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.