Dear Elisa:

HAPPY 40th BIRTHDAY!

Woodblock Print #40 from 100 Views of Edo "Basho's Hut on Camellia Hill beside Aqueduct at Sekiguchi" by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858), Brooklyn Museum Notes Rose Rhonda Large-flowered climber Medium pink color Blooms with 40 petals Height: 7-10 feet Bred in 1968, USA by Jack Lissemore Dream Orange Rose Orange blend Hybrid Tea Orange blend color Blooms with 40 petals Height: 3-4 feet Bred in 2000, USA by Jerry F. Twomey May the serene scene of Hiroshige's Woodcut #40 and the two roses with 40 petals bring to you much peace and prosperity in your 40th year.

Lao Tzu (604 B.C.-517 B.C.) Chinese silk painting from British Museum

A wisdom quote to share from Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Verse 40: Turning back is how the way moves; weakness is the means the way employs. The myriad creatures in the world are born from Something, and Something from Nothing. — translated by D. C. Lau      Penguin Classics Edition (1967), page 101

In the Bible, Noah was in his ark for 40 days & 40 nights, Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days receiving
the Ten Commandments, Elijah was on Mt. Horeb for 40 days when God spoke to him, Jesus was in the
desert for 40 days & 40 nights tempted by Satan. I found over 500 postage stamps with 40 denomination.
Below are some of my favorites. May Pegasus & the Dragon guide you in understanding these mysteries.

Uruguay C44, 40 centavos Pegasus flying in space (issued 1930), C27-C60A (36)

Israel 397, 40 agorot Noah sending out dove from ark (issued 8-13-1969), 394-398 (5)

Vietnam C5, 40 cents Dragon is supernatural creature (issued 9-3-1952), C5-C9 (5)