The Grapevine: Celebrating an 86th Birthday Looking Back at Cards from a Son who Refused to Buy Them
By Rosalyn Queen on October 09, 2025 from The Grapevine
We are going to play a little guessing game this week in The Grapevine. When you look at the above photo, what do you think it is?
It looks like a paper plate that perhaps you have just finished eating on. But no paper plate that I have eaten on ever ended up having written messages on it. Of course, it could be a toy that we were going to use for a frisbee, but then I don’t think that it would make that good of a frisbee.
Well, are you still trying to figure out just what this is? I know that many of you have some different ideas but they all sound crazy, don’t they?
Well, the guessing is over, and I am going to share a little personal story about the photograph. What I want to reveal to you is that this really 
is – a birthday card. My son Marty never once spent any money on buying birthday cards. He would always say that it was just a waste of money to buy cards. So, what did he do? He would get a paper plate and create his own card.
is – a birthday card. My son Marty never once spent any money on buying birthday cards. He would always say that it was just a waste of money to buy cards. So, what did he do? He would get a paper plate and create his own card.
The photo is a birthday card he prepared for me. As you can see, it was on my 72nd birthday. That would have been made 14 years ago. But, as most of you know me, I am a hoarder, and I have probably kept every card I’ve received for many years.
When reminiscing about my collection of cards, I thought this card was the best for this birthday of mine. He always had a message on all the cards about him being my favorite child and sometimes he would even say that I should tell the other three that they were adopted or that I should tell them that I loved him best.
No matter what the message I always looked forward to receiving my homemade birthday card. He would fold the plate and put some money in the card and staple it shut. Now, after all these years that I look at the cards, I realize that you really don’t have to buy a card. It was always the thought that he put into creating a card.
This year I received many birthday wishes, and I thank everyone. It was a privilege to read them all. I would be remiss if I didn’t thank everyone for the many bouquets of flowers that I received. Of course, as usual I was treated to several lunches and dinners. Just like a little child I look forward to celebrating my birthday, and 86 is a lot of birthdays.
Thank you, thank you.
I want to do just a little recap on the Health Right mobile kitchen that was at the Clarksburg Farmers Market this past Saturday. It was certainly a treat to interact with the individuals who worked in the kitchen. And most of all the healthy recipes they prepared were delicious. I am hoping that we will be able to get them again next year when the farmers market opens.
Just a reminder that the Progressive Women’s Association Women of Distinction luncheon will be held on Friday, Oct. 24. Several wonderful women will be honored. I hope you plan on attending. The luncheon is open to the public, but reservations are required. Denise Steffich will be the keynote speaker. Call 304-624-6881 for reservations.
If you are looking for a nice little gift, I suggest you purchase the cookbook Arrivederci… Call me at 304-838-4682 To purchase a book. The cost is $15, but most of all, all those holiday recipes are in the book. You will learn how to make Pita Piata, or all the fish dishes for Christmas Eve. Don’t miss the chance of getting a copy of this book.
Well, I hope you are enjoying the fall season… Stay safe and until next week … “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”
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