Monday, March 16, 2009

SURPRISE!

Nancy, Nadia, and Nana
Nana's 68th Bird-Watching Birthday! Portland, OR - 2006
Dear Phyllis,

Okay, I hate to do it but I must start with two cliches. One: "If you build it, they will come" and two: "It is true what they say about the company you keep." Goodness. My in-box has been filling up for days with people eager to send their good wishes to you. It comes as no surprise, however; I have always known how lucky I am to have you in my life.

It has been such a pleasure to read these messages of love and appreciation from your family and friends. You are a gift to us all. I absolutely cherish you and love the time that we have together. Thank you for being you.

So - sit back, savor the fabulous breakfast that you have in front of you (made by Chef Richard), and enjoy the journey - an amazing one so far!

Here we go!

Love,
Nancy

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Sweet and Petite


We love you Phyllis. Your enthusiasm is contagious, your inquisitive mind is something to behold. Your insight.............amazing. The compassion and love you give to everyone is nothing short of astonishing (and wonderful)!

Your sweet, petite and all reet and we're proud to call you friend.

Love you,

Shirley and Ray

ps: I would personally like to thank you for the warmth and understanding you have always given so freely to me. S

Sunday, March 8, 2009

Gratitude


Dear Phyllis,

I can't believe I've known you for 14 years since Bill and I moved to 29 Palms and I began working at CCC in the position you had just left! Time sure flies when you're having fun! I am grateful for all the times you came to help out when we needed it. You would jump right into the chaos and not skip a beat! Thank you.

You've also been a source of encouragement and inspiration when I needed it. I will always cherish the thoughtful phone call you made to me at the hospital in Palm Springs when I was unexpectedly hospitalized for an emergency procedure. Thank you.

Your caring, your artistic creativity and your enthusiasm for life are great gifts you have generously shared with the people who are fortunate enough to be around you. Thanks, also, for sending the great emails with fun and inspirational messages.

I hope this birthday goes on and on with celebrations of joy for you. I'm honored to have been included in this email group. Again, thank you.

With love and appreciation, your Purple Camel Buddy,

Cathey Blau

Saturday, March 7, 2009

Old Friends


Happy Birthday Phyllis!

Love your old friend,

Bari

Hospitality and Friendship

Dear Phyllis,
Bob and I want to wish you every happiness in the years yet to come. Although we've met only twice and very briefly, your hospitality and friendship will be always remembered. You were so kind in fielding my phone calls during the difficult time when Marilyn was ill and we were so far away. I recall that, to celebrate her birthday, you treated Marilyn to breakfast in the little cafe in Yucca Valley. You didn't feel well and I drove you home in your car. You seemed surprised that I could actually drive a stick shift! Not too many of us left. Continue savouring life .... and keep up with your watercolours!

Pat and Bob AdamsBowen Island, BCPS

(I sent my recent watercolour featuring Asian pears and my mother's Swatow lace.)

Flower of Life I Am

Beautiful woman Phyllis ...

One of the gratitudes that I hold about you is your exquisite way of always honoring the other person, such as myself if we're together. You reflect back to me the sacred Flower of Life I Am; not simply by being that which and who you are, but by your verbally expressed acknowledgment of my Beauty. You always say things, ever sincerely, that encourage one's blossoming, that nurtures their heartspace, that reminds them how awesome they are. You are truly a blessing and a gift, and a most precious piece of Life touching us all. Happy Birthday today! And may the births inherent in each and every moment be ones that delight, fulfill, and please you, my friend. Thank you SO much for being here the same time I am!!

I'm loving you,

Kathleen Marion

Loving Care


Dear Phyllis,

Thank you for your loving care of the desert, for your actions to save it, and for being an inspiration to others to do the same. We’re very grateful for all that you do! Wishing you the happiest of birthdays!!

Warmest regards,
Nancy Karl on behalf of
The Board and Staff of Mojave Desert Land Trust

Q-time

Hi Phyllis,

It’s been really wonderful spending Q-time with you the past few years (that is, Quality and Quiet!). I couldn’t ask for a better person to welcome me to the desert. I’m so grateful for your kindness, and keeping me young with your fierce and happy spirit. Happy birthday!

With love and metta,
Jon

Karma

Dear Phyllis,
You have always been an inspiration to me. Our paths seem to cross when least expected and I imagine it is for a good reason. Thanks for listening. Happy, Happy Birthday!!!.
xoxo
Deb LaMonica

Open Heart

Dearest Phyllis,
We are so happy that you are in our lives. Your generosity and caring are precious to us. You're always there with an open heart and an interested ear (or when we are in need, a beautiful dish of grilled salmon and vegetables! We are just glad you were born.

Many warm hugs,

Robin and Max

World of Illusion


IN THIS WORLD OF ILLUSION
WE CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS
MAY YOURS BRING YOU
JOY & HAPPINESS
Please click here to see this optical illusion:
PS DO YOU SEE THIS TWIRLER AS GOING FROM
RIGHT TO LEFT? OR LEFT TO RIGHT? (If you blink
or look away... you may SUDDENLY see the twirler
turning in the OPPOSITE direction) HMMMMM!!!!
BEST WISHES ALL WAYS from neighbor 0



Wednesday, March 4, 2009

The Fish

Dear Phyllis,
You're a special Pisces, dear friend, and inspiration to all. Our love and best wishes for your birthday.

Steve and Ruth

Big Flirt

Nancy,
I didn't personally observe this event (slept completely through it), but heard it told several times by my parents, so believe it to be basically true. Hope it brings a smile to my cousin's face, even if she disputes some parts of it.
Ronnie

One summer, Aunt Violet and Phyllis came to visit, for about a week, at our home in Maryland. Phyllis was in her early teens and to make the trip more enjoyable for her, cousin Joan was invited to come along. After everyone had fallen to sleep for the night, Aunt Vi woke my dad because she had heard noises at the back of the house near her room. Dad had been painting the eaves of our two-story house and remembered that there was a large extension ladder against the back wall where an intruder might access the upstairs where the girls were sleeping. He retrieved his hand gun and headed for the back of the house. About the same time as he was exiting the back door, Aunt Violet flipped on the light to the upstairs and hollered “Who’s up there?”, to which the girls answered “It's just us”. When Aunt Vi pressed them about the commotion, they admitted they were talking with two of my male cousins who were up on the ladder. Violet then hollered at my dad, “Don’t shoot, Shirlie, it’s just Wayne and Alvin”. It seems a little teen flirting had encouraged the boys to return after bedtime to continue where they had left off that day. However, everyone’s ardor cooled considerably when they realized how close the boys had come to being shot. But just to be on the safe side, the ladder was also stowed in the basement.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Everyday In-Between

Panama Canal 2003


With all my Love for this special year and all those to come, I'll be by your side with Birthday wishes and XXXs for every day in between.

Yours forever--Rich

Chicken Dance(r)

I have very fond memories of working with Phyllis in the 90's at Hi-Desert Medial Center and Continuing Care Center. I knew she was a great patient advocate when she introduced me to one of the first patients admitted to the CCC and Phyllis took great care to see to the lady's comfort, down to rearranging her pillows for total comfort. The CCC staff arranged a "dance" day and Phyllis looked divine in her perfect dance dress, sashaying around offering "dime a dance" to everyone. Very fun. Then there was the time she and her staff decided to dress all us social workers up as chickens for Halloween. Phyllis was the cutest one, especially the arm movements. Much love to you Phyllis on your birthday!
Margaret Hinton

Spirit and Wisdom


Happy Birthday Phyllis!
You are beautiful at 70! Your spirit is not a day over 21 and your wisdom is over 1,000,000! I am glad to know you.

Cathy Allen

My Phriend Phyllis

Here's to my phriend Phyllis - for ALL that you are:

P - for petite and polite and perspicacious
H - for Herself - you know who you are!
Y - is for Yummy! ... your chef-ness creations
L - is for loving, lovely and light
another L - is for luscious ... and for laughter, m'Lady
I - is for interests, intelligence and insight
S - is for sexy and sunny and bright (shiny too, for alliteration's sake)

And there aren't enough letters in the alphabet to wish you more Good Things than I wish you today. Happy Birthday, Phyllis!!!!Love ya!!! - WW

Conversations with your nephew


Aunt Phyllis,

Every time I see you you always set aside some time to talk with me and catch up....our talks are great and mean so much! We may be far apart but thinking about our conversations makes it that much easier. Happy 70th! can't wait to see you soon!

Love,

Grant

Memory Lane


Picture of Phyllis with my parents, George Murphy and Josephine (Pierce) Murphy, uncle Johnny and aunt Martha (Pierce) Turner, and cousin Joan. This picture is circa 1950.


The second picture was taken at my parent's wedding in Norfolk, VA, December 17, 1945. Phyllis is on the far right. I believe that the two boys are her cousins Gerald Enos and Robert Pierce.

Happy Birthday Phyllis!

Love your cousin,

George


Mosh Pit Open for Business

Elliot, Nadia, Weston, Hayden, Lucas, Wylie
Manzanita, Oregon - Summer 2007

Dear Nana -
We know you love to laugh so here are a few for you ....

Q. What goes up and never comes down?
A. Your age!

Q. What do you always get on your birthday?
A. Another year older!

Q. Does a pink candle burn longer than a blue one?
A. No, they both burn shorter!

Q. What did one candle say to the other?
A. Don't birthdays burn you up?

Q. Why do we put candles on top of a cake?
A. It's too hard to put them on the bottom!

and finally .....

"Doctor, I get heartburn every time I eat birthday cake.""Next time don't eat the candles."

WE LOVE YOU NANA, BABA, GRANDMA!!!!!!
Love,
Your Six Grandchildren

Fairy Godmother

Michael, Suzy, Esther, Grant, and baby Lucas - 2000

Dear Aunt Phyllis,

I hope you have a wonderful 70th Birthday! You have been such a terrific Aunt and Godmother over the years. I have and always will cherish all of our family memories. It is always a joy, whatever the circumstances, to get to spend time with you. I wish you a very happy Birthday and a terrific year.
Much Love,
Suzy

Soulmates

Elliot - 15 months Portland, OR Feb 2009

Dear Nana -
I think we must be soulmates. My mom tells me I have a lot of energy (the picture above is of me going up and down our steep driveway- again and again and again). I am also told that I am very creative (yesterday I got my hands on a red marker and "doodled" on my face). I also consider myself to be a bit of a foodie (turned my nose up to all those baby purees and have insisted on only consuming Thai ginger chicken from our neighborhood Thai restaurant). Some people just don't get folks like us. Anyway - this is just to say that I am so glad that I have you in my corner.
Have a hapy birthday and GO WILD!

Love your third grandson,
Elliot Abel Schwartz

Monday, March 2, 2009

Glücklicher GEBURTSTAG!



Besichtigung Werners Galerie in Traun und dann ein gemütlicher abend Liebe Phyllis Wie schnell die Zeit vergeht. Wir wünschen dir alles Gute zum 70ziger ,
vor allem Gesundheit
Anna und Werner

Every Meal Incredibly Prepared


Happy Birthday Phyllis: Where has the time gone - It seems like yesterday that you entered my life - How lucky did I get when I married into this most special family - you have inspired me to reach for distant planets - you never seem to amaze me with your talents - your photography and beautiful water colors - we've kept them all - your great adventures into cooking - wow - every meal incredibly prepared - but most of all you never stop reaching to do new things - you are a fabulous wife, mother and grandmother - so HAPPY BIRTHDAY PHYLLIS - may you live to be 104 and may we share more time together - XXXEsther

Love from Jon and Cherry


Happy birthday to the Fabulous Phyllis from Jon and Cherry. When are we going to see you and celebrate this momentous occasion in style ?

Much love,

Jon and Cherry

Inspirational


Happy Birthday!
Your energy and adventurousness are inspirational!
Love,
Danny & Sona

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Cruising and Hiking













"The foolish man (woman) seeks happiness in the distance; the wise grows it under her feet."
James Oppenheim

Dearest Phyllis,
Happy 70th from your cruising and hiking friends. Here's some fun pics of our times together in past years!
Love and wishes for happiness this year and for many more.
Lois & Gunter

Phabulous Phyllis



To our Fabulous Phyllis - Happy Birthday!!

Love,
Will & Ceci

Bound

Hi Phyllis -
We have been through highs and lows together and that's what binds us. Have a happy, happy birthday. You deserve it!

Love you,

Phyllis (the elder)

Fond Memories

Happy Birthday Phylis from Jeannie, Jennifer, Jaclyn, Joanna, Joe Pierce in faraway snowy (today) McLean, VA.

Dear Phyllis,
Although we have not been very communicative in recent years, it has always been good to hear from you and about you and Richard and family from other family. I have many early fond memories of you and your Dad and Mom, including when we would visit you in Portsmouth from the farm, and you would take me and some of my brothers and sisters on day trips from Portsmouth to Norfolk on the ferry, and points around the area.

Look forward to visiting (maybe over the internet) more with you in the future.

Best,
Joe and All

Prayer Flags

Phyllis is in the very back of the photo with her back to the camera. She is at one of her favorite places - cooking, stirring, overseeing, mesmerizing that the soup pot!
Shirely Yeager and Phyllis souping it up
Knitting pals eating Indian frare lunch in Joshua Tree

Connected by a Yarn, a Book, and Winds of a Tibetan Prayer Flag

Serendipitous is the best way to describe my friendship with Phyllis. My husband and I were scoping out the view from our newly acquired home, and noticed what looked like Tibetan prayer flags waving in the wind of a back yard of a neighbor’s home. We were delighted and intrigued at the prospects of meeting these neighbors. Were they from Tibet or India? Were they Buddhist? Just what is their story? A few months later, we were fortunate to meet Ray and Shirley Yeager at a community barbecue. Trying not to be too presumptuous about seeing prayer flags hanging in their backyard, I asked Shirley about the material hanging in her backyard. Shirley tells me they are prayer flags brought back from India by a friend who does Vipassana. A friend who does Vipassana! Wow! Who are these friends? I told her I had read every book I could find on Vipassana meditation and was interested in hearing more.

Not too long after this, Shirley and I started walking together, and she shared more about Phyllis and Richard Schwartz, and their practice of meditation. At that time, I had also been reading a series of novels by Debbie Macomber about women involved in a knitting group. This set me up for a further conversation with Shirley, who tells me of her knitting group who meet locally at the home of teacher and friend, Pegge Weber. A knitting group! Wow! And, this is where I finally meet Phyllis for the very first time.

From this point, I have been thankful to become acquainted with Phyllis through emails, phone calls, visits, book club, yoga, and meditation. She has been most patient in listening to me in my search for wholeness; she has been most generous in sharing insight learned through her experiences; and she has been very generous in lending books, magazines, and sharing internet sites. She is a gracious example of love to Mike and me, by inviting us to meet with her and Richard to discuss at length “life”, politics, and spiritualities. She was a most helpful support in completing my first 10-day Vipassana meditation course, and in continuing the practice.

Best wishes to you, dear Phyllis, in this your 70th new year! You continue to be an inspiration to me on this journey. I am so thankful that our paths have crossed. I am thankful for a Yarn, a Book, and the Winds of Tibetan prayer flags!

Metta,
Mike and Karen Sanford

One Hot Mama

I am also Phyllis' long lost cousin and I can remember when I last saw her in '67. She was and is the most beautiful lady I can remember which had an effect on me. She wore the short mini skirt and knit stockings and had her youngest baby of around three months in tow. I have such good memories of seeing her that way and it was regrettfully the last time I saw her. I cannot believe it has been so many years to pass till I can touch base with her but I want to wish her a great birthday.
Thanks for doing this.!!!!!
Love,
Martha Kaye Pierce Trampler
First cousin

The Tweener


Happy Birthday Phyllis!
"Aloha from your Bookend Buddies!"
Remember you are the Tweener and that makes us all Old Farts!!!
Here's wishing you a wonderful day! Enough of this "cyber-stuff"!
Looking forward to getting together with you for a real face-to-face celebration!

Hope you have a wonderful day! Enjoy!

Love, Ed and Diann

PISCES RULE!

The Seeker of the Grail






Photos of Karin and Phyllis - Austria 2006

Dear Phyllis,

We wish you the most wonderful birthday, you are very special to us and we are so happy to have you as our friend for such a long time.You are a hero because you are patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart. And you try to love the questions themselves. This and much more, like always trying to be positive, we have learned from you, "The Seeker of the Grail". Keep on seeking and loving it!
All our love and affection,

Karin & Warren

Norma Rae


Wish I had more pictures to share, but the 2 I've attached are rather special to me and reflect a couple aspects of Phyllis's many interests. The one, Phyllis as protester, was taken at an event where Los Angeles Mayor Villaraigosa was speaking. We were protesting the high transmission power lines that the Los Angeles utility wants to put through the desert. The other picture was taken at a docent meeting at Big Morongo Canyon Preserve where Phyllis is a docent. This is special to me as it is as a docent that I was so fortunate to first meet my most special friend Phyllis.

Dear Phyllis,

Hope your birthday is as beautiful and amazing as you are. Little did I know when I first saw you at Big Morongo, and immediately knew you were someone I wanted to get to know, that you would turn out to be such a very special friend. Our friendship has enriched my life immensely, and I treasure our conversations, which you instill with such thoughtfulness, intelligence, understanding and downright fun. May you be blessed with much love, companionship, good health, and equanimity in the years going forward from your 70th birthday.

Luv ya, Donna

Darwin Dance Hall



A "Toast" to Phyllis!!
Happy 70th!!!!
Hugs!!Will & Ceci