the rest of my birthday story

Ok, finally, the pictures arrived... the sunflower card is from the bank, I got two from them, I don't have an explanation for that. Then O'donna and Bill sent me a card with the cutest dog and a caption that reads Celebrate like someone forgot to lock the gate... love it! A "rock" from Kathy in honor of our gardening partnership and hopeful harvest. The cover of the selected music cd that Rachel and Amanda sent. Robin sent me a great box, artfully decorated that contained a movie and a game that will be enjoyed immensely as well as a watercolor of one of the iris that Terry, Robin and I "rescued" from Mrs. Adelgren's (Bill's second grade teacher I think) a few weeks ago, in a packet of artistic drawings, collages and other creative interpretations of things known and non known. Appreciated and now the painting is clipped on the painting holder and every time I look at it I smile. I had more delicious birthday cake for supper and a news worthy and very welcomed phone call from Amanda from the far and distant state of Washington USA. All in all, best birthday ever. From my pinnacle of advancing years, one bit of advice, when talking about time, spend joyfully rather than killing even a minute.. Wishing you all the best, ap/p

My birthday was today - part 1

Today is my birthday. Aunt Jackie sang Happy Birthday cha cha cha about 7 am and the birthday party people arrived about noon. We had fabulous food, grilled chicken, Helen's famous potato salad and green beans, and a gorgeous and equally delicious birthday caked baked by Rachel. Rachel and Amanda gave me a cd of favorite melodies with one of a kind playlist and cd cover, Mimi, Poppi and Terry gave me singing cards, they added a musical dimension to a wonderful day... and the final picture is THE CAKE! more on the next post, only a few pictures loaded on this one. Love to all who love me, ap/p

my horse

By chance do you notice something odd about this picture? Hint, you have to count. This evening I walked to the top of our hill to watch the sunset. Toby chased the farm deer herd of four who with regularity circle our property. I checked the asparagus plants along the fence, enough for a meal if we weren't letting them go to seed. Henry, in the picture, saw me, quit eating and came to be petted... a good way to end my day. I think I'm happy. Reread post, not inspirational or profound, but maybe enough. :)

the community garden

I work on mostly grant funding and this year we have a community garden grant whose primary purpose is to identify adapted tools and environmental strategies that could make gardening accessible or at least more comfortable for people of all ages with health conditions or disabilities. Because the garden is a community garden we are, of course, recruiting people who like to garden and then we actually are now building the garden. Here are a few of our recent photos. Brian Morton volunteered with his friends to find, load, deliver and unload soil enhancement from the local feed yard. Mmmmm, rich stuff. The last picture is Brian and me... holding the pitch forks upright. lol