Once Upon a Time

Once Upon a Time

Once upon a time in your neighborhood there was a nut.

Not an ordinary nut; a nut that wore a top hat.

You see, other nuts

do not wear hats.

The outside of this nut was quite hard.

You could hear it drop outside in the yard.

Though the outside was different than others

it was what was on the inside that mattered.

You see, inside this nut there was a special seed.

It was not an ordinary seed, no indeed.

This seed was going to grow

into something great, you know.

This seed somehow knew

someday it would grow

into something very special -

just like you are someone special.

After a few days of rain

followed by the warm sun,

this seed began to sprout.

It wanted to get out.

The hard nut shell cracked

as the seed grew fast.

Roots grew down

into the ground.

Branches and limbs

shot up from within.

Soon it was taller than

even the tallest man.

Roots are needed for stability

so it would not tip over, you see.

The branches and limbs provided shade.

That's one reason why this nut was made.

From the branches and limbs grew pretty green leaves.

Now you know this nut grew into a tree.

Not an ordinary tree.

It became a mighty oak tree.

Now an oak tree does not begin life as an oak seed

though maple trees do start life as a maple seed.

The mighty oak tree grows from a little acorn.

An acorn is the nut with the little hat worn.

Next time you go for a hike

or go for a ride on your bike,

be sure to look for acorns

then tell someone what you have learned.

You might even plant an acorn

and watch an oak tree be born

but beware, the squirrels and chipmunks

might eat your acorn for their lunch!

For acorns have two purposes, yes.

One is food for your garden guests,

the other to reproduce itself

and maybe become a bookshelf...

as trees are wood

that one day could

be made into a house, a door, a table, a chair,

or even a tree house hidden in the leaves up there.

Yes, that little nut became something special

as you are growing into someone special

as inside you there's being born

someone special as you grow and learn.

* * * * *

Just like inside the acorn is a seed,

inside each one of us is a seed

waiting to be let out -

wanting to grow and sprout.

Yes, once upon a time before you were even born

God planted in you something special to be formed.

We don't know what it is we are to do or be

but life will show us what it is eventually.

Some people were born to care for others.

These people are nurses and doctors.

Policemen and firemen also care for others

for they like to help people who are in trouble.

Some people were born to be teachers.

Some people like to work with numbers.

Other people like computers

while others become builders.

Some people become farmers

and others are truck drivers.

Each and everyone makes our life better

as we all live life together.

For people encourage others

quite often by being a helper.

Everything that everyone does

is to help one another, it does.

Believe it, you can do

whatever you want to do -

rather an astronaut

or even the president!

Though sometimes life isn't always kind

as weed seeds blow into our minds.

These bad weed seeds

choke out the good seeds.

The weed seeds say, “you can't do that”

or maybe someone will laugh

when you share your dream

to play on a ball team.

Don't listen to those weed seeds

for weed seeds are bad seeds.

Listen to the seeds that say, 'yes, you can'

then practice until you're the best you can.

In order to be the very best

you have to practice, practice, practice.

So practice your instrument everyday

or whatever sport it is you love to play.

God has made you to do and be someone special

and someday what you do will be influential.

Just like the little acorn grew into a might oak tree,

you'll going to grow up to be great, just you want and see!

I can do everything through him

who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13

We are God's workmanship,

created in Christ Jesus to do good works,

which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Ephesians 2:10

Our God may count you worth of his calling,

and that by his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours

and every act prompted by your faith.

II Thessalonians 1:11

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

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Friend Toad

 Friend Toad

Friend toad

truth told

is my helper

for gardeners

need an assistant

other than the ants.

Friend toad

I'm told

eats bugs

and grubs

or slugs.

Yuk! Ugh!

Friend toad

eats loads

you know

but first folds

his grateful hands in prayer

to say thanks for his fare.

Friend toad

tongue rolled

finds good things to eat.

To him a sweet treat.

Slurp!

Burp!

Friend toad

now rolls

into a mound

on the brown ground

to snooze and digest

his dinner guests.

* * * * *

Our daily blessings we tend to forget

like shelter, food, clothing, relationships -

the basic necessities of life,

without which would cause unending strife.

All these and so many more

are blessings from the Lord

for the Lord doesn't want us to live in strife.

He wants us to have joy, peace, and hope in our life.

Be sure to thank the Lord today

for all the good things He's sent your way

and thank Him for His good purpose and plan

that is waiting for all men and women.

May the God of hope

fill you with all joy and peace

as you trust in him,

so that you may overflow with hope

by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Went out to dig fingerlings this morning.
Look who was helping!

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

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Outdoors

Overhead sky-blue sky
and puffy clouds floating by
as the sun dons
a bright new morn.

A breeze stirs the treetops
rustling the leaves atop
where last night's raindrops
are heard plop, plop, plop...

for thunder heard during the night
brought cooling rain to delight
and sound sleep.
Now sunlight peeks.

Can't wait to get outside
where so much delights the eyes.
A rainbow of flowers
in crayon colors,

fresh vegetables to harvest
will fill a big basket,
birds serenading
early each morning,

butterflies come to sip,
hummingbirds seen dip,
bees humming -
it's something!

You won't want to waste a minute,
so let's get right into it.
Get out the wheelbarrow and let's roll.
You know overnight more weeds did grow.

Who would want to stay inside
when there's so much to see outside?
There's so much more in store
in the great outdoors.

* * * * *

I hope you were able to enjoy some time outdoors today.
Hopefully, visiting with friends you've met along life's way.
Or maybe take a ride to see
your localities scenery
for God's creation is a wonder to behold -
more awe-inspiring than can ever be told.

Be sure to read the below scripture from Job.
Then look for God's whisper, simply behold
the wonder of God's majesty in creation
created though each and every nation.
You'll be filled with awe
over what you saw.

He spreads out the northern skies over empty space;
he suspends the earth over nothing.
He wraps up the waters in his clouds,
yet the clouds do not burst under their weight.
He covers the face of the full moon,
spreading his clouds over it.
He marks out the horizon on the face of the waters
for a boundary between light and darkness.
By his breath the skies became fair...
And these are but the outer fringe of his works;
how faint the whisper we hear of him!
Who then can understand the thunder of his power?
Job 26:7-10, 13a-14

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

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Patchwork

Patchwork

Gleaming fields of ripening grain

nurtured by the sun and rain

swaying in the breeze -

oats, corn, soybeans, peas,

wheat, barley, silage, clover,

timothy or alfalfa.

Yellows, greens, and browns.

Patchwork on the ground.

Fit together to form a whole

by several hardworking souls.

Squared corners or curved

filling in the grooves.

Golden oats shimmering.

In the breeze sashaying.

Music is made

then comes the blade

to shock into piles

mile after mile.

In the plot over there leaps

tasseled corn ready to reap.

Planted in straight rows.

Eight feet high it grows.

When the frost comes down

the stalks will turn to bronze.

Parcels of soybeans and peas

where bees buzz and stop to tease

pollinating

the blossoms

waiting to mature and age

in fields of green foliage.

Flaxen heads of wheat

soaking in the heat.

Kernels gleaned in the sun one day will make flour

after combining hour after hour.

Up, down, and around

from sun up to sun down.

Down the road a stretch

more grains for market.

Glistening with dew

under skies of blue

or tawny-brown becomes

under the setting sun.

As far as the eye can see

are fields of green barley.

Squared off into acres the fields

will produce a bumper yield.

Bordered by a black ribbon road

leading to market where sold.

Miles and miles of acres

waiting to be sun-cured

after seeds were planted

and the good Lord watered

form patchwork pieces gathered together

joined by family, friends, and neighbors.

Several acres of clover, timothy,

alfalfa ready for baling early

under the noonday sun

right up until sundown.

This parcel owned by generations

of farmers making a living.

There's a tract of pumpkins

turning orange before picking

next to a cornfield where a maze

will soon confuse and amaze.

You might even buy maize

with kernels of browns and maize.

Patches sewn together by hedges or creeks

or babbling brooks which quietly speak.

Patchwork pieces of greens and golds

or brown when the earth is unfurled -

there are squares and rectangles,

irregular triangles.

Patchwork earth neatly arrayed.

Patchwork lives from disarray.

Patchwork overalls from tears.

Patchwork everyone wears.

Patchwork puts back together

what has come untethered.

Rather lives or acres

patchwork holds a cure.

Acres planted with grains

comes to life again.

Lives patch-worked back together

grow healthier and stronger.

Patchwork neatly forms

a beautiful new form

for pieces are stitched making something new

out of rips and tears and furrows, who knew?

Patchwork makes whole

what used to be holes.

* * * * *

The pieces of your life form a whole

where joys and sorrows daily flow.

In the end someone beautiful is formed

like unmatched patchwork pieces being sewn.

All together more pleasing than plain -

the patchwork of our lives made right again.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

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August Flowers

Music

Weeding under the shade
rhythm is now made.
Rip and tear those weed blades -
"good riddance" is bade.
My work is well paid
for the next few days.

There's a certain tempo as I weed
pulling these weeds full of untamed greed.
The sound is relaxing,
in some strange way calming.
Soothing to my ears, seems so,
but not so for my muscles.

Blue jays keep the beat -
caw-caw, caw-caw greets -
for a yummy treat
in sunflowers awaits.
Caw-caw, caw-caw - not pranks,
but their way to say thanks.

Bees buzz in harmony,
a welcome melody,
as bees work peacefully
while buzzing happily.
They add to the chorus
while entertaining us.

Overhead yellow finches in flight
on their way to sunflowers bright
add to the song now wrote,
though not a word was spoke.
Songs wrote in G clef
attract many guests.

Under the sunshine
the melodic rhyme
of the wind chimes
sings a song -
"ding ding dong"
all day long.

Tonight crickets will come out.
They're not quiet.  They shout.
Always heard strumming loudly in bass clef
seemingly without intermission to rest.
Down by the pond
frogs sing along.

Come winter I will surely miss
the sound of nature's music.
Though other music is heard
it's not as calming as the birds
or as weeding under the shade -
rip and tear, "good riddance" now bade.

* * * * *

What type of music do you listen to?
Easy listening, jazz or the blues?
Classical, gospel, hymns?
Rock, operas, show tunes?
Have you taken the time to listen to nature?
Take a few minutes today.  It will nurture.

Let it ease away your fears
as you listen with your ears
to creation celebrating
with joyful and glad singing.
Don't you feel better?
Somewhat calmer?

...David would take his harp and play.
then relief would come to Saul; he would feel better...
I Samuel 16:23

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

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Changes

Changes

There's a house looking worn

which once was someone's home

now in disrepair

as if no one cares.

Time has not been kind.

Sagging roof lines.

Gaping window panes.

Weeds growing in the lane.

No light shines.

No laughs bind.

No ones there.

Others stare.

Once a happy place.

Now a ghostly space.

Uncared for.

Life no more.

Forlorn

for long.

Forgotten.

Wood rotting.

There's a barn leaning,

its roof leaking,

its sides missing,

slowly crumbling.

No cattle roaming,

no calves bawling,

no roosters crowing,

no hens clucking.

Acres now left untended.

Rusty implements upended.

A gloom descends

like depression.

Yet down the road a bit

new construction sits

rafters stretching toward the sky

dreams fulfilled by and by.

New replacing old

when land was sold.

Old forsaken.

New for the taking.

What used to take months to build

in two months will be filled

with new dreams and memories

and a young family.

Lights through the window panes.

Laughter heard time and again.

Flowers in a vase.

A happy place.

The old unwanted.

Mortar crumbled.

New now belongs

standing strong.

The once young dreamer is now old

in a nursing home down the road.

Still dreaming in their mind

though time has not been kind.

For wrinkles and deep lines

increase over time

leaving furrows

and sorrows.

When once they made furrows

in the stony soil

now they sit

while the clock ticks.

The young have yet to learn

what the old have learned.

Time is a gift

that quickly sifts.

Both had dreams that were the same

but time has come and changed.

Quickly young become old

though old is like gold.

For knowledge and wisdom

is the gift that comes with aging

traded for strength and endurance

when physical strength up and went.

If only the young could appreciate

for the old have much to relate

as they sit

and the clock ticks.

Time slowly changes with each tick-tock of the clock

but time has many lessons waiting to be taught.

The young are too busy to appreciate what time has brought.

The old are waiting to tell before they become naught.

Take time today to seek out the old

for they have lessons worth more than gold

for they have learned the hard way

that time quickly slips away.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Drummers

You would think there was a rock band
with a crowd of screaming fans
outside the window
playing in the shadows
as drumming is heard
in the outdoors.

They are heard mostly at night
though sometimes seen in sunlight.
They are dressed in black
drumming out back
not quietly
but quite loudly.

They never miss a beat,
not even in the heat.
Sounding like 8th notes
with no rests wrote
as they never take a break.
Can't say they sound that great.

Admission is free
so sit out in the breeze
to catch their audition.
A lullaby's rendition?
I hardly think so, no no.
They keep me awake, you know.

There's more than one drumming
all night through till morning.
Not heard when there's snow though.
I don't know where they go.
Who is this drummer strumming?
It's crickets heard all night strumming.

* * * * *

Is there something keeping you awake?
Something that your mind cannot erase?
Something from your past
that seems to last and last?
Something from your yesterdays
that will not stay away?

Perhaps something recently caused much unrest?
You cannot seem to get a decent night's rest.
You cannot let it go.
It seems to grow and grow
for minutes turn to hours
zapping you of power.

That's not how God want you to live.
God wants you to forget and forgive.
We forgive because God forgave us
so forgive and then live a life of trust
that God will work out the situation
in His time with a perfect solution.

Let the peace of God work in you
and let Him solve the problem too
for He knows what has happened to you
and feels every hurt you bear too.
Forgive
and live.

Bear with each other and forgive
whatever grievances you may have against one another.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body
you were called to peace.
Colossians 3:13,15

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Borage

Borage is an annual herb that grows
wherever it wants to, not just in rows.
As it self-seeds itself each year quite abundantly,
you'll have many borage plants with blue flowers pretty.

These blue flowers that look like a 5-pointed star
not only attract me, but many bees from near and far.
Be sure to stand amidst the borage to listen
to the chorus these droning bees love to hum.

You'll find it is a song of gratitude
to God for providing nutritious food
and for their occupation which around-the-world reaps
the miracle of pollination and honey sweet.

The borage plant grows quite fast
and up until frost it will last.
In the right environment it will grow quite tall,
growing long branches that after heavy rain might fall.

As borage is a herb, it is edible.
The flowers have a slight taste of cucumber.
These flowers can be used as a garnish
or in a summer salad - delish!

My neighbor's nephew, Jonathan, like the pink/purple blossoms best.
He samples the cucumber-favored flowers to perform this test.
He made this statement one day while rubbing his tummy:
"There's a party going on!  Blue flowers are yummy!"

Oh, to have the attitude of a child
filled with wonder, not given to guile,
or even the work ethic of bees
whose industrious nature does please.

* * * * *

What a difference attitude makes.
Attitude is our daily choice to make.
To view each day with new-found wonder and joyful excitement
or to only concentrate on heartache and discontent.

Thankfulness is a positive attitude
while worry creates a negative mood.
Not only does worry negate faith,
worry leaves a frown on our face.

This verse in Ephesians talks about the old self.
You'll find worry is a habit of the old self.
Worry is doubting God's goodness.
Worry leaves behind mental anguish.

Time for an attitude check:
Does worry give you heartache?
Start today by counting your blessings.
There'll be no time for worry or stressing.

Put off your old self,
which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds,
and to put on the new self,
created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
Ephesians 4:23

To purchase Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To purchase Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Time

Seeds planted yesterday
have sprouted today.
Germinated then burst.
Out of their shell came forth.

These little sprouts
will send out
two little leaflets
where nutrition is kept.

Growing by leaps and bounds
a center stalk bounds,
huge leaves surround,
with roots underground.

These roots provide needed stability
for life isn't always tranquility.
Sometimes storms arise
and trouble is nigh.

Yet these seedlings survive,
much to everyone's surprise,
with flowers
yellow.

Soon taller than you are
these tall yellow flowers
dependent on sunshine and rain
from heaven which daily reigns.

Overnight
seeds are ripe
then birds
are heard.

Caw caw
caw caw
they swipe
tonight.

The elements defeated.
Their cycle of life completed.
In a hurry to grow up.
Now becomes someone's sup.

Did you guess the name of this flower?
Tall stalk, big leaves, yellow flowers,
producing seeds
that becomes bird feed.

It's a happy flower named after the sun.
When birds come to eat seeds, to watch is fun.
It can grow as tall as a tower.
It's a bright yellow sunflower.

* * * * *

From sunrise to sunset
each new day is met
with unused seconds, minutes, hours,
with sunshine or possibly showers.
Twenty-four hours to make a difference
for there is someone needing encouragement.

To make a difference regarding injustice
for the world is full of evil and injustice.
The plight of abused children, of famine, or poverty,
of violence and incurable sickness would make one cry.
It's like a blight across the land
and across the seas to other lands.

Yet today twenty-four hours have been granted to us
to make a difference in just one life if we would just
sacrifice a little time or a few dollars to help
those who cannot help themselves; a giving of oneself
is a wise investment of time
each day one finds, time after time.

Don't put off until tomorrow
what may lessen someone's sorrow.
Tomorrow may be too late
to relieve someone's fate
for evil lurks
and always hurts.

How quickly time seems to go.
As fast as the river flows.
Those once young, now old.
Those old could have told
how quickly time goes
for they certainly know.

Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart;
then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work
and in everything you put your hand to.
There will always be poor people in the land.
Therefore I command you to be openhanded
toward our brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11

Anyone who knows the good he ought to do
and doesn't do it, sins.
James 4:17

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Bounty

Today's garden bounty:

As typical each year, something is nibbling on the yellow beans.

Does anyone know if there are yellow pole beans?

Summer squash became a casserole:

Recipe for Summer Squash Casserole on an earlier blog.

Above is a double recipe baked in a 9x13.

Freezes well to enjoy the fruits of summer in winter.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

Recipes in Vol II for Green Tomato Mincemeat, Apple Pie,

Chocolate Zucchini Cake, Summer Squash Casserole,

Pumpkin Bread, and more.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Recipes in Vol I as well.

Battling

Gardeners spend the season battling
yellow dandelions in the spring.
They might find grubs in the soil
making for more unwanted toil.
This battle has now turned to war
for dedicated gardeners.

Without fail slugs will find the hostas.
Gardeners devise ways to take them hostage.
After they think aphids are under control,
they soon find green worms on the flowering rose.
Yes, the battle has turned to war
for most dedicated gardeners.

Japanese beetles come every summer
making more work for the gardener.
Some years there are uninvited striped beetles and bugs galore.
For sure, the dedicated gardener is never bored.
Gardeners battle to win the war.
That's just part of being a gardener.

Not only do gardeners battle insects and beetles,
they declare war on weeds - a season-long battle.
Rather dandelions
or two types of plantain,
gardeners declare incessant war -
that's just part of being a gardener.

At my house there's unwanted purslane
and horsetails - both a genuine pain.
They both came in a load of topsoil
which now make for constant labor and toil.
Though war is declared, the battle is waylaid.
This warrior's combat has begun to fade.

* * * * *

Every day there's a battle of some sort,
though unwanted, I'm sorry to report.
Gardeners daily fight insects and weed seeds
but there are worse struggles to battle, indeed.

There are physical, emotional, and mental battles.
Everyone fights the battle of gossip.  Please don't tattle.
Physical struggles come and are hard to deal with.
Emotional conflicts take longer to forgive.

Mental battles with oneself even weaken the strong.
There are spiritual combats between right and wrong.
It seems we constantly fight something
as no one knows what day will bring.

We struggle not to eat too much
otherwise we might end up feeling stuffed.
We battle not to spend too much
even though we already have too much stuff.

Battles are meant to make us stronger
so we'll grow stronger faith and trust.
Pray that your battle does not linger,
that everything turns out fair and just.

Please don't give up on your battle,
with whatever it is you are saddled.
Fight to win the battle by declaring war
then you'll learn the good things God has in store.

Be strong and courageous.
Do not be afraid or discouraged...
for there is a greater power with us than with him...
with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.
II Chronicles 32:7-8

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.