Sheryl Crow, Big 5-0.

Today, Sheryl Crow turns 50.  She's survived breast cancer and a big bike wreck (just kidding, Lance) and now she's got a rocking career and her own cute little young 'uns.  So, salutations to you, Ms. Crow.

And because today my mood is as black as a monsignor's cassock, I also happen to know that today is also the 49th anniversary of the day Sylvia Plath decided to say Goodbye to All That with an overly thorough inspection of her gas oven.  While it was turned on.  Which makes me think of another suicidal writer and a novel about same, and the movie about the novel, which if you've seen you will no doubt remember Julianne Moore trying to bake that damn birthday cake....which would have been tough for anybody doing it to the tune of that annoying Philip Glass score.

JM: Measuring out her misery with the all-purpose flour in The Hours.

Anyway, here's to you as well, Ms. Moore, still rockin' it at 51.