Happy LXXXV!

Not only is it New Year's Eve, it's also Arvin's 85th birthday!

The woman on the right will be instantly recognized by many of you -- his wife, Ann, known here as ArtistAnnie, who posts amazing images of bird acrobatics, scenic beauty, abstract subjects , and so much more.

Also in this informal family portrait are Arvin's daughters Helena, left, who moved to Bellingham a few months ago, and Lynda, right, who lives in California and came up for Thanksgiving and again for this celebration.

As Ann likes to say, "Every year the whole world celebrates Arvin's birthday!" and we were among those doing so in person today, relishing the wonderful food, interesting conversations, and warm hospitality, and honoring a man who loves books even more than I do, as well as classical music, fountain pens, and a plethora of other subjects, and most of all, his family. We wish Arvin many happy returns of the day!

And to all my Blip friends, I hope that 2014 brings you wonderful photo opportunities and no camera problems, as well as good health and good times!

(Phil's blip shows Ann and me taking photos of Arvin, Helena, and Lynda, in a rather expressive way).