After the much-needed downpour

 

My friend who shared these double poppy seeds years ago

passed last year due to complications from covid.  

Many plants in my garden make precious memories.

My grandmother shared sweet pea seeds many years ago.

They are abundant this year.

Should you try to share plants with someone, beware:  difficult to dig.

Ferns are outstanding this year!

Ditch lilies seem to begin blooming the first day of summer!

Been either surrounding or covering hostas with wire/netting.

Despite attempts, deer are spiteful.

Look forward to Gloriosa daises blooming from June up until frost.

The day before frost cut off the brown heads and toss where you'd like them to grow.

Found #5 "cat" this morning.  Checked other dill plants but didn't see others.

This columbine was next to the "cat".

Lady Bells springing up in the Ladies Mantle.  Pretty bed fellows.

Finding Johnny-Jump-Ups here and there.

These were posing for their photo.

Don't recall the name of these purple flowers.

Pretty surprise.

Happy to find these tomato blossoms.  See next photo for foliage.

I believe these will be Brandywine tomatoes.

A neighbor shared with me years ago.

Although I planted saved seeds in April in memory, 

nothing much came from those seedlings.

This plant and others came up from the kitchen compost bin being dispersed.

God provided!  

Snow peas are beginning to bloom!  A snack straight from the garden awaits.

Been dusting plants with diatomaceous earth.  

Not seeing any insect damage on the cabbages.

Zucchinis not looking too well.  Will dust again tomorrow.

For the earth

which drinketh in the rain

that falleth often upon it

and bringeth forth 

herbs fit for him

by whom it is tilled

received blessings from God.

Hebrews 6:7

 

Look Up

Gray skies are gonna to clear up,

put on a happy face... (Copied)

Gray skies overhead.

A day to stay in bed.

Slowly the gray sky gives way to light.

Before you know it, the sun shines bright.

Gray laden skies have turned to sky-blue

with a few puffy clouds blowing through.

Look up to enjoy the view

now stunning azure or sky blue.

Azure – a bright blue -

makes a spectacular view,

interspersed with white puffy clouds,

sometimes condensation endowed.

This azure blue so clear it hurts your eyes –

look up, heaven come down to earth in the skies

held up by “angel wings,”

or clouds, this morning.

Look up, you’ll notice the clouds do

have numerous colors to view

of whites, creams, and grays,

a vast and changing array.

Take time to look up throughout the day

for the sky changes it’s display

of clouds and colors

which for a moment hover.

From sky blue to the bluer blue of sapphire.

You’ll find these heavenly colors will inspire.

Colors only God could create

when He hung the world in place.

And at the end of the day when the sun goes down

look up to see behind a sun-lit cloud found

a silver lining

brightly shining.

So bright it might hurt your eyes,

this promise of a home in the skies,

reminding us of heaven

and of Jesus, God’s Son.

Come night you’ll see the sky change to midnight blue.

Do look up to see the twinkling stars shining through.

Yes, the skies hold promises, they do

of God’s blessings to me and you.

Blue skies always cheer up;

happy to see your smiling face.

* * * * *

Remember the story of Elijah in I Kings

when he sent out his servant one morning

to look for a rain cloud in the sky -

a sign of coming rain by and by.

Seven times the servant was commanded to look

for Elijah knew that God would not overlook

his prayer for rain

to come again.

Rain did come.

It came from

faith believing, for Elijah

knew that God would send an answer.

Look up, God is there

waiting to hear your prayer

and He’ll send an answer by and by.

Look up, God is waiting to hear your cry.

And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink,

for there is the sound of a heavy rain.”

So Ahab went off to eat and drink,

but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel,

bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.

“Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant.

And he went up and looked.

“There is nothing there,” he said.

Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”

The seventh time the servant reported,

“A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”

So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab,

‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.”

Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose,

a heavy rain came on...

I Kings 18:42-45

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they display knowledge.

Psalm 19:1

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Would you believe Crayola Crayons have come up with 19 variations of blue. Here are some of the more unique names, I think: cornflower blue, blue bell, robin’s egg blue (is that like tiffany blue?), wild blue yonder (perhaps a dreamy color?), blizzard blue (is that more gray?), outer space blue (maybe very navy?). And paint stores have even more variations of blue with outstanding names to choose from.

When I choose the color for shutters once upon a time, I chose majestic mountain; not blue, but purple even though those colorblind call it blue. The front door color is pretty peacock, in the teal family. Those who name colors must have an imagination and a fun job.

BETWEEN STORMS

 

BETWEEN STORMS

There goes another cloudburst storm...

heard when rumbling thunder roams

across the distant yonder hills

then a downpour when raindrops spill.

Passing through

the air cools,

then humidity rises

when the sun surprises.

What does the sun illuminate today?

An array of spring flowers - nature’s bouquet.

Pinks and yellows and whites!

What a sensory delight.

Each bloom adds to the bouquet

emitting springtime fragrance today.

Should another thunderstorm pass through

the dormant grass will change its hue,

then robins will search for breakfast

after the spring storm has passed.

In the meantime, pictures are taken

for when another thunderstorm threatens

many springtime blooms will be seen bending down,

while others lose their color, turning brown.

The long-anticipated wait for lovely springtime flowers

is either benefited or forfeited by rain showers.

Enjoy today for seasons, and intermittent rain showers,

quietly give birth to beautiful and fragrant flowers.

* * * * *

Spring storms bring many welcome changes,

though life’s storms bring changes which rearranges.

Yes, life is full of change

so we should not think it strange.

Though change is seldom ever welcomed,

don’t approach change with rebellion.

Think of it as one door closing and another opening,

or endings giving way to necessary new beginnings.

Life’s many surprise storms,

in the form of problems,

will mature us in the end

as they teach us to depend

on God who already has the solution worked out -

to have believing faith and trust, to not give in to doubt.

It's doubt that sees the situation as impossible,

forgetting that with faith in God, all things are possible.

(Believing faith is active faith. It’s confidence/assurance that God is able. 

 One definition of trust is to rely on God.)

So next time the winds of change storm in

remember that God is with you, He's within.

Your storm is not yours alone

but God's time to perfect, to hone.

Change is meant to grow your faith

as you rely on God's grace

and faithfulness

through each test.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers,

whenever you face trials of many kinds,

because you know that the testing of your faith

develops perseverance.

Perseverance must finish its work

so that you may be mature and complete,

not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

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

He must believe and not doubt,

because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea,

blown and tossed by the wind...

he is a double-minded man and

unstable in all he does.

James 1:6,8

All things are possible with God.

Mark 10:27b

Have you noticed grass is greener after a thunderstorm, or that plants seem happier afterwards. There is a scientific reason for that, though we know the reason was planned by the Creator, the Master Gardener.

According to Google the reason is:

“When it rains, the rain forces the nitrogen to the ground. Microorganisms then take over, converting the nitrogen in the soil and makes grass green. During a thunderstorm, a bolt of lightning can instantly create nitrogen oxide (which is the key ingredient in fertilizers). ... Lightning is Mother Nature's fertilizer!” (copied)

One early morning in March there was a thunderstorm. I noticed that afternoon that the spring bulbs peeking out were much taller than the day before. Nitrogen creates growth.

Come June it is my practice to put cut, green, organic (non-pesticided) grass – an excellent source of “free” nitrogen - around my vegetable seedlings. These young plants truly benefit from this free nitrogen. It’s normal to run out of room for my feet in the vegetable garden. Yes, partly because of my poor estimation re spacing, but the boost of nitrogen has a large part. If you try this free idea, be sure the grass is non-pesticided.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

BREAKFAST

 

Breakfast

In the newness of the early morning as the sun peeks through

something yummy for breakfast is waiting for the garden crew.

Just who is the garden crew?

Let's take a minute to view.

A morning dew

covers like glue

inviting winged creatures to sip

this early morning refreshment.

Yes, their breakfast awaits,

although not served on a plate,

being sought after

by garden creatures.

Happy bees hum

in golden blossoms

in everyone's vegetable garden.

Gardeners gratefully welcome.

Do take a minute to listen

to their harmonious drone

as they sip from a cup of yellow pollen,

a breakfast filled with good-for-you nutrition.

A just-hatched butterfly seeks morning nourishment

from purple cone flowers, absent of scent,

then off to the garden phlox, which he seems to like best,

before visiting the butterfly bush for breakfast.

Watch him float and glide

as on the breeze he rides

satisfying his hunger

on his morning garden tour.

A hummingbird dines

on red trumpet vine

where ants share a feast

every day of the week.

If you're wearing a red or pink shirt

beware, those hummingbirds might flirt

thinking you're the prettiest flower

of all that grows in your bower.

Mama and papa wren

busily attend

their brood of hungry beaks

as white grubs they seek.

Hear their "me, me, me"

sounding quite greedy

as mama and papa take turns

feeding their offspring this morn.

While robins seek earthworms

to feed starving newborns

a protein breakfast

so they will grow fast.

Do watch from a distance

for robins have an instinct

to protect their young

from potential harm.

Other birds dine

on seeds they find,

heard singing a happy song of praise

to the Creator of all their days.

These and many more

seek breakfast outdoors

alfresco.

Espresso?

Do take time to watch this muse

as a motion picture is produced

every morning as breakfast is found

around the world, in every town.

* * * * *

In this world of uncertainty,

God shows us examples of His faithfulness

so that we will have a guarantee,

an assurance, to not worry – but to trust.

As you know, birds do not worry.

Perhaps that's why they're always happy.

Know that God already has a plan to solve your concern.

He's waiting to hear from you in prayer. Don't carry your load alone.

Get in the habit of thanking God before receiving.

That's living a life of active "faith believing!"

In the meantime, God is maturing your faith

as you trust Him to supply His abundant grace.

Do not worry about tomorrow.

Matthew 6:34

Look at the birds of the air;

they do not sow or reap or store away in barns,

and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.

Matthew 7:26

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him

and he will make your paths straight.

Proverbs 3:5-6

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Without faith it is impossible to please God,

because anyone who comes to him

must believe that he exists

and that he rewards those

who earnestly seek him.

Hebrews 11:6

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

QUEENS

 

Queens

I may never see a queen bee

but I have seen queens that be

reigning monarchs

over much yard work.

This queen may not primp in front of the mirror

but be assured, she primps her flowers so dear.

She removes spent blooms

and bushes she prunes.

She gushes over her newly-born monarchs with smiles.

Their cousins are admired when they visit for awhile.

Rather viceroys, swallowtails, admirals, or painted ladies,

this queen adores all her constituents; she's a classy lady

Other subjects wave as they hurriedly wing on by.

Off to pollinate, they're happy their work day has arrived.

There's a buzz of contentment in the air

as these busy workers are employed to share.

In fact, an entire orchestra entertains

the queen on sunny days when there's no rain.

This orchestra considers each day a coronation,

rehearsing “pomp and circumstance,” in celebration.

Her royal scepter dethrones

what has become overgrown.

Rather unwanted weeds or thorns,

into the compost they're thrown.

These free loaders which daily trespass

are not welcome in the queen's palace.

They are duly banished for they live a life of crime -

though transgressors reappear time after time.

My lady holds court with her dames, each one so cute.

That is, the vegetable garden which bears fruit.

For each blossom in her entourage,

she dubs a prayer to encourage.

Inspecting what grows

in neatly hoed rows,

this beaming queen is quite pleased

with blossoming beans and peas.

When the queen passes by

some bystanders act shy.

The cabbages hunker down

in their round bed on the ground.

Others stand at attention

to view the queen's reaction.

They aim to please her royal highness and they do

as they bask in the sunshine or when covered with dew.

She bows a curtsy to see

blossoms formed so perfectly.

There are pots of gold which soon will turn into squash.

Yellow blooms on the tomatoes, a summer-time must.

Her royal duties has been accomplished

when vegetables are served in a dish.

A rainbow of healthy goodness.

Everything does taste de-lish.

This queen's garden

is her kingdom

where she daily reigns

from her throne supreme.

And her subjects are as happy as can be -

rather flowers, vegetables, birds, or bees -

when she strolls among the beauty of creation,

her “garden of Eden,” her little bit of heaven.

* * * * *

Though this garden queen may not wear a crown,

with God's love and compassion she is crowned.

These are just two of God's personal benefits promised for you and I.

Psalm 103 states, He also forgives, heals, redeems, and satisfies.

Isaiah promises crowns of joy and beauty are bestowed

to replace times of confusion we experience on life's road.

Hebrews states we are crowned with glory and honor.

How come? Because we are God's children and heirs.

There will be times when our crown slips;

when we'll need to remember this:

God crowns us with unconditional love and compassion,

joy, beauty, glory and honor everlasting.

So wear your crown with grace.

Let God's Word embrace

then joy will replace

life's certain heartaches.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things.

Psalm 103:2-5

Everlasting joy will crown their heads.

Gladness and joy will overtake them,

and sorrow and sighing will flee away

Isaiah 35:10

To bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes,

the oil of gladness instead of mourning,

and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.

Isaiah 61:3

What is man that you are mindful of him,

the son of man that you care for him?

You made him a little lower than the angels;

you crowned him with glory and honor.

Hebrews 2:6-7

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.