6: Just blue

The tears come through, I'm blue, just blue.

5: The Cone Off-Season

Even West Chester's icon, The Cone, changes. The addition of orange stripes to its white soft serve top is meant to attract more attention from local ardent ice cream fans. I like how the off-season enables the owner to re-invest his business with a little whimsy.

I'd love an off-season for life, where I'd be free to paint orange stripes on my rooftop just to entertain the neighbors. Why not?

4: Caitrin's sit-down comedy

Conan does Stand-Up. Caitrin does Sit-Down. Every day. After school. For an hour.

I get front row seats.

3: Prime of deck

The past-their-prime leaves overhead stayed put long enough for me to squeeze in the much-needed priming of the deck before the weather turns unrelentingly "too cold for paint." This little gem-of-a-maple stood its ground when the broom came for it.

Prime of life: moments to freshen with paint, moments to stand my ground.

2: Two birthdays in one

Lunch with Margaret Maddox whose birthday is on the 10th. We celebrate together each year. Highly recommended: Small Plates. We ate pear and bleu cheese pizza, beet root salad, and gratineed mushrooms. Pumpkin-pecan cheesecake (natch!) for dessert.

Also recommended: Hot waiter with square diamond earrings and loads of charisma!

1: Forty-nine and counting

Embarking on the journey that is 365 for my fiftieth year from November 7, 2010 to November 7, 2011.