Battling

I've been battling those unwelcome guests or vegetarians - deer, rabbits, moles, and as of this morning, a woodchuck/groundhog.  Could be whose scat I've seen in the yard.  Also red beetles on the lilies and asparagus.  Remembered I had a story about battles. Re the dandelions in this illustration, I battle the dandelions that have made their way into the many flower gardens.  It's important to keep dandelions for bee nectar.

BATTLING

Gardeners spend the season battling

yellow dandelions in the spring.

They might find grubs in the soil

making for unwanted toil.

The battle has 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 then 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 striped beetles and bugs galore.

A 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.

Gardener’s battle with bugs and weed seeds

but there are worse battles to battle indeed.

There are physical, emotional, and mental battles.

Everyone fights the battle of gossip. Please don’t tattle.

Physical battles come and are hard to deal.

Emotional battles take longer to heal.

Mental battles with oneself even weaken the strong.

There are spiritual battles between right and wrong.

It seems we constantly battle something

for no one knows what a day will bring.

We battle 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 your battle

with whatever it is you are saddled.

Fight to win the battle by declaring war

and 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

Photo is dusty miller.

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Designing a Garden Bed

When I started to plant flower gardens, the beds were all rectangular.  As more and more plants were given to me the beds became half circles, which I find are more pleasing to the eye.  Later a couple of c-shaped beds were created and eventually filled.

The bed featured here started as an oval.  As time went on and more and more plants were given to me it took on a fascinating shape.  It started with a planned weeping cherry and a hibiscus planted underneath with a stone path leading to a lawn chair added to the left.  

Originally the foxglove were planted on the south side.  As you can see, they have now self-seeded to the west side.  Due to its self-seeding, the bed was enlarged to accommodate.  These foxglove were a gift from New Jersey.

Slightly visible in this photo is the curved stone path leading to the chair.  Come July the Korean Bells campanella on the left will bloom.  I thought I was receiving the blue balloon flower campanella.  This Korean Bells campanella is a ground cover.  The creeping sedum on the right is in bloom now.

Behind the campanella is an orange daylily, that was given to me, with a hosta to the left.  Overtime an allium self-seeded behind the hosta.  You can see the seed balls in the photo above.  The tall spikes behind the daylily is a red crocosima that was given to me.  The pink behind that is a light pink peony that was a gift.  The yellow is speedwell.  As the season progresses, there will be the ligularia rocket sending up its spikes.  The taller green in the rear is a perennial sunflower that blooms late summer, another gift.

If you're starting a new flower garden, consider a tree for height, a flowering bush, something ornamental like a fountain or a bench, a path for easy access, and colorful perennials for continuous bloom throughout the season.  This bed will become more colorful as the season progresses.

Happy gardening!

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New Beginnnings

Even the sparrow has found a home,

and the swallow a nest for herself,

where she may have her young.

Psalm 84:3

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Rain

Rain

Rain greens the grass like a can of paint,

like applied fertilizer can't.

There's a luminous brightness

greening the grass with a freshness.

Aglow

it grows

overnight,

polished bright.

Blooms tip heavenward to receive

the rain falling on blades and leaves.

Rain welcomed

in gardens

where there's a colorful rainbow on the ground -

red, yellow, orange, blue, green, purple is found.

More will be found tomorrow you'll find

when their petals unfurl in the sunshine.

Birds singing in the rain shower.

Their tune as bright as the flowers.

Cheerfully they take a bath

as the rain shower does pass.

Others hover

under cover.

Some cover their little ones

when the rain comes down on them.

Rain cools the air

and scents the air

with a freshness

and cleanness

while clouds pass over

so that others

to the east will receive

as a breeze stirs the leaves.

When comes in the middle of the night,

rain becomes a lullaby tonight

for this shower

passing over

is like a blessing

everlasting

sent from God above

with abiding love.

Even though rain grows more weeds

it's still a blessing indeed

for a free exercise program awaits.

Everyday there's an expected date.

Weeds call my name

after the rain

softens the earth making easier weeding.

I find the end result is always pleasing.

This week rain is forecasted every day.

Between the showers you'll find me, today,

putting on my gardening boots

for it's a good time to uproot

those weed seeds that sprout overnight

pushing their way into sight.

The birds are singing.

It's time for weeding...

* * * * *

Sunshine, rain, and the brown earth

are needed to give birth

to seeds

and weeds.

God's Son made a way when He came to earth

to ensure those who believe a second birth

when we believe

then receive.

In this second birth we become children of God

who dwells within to guide us on the path we trod

for earth is our temporal home.

Heaven is our eternal home.

Our journey on earth will be full of difficulties,

disappointments, sorrows, troubles and a lot of worries,

all of which are temporary,

seemingly making us contrary.

The Bible tells us to expect

life to be less than perfect.

But the Bible also gives us abiding hope

for Jesus has overcome, to help us cope.

So when a little rain rains on your parade

in the form of troubles which sometimes cascade

remember adversity builds trust

which in turn will build ones faith up.

I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God

unless he is born again.

John 3:3

For our light and momentary troubles

are achieving for us an eternal glory

that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,

but on what is unseen.

For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal.

II Corinthians 4:17-18

In this world you will have trouble.

But take heart! I have overcome the world.

John 16:33

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith,

we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

through whom we have gained access by faith

into this grace in which we now stand.

And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings,

because we know that suffering produces perseverance;

perseverance, character; and character, hope.

Romans 5:1-4

I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy:

for thou hast considered my trouble;

thou hast known my soul in adversities.

Psalm 31:7

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Field of Dreams

 Field of Dreams

Swaying in the breeze

just waiting to tease

a field of dreams awaits

pronouncing someone's fate.

Snow white, always innocent,

without a flowery fragrance,

every summer a field of dreams

decorates hill's and meadow scenes.

According to tradition

while applying subtraction

one-by-one each plucked petal

seals the fate of earthly mortals.

Have you ever played this game?

A game of innocence, not vain.

He loves me, he loves me not.

Of course he does, how could he not!

Daisy happens to mean innocence.

This game is played by many a lass

while all over the world innocent lads

don't know if they should be mad or quite glad.

* * * * *

Never doubt that the Lord God loves you

for the Bible tells us through and through.

Not because of what you did or didn't do

but because of who God is, yes, it's true.

Unconditional love

from heaven above

always freely given to His children

though beyond our human comprehension.

For this reason I kneel before the Father,

from whom his whole family in heaven and on earth derives its name.

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 3:14-19

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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.

- - - - -

Whenever I find a toad,

I'm surprised and startled.

This week a big one was found.

As big as my hand is round.

I fed him found grubs

which he seemed to love

for they had disappeared when

I went to check on him.

* * * * *

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

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