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Confessions of a Robbed Robin Hood

At an abandoned gas station across the street, they loitered. Cheeky
round things, peeking through the foliage, blushed in the sun.

While land battles were waged through pocket picket signs on yards and
election-year newspaper articles about possible big box super stores,
these coy ones loitered, blossomed, and hung out silent in a forgotten
corner.

Knowing they were unclaimed and the land long-forsaken, I bounced
happily across the street, assuming they were mine.  What abandoned gas
station cares about apples on a small lone tree? In an area that may
soon be demolished for a parking lot, who was planning on these pommes?

Throughout the summer, I popped over for a juicy green apple, thrilled
to have “my own” tree finally. Seeing landfall apples neglected on the
ground confirmed my conclusion. These could be mine, I sighed happily.

 Hearing of the wonders and necessity of frost on apples, I restrained
myself for a number of weeks.  This morning in the brisk morning air,
needing an apple for my Korean Bulgogi lunch, I skipped across the
street to my apple tree.

They were gone. High branches, low branches, even the windfall apples
had been scooped up. Empty leaves and silent swaying branches stared
back at me.

The mystery remains, and makes me blush slightly. Had local neighbors
watched in amusement and awkward worry as I justified my Robin Hood
moments of taking apples from a faceless parking lot and gas station
conglomerate? Or had passing vehicles harkened upon my find, and
profited too? Worst, had the business tycoons been notified of their
rakish unaware rogue?

Blushing in Minnesota, and apple-less… I humbly join Ann in counting gifts:

-for ill-gotten apples, apparently
-for blushing acknowledgement of guilt
-for an afternoon of building raised garden beds with my dad and husband
-sunshine dripping cold off September leaves
-crisp morning air rushing in windows, cuddled blankets with four year old
-fresh cookies and coffee hot
-for his help in choosing peace, calm, kindness and the resulting joy and unity that brings!

Good evening, you. I am glad you are here. What was your day like today? What gifts are you counting as thanks today? Have any weekend confessions to laugh at with me too?

Photo credits to Microsoft clip art.

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12 Comments

  1. Dolly@Soulstops on September 18, 2012 at 1:58 am

    Hi Jennifer,

    I love that picture of you picking the apples…at least they were enjoyed and didn't go to waste ๐Ÿ™‚

    Thanks for your two recent visits: I just found them in my spam…yikes!

    Cuddling with our kids…how sweet ๐Ÿ™‚

    Blessings ๐Ÿ™‚

  2. Jennifer Dougan on September 18, 2012 at 2:00 am

    Dolly,

    I'm sorry my comments have been falling into the spam box. Glad you found them.

    Mmm, missing the apples already,
    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  3. Wise Hearted on September 18, 2012 at 4:45 am

    Make an apple pie for whoever owns old gas station, works wonders. HeHe.

    Where were you to pick up malaria? This was Ace sixth time to have it, the place Papua New Guinea where we served for seven years. I never got it and the last two years did not even take prevention medicine. This time was the worst for Ace, first he is 65 and like I said it took several test before it showed up, his liver, spleen and blood was flooded with the parasites. He is finally off meds and still recovering.

    Thanks Jennifer for visiting my site. Blessings sister.

  4. charis on September 18, 2012 at 5:02 am

    that is a hilarious story. if only i had time to share some of my foolish ideas that seemed good at the time but ended up getting me in trouble. there was the fake parking permit i made in college so i could park closer to my apartment… that didn't go over so well trying to explain my logic to the campus security director. thanks for sharing and making me laugh!

    my recent post: dear me at 15…

  5. cabinart on September 19, 2012 at 5:29 am

    Time for someone to plant an apple tree in her yard!! (that would be you, Miss Jennifer-Hood)

  6. Unknown on September 19, 2012 at 11:08 am

    You should have called this "Robbing the Hood" – love your adventurous spirit!

  7. Cheryl Barker on September 20, 2012 at 4:18 pm

    I'm thankful today for gorgeous and mild weather that allows us to run neither air conditioning or heat. I'm thankful for the pair of chickadees that have been visiting my birdfeeder. I'm thankful for the great blessing of loved ones and friends, and most of all I'm thankful for my Savior — the Friend who is with me always.

    Blessings to you, Jennifer!

  8. Jennifer Dougan on September 21, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    Hi Betty,

    I picked up malaria in Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire where I lived for many years. Glad Ace is feeling better. Did you ever get it?

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  9. Jennifer Dougan on September 21, 2012 at 5:57 pm

    Charis,

    Oh those dumb things we do… ๐Ÿ™‚

    Thanks for stopping by.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  10. Jennifer Dougan on September 21, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Yes, Cabinart,

    I hope to plant an apple tree next spring. Can't wait. I felt bad that someone else still wanted the apples I was wrongly taking. Drat!

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  11. Jennifer Dougan on September 21, 2012 at 6:15 pm

    Hi Shannon,

    That's a good title idea too. ๐Ÿ™‚ Thanks for stopping by, Orange Juice girl.

    Jennifer
    jenniferdougan.com

  12. Jennifer Dougan on September 21, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    Thanks for counting gifts with me this week, Cheryl. I thought of you this morning when an eastern bluebird landed on my deck railing, since I know how much you enjoy birds.

    Jennifer Dougan
    jenniferdougan.com

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