Happy Birthday Charles Darwin

Today we four all got up early and went to the Botanic Garden with Surrey. He tackled the messages on his computer, and other business while Betty and I did some errands to the mail room for him, and Betty continued to organize his office, including books, maps, and other items which have continued to fill the office space. Barre, meanwhile, went to review all the specimens of nymphea in the herbarium.

One of Surrey's colleagues, Karen, dropped by to greet us, and told us about a gathering in the Botanic Garden to honor Darwin's 200th birthday later in the morning. Surrey continued with his paper work, while Betty, Barre and I went to the birthday celebration. The garden has created a new space where large letters are spelling his name, and various quotes are engraved on each letter. A year long recognition will continue with different activities relating to Darwin and his work. We met the director of the Botanic garden, who gave a brief speech recognizing the significance of Darwin's work, and all the botanical knowledge that has come forth through the years since.

The fun part of this gathering was a real party! 200 cupcakes were baked, and those who arrived signed up on a sheet of paper containing one of the letters spelling Darwin. After the directors comments, we went to our "letter" , received our cupcake, and proceeded to get into a block which spelled his name. We could not eat our cupcake until our group picture had been taken by two different photographers, who were transported by a cherry picture to an altitude high enough to get all of us in the picture. We all had to raise our cupcakes high (and smile) while the pictures were taken. It took awhile, but everyone enjoyed the camraderie, and there were cheers and a rendition of Happy birthday was also sung . The cupcakes were then quickly devoured--very tasty.

After returning to Surrey's office, Barre finished his work, Surrey and Betty returned home, and Barre and I went to lunch at the cafe in the Botanic Garden, and then walked downtown through the Domain and Hyde Park, enjoying the flowers in bloom, and mild summer weather. We visited one of the bookstores, and then walked to the train station and went home to Carlton.

We have Eric to thank for making us aware of Darwin's shared birthday with Abe, but little did we know that we would get to celebrate it in Australia, while Eric and his colleague also planned a meeting to give recognition to him on the 12th at Oswego State. Happy Birthday Darwin, and Abe Lincoln, 200 years!