Millions at last count . . . . .

There he was on my birthday morning as the sun came up, 

munching breakfast on the deck.

No, millions of grey squirrels have not invaded my 

garden - maybe just a dozen at the most recent count -

but this year is one of those bounty years for acorns. 

Millions, trillions, perhaps even a gazillion, are 

carpeting the back garden.

In the sunshine the camellias literally glow. . . . . 

. . . .the golden angel trumpets continue to open and dangle above the overgrown lantana. 

A few late hydrangea blooms wait patiently to be cut and 

dried at just the right moment when their brilliant blues 

turn rosy pink tinged with olive green.

Along the back fence the jasmine has clambered cautiously 

all summer. Here and there a golden leaf falls into a 

special little place announcing autumn's arrival.

Early clouds soon cleared leaving a cobalt sky, perfect 

weather for a birthday, or any day.

I have pansies to plant, along with bags of tulip bulbs. . . 

meanwhile I'm just enjoying these last warm, clear days of 

autumn.

Thanks to each of you who sent birthday greetings, 

I was thrilled to be remembered as yet another 

year passed by and a new one began.