibe, which I like a lot.

And I had about 80 birthday greetings on Facebook, which is always so great. I love hearing from people I never hear from otherwise. Every year I am reminded that I need to be better about acknowledging people's birthdays on Facebook because it gives me such a boost.

As you can see, my martini did happen. By the way, I don't know why it looks like there's a hideous spot on our couch. It is an incredibly ugly couch, I'll grant you -- we bought it from the former tenants of our flat and we're loath to replace it as long as we have the dog. But honestly, that spot does not exist in real life.

And now it's pouring rain outside. I got up early thinking I'd get the dog walked before work, but I'm sure she's not going to want to go.

The mural graffitist has been at it again. I wish they'd learn to spell.