Celebrating my 58th year on this wondrous planet today. I suggested to Charlotte the other day that we’d add an activity after the traditional birthday breakfast-in-bed. And since we’ve both always wanted to go kayaking up and down Rönne å, a narrow, winding river lined by gorgeous lush vegetation in Ängelholm, that’s exactly what we did this morning. Amazing way to start any day of the year.

As of this writing, it’s just a couple of hours before a half dozen or so friends arrive for what promises to be an evening with tasty food, drink, and laughter in almost Southern Californian weather.