My birthday is on Thursday. I’m terribly unorganized about these things (I don’t even know what my plans are), but if you’re trying to shop for me and are scratching your head, here are some suggestions for gifts that are easy to come by but much needed:

• Citronella candles and/or mosquito repellent that doesn’t contain DEET, so I don’t have to fear using it liberally. Damn bloodsuckers…

• Pretty ceramic pots for plants. I’ve got tons of cheap faux terra cotta stuff and could use some color variety.

• Wine. I can’t tell the good stuff from the bad stuff, either, so that’s a plus! Also: Limoncello or Disaronno. Mmm.

• Art, if you make it!

I have a lot of vintage 1984 friends with June birthdays as well. Wishing you guys were all here so we could celebrate the big quarter century together! Instead, I’ll just post pictures of flowers for you:

Spotted growing from the paint buckets this morning. What a happy June surprise.