Glad You're Alive

(Me and My Mom Somewhere between 1967 and 1968)

I used to have trouble accepting happy birthday wishes until I realized when someone says "Happy birthday" what they often mean is "I'm glad you're alive." At least that's what I often feel when I say those words. I'm happy the person is here on this planet and part of my life. I am thankful for them. Of course I wish them happiness on their actual day of birth too, but some days, even some birth days, just aren't traditionally happy. And that's okay. Life isn't about being emotionally happy and having fun all the time. Peace matters more. Learning matters more. Light and goodness matter more. 

I am grateful for my parents for teaching me the truth. I'm glad they are alive too.

Abundance

Tomatoes, peaches, plums, and two (possibly three) varieties of apples are on the counter. Zucchini, cucumbers, beets, and three different varieties of grapes are in the fridge. Raspberries and blackberries from last month are in the freezer.
Just about all of this came from my mother-in-law's garden.
This is a blessed time of year here in UT. 

Robbin' Birdies

One of my older daughters brought our attention to these little birds that were trying to pull and take pieces of string from the ropes holding up our hammock.
I took the pictures from inside the kitchen through the sliding glass door. 

Hiking above SLC

We spent a lot of time on the Bonneville Shoreline Trail above SLC this evening for our date night. There are a lot of interesting places to wander up there. It beat the dinner-and-a-movie routine, was free minus the gas, the frozen yogurt, and the babysitter, and it reminded me I don't have to go far from home to find adventure.

Fun to Have a Son

My sister-in-law took this picture of my son and his cousin playing way up high on top my mother-in-law's old chicken coop. I like it. And I liked it even better that nobody got hurt.

More Surprises

Just when I thought our yard held no more surprises, this year I discovered these flowers grow in pink.

And while I thought I was taking pictures of flowers, it turns out I was really taking pictures of the sky.