She takes up her trusty pen once again.

A lovely new day is dawning with misty, foggy sweeps of light piercing the eastern sky. Geese honk low over the land and settle for food and fellowship around the sloughs and now empty fields. The tractors and combines are stopped (too early and too wet) and tired farmers are snug in their beds.

Fall has arrived with beauty and vigor. The long tended gardens and perennial beds are overflowing with produce and mounds of pink and yellow flowers. The cool nights bring dew and darkened colours to the tired summer grass and it has taken on the richest deepest colours of fall. Mister Big Chief Okanese poplar shakes his gigantic leaves gently and stubby round Fat Albert Spruce swings his blue tipped branches methodically.

The land is alive with joy.

I am too. I awoke early to a brand new day with no plans. I slipped out of bed and watched Pat and Colby jog out to the corner where we keep Storm, bringing him food and water for the day. Pat is always put together well and his oldest son is a splitting image of him. (I can’t say spittin’. Whoever thought of spittin’ anyway?) Colby and Zach have spent the last couple of weeks doing long days at the shop, helping with rods. They’re actually working, I’ve heard. This is the best thing that could happen to them.

I always have a birthday in August and this year was no exception. I think it was the best birthday I’ve had in eons. We met Rennie & Bren and their family at the Berry Barn down by the river. It’s a beautifully landscaped place with a restaurant specializing in waffles, sausage and toppings. It has a huge diverse gift shop, a large Saskatoon orchard, even a place for the children to play outside. Bren and I strolled all the way down to the gazebos where they host weddings. She and I could talk for hours just about our houses and children and this day was the day. I think my children are rightfully surprised at how I act with my sister. They were all playing on these wooden trains and truck and we went and joined them. I jumped on and someone hollered “All aboard!!” and Bren and I proceeded to loudly ‘tooot’ in three part harmony (she got Shani to join us). It was rather realistic, even with the Doppler affect at the end. Only a few people stopped and stared. J

I got some lovely gifties too. I wouldn’t say I’m such a big birthday person as others in Pat’s family but I always appreciate the love of friends and family. Just a little list of thangs I received: Notes From a Blue Bike, Love The Home You Have, The Holiday Cookbook by PW, a large fall candle and braided fall mat, a rustic blue pitcher, a bright pink over the door (shoulder boulder holder) – no, no. A bright pink over the door hook set, an orange geometrical patterned bag for keeping food cool, a beautiful plate with a tall angel food cake frosted delightfully (from my heart sister), a pretty new mug with my favourite chai tea bags. I feel very, very blessed.

What have you been up to? Is it fall in your area?