Entertainment

ENTERTAINMENT

Intending to share sunflower seeds,

sunflower heads are cut to dry.

Each head is filled with hundreds of seeds,

so friends will not need to buy.

But yesterday's procrastination on my part

has provided this morning's entertainment

for garden guests have come in

this sunny morning.

A feast, a banquet, a smorgasbord awaits

for those who came this morning to swipe.

They were here before first light

to feast to their heart's delight.

Gray titmice arrive

eating side by side.

Yakking up a storm

this sunny morn.

Mama cardinal with her orange beak

is here for a free breakfast she seeks.

Does she have a nest

where her young ones rest?

Look there...a chubby squirrel scampers in

causing feathered friends to fly in the wind.

His checks are full

with black seeds stored.

I see two striped chipmunks

peeking out behind the tree trunk.

Quite comical they are as they hustle,

then with each other romp and tussle.

But when the chipmunks see me

they're off as quick as can be

hiding in the drain pipe

now hidden out of sight.

Gray mourning doves and brown sparrows

have eaten fallen seeds down low.

They don't mind dining side by side

though others guests seem to vie...

for little chickadees

I no longer see

as blue jays chased away

these black-capped guests today.

The ground is littered with hulls

from sunflower seeds which fell

after the buffet was consumed.

There's nothing left for this afternoon.

The mourning doves have left.

The titmice are no longer guests.

The squirrels are taking a snooze.

The chipmunks left without a clue.

It's now quiet.

No entertainment.

No feathered friends.

This story ends.

The smorgasbord of creatures have gone

but if I listen I can hear their song

as they entertain someone else

at another banquet where it's help yourself.

* * * * *

This true story really happened one autumn morning

as I had procrastinated the previous evening.

This story reminds me of another story regarding leftovers.

We read it about in the Gospels, between the Bible's covers.

One meaning of leftovers, let's stress,

could mean we are not once, but doubly blessed.

Today we'll focus on what remained, the leftovers,

or the "broken pieces" as referred to in Scripture.

The gospel writers refer to these leftovers as broken pieces.

We all know life is filled with heartaches, some which never ceases.

Our heartache left us with broken pieces or brokenness.

Confused. Hurt. Discredited. Rejected. Damaged. A mess.

Do our heartaches or broken pieces serve a purpose?

For our maturity? Definitely, YES!

It's when we seek God fully.

The God of all comfort - truly!

The Japanese will repair pottery that was broken

with gold, creating a beautiful reminder, that mends.

In the end the object is more valuable.

That's what our brokenness does: we're more valuable.

Our broken pieces have value and worth.

Don't stay in a state of depression, come forth

into the light of God's mercy, grace, and love.

He's here, right now, for you, with a ready hug.

Nothing goes to waste in God's economy.

Not leftovers, not broken pieces, not you or me.

Let God use your brokenness for your good

and for God's glory, as only He could.

Taking the five loaves and the two fish

and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves....

They all ate and were satisfied,

and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces

that were left over.

Matthew 14:19a,20

Taking the five loaves and the two fish

and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks....

they all ate and were satisfied,

and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls

of broken pieces of bread and fish.

Mark 6:41a,42-43

Taking the five loaves and the two fish

and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke them....

They all ate and were satisfied,

and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls

of broken pieces that were left over.

Luke 9:16a-17

Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks,

and distributed to those who were seated...

When they had all had enough to eat, he said to his disciples,

"Gather the pieces that are left over. Let nothing be wasted."

So they gathered them and filled twelve baskets

with the pieces of the five barley loaves left over...

John 6:11a-13

The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort.

II Corinthians 1:3b

He knows the way that I take;

when he has tested me,

I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Chorus

Chorus

What's this I hear?

Pleasant to my ears.

One instrument starts,

though it's not a harp,

than another joins in -

soon it sounds like singing.

Another member joins

this joyful chorus line.

A new composition

is being written.

It's an original opus

which seems to greatly please us.

One member of the choir, late

joins this original debate

richly enhancing the song

with his a Capella long.

Confident, he's not at all shy

as his voice floats through the sky.

Another member who felt sick

now feels better for the music

lifted his woebegone spirit

and he soon feels better for it.

He now joins in with song

while tapping his toes along.

This chorus sings without instruments

for their voices are their instruments.

Finely tuned they sing,

morning and evening,

songs of thanksgiving -

a heartfelt offering.

You're met these chorus members before.

They were welcomed outside your door

when the first robin of spring

and other joyfully singing

songbirds

are heard.

* * * * *

Music can lift our spirit

whenever we hear it.

Not just from constructed musical instruments

but also from nature and all it represents.

The buzz of bees is sweet to hear

when to flower blossoms they veer.

The singing of birds

is joyous music heard.

The lapping of the ocean's foam,

the rushing of the river's drone,

the wind that blows,

the cattle's low.

The bleating of sheep,

a chick's peep-peep-peep,

the rooster's er-er-er-er-errr,

the drip of a passing rain shower.

And quacks and clucks and gobbles and honks

all add to the music that talks...

in fact, shouts for joy to the Lord

for nature is never bored.

It celebrates with music.

Don't be shy, join in it.

Make any joyful noise.

Your spirit will be buoyed.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn -

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Let the sea resound, and everything in it,

the world, and all who live in it.

Let the rivers clap their hands,

let the mountains sing together with joy;

let them sing before the Lord.

Psalm 98:4-9

Miracles

MIRACLES

Nature and its beauty cannot be explained

other than a miracle once ordained

by the Creator in the beginning

when life was established by God speaking

“and it was so” and “it was good”

as only the one true God could.

God created plants and trees

to bear seeds in their fruit, you see,

for God works out every detail

even making flowers male and female

with pistils and stamens

and ovaries, even.

Consider the lily for a minute

which propagates from a tuber or bulb

where it reproduces offshoots,

or seeds it might also produce.

Other lilies produce bulbettes in their leaf nodules.

A dozen per stalk each year to produce more. A real miracle!

Patient gardeners will wait

for these seeds to re-create.

Three years later they are rewarded,

for gardeners are not often thwarted,

with pretty blooms

when the bulb zooms.

Or the bulb will multiply

under the soil as if shy.

Every year to return

as if being reborn.

Another miracle in the offering.

One of the many joys of gardening.

Day lilies might also produce seed pods

as well as multiplying tubers in the sod.

Every “plant bearing seed according to their kind”:

lilies, purple cone flowers, rudbeckias, columbine,

oregano, parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme,

from God who showers blessings and daily sunshine.

* * * * *

Creation shows the power of God

there's glory all around

and those who see

must stand in awe

for miracles abound.

I believe in miracles

I've seen a soul set free

miraculous the change in one

redeemed at Calvary

I've seen the lily push its way

up through the stubborn sod

I believe in miracles...for I believe in God.

By John W. Peterson

No one can say it better than that

so I'll leave you with this hymn intact.

Then God said, "Let the land produce vegetation:

seed-bearing plants and trees on the land

that bear fruit with seed in it,

according to their various kinds." And it was so.

The land produced vegetation:

plants bearing seed according to their kinds and

trees bearing fruit with seed in it

according to their kinds.

And God saw that it was good.

Genesis 1:11-12

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Hummers

HUMMERS

I was almost bombed tonight

when a hummingbird set his sights

on my red shirt

while I was digging in the dirt.

We had a stare down

before he turned around

to sit on the garden fence.

I watched what would circumvent.

It spit twice.

Was that nice?

Then caught a gnat.

How about that!

Little did we know

that lurking was a foe

or maybe it was a date

who was looking for a mate.

Perhaps a mating dance ensued

then maybe a proposal pursued.

Its little head turned right and left.

I wonder if it had any sense left.

For I was dizzy

from the activity.

Then off they went

across the fence.

One was female.

Was the other male?

I did notice their emerald colored tails

as the sun shone on them in my little dale.

Up into the sky they flew

with wings of emerald too.

I'm sure they will be back

for I have bee balm out back.

* * * * *

Red bee balm attracts hummers

and bees who are also hummers.

All day long singing can be heard

from humming bees and singing birds.

Take a minute to listen.

Perhaps this minute will lessen

any frustration

you're possessing.

As the birds and bees work

take time from your busy work

to enjoy God's wondrous innovation

for it is for you, this work of creation.

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak...

those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:28-29,31

Though this story was written years ago,
yesterday I read the above scriptures again and noticed
"his understanding no one can fathom."
Whatever you're going through, God understands.
Tell Him about it.  And if you can't put it into words,
God will understand.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Morning Tour July 4th, 2019

Two begonias from friends, Lesley and Ruby (wintered over in basement):

Two geraniums, have been wintered over in basement window for years:

 Largest hosta, with blooms like lilies.  Seeds are saved to share.

Cherry Bells Campanella abundant this year:

This next two photos were planted by nature:

No prettier bouquet than a bouquet of wildflowers!

Love finding johnny-jump-ups, persevering despite adversity:

Milkweed, with its pretty fragrance, host plant for monarchs:

Ditch lilies waking up this morning:

Poppies from Sharon and Sheri:

Gloriosa Daisies:

First dahlia of the season, a gift from Connie:

Humidity is benefiting this clematis:

Bee balm, a hummingbird magnet.  Haven't noticed any visiting yet.
Will sit under the tree to take their photos.

A new bee balm for me, a gift from Ruby:

Stella O'doro day lilies, a gift from Lesley:

Getting toward the end of the season for these roses:

Lady Bells, a deer favorite:

Tickseed Coreopsis:

Hydrangea, will be cut to dry next month:

A fairy garden, inspired by Ruby:

Wave petunias beginning to trail:

For the earth which drinketh in the rain

which falleth often upon it

and bringeth forth herbs fit for him

by whom it is tilled

receiveth blessing from God.

Hebrews 6:7

Gymnastics

Gymnastics

Snow peas climb

up the trellis limbs

in the shape of a teepee.

You can eat the pods of this pea.

Gardeners climb out of bed

for there's much to do in their head.

Each morning they start their day filled with glee.

At the end of the day they might have sore knees.

Up the fence

pole beans stretch

as they twine

in the sunshine.

Gardeners stretch

before they fetch

to warm up their muscles

then lift a bushel full.

Cucumbers vault up a pole

where they are seen daily grow

when yellow blossoms turn into cucs,

perhaps to be pickled in crocks cute.

Gardeners jump through hoops

when the hose is left out – oops!

Wearing gardening boots they trip

on their way to find a cool sip.

Spinning round and round

are cabbages round.

Though they stay in place,

everyday is a race.

Gardener's heads spin

with ideas within.

Every day of the year

gardening brings us cheer.

Winter squash vines run

under the noonday sun.

There's no room for foot traffic

so be careful where you step.

Gardeners may not run

under the noonday sun

but they walk for miles

often with a smile.

* * * * *

Though we often concentrate on getting enough physical exercise,

there is another exercise to daily partake in if we are wise.

The exercise of becoming godly,

to be set apart, what God calls holy.

To strive to live life God's way

instead of going our own way.

To know right from wrong

and to remain strong.

To display a testimony

that will bring God glory

and will advance His story

becoming history.

And in the end

life will begin

in heaven with a crown of righteousness

after living a life of faithfulness.

Train yourself to be godly.

For physical training is of some value,

but godliness has value for all things,

holding promise for both the present life

and the life to come.

I Timothy 4:7-8

Now there is in store for me

the crown of righteousness,

which the Lord, the righteous Judge,

will award to me on that day - and not only to me,

but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

II Timothy 4:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.