Grounded

Deep into the earthly soil grows
roots when seedlings send out tendrils
seeking needed nutrition -
a miracle in action.

These roots seek out minerals
found naturally in the soil
that cause the seedlings to grow strong
with a stalk and leaves before long.

Daily these roots drink in nourishment.
Sometimes a shower will bring refreshment.
These roots grow longer
growing the plant stronger.

Though unseen, these roots impart
stability from the start
for life isn't always sunshine.
Life can be harsh sometimes.

You see, storms will come to pass.
Wind storms or hail storms blow past.
Sometimes drought or floods might disrupt.
It's the roots that hold the plant up.

Grounded by its roots, the plant stood firm.
Secure despite life's unwelcome storms.
Strengthened because its roots grew deep.
Standing firm, a lesson to keep.

* * * * *

Stand firm.  Stand firm in faith
through whatever you face
for that whatever will grow your faith
as God bestows a measure of grace.

Stand firm  Stand firm in believing faith
as you lean on God's amazing grace
for God's grace will always enable
making the impossible possible.

Stand firm against each of satan's attacks.
Stand firm in faith, then let God fight back.
Make a vow to stay strong
in the face of wrong.

Stand firm when fear comes in
as fear is satan's domain
Stand firm in the strength of the Lord.
Through faith in God, stay securely moored.

Stand firm despite whatever troubles
for troubles show that God is able.
Others are watching you
to see if your faith is true.

Stand firm and continually trust
in God who does take care of us.
God's faithfulness will carry you through
and will grow your believing faith too.

Stand firm.  Do not be encumbered,
by this life's many problems.
God has a good purpose and plan
to bless His children.  Amen.

If you do not stand firm in your faith,
you will not stand at all.
Isaiah 7:9b

Stand firm and you will see
the deliverance the Lord will bring you today...
The Lord will fight for you;
you need only to be still.
Exodus 14:13-14

Stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you...
Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.
II Chronicles 20:17

Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm.
Let nothing move you.
Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord,
because you know that your labor in the Lord
is not in vain.
I Corinthians 15:58

Be on your guard;
stand firm in the faith;
be men of courage; be strong.
I Corinthians 16:13

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again
by a yoke of slavery.
Galatians 5:1

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Empty Nest

Someone's growing up too fast.
Ready to leave home at last.
Their heads peek out the door.
They can't wait to explore.

Their parents are busy this morn
feeding their big babies worms.
And how they talk up a storm!
Their babies have lots to learn.

Are these parents saying "stay"
or encouraging "go play"?
Will today
be the day?

One leans too far out.
Suddenly he's out.
Or was he pushed
for two more heads push...

out the door
to explore
the outdoors
where fun lures.

The first one
air born
spreads his wings
in the wind.

He's free!  He's free!
There's much to see.
He calls "follow me"
to his siblings with glee.

There they go
down low
then up high as the breeze
blows in the tree's leaves.

Spreading their wings
they glide on the wind.
Free!
Free!

Are their parents happy or sad?
Are these fledglings glad?
Their parents did their best.
All too soon there's an empty nest.

* * * * *

Do you feel empty void, useless?
Do you feel you've lost your purpose?
A job ended unexpectedly.
Maybe illness came suddenly.
Perhaps the loss of your spouse
or foreclosure on your house.

Life the way you know it has changed.
Your time is now rearranged.
Sometimes this rearranging
is God's way of preparing -
opening the door for a new opportunity,
turning a dream into a possibility.

Instead of dwelling on the past,
get busy and have a blast.
Turn your negatives
into positives.
An adventure awaits.
You won't want to be late.

Many, O Lord my God,
are the wonders you have done.
The things you planned for us
no one can recount to you,
were I to speak and tell of them,
they would be too many to declare.
Psalm 39:5

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Shine (Philippians 2:15)

(Written as a potential song along the tune of Born Free.)

Refrain:
Always be loving, patient, and kind
for God's purpose for you is to shine.
Ambassadors in the family of faith
always illuminating God's truth.
God's purpose for you from your birth
is to shine like stars in the universe,
to be a shining light in the darkness
so be a light and shine, shine forth.

Shine in the midst of your troubles
proclaiming that God is able.
Others will see your example
for when life seems to be impossible
they need a light that shines forth
showing them troubles have worth,
giving hope in their heartache,
bringing God's peace to their hearts.
Refrain

Shine in your words, deeds, and actions
for others you'll be attracting
as you shine bright with God's light
always proclaiming what's right,
offering encouragement
to those you have met
with loving understanding and
often giving a helping hand.
Refrain

Others will see your passion
when as stars you do shine -
so shine bright as the stars
today right where you are.
God's purpose for you from your birth
is to shine like stars in the universe
to be a shining light in the darkness
so be a light and shine, shine forth.
Refrain

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June Flowers

Poppy

Shasta Daisies

Bearded Iris

Foxglove

Peony

Peony

 Rose Campion

 Japanese Painted Fern

Love In a Mist

Feverfew

Daylily

Discontent

Most people can't wait for the hot days of summer.
Somehow people associate hot as funner.
But when they come, they want the hot days over.
A season of discontent seems to take over.

It's too hot to be outside.
Everyone's stuck inside.
Fans are employed
or ACs enjoyed.

But we'd rather be outside,
perhaps by the poolside,
but it's too hot.
Happy we're not.

Then rain cools the earth
but mugginess springs forth.
Everyone's sick of being sticky
from the humidity.  It's icky.

It feels tropical
which is typical
when the humidity soars
and supersedes the temperatures.

Perhaps the air feels cooler
but sweat runs faster.
Humidity is to blame.
If only it would rain.

We're not happy when it's too hot.
When it's too humid, happy we're not.
If it were to rain, would we be happy?
Are we ever content?  Not likely!

So it rains as we desired.
Then how we perspire!
Our energy is drained
and so is our brain.

Discontent we are.
Unhappy by far.
Definitely restless.
In fact, quite useless.

All because of the "dog days" that arrive each summer
named after the dog star "Sirius," now that's funner!
Those hot days between early July and September
which many look forward to each year, known as summer.

* * * * *

I'm wondering if those discontented in I Samuel 22:2
were so because they were up to their eyeballs in distress because of debt due.
I would be, would you?
Would you feel blue?

There are other "d's" the discourage
in this generation, at any age:
death, depravity, despair, destitute, detestable, devil, disability, disappoint,
discriminate, disease, disfigure, disgrace, disillusion, distress, downcast, drought...

These "d's" are "do not's," i.e., commands.
For our well-being and long life they are meant.
Do not:  deceive, defraud, defile, desire, be dishonest, devious,
dishonor, disobey, disown, divorce - this is the short list, it's obvious.

There is a solution, it's:  DELIGHT yourself in the Lord.
In doing so you'll find God's blessing will continually pour
but not what the world thinks as affluent.
God's blessings are peace and contentment.

All those who were in distress, or in debt, or discontented.
Samuel 22:2

Have no other gods before me...
You shall not make for yourself an idol...
do not misuse the name of the Lord your God...
Observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy...
Honor your father and your mother...
You shall not murder...
You shall not commit adultery...
You shall not steal...
You shall not give false testimony...
You shall not covet...
Deuteronomy 5:6-21

Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalm 37:4

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Daniel

Daniel loves to eat vegetables.
He doesn't wait to set the table.
He eats what he wants
as often as he wants.

Daniel likes sweet green peppers the best.
He eats them before he eats the rest.
He hasn't tried hot peppers at all.
Perhaps he's too smart, that Daniel.

One of his favorites is snow peas.
Green pole beans also seem to please.
Daniel has never said no to beets either.
He likes butternut squash when it's tender.

Daniel will try potatoes
and nibble on tomatoes.
Green seems to be his favorite color,
though he wears a tan coat and collar.

Yes, Daniel loves to eat vegetables.
This is a true tale, not a fable.
Then again, the eater might be Danielle, who knows,
for they come in the middle of the night, you know.

Daniel or Danielle are unwelcome guests.
Who are these midnight guests?  Can you guess?
They are deer
who are not dear.

But they do have a lesson to teach us:
vegetables are very good for us.
They give us strength to jump up high
and endurance to run fast, bye bye.

* * * * *

The Bible tells us a true story about another Daniel.
This Daniel asked for vegetables to be served at the table.
Daniel and his friend were healthier looking
and God gave them all a keen mind for learning.

It is a good idea to follow Daniel's example.
Daniel, God's servant; not Daniel the deer's example.
Daniel the deer steals his vegetables
and you know, of course, that stealing is illegal.

Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink...
At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished...
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding
of all kinds of literature and learning.
Daniel 1:12, 15, 17

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Crabapple

In the spring a buzzing tree
topped with white blooms so pretty
then visited by humming bees
heard singing loudly, filled with glee.

But then one day, rather windy or rainy,
those lovely blooms are no longer pretty
so these wee buzzing bees
go somewhere else for tea.

In the summer a nesting tree
where two parents wait patiently
for their little ones still wee
to spread their wings and be free.

Then one day, all too soon for me,
this little brood of fledglings flee
to parts unknown unfortunately
leaving me a little unhappy.

In the fall a fruiting tree
as wee crab apples plenty
create a picture as pretty as can be
and perhaps homemade jelly for toast with tea.

Some fruit will fall to the ground to be
a seed to grow into a seedling wee
then one day grow into another tree
with many functions for all to see.

In the winter a feeding tree
on mornings cold and snowy
where hungry birds come to dine for free
as they rest for awhile on their knees.

How happy this crab apple tree
when birds fill its limbs with glee.
Even if one happens to sing off key
it won't live up to its name - crabby.

Entertainment all year long you'll see
if you plant a crab apple tree.
Its branches grow each year more stately
attracting bees and birds and even me.


* * * * *

Just as a tree has many purposes,
you life, too, has many purposes.
These purposes may change as time goes on
perhaps making a difference beyond.

In order to fulfill your purpose
you need to be headed toward the right quest.
This quest is to know when to take risks
and when to stay true to the tried list.

Part of this quest is to not live in fear
but to seek God, who is always near,
as fear can often paralyze
keeping us from living our lives.

Don't let fear define who you are
as God's beloved - that's who you are.
This is your foundation, your roots,
that will keep you strong throughout.

If you're rooted in the Tree of Life
then you'll find purpose throughout life.
Perhaps not the world's view of success,
but purpose through God, nevertheless.

So stand firm through the fears of life,
just like the tree buffeted by life.
Because its foundation is secure
not only will is stand, it will endure.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
Psalm 1:3

I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God's unfailing love forever and ever.
Psalm 52:8

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the Lord,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, "The Lord is upright; he is my rock."
Psalm 92:12

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Storms

Clouds gathering in the sky,
the sun now hidden says bye,
distant thunder draws nigh,
lighting flashes by and by.

The wind comes from who knows where.
There's the smell of rain in the air.
Raindrops
start to plop.

Raindrops turn into sprinkles, then
sprinkles turn into showers, then
showers turn to pouring rain.
Will the sun ever shine again?

The temperature cools
as the storm comes through.
Vegetation
takes a beating.

Limbs sway
all which ways
as trees take a shower
in nature's awesome power.

Torrents of rain
and thunder reigns
as this afternoon storm
leaves leaves and limbs torn.

Puddles form
before too long
then flooding from the downpour
as thunder continues to roar.

The sky is laden with gray.
Nervous dogs are heard bay.
Though rain was needed, "enough already."
The storm turns into a shower steady.

Sooner or later the storm blows through
then the clouds make way for skies of blue
for behind the clouds, the sun
was waiting to shine along.

When the sun does finally shine through,
a rainbow's spectrum will surprise you
with a promise -
nature's kiss...

lovingly bestowed
on everything below
assuring that God is in control
even when storm clouds continue to blow.

* * * * *

Yes, behind the storm clouds the sun
was hidden but still there all along.
Yet our focus was on the storm,
of our new fears being born.

Behind our personal storms the Son
is forgotten, but still there all along.
His focus is always on us
even when we forget to trust.

Sometimes it takes a storm
for us to finally learn
that the Son knows what is best.
It's when we learn His faithfulness.

Next time there's a rainstorm,
think about this lesson learned:
that the hidden sun is waiting to shine
and the Son is there for you - all the time.

He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and he guided them to their desired haven.
Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love.
Psalm 107:29

He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging water;
the storms subsided, and all was calm.
Luke 8:24

For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son
and believes in him shall have eternal life.
John 6:40

The life I live in the body,
I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20

We have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son
to be the Savior of the world.
I John 4:14

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A Partial Garden Tour

 Hosta/fern garden above.

This bed began with the weeping cherry, the hydrangea, the stone path to chair, 

then filled in with flowers given to me.

 A c-shaped bed.

The herb garden in the shape of a wagon wheel.  Added pots for additional herbs.

A toad abode in the lower left.

One side of the arbor garden.  Always leave milkweed to grow wherever.

Once the perennial bachelor buttons go to seed, the yellow finches will feast.

Come July when there's more color,

I plan to get out the ladder to take pictures looking down.

I always have seeds to share.

Send address under my private msg fb account.

Blooms

What's blooming today:

 

The deep purple iris, daisies and orange poppies are in the same bed, blooming at the same time.

Baptisia, siberian iris and foxglove are blooming today.  Peonies soon.