March

March

January,

February,

then it's March – finally!

It seems to march in slowly...

after short days marked without seeing the sun,

after long days marked with a cold and no fun...

after many days of freezing temperatures

then when you think you can no longer endure...

the ground hog marches in with an appearance

to see if spring has finally enhanced -

though just a quick glance

under the circumstance -

for snow still covers

so he again cowers

and will hibernate

until another date.

The ground hog's short, quick march

may parade again in March

when winter is past

and spring's here - at last!

But don't count on the ground hog

to keep an accurate log.

It's the birds who ring in

the first news of spring.

When March is here

just listen, you'll hear

their song each new morning

of songbirds returning.

Yes, birds herald in the coming of spring

with many joyous songs they sing.

Will the bulbs under the earth

hear the birds then march with growth?

Do bulbs wait each year

to hear this song of cheer.

I know I do.

Do you too?

Take time to listen

to the song they send

then check your flower garden

for green shoots just now peeking.

A most welcome greeting

under the snow was waiting:

snowdrops and crocus,

daffodils and tulips.

They can't wait to march out.

Gardeners want to shout.

A shout of glee is heard

in each gardener's heart.

Marching to the beat of a ticking drum

under each day's beaming, warming sun

chasing away winter's doldrums

March has finally begun...

but don't put your boots and mittens away

for March has to be persuaded to stay.

More snow may fall

surprising all.

Strange creatures that we are:

we can't wait to see the first snow fall

then we can't wait to see it gone

and want spring to hurry before long.

March is here:

everyone cheers

as spring begins in March.

Ready? It's time to march.

* * * * *

Check out this verse below from Psalm.

It should give you a sense of calm.

It says God goes before us.

So all we need do is trust.

God has already marched through our wasteland

where our troubles, disappointments, and fears stand.

He is there ahead of us,

waiting to refresh us.

Yes, life is certainly weary as this verse states

but God is already there and will not be late.

Trust that God has a good plan and purpose for you

then put on your marching shoes and march on through.

When you went out before your people, O God,

when you marched through the wasteland...

You gave abundant showers, O God;

you refreshed your weary inheritance.

Psalm 68:7, 9

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Grow

Grow

A tiny seed planted in a peat pot

to grow under a heat lamp, not too hot,

and sprinkled with water wet

will sprout with two green leaflets.

In a few weeks this seedling

will need careful transplanting

then will daily mature under the sun

and from a needed rain that weekly comes.

By inches it will creep

and soon blossoms will greet

in a yellow array

imitating the sun's rays.

Bees will unerringly seek

these pretty blossoms which greet

as this plant now matures

though hardship it endures.

Yes, buffeted about

by wind and/or drought

it grew despite

life's unknown plights.

For its life is filled with hardships whether

from too much sun or from stormy weather.

These hardships will harden the plant to endure

and most likely a sweeter harvest ensure.

On summer afternoons the plant will wilt

as the sun over the horizon tilts

but the plant will survive

for its roots keep it alive.

This plant that started life as a seed

now produces enough to feed

ones family through the months of winter

as it soaks in the goodness of summer.

This seed grew

with life anew

for inside each seed is a miracle

waiting to be let out. Grow little plant, grow.

* * * * *

And so it is with us

as we grow in faith and trust.

We mature through hardships

for hardships equip us.

One day our hardships may another encourage

as others see us prevail and take courage

as our roots have grown deep

in God's Word, which we seek.

God's Word assures us that God is with us,

and in us, and will never forsake us.

We are assured that God loves us

and through His Son has forgiven us.

Hardships are meant to refine us,

as we learn about God's faithfulness,

and in the end, we find, teaches us

to give glory to God who blesses us.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

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 1:2-3

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep

is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge -

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God has said, Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.

So we say with confidence,

The Lord is my helper;

I will not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:5-6

Though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief

in all kinds of trials,

These have come so that your faith -

of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire -

may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory, and honor

when Jesus Christ is revealed.

I Peter 1:6-7

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Sun

 Sun

The days first light streams

when the new day's sunbeams

brighten the sky

then morning is nigh.

There's a brightness over the hill

where sunlight awakens and spills

its light and warmth

over the earth.

Quietly rising

with song birds vying

for the first glimpse of light rays

announcing a brand new day.

Then you'll hear the day announced

from birds who you'll hear loudly mouth

through chirps and trills

and cheeps and trills...

that morning has come -

everyone come on,

get up, let's have fun

under the sun.

Morning with all its rush

comes in with a hush

before the birds announce it's a new day -

come on everyone, get up and play.

Perhaps you'll get up tomorrow

to view the sunrise that burrows

up over the hill

where sunlight spills.

It's a glorious sight to see

for it's God's awesome might you see

since the beginning of creation

when God spoke the sun into creation.

* * * * *

The Bible says Jesus is our light:

“I have come into the world as a light”. (John 12:46)

With Jesus for us our future is bright

as He desires to bring us delight.

Yes, there will be times when finances are tight.

There will be temptations you'll need to fight.

Life on earth was never promised to be always right.

There will seemingly be many a long, dark night.

But remember you are not alone in this fight.

Jesus has an answer to whatever is not right.

He is teaching us to live by faith, not sight

as we learn to abide in Him, so sit tight.

Jesus is our light.

Everything will turn out right.

Your future is bright.

Look for God's delights.

At the beginning of the day it's His sunlight

reminding us that Jesus is our light.

At the end of the day it's the starlight

reminding us Jesus will keep us through the night.

All through the day look for God's many delights

even during the times you pray with all your might

to overcome the temptations you fight

for those are the times that bring God delight.

It's when we seek God whatever the plight,

when we give Him whatever we fight,

when we go the source which is our Light,

that our troubles change and turn out alright.

And God said,

...and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heaven

to give light upon the earth: and it was so.

And God made two great lights; the greater light to rule the day,

and the lesser light to rule the night: he made the stars also.

And God set them in the firmament of the heaven to give light upon the earth.

And to rule over the day and over the night,

and to divide the light from darkness:

and God saw that it was good.

And the evening and the morning were the fourth day.

Genesis 1:14-19

He is like the light of morning at sunrise

on a cloudless morning,

like the brightness after rain

that brings the grass from the earth.

II Samuel 23:4

I have come into the world as a light,

so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.

John 12:46

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Hibernating

A few reminders of what's hibernating under the snow.

All photos from my garden here at Rainbow's End.

 Sweet Williams

 Peony

 Lupine

 Rose Campion

 Day Lily

 Shasta Daisy

Gooseneck

 Tree Lily

 Bee Balm

Smoke Bush

Turkscap Lily

 Purple Cone Flower

 Rudbeckia

Hibiscus

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Always have seeds available for price of postage.

Private message my facebook account, Judy Janowski, your address.

Hummers

Hummers

When hummers come

to watch is fun.

They dip

then sip.

Zip zip

wings flick.

      Gone quick.

Visiting the trumpet vine

at set times while the sun shines

into red clusters they dip

from trumpet flowers they sip.

When hummers zip quick

do they wear lipstick

on their lips?

Who knows, they’re quick.

I’ve seen them sit

on the fence for a minute.

As soon as I approach – zip

off quick

they went.

Zip zip!

They’ll be back soon

when bee balm blooms.

Several will dine

all at one time

in citrus-scented blossoms.

                                                     Who knows where hummers come from -

                                                wearing bright feathers called down.

I’m delighted they remember me

and I’m glad when hummers I see.

I hear one now.

There he is – wow!

Dip.

Sip.

Zip!

* * * * *

Be sure to take time from your busy day

to enjoy God’s great creation today.

Creation was designed with you in mind

because God the Creator is so kind.

Whether it be birds singing

or hummingbirds humming,

God created birds for our enjoyment.

One of His many blessings to us sent.

The birds of the air nest by the waters;

they sing among the branches.

Psalm 104:12

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Night Travelers

Night Travelers

bunny tracks

in snow white

hop hop fast

during night

had a blast

much delight

deer went past

in the night

now tracks cast

during flight

maybe racks

out of sight

raccoon passed

before light

wears mask

that’s right

moves fast

toes write

skunk no tact

see him might

sprayed when passed

to our plight

black and white

see him? yikes!

* * * * *

When you’re sleeping

creatures creeping

out the window

casting shadows

leaving footprints

in snow where went.

When you’re sleeping

God is watching

over you

the whole night through

so sleep tight.

Good night!

I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.

Psalm 3:5

I will lie down and sleep in peace,

for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 4:8

He who watches over you will not slumber…

Psalm 121:3

He grants sleep to those he loves.

Psalm 127:2

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Games

As Groundhog's Day was on Tuesday, here's a story about one of his relatives:

Games

Next to the compost pile

a hole or burrow or tunnel.

What furry creature resides there?

Quite possibly there's a pair.

This something only comes out at night

after I retired for bug bites

chase me inside early each night

after the sunset becomes twilight.

He ate to his heart's content

from the compost's contents

fortunately not realizing

fresh vegetation grew in the garden.

My neighbor told me it was a woodchuck.

It might have been a ground hog. Just my luck.

I needed to come up with a plan quick

to scare off this varmint, to outwit.

This woodchuck

did not chuck

any wood

that I know of.

He did, however, chuck

many, many rocks

that were wedged in his burrow

with his nose and head somehow.

For every morning those rocks

were again up on top.

He had come to chow down

sometime before dawn.

Last evening's parings

he thought were for sharing.

Content he was

with peach skin fuzz.

Rather a woodchuck or a ground hog, I do not know.

I do know I'm thankful he has left town, although.

Hopefully he became

tired of playing the game...

of my wedging rocks in the burrow

then his emptying the tunnel

with his nose

I suppose.

* * * * *

Oh the joys of gardening.

Everyday something needs tending.

Oh the joys of aging.

Everyday something's aching.

Dedicated gardeners won't let a few aches

keep them from their morning-to-evening date

with what's waiting out behind the garden gate

for every morning new surprises await.

Wonderment is found so don't be late

for everyday miracles await.

The miracle of food upon your plate.

Awe over the assortment God did create.

Amazement over delicate flower blooms.

Everyday a rainbow of new blooms loom.

There's much in one's garden to see and admire.

To talk about, gardeners don't seem to tire.

And tomorrow they will be back again

to finish yesterday's chores in the garden.

A gardener's work is never, ever done

rather the gardener be man or woman.

Here's some words of wisdom direct from Solomon.

I think he spent some time working under the sun.

Isn't that what gardener's do?

Work under the sun after the dew

has dried upon the grass

for there's always another task

that awaits.

Don't be late.

A man can do nothing better than to eat and drink

and find satisfaction in his work.

This too, I see, is from the hand of God,

for without him, who can eat or find enjoyment?

To the man who pleases him,

God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness...

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

I know that there is nothing better for men

than to be happy and do good while they live.

That everyone may eat and drink,

and find satisfaction in all his toil –

this is the gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink,

and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor

under the sun during the few days of life God has given him -

for this is his lot.

Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions,

and enables him to enjoy them,

to accept his lot and be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 3:18-19

I commend the enjoyment of life,

because nothing is better for a man under the sun

than to eat and drink and be glad.

The joy will accompany him in his work

all the days of the life God has given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15

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