Another post without pictures ... to the disappoinment of my sister and possibly others ;-)

My neighborhood is filled with apple trees that are heavy with ripening fruit. When I take morning walks, I pass yards that are littered with bruised fruit, fruit that the squirrels and birds have feasted on, perfect fruit that is lying there for the taking.

All this fruit lying on the ground was driving me crazy - so I started knocking on doors. "Do you have plans for your apples? If not, would you mind if I picked them and used them?"

I've gleaned the most wonderful harvest and am making the most of it! So far, I've made apple butter and applesauce, and am hoping to get some pears, too, from a tree I found. If only I had more time - I'd make even more delicious things - apple bbq sauce, apple pie filling, apple jelly, apple chutney. Oh, the flavors I could conjure!

The apple butter was rich and dark with spices, delicious and so wonderful on hot, buttered toast! And the applesauce! I didn't peel all the apples, and so my applesauce has a tint of red from the skins. It's just the prettiest color, and the flavor- a mix of sweet and sour apples from two different trees - is divine. I'm in heaven!

All these treasures that summer and fall bring - peaches, plums, apples, pears, pumpkins, carrots. It is a wonder to me - such a bounty of color, of flavor and textures.

I am so thankful for the seeds that we put in the ground, and with a little water and sunlight, they return to us as gifts for the taking.

Wonderful.

Today's my birthday ... and today I'm giving away the last of my father's books from his office. A teary phone call to start out this day. The local Bible college is going to take the books, which is a blessing - to know they will be used by students striving to know God better. But it is sad, too. And Janice, Dad's wife, is moving to Tulsa tomorrow to be closer to her aging parents, so tonight will be my last birthday dinner with her in who knows how long. Two sad things.

A bittersweet day.

Isn't that the way life goes? Ups and downs, not knowing what's around the bend, bright sunshine and pouring rain.

But I feel like the older I get the more I am able to choose how I'm going to proceed - I am less blown by the winds of my emotions. Sure, I still have tantrums, get angry when I shouldn't, can't seem to see any joy in a day, but those moments and days are less frequent, and for that I am thankful.

I'm thankful for so many things in my life - and my birthday always makes me think of those things. I have such a blessed life - not meaning it's been easy - but whose life is? I sometimes make a mental list of the hard things, so in balance I can see that the negative list is always shorter.

But this morning, I'll just list some of the good things. After all, what kind of a birthday post would list yucky stuff? ;-)

• a kitty who adores me is sleeping in my window, enjoying the cool morning breezes (he and I both love it when fall arrives)
• I have lost some weight and this skirt looks pretty darn cute! :)
• my hubby is taking me out for brunch - yum!
• I have a garden full of pumpkins ripening on the vine (oh! I've never posted garden pics this summer! I might still get on that...)
• I already got in some doggie love this morning from my next door neightbor's adorable red heeler
•  I have an incredible family that loves me very much - an amazing gift!

I could go on and on. My list could be very long, but I'll stop there - I've got some birthday celebrating to do!!

I hope you all have as wonderful a year as I will. I hope daily blessings are the norm. I hope love and hope fill your hearts. And may each birthday be a celebration of you. :)