Let's make this birthday one to remember.

80 years old (Born on January 20, 1945)

Happy Birthday, Robert Olen Butler! May your day be filled with joy and a good scent from something far more delightful than any strange mountain. Your Pulitzer Prize-winning stories continue to captivate readers—proving once again that nobody crafts characters quite like you do.

From the quirky adventures of Mr. Spaceman to the heartfelt journeys in Sun Dogs and Wabash, you've taken us on unforgettable literary rides through time and space (and occasionally Indiana). Here's hoping this birthday brings as much excitement as one of your novels—but perhaps fewer aliens or existential crises!

Cheers to another year crafting brilliance!