Dear Elisa:

HAPPY 44th BIRTHDAY!

Woodblock Print #44 from 100 Views of Edo "View of Nihonbashi Töri" (1858) by Ando Hiroshige (1797-1858), Brooklyn Museum Notes U.S. #4444c Mark Rothko "Orange & Yellow" 44¢ (March 11, 2010) Spring is coming, just three weeks away! May Ando Hiroshige's Woodcut #44 with Sumiyoshi dancers from Osaka in the summer and bright "Orange & Yellow" colors of Rothko's No. 44 bring you much joyfulness, beauty, wonder, and peace in your 44th year.

Lao Tzu's Tao Te Ching, Verse 44: Fame or integrity: which is more important? Money or happiness: which is more valuable? Success of failure: which is more destructive? If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled. If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself. Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are. When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you. — translated by Stephen Mitchell      Harper Perennial (1994)

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

U.S. and Foreign Postage Stamps with 44 denomination:

U.S. #4461 Katharine Hepburn 44¢ (issued 5-12-2010)

U.S. #4475 Mother Teresa 44¢ (issued 9-5-2010)

U.S. #4477 Angel with Lute 44¢ (issued 10-21-2010)

U.S. #4406 Bob Hope 44¢ (issued 5-29-2009)

U.S. #4421 Gary Cooper 44¢ (issued 9-10-2009)

U.S. #4468 Calvin & Hobbes 44¢ (issued 7-16-2010)

U.S. #4469 Archie 44¢ (issued 7-16-2010)

U.S. #4470 Garfield 44¢ (issued 7-16-2010)

U.S. #4471 Dennis the Menace 44¢ (issued 7-16-2010)

Netherlands 1262 0.44 Euro, Kissing Lips (issued Dec. 11, 2006)

Netherlands 1268, 0.44 Euro Numeral 44 (issued Dec. 11, 2006)

Netherlands 1355a, 0.44 Euro 125 years Windmill (issued March 23, 2010)

Netherlands 1356, 0.44 Euro Four Leaved Clover (issued March 29,2010)

Palau 98a, 44 cents Return of Halley's Comet (issued Dec. 21, 1985)

Palau 98b, 44 cents Return of Halley's Comet (issued Dec. 21, 1985)

Palau 98c, 44 cents Return of Halley's Comet (issued Dec. 21, 1985)

Palau 98d, 44 cents Return of Halley's Comet (issued Dec. 21, 1985)