Written by For our prompt of “Emu,” I made a quick little sketch of an emu contemplating whatever it is that emus typically contemplate. I adore this bird as they have quite an expressive face and always look like they’re having a bad hair day, but can’t be bothered to take the time to fret about it. I woke up this morning and looked in the mirror to find that my own hair was sticking out in all different places. I looked a bit like Tippi Hedren after being attacked by The Birds in that Hitchcock movie. I’ve no idea what dream caused the disaster, but as I looked at myself more closely, I simply started giggling. I looked perfectly ridiculous, but also very much more like my true inner self, a silly little kid who can’t be bothered with propriety or a hairbrush. I just tamped down the most offending bits with some water and went on with my day. I figured that if an emu can’t be bothered with such a trivial thing, then I certainly shouldn’t waste my own precious energy on it either.
Tomorrow is my birthday, so this is the last day that I’ll be just 50 years young. I don’t have anything planned for this one, as 51 is not really a milestone. Though, I think Philippe has some presents coming my way! There are a couple of boxes that I saw him grab at the front door and then rushed up the stairs with them. These days, most of the boxes that arrive contain something for our new puppy, Elliott. He’s quite intelligent and gets bored extremely fast, so we have an elaborate rotation of toys to keep his mind engaged. Indeed, he’s quite a bit like me, really. I do admit that I love getting new toys for my birthday. I love absolutely anything that’s wrapped up as a surprise. As a kid, even the large box that something came in would become a bonus toy, making the experience even cooler. I’m a bit too tall for that now, but that’s really the only thing stopping me from doing the same thing again.
They say, whoever they actually are, that you’re “only as young as you feel.” While this seems rather cliché, there’s been a ton of new science that proves it’s actually very true. Our actual age is indeed just a number, and if we “feel” younger on the inside, it improves our physical and mental health as well. It’s why I’m not at all worried about getting older, and instead, just totally giddy at the prospect of getting some new toys to play with tomorrow. Though little Elliott, will not be pleased that the things inside these particular boxes aren’t meant for him. I doubt he’d know how to put together a Lego set anyway, but I’m not putting anything past him at this point. We seem to have much in common. That’s why, when I looked in the mirror today, at that guy in the blue glasses with the wildly unkempt hair, I just had to smile. I’m not really that different than any of nature’s creatures on this wacky planet, after all. So, it actually gave me quite a lot of comfort to discover that I am, indeed, just another funny face.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: Yellow Ochre, Opus (Vivid Pink), Terra Cotta, Cobalt Turquoise, and Ultramarine (Green Shade). ZIG Cartoonist Mangaka Pen with black ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. Want to purchase a print of this doodlewash? Send me a note with a link to this post, and I’ll add it to my shop! |
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Happy Birthday (again!), Charlie. I hope it’s a great one. And I suspect Elliott does have an idea of how to put together a Lincoln Set. Chew each piece to a pulp, swallow, and let the vet remove the resulting mass. It’s a dog thing.
Thanks so much, Sandra! 😃💕 And yep… Elliott would chew just about everything he could get his teeth on at this point! lol
Happy Birthday Charlie. Sandra’s comment made me laugh and I can’t top that except to agree that it is a ‘dog’ thing ;). I love that you found a ton of science to prove that I am not coming 70 this year at all but really am only 16. I might be graduating to 18, but really I feel younger than 20. Even if my body disagrees with me at times, I just tell it to mind its own business and just never mind. I am 16 and I can still do everything I have a mind to do ;). We should all be like the Emu and just relax and slowly go about our way with intention. Have a fabulous day and I look forward to hearing about what you got for your birthday. Lots of hugs for your birthday Charlie and much love.
Thanks so much, Zoie! 😃💕 Indeed! Science proves that feeling young is indeed being young. It’s why I’m all about creating like a kid again! hehe I got a Star Wars Lego game for my Switch, a retro typewriter Lego set, and a drawing book on creating characters! hehe 😉 Much love to you!
Awesome birthday presents :)! Glad you got spoiled with things to play with – the best. That retro typewriter Lego set sounds amazing! While I love Star Wars, that just sounds so cool and anything to do with art is, well, the best!
Yeah, it was a wonderful birthday. I haven’t had a chance to put together the retro Lego typewriter yet… my little puppy Elliott seems to think there are much more interesting things to DO in a day! … but I hope to soon! 😉
lolol! Were you able to get to your lego yet?
I haven’t had a chance to get to my Lego set yet… it’s still sitting there calling to me! lol I think I might take a vacation day just to put it together… fun!! 😃💕
Happy Happy Birthday Charlie!!!!
To begin with, have a wonderful year ahead and I hope we all get to see your birthday posts for many many more years to come. 🙂 I was wondering… what if Phillipe has decided to turn this into a milestone birthday after all and secretly stashed away presents through the year? And what if you wake up to find a pile of 51 presents plus one for good luck?? And what if you’re allowed one day of indulgence and also find Elliott trying to reach a pile of 51 cupcakes – all different flavors??? I really hope just the thought has made you grin and made Little Charlie jump with joy. 🙂 Keep smiling Charlie and stay your magical self! Lots of love and hugs,
Love,
Mugdha
Hola, Mugdha! I owe you an email, but my mom has kept me busy. We’ll talk soon. Hugs!
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 Oh wow!! I love your dream scenario! That sounds like so much fun!! lol In the end though it was just 3 wonderful gifts, fabulous food, and a delicious cake for dessert. Turns out, it feel just like getting 51 things! So fun! Thanks for the smile! Love to you!
Happy Birthday, Charlie!! Have a great year ahead.. Oh and the emu is too cute!!
Thanks so much, Varsha!! 😃💕
Happy Birthday Charlie. 51, you’re just a youngin’, Again Happy Birthday.
Thanks so much, Victoria! 😃💕
That’s a fabulous doodle, Charlie. I don’t have enough hair to stick out, lol. Have a great birthday.
hehe!! Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕
🎉🎉🎉 Felicidades! Feliz Cumpleanos, mi amigo, Charlie! 🎉🎉🎉 Yay! You are the sweetest man and I wish you so much love that your heart could not contain it all! I send you hugs, mucho cariño, and hope for a beautiful day and year to come! Oh, Charlie, what I’m trying to say is that I love you, my friend! Happy Birthday 🎂!
Your emu is so pretty! Hugs!
Muchas gracias, mi amiga! 😃💕 Love you back! It was a wonderful birthday. I’m off work the rest of the week, so I get to play with my toys… and the puppy… who demands most of my attention really. Hugs to you and much love!!
Hey Charlie Happy Birthday! And yes you are only as young as you feel. I will let you in on my anti age secret: never change except to get better and you will find that when you reach my numbers you will be even smarter, faster, and fitter (but you gotta watch what you eat and how much fitness you get in). I am living proof.
Re bad hair: Mine always looks messy. Ya gotta just smirk at the mirror and carry on.
And remember Little Charlie, you play with the toys, not the boxes.
Have a glass of wine on me!
Thanks so much, Linda! 😃💕 hehe… Oh, Elliott would never let me near his bones! lol And yay for only changing for the better. I’ve now added more fitness to my routine thanks to an insatiably active puppy, so that’s a bonus. And I DID have an extra glass of wine… thanks! 😉
HAPPIEST BIRTHDAY EVER!!! Another super blessed year, Philippe and a puppy!!! You’re a prince! enjoy every happy, untamed, disheveled moment!!
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 hehe… I shall! I think this will be a beautifully disheveled year and lots of fun!
Happy birthday! I love the sketch!
Thanks so much, Scarlett! 😃💕