A Birthday Greeting!

A break from France to talk about two things near and dear to my heart -- the Tour de France and Rick's birthday!

In our household, summer means time at the lake and Myrtle Beach, a gentler schedule, a garden that sometimes looks great, and the Tour de France!

(This painting from Musee Carnavalet titled "Les Six Jours" by Alexandre Ganesco, is a race other than the Tour, but it's as close as I could come!)

(For an interesting blog about a fellow from Chicago who is following this year's Tour on his own bike in France, meet George the Cyclist!)

Bicycles are Rick's life. I suppose if someone was holding a knife to his throat, he'd choose me or the kids over the bike. I think. (Although I wouldn't always bet the farm on it, especially in the summer!)

So, on this birthday day for my biker boy, I celebrate him, hoping the sun shines on a long ride, where he can be Lance or Levi or Contador or whomever he wants to be, flying down the road on the seat of a bike at 25 miles per hour, working up a sweat and feeling very happy indeed.

As part of my celebration, we had a birthday gathering for him last night as part of his regular Tuesday night ride.

Three generations of bike riders were there -- from college kids through seniors, on whose shoulders, Rick says, the rest of them stand.

The kids helped cook burgers and I made the food (lower-fat broccoli and seven layer salads, broccoli slaw, orzo salad, corn salsa for chips and bezillions of cupcakes).

Kevin (in the blue shirt next to the pretty girl we adore called Molly) helped with the burgers and cleaning up the patio!

It was the Tour de Rick!

Joe was one of many who signed the poster.

Greg started sketching folks.

And finally Rick blew out a candle, we ate and everyone packed up and rode home!

So, what lies in store for his "real" birthday tonight? I guess we'll have to see, because I'm not scooping anything to the birthday boy who reads the blog!

Happy Birthday, Biker Boy. Just stay on that seat!