SEPTEMBER 10

 Apparently this story was written September 10th, years ago.

September 10

After several chilly, cloudy, sunless days,

the sun peaked out for a moment on Friday

beckoning visitors to take a tour

before rain showers begin to pour.

The butterfly bush begins the tour

where winged creatures are often lured.

Today there's monarchs and bees,

then hummingbirds come to tease.

Are they filling up before they venture south?

They certainly will be missed in the north.

I'm off to get my camera

to enjoy their pictures this winter.

They must have eyes in the back of their heads

or maybe they caught my odd scent instead

for before I could zoom

they were airborne - zoom, zoom.

The sunflowers beckon next.

Bees never seem to take a rest.

All day long here they reside

on days when the sun doesn't hide.

The bees have an important job to do

beginning long before the morning dew

dissipates.

Employment awaits

A photo shows a quartet of bees

working side-by-side happily,

always sharing

while buzzing.

Today these yellow sunflowers have another guest.

This Friday afternoon yellow finches come on a quest

to dine to their stomach's content

on the sunflower heads content.

Although I try to take a picture,

they're quickly off to the neighbors

until I turn my back on them

then they suddenly fly in again.

Shy

guys

these feathered friends

with yellow and black plumes.

Checking out the zinnia border,

I see monarchs. Four or more.

Flying flowers these monarchs are

for when I zoom in, they zoom afar.

They're seen sharing with the bees

although sometimes they disturb the bees.

The bees are as happy as can be

heard humming loudly and merrily.

In a few short weeks they'll be sorely missed,

these butterflies and bees who today kiss

a zinnia of every color

in this colorful flower border.

Today visiting hummers are attracted to me

as I'm wearing a red top with sleeves.

Just inches away from my face, I hear loud humming

and I can feel a breeze from their fluttering.

It's magical to stand among

winged creatures having such fun

who all around me float, buzz, and hum

this afternoon under the welcome sun.

Another visitor on today's tour

was a dragonfly who perhaps was lured

by the rainbow of delights

under the sunlight bright.

Yes, red and yellow

attracts winged fellows

as does pink, purple, orange, and gold, too -

and, of course, morning glory blue.

Although not seen today,

on other sunny days

I've seen a hummingbird moth

as the butterfly bush it sought.

No pictures taken to date

as it zooms through the gate

faster than I can zoom

the camera zoom.

A lovely afternoon, it was,

trying to capture bees that buzz,

butterflies who act shy,

and hummers zooming nigh.

Soon these special flying friends

will float along on the wind

on an adventure southward bound

bringing delight to another town.

* * * * *

How wonderful that God created our beautiful earth

where bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and dragonflies bring mirth

as they entertain us each summer here in the north,

too soon beginning their yearly journey south.

I hope whatever turf

you happen to inhabit

gloriously exhibits

wondrous winged creatures births.

How Great Thou Art

by Carl Boberg

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made;

I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,

Thy pow'r throughout the universe displayed.

When thru the woods and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;

When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur

And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze.

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,

Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;

That on the cross my burden gladly bearing,

He bled and died To take away my sin.

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation

And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart!

Then I shall bow in humble adoration,

And there proclaim, "My God, how great Thou art!"

Refrain:

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great thou art!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee,

How great Thou art! How great thou art!

How great you are, O Sovereign Lord!

There is no one like you,

and there is no God but you.

II Samuel 7:22

Ah, Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth

by your great power and outstretched arm.

Nothing is too hard for you...

O great and powerful God,

whose name is the Lord Almighty,

great are your purposes

and mighty are your deeds.

Jeremiah 32:17-19

There's something even more wonderful

than having a flower garden full

of pollinators

each and every summer.

It's knowing that God call us His children.

We, although quite rebellious, are God's children.

Here's a variation of the above chorus:

Then I shall sing, how wonderful God is

that I am His, that I am His.

Then I shall sing, how wonderful God is

That I am His, that I am His!

How great is the love the Father has lavished on us,

that we should be called children of God!

And that is what we are!

I John 3:1

To all who received him,

to those who believed in his name,

he gave the right to become children of God.

John 1:12

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

CRUNCH

 

CRUNCH

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

not popcorn for lunch.

Outdoors underfoot

when a stroll you took

snap, crackle, pop, crunch heard

on the earth's carpeted floor.

Carpeted in red, orange, gold

before turning into a brown load

to be raked one sunny afternoon -

autumn's last bouquet of blooms are doomed.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

into a pile a bunch

of leaves raked

then relocate.

Leaves recycled into free mulch

put on the garden to produce much

for over the winter they'll decay.

You'll find composting does well pay.

Late summer you'll hear snap, crackle, pop, crunch

when green beans are prepared for lunch

or snow peas eaten under the sun -

a snack straight from the garden.

For autumn's dead leaves became

nutrients for the garden's gain.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch -

decomposed leaves add a punch.

Snap, crackle, pop, crunch!

Rather raking leaves into a bunch

or fresh vegetables for lunch,

enjoy today as you crunch.

* * * * *

There is no waste in God's economy.

He planned earth to renew itself, you see.

Leaves are given new birth

when decompose into the earth.

These nutrients are then fed

to grow our daily bread.

There's a more wonderful new birth

waiting for all humans on earth.

We have the opportunity to be born again

when we believe Jesus came to die for our sins.

This new birth becomes our eternal salvation

that God provided for all men and women.

Just believe

then receive

God's plan of salvation.

It's our regeneration.

Your new birth awaits. Just pray.

Don't delay. Do so today.

Dear Heavenly Father, I believe

and right now I pray to receive

your gift of salvation that's free

because you died on Calvary for me.

You made a way

for me that day.

Thank you. Guide me to live your way

as I seek to live for you everyday.

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Acts 2:21

Since the creation of the world

God's invisible qualities -

his eternal power and divine nature -

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

If you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"

and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,

you will be saved.

For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,

and it is with with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

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

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

SEPTEMBER DAWN

 

SEPTEMBER DAWN

Golden leaves seen raining down.

Soon there’s a blanket on the ground

to be raked one sunny autumn day

while serenaded by the blue jays

when blue jays find the stash

of ripe sunflowers seeds out back.

Here comes a squirrel with a hickory nut

now digging a hole in which to put.

Preparing for winter

with the fruits of summer.

His fluffy tail foretells

of winter snow squalls.

Sunlight is now seen shining through the foggy morning gloom

welcoming a September day where rudbeckias bloom.

There’s also yellow marigolds and mums seen

above the green grass still springtime green

for it’s been a rainy summer,

albeit a seemingly short summer.

White cabbage butterflies flutter

where the morning sunlight enters.

Bees are beginning to stir

seeking out favorite flowers.

Last night’s rain drips from the eaves.

Needed, this rain does please.

Crickets chirp

giving birth

to a new day

where hard work pays.

Time to get started cleaning or deadheading or weeding

or canning or freezing or sewing or crafting or writing…

My day is never boring -

just too short and tiring.

Perhaps like me your work is never done.

Tomorrow there will still be a ton.

It’s my sanity

and my insanity.

* * * * *

Every dawn is a new page

to be filled with something sage -

something exciting to engage -

rather to begin a new phrase

or off each day to earn a wage,

every dawn begins as a blank page.

Your empty, blank page

may seem like a maze,

you hear yeahs and nays,

it leaves you in a daze

as commotion fills your days.

Please don’t end up in a rage.

Consider how you want your blank page

to engage or disengage.

Select what you want to engage.

Reject if you need to disengage.

Keep what is sage

for being sage pays.

Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

the one who gains understanding.

Proverbs 3:13

(Wisdom) will set a garland of grace on your head

and present you with a crown of splendor.

Proverbs 4:9

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

COLORS

 

COLORS

I've noticed the burning bush and dogwood are turning red

in celebration of the changing season just ahead,

as if putting on their party dress.

They certainly do get noticed.

The hostas and peonies are turning yellow.

Tomorrow more will turn yellow in my hollow

as if the sun is shining

although it's been raining.

The maple tree is turning gold

then will shine in the sunlight bold

for a few days before its golden leaves

quietly float down – causing some to sneeze.

What once was green, now is orange.

As summer came and went, it turned

into a plump round pumpkin which now waits

to turn into a jack-o-lantern for someone to make.

Round green concord grapes turning purple

will later make a tongue purple

when someone makes purple grape juice,

but there's none if the goose is loose.

Cloudy gray skies

gives way to blue skies

as the celebration draws near

when autumn comes year after year.

Other leaves turn colors

like a bouquet of flowers

of red, orange, yellow, gold -

autumn's here, we're told.

Everyone gets dressed

in their festive best

to celebrate autumn.

Isn't it just awesome!

* * * * *

There's something to celebrate everyday.

Sometimes it's when your child receives an A.

Or maybe when the last of the hay

is baled then put in the haymow today.

Celebrate when the doctor's report comes back okay.

Always when friends come to visit from far away.

Of course, when there's a raise in your pay.

Especially when good news is conveyed.

Celebrate when someone chooses the right way.

Definitely after forgiveness is displayed.

Celebrate when less you weigh,

perhaps by shopping today.

Celebrate with a bouquet.

You'll make someone's day!

Celebrate – go out and play

maybe with a sled or sleigh.

Much celebrating is done at a cafe

or even around an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Yearly celebrate special days:

birthdays, anniversaries – always.

Celebrate when a long-awaited answer comes after you've prayed

or when troublesome anxieties are finally allayed.

Celebrate the blessings from the Lord each day

when you praise and thank Him each and every day.

Celebrate God's goodness without delay

under the sun's rays or clouds of gray.

Celebrate with someone special today.

There's much to celebrate each day. Yeah!

This is a day you are to commemorate;

for the generations to come

you shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord -

a lasting ordinance.

Exodus 12:14

Then all the people went away to eat and drink...

and to celebrate with great joy...

Nehemiah 8:12

We had to celebrate and be glad,

because this brother of yours

was dead is alive again;

he was lost and is found.

Luke 15:32

I will exalt you, my God and King;

I will praise your name for ever and ever

Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever.

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;

his greatness no one can fathom.

One generation will commend your works to another;

they will tell of your mighty acts.

They will speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and I will meditate on your wonderful works.

They will tell of the power of your awesome works,

and I will proclaim your great deeds.

They will celebrate your abundant goodness

and joyfully sing of your righteousness.

Psalm 145:1-7

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.