40-10 or 38-12

A birthday is just the first day of another 365-day journey around the Sun. Enjoy the trip!

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A half of a century may have passed, but I'm not 50: I'm 40-10 according to the advice of a friend. Forty doesn't sound so good either to my ear. Thirty-eight was a good year, so for the next year I shall be 38-12. Next year, I'll be 38-13.

My family sent me off on my next 365-day journey in grand style. It began with a delicious lunch at Murphy's, overlooking sailboats in old Port Dalhousie.

Then it was off to ride the Maid of Mist to the base of Niagara Falls, something that I have always wanted to do and I wasn't disappointed.

Leaving the dock, the boat's first 'stop' is the so-called "American" Falls, so-named because it lies solely in the state of New York. You will note that some folk didn't think it necessary to wear their souvenir poncho as we set sail.

By the time we pulled up at the base of the "Canadian" Falls, everyone had taken cover and a couple of us photographed through Ziploc bags. Photos taken on the disposable underwater camera will be posted anon, but this image captures the excitement of the thundering cascade, the roiling waters, and the drenching 'mist'. What a thrilling way to begin the next installment of Life!

The area near the Falls is very kitschy, but it's fun. The talking 'colossus' of Ramses the Great and the re-creation of Indiana Jones inside a pharaonic tomb transported me back to an ancient land in a flash. And then I was back.

The "Strip" (a.k.a. Clifton Hill) offers lots of junk stuff to spend money on but, hey, we should all give in to our inner child once in a while. My indulgence was a chocolate glazed donut with my coffee.

Leaving the "Strip", we breathed in the beauty of the Botanical Gardens.

My great day concluded with a heartening summer supper as the Sun's final hours illuminated my wonderful family who made my embarkation on the next 365-day journey so much fun. Thank you!