BIRTHDAY # 73

I am so very thankful for today! Andrew and family gathered here for breakfast, worship and then lunch to celebrate my birthday. At 4 pm, Karol and I headed to the Corn Roast at Peace Campus Center - a reminder of many celebrations past with international students and community people. Today was the final roast for Rollie, Ron and Laurie who have been working with the corn roast for many years....a  true commitment to campus ministry and a service to hundreds of students over the years.

A white zucchini cake with cream cheese frosting. I'm not sure about the candles!

The "big blow" could not extinguish all of the candles. Three trick ones remained.

I can't say enough about my lovely and loving wife, Karol. Here she brought a cup of water so that I could extinguish the trick candles that would not go out.

Even Andrew (who doesn't do dessert) waited to scoop ice cream and then have his own piece of cake. Kaitlyn eagerly waits.

Again, I am so thankful for a return of health - thankful for celebrating this natal day. I am now 100% healthy after six plus weeks of recovering from viral meningitis.

Rollie "The Eagle" Schroeder has always had a good time coordinating the corn roasting and burger grilling team. This year he is wrapping up his career as "corn boss."

Sherrilee Wallerman was one who enjoyed the SWEET corn.

We spent some good time visiting with the North Wisconsin District president, Dwayne Lueck, and his wife, Cheryl.

FEMALE EASTERN BLACK TIGER SWALLOWTAIL

Here is a butterfly that I have never before seen. I hope that you enjoy looking at the swallowtail as much as I enjoyed taking the pictures.

NEVER CEASING

It seems that the perennial bed never stops showing off colors. The pansies I planted in spring are still in full bloom (perhaps due to a cooler summer). The phlox are now blooming along with the surprise lilies that just recently popped out of the ground.

ENJOY!

A portion of our perennial bed. In the center are the surprise lilies; tiger lilies are top right; black eyed susans in the foreground.

The mums have begun to show their colors.

Several varieties/colors of phlox are in full bloom.

Karol is rightly proud of her geranium window box.

At Matthew's encouragement, we bought this cardinal flower.

SUMMER BEAUTY

One of the marvelous joys of summer is butterfly viewing. It can be random or it can be very intentional. I like both!

Today there were several kinds of butterflies around our flowers. One one kind cooperated enough to enable me to get some good pictures. Enjoy them as I have enjoyed taking them.

And another thank you to each of you for your prayers and well wishes as I recovered from my viral meningitis. I believe that now I'm right at 95 or 96%!

Our 12 foot long, three foot zinnias provide an excellent place to take pictures.

After I harvest the onions from the garden (pulled and then one day in the warm sun), I tie them in small bunches and take them to the shed where they hang until right before the freeze. Last year we had "copra" onions until the middle of this April.

KAITLYN'S RIDE

Grand daughter, Kaitlyn Selle, had a good time overnight with Grandpa and Grandma. Over the years, grandchildren have loved to sit on the lawn tractor, first, just to ride, then to steer, and when their legs were long enough to push on the pedal to "make it go." I'm thankful that they are not heavy enough to take the rider off by themselves. That will come soon enough (when, hopefully, I am in need of someone to mow my big lawn).

Kaitlyn sat on the seat in front of me while I took a couple of videos. I thought you might enjoy traveling with us on the paths through our woods. And let me apologize for the negative comments I made during our first trip (I do hope that I'm always not this negative).

THE FIRST TRIP - TO THE SOUTH OF OUR HOUSE

THE SECOND TRIP - TO THE NORTH OF OUR HOUSE


I know that you would love to see a picture of Kaitlyn.

Age 8, going on 16.

FLOWERS GALORE!

This summer, in spite of the lack of rain, we have had an abundance of beautiful flowers, both wild and those in our flower beds. I share them, all the while giving thanks to God for His creation of these beauties of nature.

Daylillies

Asian lilies

Tiger lilies

Perennial bed on the north side of our home

hydrangea bush on the south side of our home (also snowball bush)

One of our three varieties of clematis

We have 10 or so different kinds of Asian lilies

Ornamental thistle

Our sweet smelling ever blooming rose