Happy birthday to you: Tom Robbins is now 90 years old!

Surrounded by a carefully curated assortment of tiny toys and random delights, Tom Robbins, one of the most engaging writers of serio-comic culture, leans over his keyboard. He is replying to one of the many love letters received daily from his fandom.

It is July and the fireplace crackles inside this 148 year-old cabin in La Conner. Here and there, tables and shelves overflow with treasured memorabilia reflecting the boyish sweetness of a childhood maintained. Notable amongst this collection are a series of peach cans, buddhas, antique circus toys and a neon baby riding a fish, all of which appear to be arranged in quiet contemplation of a fine selection of woodpecker art. One pivots to a stunning display of ephemera from a spam carving contest, a stained glass window of an aerialist and finally a Chairman Mao poster.

An adjacent wall is lined with more art, accolades and photographs of one of the most iconic writers of the 20th century. Robbins, embedded within his own extensive library of books, gives us a glimpse into the wickedly funny theater of his mind. Timothy Leary, Barbara Hershey and Leonard Cohen are all hanging out with the writer. Nearby a gold record given to him from the Doors (a 1960s rock group) serves as a thank-you for whipping up some prose for the inside of one of their album covers.

Tom Robbins was born July 22, 1932 in Blowing Rock, North Carolina.

A quick scan of his Wikipedia page underscores the enormous contributions he has made to American literature.

He has penned more than eight novels, as well as multiple short stories and essays.

Titles include “Even Cowgirls Get the Blues” (1976), “Another Roadside Attraction” (1971), “Still Life with Woodpecker” (1980), “Jitterbug Perfume” (1984), Skinny Legs and All” (1990), “Half Asleep in Frog Pajamas” (1994), “Fierce Invalids Home from Hot Climates” (2000), “Villa Incognito” (2003), “Wild Ducks Flying Backward” (2005), “B Is for Beer” (2009) and, of course, “Tibetan Peach Pie” (2014).

Robbins’ work has been translated in multiple languages and his publisher, marking his immense vision, gave him an unusual allowance. He was permitted to design his book covers through his friend Les Le Pere, a wheat farmer and graphic translator of conceptual ideas.

In his cabin, Robbins types away at his computer. A gold colored settee occupies a space nearby. There, arranged in soldier-like formation, two rows of unshelled peanuts await dispatch to the squirrels that have taken up residency in the courtyard. In attendance on this day are Purrcy the cat, occupying the uppermost reaches of the cabin, while doggies Taffy and Tulip work the sunny spot on the rug. Alexa, Robbins’ wife of 32 years, is making tea. A large-screened computer has replaced his typewriter of yesteryear as sharpened pencils and bright yellow legal pads patiently await his next thoughts.

Tom hits the print button as he settles in for a few pre- birthday questions.

1. What is on your mind right now?

T.R. Exploring fresh routes along which to follow the Charmer’s pipes down those old oblique pathways of mysticism and romanticism.

2. What is your stake in the ground?

A few years ago, Bantam Books published my children’s book about beer. It sold surprisingly well and now Australian pop star Ben Lee is attempting to adapt it as a musical for the big screen. B Is for Beer, the movie. We’ll see how that goes down.

3. Is there a new superhero amongst us?

Of course. There’s a superhero born every 23 minutes. Generally, however, his or her lifespan is shorter than that of a May fly in July.

4. Will we see you on Mars?

Not unless I get lost on my way to Venus.

So it is that on this day in the Skagit Valley in summer is 2022, the great Tom Robbins continues to ponder the universe from a tiny cabin at the edge of his world. Outside the squirrels are patiently waiting for their ration of nuts.

Meg Holgate is a fine arts painter living in La Conner.