Again and again, however we know the landscape of love
and the little churchyard there, with its sorrowing names,
and the frighteningly silent abyss into which the others
fall: again and again the two of us walk out together
under the ancient trees, lie down again and again
among the flowers, face to face with the sky.
Rainer Maria Rilke - Time and Again
I love, you, Sara. Happy birthday. Indulge while I go all maple syrup on your sexy arse. Our wedding song, and that other very touching one from that singer we both like very much… not that Hawksley dude. This is an open birthday card… Leave your own wishes.
P.S.: For those who’ve never watched the Bright Eyes below: do it now! It’s a must.
Picture by Cate Hanako Russell.
You’re a lucky bloke.
Happy birthday, Sara!
Posted by John the Aussie | September 5, 2012, 06:25John,
Thank you my friend. She’s magnificent.
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 06:27Damned phone and its autocorrect. Sorry for double post, it said it never went through.
Posted by John the Aussie | September 5, 2012, 06:27Oh you’re quick to edit.
Posted by John the Aussie | September 5, 2012, 06:28John,
It was double the wishes, but she could have gotten overexcited, and we wouldn’t want that on her birthday, right? Or do I have that whole thing mixed up?
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 06:29Le Clown,
Not this early, otherwise Sara will be buggered by noon.
John.
Posted by John the Aussie | September 5, 2012, 06:35I don’t mind being buggered by noon. Wait, does that mean what I think it means? Thank you JTA. Australian wishes have cool accents.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:22It’s ya birthday Sara, you can pick whatever version of buggered that suits ya best.
Posted by John the Aussie | September 6, 2012, 06:51Happy birthday Sara! I wish you a day full of joy, smiles and cake. Lots of love from Sweden!
Posted by Sophy | September 5, 2012, 06:30Also, I gotta say I just love the Bright Eyes song. <3
Posted by Sophy | September 5, 2012, 06:34It’s soooooooo good, isn’t it. I bawl like a pregnant woman every time. Thank you for long distance wishes.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:24Sophy,
Bright Eyes and Sleepy Eyes are a great mix…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:19Happy trip around the sun, Sara!
One more down, one less to go (oh wait, that’s not very cheery, is it?) Anyway, I hope the coming year knocks the pants off of this one.
Posted by DeeDee | September 5, 2012, 06:35DeeDee,
This is Sara. Sometimes I look at my husband and think to myself: Wow, he really is an amalgam of Ryan Gosling, Robert Downey Jr, Javier Bardem, but only more gorgeous, perfect and kind. Thank you.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:53You know, I think most things are better with no pants. Thank you for reminding me that I’m one year closer to death. I’m not panicking. I’m not. Nope…
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:25Happy Birthday Ringmistress!!!!
Now make sure Le Clown does the foot massage, brushes your hair, paints your nails, cooks a dinner to be eaten by candle-light and caps the night off with a lovely bedtime story!!
Enjoy the day (both of you)!!
Posted by free penny press | September 5, 2012, 06:48Lynne,
This is the Ringmistress. The candle-light dinner sounds splendiferous. I should prepare one for my husband, and treat him to a foot massage of two hours on each foot. He is so sweet, and loving, and funny, and eloquent, and he should grow a beard again.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:51No ones falling for it Eric
Posted by scienerf | September 5, 2012, 10:01Scienerf,
Are you talking about Le Clown/Eric, my masterpiece of a husband?
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:02
Posted by free penny press | September 5, 2012, 10:39Lynne,
And then I should give him a special dessert, and take care of the kids for the next 4 years. I think he needs a chauffeur too. I will drive him everywhere from now on, and read all of his books outloud, so he doesn’t have to tire his godly eyes.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:42You gave yourself away when you said I should drive you around. Everyone knows you will never let me drive while you’re in the car unless you’re giving birth or dead.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:27I like the way you think. I was just hoping for clean dishes, but the rest sounds pretty darned good. Take note, fake Ringmistress (a.k.a. Clown). And thank you, FPP.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:28Happy Happy Birthday Ringmistress.. may you have a splendiferous day in Le Clown Land!
Posted by unfetteredbs | September 5, 2012, 07:23UnfetteredBS, this is the Ringmistress. I like “splendiferous” as a word. It seems it would be perfect to describe my flawless husband Le Clown, the man of all men.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:49I’m just glad he’s not posting a contest today, or I would be entirely forgotten. Thank you, UBS. I shall make great efforts to include splendiferousness in today’s activities.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:30Cute! Happy Birthday, Sara!!
Posted by La La | September 5, 2012, 07:27Lala
This is Sara. Isn’t my husband just wonderful and full of surprises? I think he deserves a special surprise tonight…
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:21Sara,
How about you let yourself get pampered for once?! You do so much hard work.
Posted by La La | September 5, 2012, 10:27La La,
Loving my spectacular husband and doing the dishes and the laundry and changing the channels for him is not hard work. It’s like breathing in a garden of young flowers, like Le Clown in the morning light…
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:30Oooooh Lord.
Posted by La La | September 5, 2012, 10:34Again, you disclose your true identity, Clown, by suggesting that I have a clue what morning light looks like.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:33Don’t fall for the lies, La La. Le Clown will remember his place by the end of the day. On the couch, with me, watching movies, and possibly rubbing my feet. Thanks for the wishes!
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:32Good work!
Posted by La La | September 5, 2012, 11:38Happy Birthday Sara!!!
Posted by Brother Jon | September 5, 2012, 07:41Brother Jon,
This is Sara. Are you really a brother? I have two brothers myself, but none of them are called Jon. I am a sister to someone. Someone also has siblings somewhere else on this planet. One of these siblings must be Le Clown, the perfect human being.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:47Sara,
I guess it depends on how you look at it. I do have a brother, so I guess that makes me a brother. I’m not a brother in the Religious sense of the word, but that is how I got the name. When I was younger I had myself ordained online. After people found out about this they started calling me Reverend and Father and other such nonsense. I told them if they were going to call me anything Brother Jon would be fine. Then I up and joined a Church that does something similar. At Church we call each other Brother or Sister so-and-so (Last name). I hope I cleared this up for you.
And even though Le Clown is the perfect human being/brother I’m sure you’re not too bad yourself. I hope you enjoy this day. Have fun and take care.
Brother Jon
Posted by Brother Jon | September 5, 2012, 10:39Brother Jon,
I’m sorry… Your comment is too long and this is my birthday and I don’t feel like reading it. The only thing I want to do is give Le Clown a head massage for four hours. And then wash his divine body.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:41Sounds good to me. I’ll be over here trying not to think about that.
Posted by Brother Jon | September 5, 2012, 10:44Oh brother… This is the real Sara. Please note that I rarely wash Le Clown, and it’s not divine at all. Mostly soapy. And hairy.
I’m thank ful for your birthday wishes, Brother.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:35No problem. I thought something weird was going on, but you never know about you crazy Canadians. Have a wonderful birthday!!
Posted by Brother Jon | September 5, 2012, 11:37Good point. Thank you!
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 12:13This is nice. For my birthday, my husband gave me a bag and then I realized it was full of garbage and then I realized he wanted me to take out the garbage. It was a magical moment.
Posted by speaker7 | September 5, 2012, 07:46Speaker 7,
Well… Maybe your husband could be recycled into your version of Le Clown, that wonderful, very manly, intelligent and funny, jack-of-all-trade god.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:45It’s like you two share a brain. I love that Le Clown spent at least half an hour on WordPress and Youtube just for me. He’s even exploiting his own loyal masses to get me some birthday love. This is the most attention I’ve gotten from him since we got high speed internet. If that’s not love, I don’t know what is.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:38Happy birthday as well, Sara! And such sweetness we see here
. Great!
Posted by No Blog Intended | September 5, 2012, 07:54No Blog Intended,
This is Sara. Thank you for looking at me with your red eye. Red eyes are cool. Sometimes, when I take a picture of myself, I have red eyes. It’s so neat. Neat is also a neat word. Peachy, isn’t it? Viva les teddy bears.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:43I don’t know what hurts more; you portraying me as this vapid, or people falling for your portrayal of me. Nice birthday, thanks.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:40It is sweet, isn’t it? He may have hired a ghost writer, but it’s the thought that counts. Thank you, NBI.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:39What a sweet birthday card. And full of my favourite love songs that I will never get to share with anyone because J would get so uncomfortable if I tried to get romanitc… although it might be funny to watch him squirm.
What a lucky lady! Hope you have a lovely day together.
Posted by shanz83 | September 5, 2012, 08:07Shan,
See how my husband cleverly avoided putting a Hawksley Workman song? He must be right. I think I should listen more to my husband, and accept that Hawksley makes douche music, and that Animal Collective are so much better.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:42HA! I suspect Le Ringmistress’ voice has been commandeered by Le Clown.
Posted by shanz83 | September 5, 2012, 11:31You are smarter than Le Clown, and that makes me happy. And thank you for the birthday love. Le Clown and I are sentimental indeed. We make people ill when we leave the house. Your husband would hate us.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:42Sweet!
Happy birthday Sara! Big hugs
Posted by boomiebol | September 5, 2012, 08:14Boomie,
This is Sara. I thank you very much. My life is the best life because I have the fabulous Le Clown as a husband. He is beautiful, pretty, handsome, gorgeous, hot, model-like.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:40Why do i think this is Le Clown…still i have to agree with you Sara.
Have a wonderful birthday, you deserve it…35 is the new 21
Posted by boomiebol | September 5, 2012, 09:4235 is pretty darned good. I panic a little when I realize it’s time to do something with my life, but whatever. Le Clown is a hottie, but don;t tell him. His head will explode. Much love, BB.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:45Happy birthday Sara.
As the Irish say: May you live as long as you want and never want as long as you live.
Posted by J.D. Gallagher | September 5, 2012, 08:20JD,
This is the Ringmistress. You sound like a book of proverbs. I like books of proverbs. I think I should write one with all the wonderful axioms of my phenomenal husband, who’s brighter than any Greek philosopher.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:36The Greeks ran around in bed sheets. So I guess you are like them than I thought.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:47I like the Irish. I don’t know any, but I can’t wait. Your gravatar pic is stellar. And I thank you for the BDay wishies. Ignore Le Clown, he’s sad that people are paying attention to me more than him today.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:50Happy birthday Ringmistress!
Posted by Fish Out of Water | September 5, 2012, 08:36Fish,
Thank you. My husband takes great care of me. I will prepare a warm bath for him, with candles and bubble bath, and sing him his favourite songs.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:26Unfortunately, the music you listen to cannot be sung by human voice. I will have to strangle the cat.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:55FOOW, you are kind. Le Clown is not. I am grateful for your wishes. Le Clown is jealous.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:51Happy Birthday Lovely Sara! It’s a special day. Enjoy it to the max! xoxo
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | September 5, 2012, 08:37My fantastic husband calls you Auntie Sandee I think… He is so clever and so full of love that one. He deserves that I let him watch his favourite tv shows while I do a few chores.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:25Do my chores include leaving empty dishes in the fridge? I don;t know if I can do that as well as you can.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:57Thank you, I’m trying. Your wishes are greatly appreciated. Ignore Le Clown. He’s having a hard time getting into the birthday spirit.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:56I say fuck chores! I say today, Le Clown should give you a Le Pedicure, a Le Manicure and bons bons in a bubble bath…
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | September 5, 2012, 15:03You’re very smart, did you know that?
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 20:22And I’m even smarter when I’m asleep.
Posted by Sword-chinned bitch | September 5, 2012, 21:14Ladies love the maple syrup. Happy Birthday Sara!
Posted by RFL | September 5, 2012, 08:48RFL,
Thank you. This is the Ringmistress. The best maple syrup is the Canadian kind, especially when it is dripped on the heavenly body of my incredible husband.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:24Hahaha! I think I need a minute to let that image pass from my brain before I have a witty response. Hope you crazy kids are enjoying your day!
Posted by RFL | September 5, 2012, 16:14They do. I do! The quality stuff is pricey. Thank you, RFL (every time I see your moniker I think of ROFL, and so I associate you with laughing…and floors).
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:58You’re welcome! I love the syrup too. I like the association, even though it’s very close to a drunk, LOL smiley face combination. The rolling on the floor laughing smiley from yahoo was always my favorite emoticon. That little guy really made me feel funny.
Posted by RFL | September 5, 2012, 16:21Happy Birthday, Sara. Have a lovely day!
Posted by Cathy Ulrich | September 5, 2012, 08:51Cathy,
This is Sara. My husband is so great that I think I will give him a 3-hour back massage today.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:23Cathy, thank you. I will do my best in spite of Le Clown’s efforts to foil my good mood.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 11:59Happy Birthday, Ringmistress, and hope you have a spectaculatastic day (and every day that follows!)
Posted by El Guapo | September 5, 2012, 08:59El Guapo,
This is the Ringmistress. My husband is magnificent. I think I should bake him a cake today.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:20As long as you get to share time together, that sounds like a fun way to spend the day!
Posted by El Guapo | September 5, 2012, 09:21I think I shall also wash his car, and put his favourite music on. A bit of Animal Collective for the lovely man!
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 09:22Thinking this might not be the Ringmistress after all…
Posted by El Guapo | September 5, 2012, 09:27That’s a fine word, and an excellent birthday wish. Thank you EG. Please know that whatever Le Clown says is a lie. That’s not me. I hate together time.
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 12:00Happy birthday, Sara, to you!
Posted by Angel Fractured | September 5, 2012, 09:32Angel,
This is Sara. Happy birthday to me! Happy birthday to me! My husband is the best and I am such a lucky lady. I should sculpt his heavenly shape into a timeless piece of art.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:01Thank you Angel. So far I’ve spent far too much time online, but hey, it’s my birthday! xo
Posted by saradraws | September 5, 2012, 12:01Happy Birthday Sara!!!! Hope your day is wonderful and you have many spectacular things happen to you today and Le Clown waits on you hand and foot (which is should be doing everyday anyway), feeds you grapes and fans you whilst pledging his love over and over.
Great pic of you two! Happy Birthday.
Posted by Brigitte | September 5, 2012, 09:55Brigitte,
This is Sara and this is my birthday and my husband is blogging MEGA SUPERSTAR Le Clown/Eric. He is so incredibly clever, and makes the best mussels in the world. I should cook him some tonight for my birthday.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:04Behind every great blogging Mega Superstar is the woman who makes him so. I don’t know if this is Sara or not. I think it’s Eric being Le Clown pretending to be Le Ringmistress. Le Clown should cook Ringmistress mussels and Eric should pamper her with whatever she wants or needs.
Brigitte
P.S. happy birthday SARA.
Posted by Brigitte | September 5, 2012, 11:14Brigitte,
Of course this is Sara. I like everything that rhymes with Eric:
Fantastic.
Magnificentic
Wonderfulic
And so on! I should get a tattoo that says ERIC and my two legs, from hip to heel!!
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 11:17I mentioned you two on my blog and I know this is Le Clown I am talking to. Please send my birthday wishes on your lovely wife, the elegant Ringmistress and make her some soup or something.
Posted by Brigitte | September 5, 2012, 12:21Happy Birthday! I hope you have a good day with everything that all the people have already wished for you and more….Le Clown you have some serious work to do to get it all finished.
Lovely post though it’s a good start
Posted by scienerf | September 5, 2012, 10:04Scienerf,
This is the Ringmistress. My husband has done so much already: this post, and he’s been at his desk taking care of listening to Animal Collective and other great awesome bands like Broken Social Scene. He is so transcendent when it comes to music and philosophy and art and love.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:06Liar liar Clown on fire
Posted by scienerf | September 5, 2012, 10:11Best wishes!
Happy birthday.
Posted by Doggy's Style | September 5, 2012, 10:13Doggy,
This is the Ringmistress! Thank you. I like dogs. Because they bark and they go: woof, woof. They also walk on four feet, and have a tail. I like dogs. Scooby-Doo is a dog. But he’s a stoner dog. He has the munchies all the time. Speaking of food, I should cook something wonderful to my husband…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:19Happy birthday, Sara! Le Clown, I know you have some awesomeness on deck for her today. Enjoy the fun-having!
Posted by The Waiting | September 5, 2012, 10:32The Waiting,
This is Sara. It’s incredible, it’s as if you knew my husband. Of course he had an awesome deck of wonderful surprises for me today, like: he will allow me to give him a back and foot massage.
Le Ringmistress
Posted by Le Clown | September 5, 2012, 10:35Happy birthday! May this wonderful day be but the beginning of a fabulous year! xoM
Posted by Margarita | September 5, 2012, 11:40Loved that opening passage. Happy Birthday to Le Clown’s Sara!
Posted by Carrie Rubin | September 5, 2012, 11:45Happy, happy B-Day Ringmistress. Much love to you!
Posted by SummerSolsticeGirl | September 5, 2012, 12:14What a beautiful thing to say HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA x
Wishing you happiness, health, wealth,all the joys and love in the world.
Posted by quod1me4nutrit1me9destruit | September 5, 2012, 12:15Dear Sara,
I woke up this morning and blearily grabbed my phone and your husband’s delightful birthday blog post to you was one of the first things I saw, and it was lovely and brought tears to my eyes.. Then I scrolled down and saw how naughty he is, so I think you should make sure he gets all 35 of your birthday spankings, though I’m guessing he may enjoy that, which defeats the purpose. I hope you have a wonderful day!
-Chris
Posted by misslisted | September 5, 2012, 12:42A very nice tribute! No clowning around.
Happy Birthday, Sara!
Posted by drawandshoot | September 5, 2012, 13:41Happy Birthday Sara, from your newest fan on the blogoshere.
Posted by Long Life Cats and Dogs | September 5, 2012, 14:22This is very sweet.
Congrats to both of you for finding each other and Happy Birthday, Sara.
Posted by calahan | September 5, 2012, 14:49a very happy birthday to Sara and wishing you many more super duper happy birthdays
Posted by littlemissobsessivesanatomy | September 5, 2012, 15:09Happy Birthday Sara! Clearly, you are cherished by many. I hope that this is an auspicious start to a great new year for you. You deserve all the spoiling Le Clown can muster, and if he tries to turn this around as though you are going to do anything for him, I will personally beat him with a bag of doorknobs. Happy Day!
Posted by rollergiraffe | September 5, 2012, 15:26Sara is so lovely that Happy Birthday bears repeating. Happy Birthday!
Posted by Ruby Tuesday | September 5, 2012, 17:41Happy Birthday Sara! You look gorgeous in that picture! xo
Posted by writerwendyreid | September 5, 2012, 19:19What a lovely photo, It is as though the love just seeps out of the photo and onto the blog. You are lucky my friend.
Posted by nevercontrary | September 5, 2012, 20:46Happy Birthday, Sara! I love the photo of you two. You look so in love and it warms my heart. I know this is belated, but I hope you had a wonderful day.
Posted by The Bumble Files | September 6, 2012, 12:10Happy Belated Birthday Sara! And I love that Death Cab song! A lot of their songs are oddly romantic. Didn’t know you two were fans.
Posted by Love & Lunchmeat | September 6, 2012, 16:39It was a good week in which to be born! The Ringmistress might be glad on her birthday to be Canadian, because here in the States we celebrate Labor Day right around her birthday, and I (with a birthday just a day earlier) get a lecture from my mother every year about what LABOR day REALLY means!!!
A belated happy birthday, Ringmistress!
Posted by Kana Tyler | September 9, 2012, 14:16Kana,
Happy belated to you! It is indeed a great month to be born in…
Le Clown
Posted by Le Clown | September 9, 2012, 14:36