THRILLS

 

Thrills

Despite a noticeable chill

in the early morning air, still

there's much that thrills

this first day of April.

Chirping birds trills thrill

from songbirds bills

as melodies spill

across the hills.

An a Capella chirp at will.

Someone else sounds like a drill.

A refrain answered with a trill.

A chorus spills from someone's bill.

Fat buds thrill on bobbing daffodils

surrounding yet-to-be-born yellow frills.

Warm, sunny days will

soon open their five gills.

Perhaps it's the many trills

that pop open these frills.

Perhaps daffodils can't wait to thrill

after their long internment is filled.

Another thrill might be seen, not heard, over the hill

when the sunset graces the sky overhead at will.

Be sure to watch this kaleidoscope change, it will,

from gold to orange to pink. It always thrills!

Before long the sun slips behind the hill.

Twilight descends as quiet silently spills

upon hidden nooks and rills

as chirps and trills become still.

Listen to these musical trills

bid each other goodnight, it'll thrill,

as birds communicate then become still

as quiet descends and the day ends fulfilled.

Nightfall again brings a chill

overlaying rills and hills

until,

until...

the new day's morning sun will

silently peek through window sills

while joyous trills

once again thrill.

Which awakens the day: sunlight that spills

or the joyful chorus of songbirds trill

heard every sunny morning, it will,

welcoming the days of April?

* * * * *

April means "to hope," signifying the beginning of spring

as when birds sing and flowers appear each and every spring.

In my neck of the woods, snowdrops and crocus begin spring's dance,

then trumpeting daffodils and tulip's exclamation points enhance

after the spring rains green the grass

and songbirds return at long last.

Everyday there's something new

in our gardens to view.

A welcome anticipation

after winter's long duration.

A joyous celebration awaits

as spring gloriously awakes.

Flowering bulbs buds open

eliciting smiles often.

Happiness graces

gardeners faces

as miracles daily unfold

like tangible gifts of gold.

Spring's rebirth

gives birth

to more than blooming flowers.

There's an unspoken power.

Anticipation

replaces depression.

Hope is restored

as angst is moored

replaced by a can-do attitude

improving everyone's dismal mood.

The advent of spring yearly giving birth

offers hope to everyone on earth.

For, lo, the winter is past,

the rains are over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth;

the time of the singing of birds has come.

Song of Solomon 2:11-12 (KJV)

Hope deferred maketh the heart sick;

but when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.

Proverbs 13:12 (KJV)

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INSTRUCTIONS

Many I know are planting already.

Plan to plant lettuce and spinach seeds outside

and tomato and delphenium seeds inside this weekend.

Instructions

Much of what one knows about gardening

has been passed down through generations

of gardeners before

to those who come after.

These “oldies but goodies” know the best dirt -

not gossip, but the best secrets about earth:

how to enrich the soil,

how to reduce toil.

How to make compost

so your garden will boast.

Recycled leaves make the best organic matter

if manure is not available from your farming neighbors.

Egg shells add calcium to the garden's soil

which also cut grubs and slugs that sometimes toil.

That potassium in banana skins grow roses healthier.

Organic fresh cut grass adds nitrogen, a free fertilizer.

How to read the signs of the moon

in order for your plants to zoom.

What to plant side-by-side

and which should never reside.

When to prune

and how to prune.

How to deter deer

who are not dear.

Their advice

free, without price,

is not via the best chemicals to buy

but the best organic remedies to try.

For instance, Epsom salts grow better tomatoes.

They know the reason to hill up the row of potatoes.

Have you learned the reason?

It’s to prevent sunburn.

Yes, reading labels does teach,

as do catalogs sent to reach

perspective buyers who desire

to plant more, if they never tire.

Magazines and books

are other places to look

for needed advice

to make ones garden nice.

But the best advice, by far,

is from old timers who were

taught by family instructions (wise tales) passed down,

and through trial and error, ups and downs.

* * * * *

Many of our practices and sayings

are based on Biblical teachings.

For instance, our saying:

“Red sky in the morning,

sailors take warning.

Red sky at night,

sailors delight”

is a Biblical teaching.

The Bible has a lot to say about farmers,

or the smaller version of the same – gardeners.

Basically caring for the land

which provides for all of us humans.

That land is a gift from the Lord

upon which His blessings pour.

After reading this scripture from Isaiah

take a moment to appreciate – be in awe...

that God still speaks to us today:

through the Bible always,

through His wonderful creation,

through previous generations,

through our spirit

when we listen to it.

When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?

Does he keep on breaking up and harrowing the soil?

When he has leveled the surface,

does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?

Does he not plant wheat in its place,

barley in its plot, and spelt in its field?

His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.

Caraway is not threshed with a sledge,

nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin;

caraway is beaten out with a rod,

and cumin with a stick.

Grain must be ground to make bread;

so one does not go on threshing it forever.

Though he drives the wheels of his threshing cart over it,

his horses do not grind it.

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,

wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.

Isaiah 28:24-29

When evening comes, you say,

'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,'

and in the morning,

'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.'

Matthew 16:2

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

Teach them to your children,

talking about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 11:19

He who works the land

will have abundant food.

Proverbs 12:11

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop

and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

James 5:7

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AWAKENING

 

Awakening

Soon the garden will be awakening

but in the meantime its a-sleeping

under the blanket of snow falling.

Through January the garden's hibernating.

Asleep while the temperature is below freezing

though comfy under its cold, white covering.

The white February garden still slumbering

burrows deeper under its downy protection

while many gardeners continue shoveling.

Though March finds the garden still barren

many gardeners start a-counting

the days until spring finally begins.

Each day of winter is one day closer to spring.

Soon we'll see the return of songbirds and hear them sing.

Everyone can't wait for the return of a new spring.

Finally, the bright sun returning

melts the white blanket protection.

Soon little green shoots will be sprouting.

You'll see an awakening

in your flower gardens.

Your face will be smiling.

Perhaps the songbirds sing,

“awake, awake - it's spring!”

Do take the time to listen.

Snowdrops are the first to appear one morning.

A sure sign of the garden's awakening.

They'll bring hope even if it's still snowing.

Next the crocus' are seen awakening.

On sunny days there will be bees buzzing

in these gold and purple blooms so endearing.

Take time to notice the flowering trees budding

as they reach toward the sun awakening,

soon in their glory with spring flowers blooming.

The grass will be seen greening,

other trees will start leafing,

daffodils and tulips blooming.

The whole earth is awakening,

a miracle in the making,

experienced each and every spring.

* * * * *

Stop to think about it: life is a constant evolving -

where we experience more of our soul's awakening.

It seems the more we learn about ourselves

the more there is to be changed about self.

Sometimes we react, instead of enact our faith,

when surprise circumstances come to test our faith.

When we doubt

worries mount.

Some days it's one step forward, two steps back.

If only we could take our actions back.

Will we ever learn

that God is in the storm?

It's that discovery, though,

that ends up teaching us "whoa."

To trust before we act

when believing faith we lack.

You may find you're never where you want to be

for there's always more to learn, you'll see,

but faith grows with each test

when in God we rest.

You'll find it's our soul awakening

that increases our faith believing.

Awake my soul.

God is in control.

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

Psalm 62:5

My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8

A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.

Proverbs 13:19

Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being praise his holy name.

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

so that your youth is renewed.

Psalm 103:1-5

Today's flowers awakening:

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COUNTDOWN

A bit early in posting this dated story but would probably forget to on the 15th.

Photo taken yesterday.  Snow in the forecast for the next few days.

Countdown

Countdown to spring!

It's March 15th.

Temps are warming up.

Spring bulbs popping up.

In five more days spring begins.

Can't wait to finally dig in!

Countdown to spring!

It's March 16th.

Resume yearly walk

around the country block.

In four more days spring begins.

Even my dog seems to grin.

Countdown to spring!

It's March 17th.

After walking around the block,

anticipated spring yard work starts.

In three more days spring begins

fulfilling an inner yen.

Countdown to spring!

It's March 18th.

After cutting a forsythia bouquet to force,

planted a row of lettuce - and spinach, of course.

In two more days spring begins.

So glad to see winter end.

Countdown to spring!

It's March 19th.

Temperatures are chilly again.

Working inside not as much fun.

Tomorrow spring will begin.

There's much to do in the garden.

It's finally here! March 20th again.

According to the calendar - spring!

Wonder what this coming year will bring?

Can't wait to see flowers blooming.

Can't wait to see trees flowering.

Ah, wonderful, exciting spring!

According to the calendar - spring!

It's March 21st. Birds heard singing.

Though still cold, it’s sunny and bright.

Good to see the birds in flight.

Happy to see spring bulbs

point to the heavens above.

According to the calendar spring!

It's March 22nd. Crocus' blooming.

Weather forecasters say snow.

They've been wrong before, you know,

‘cause it's spring

once again!

According to the calendar spring!

It's March 23rd. When will spring begin?

Snow covers the trees.

I'm not at all pleased!

Where did spring go?

It's covered with snow!

When will spring begin?

When will winter end?

* * * * *

What are you counting down? A birth?

Maybe a reduction in girth?

We find there's always something to look forward to.

A celebration? Maybe the end of the flu?

The end of the workweek?

Weekends to catch up on sleep?

A concert? The end of car payments?

Annual vacations? Retirement?

Paul had another view of what to count.

Not at all measured in how we might count.

It's a continual practice.

An inner quality, not selfish.

It's your spirit growing,

a faith that's sowing

outward to others -

your friends and neighbors.

A kind word, a good deed.

A sharing instead of greed.

A willing, helping hand

offered to those not clan.

A being there

when life's not fair.

A love through example

where others had trampled.

A testimony of faith

so that another's faith

will grow stronger

and they'll hunger

and be satisfied

with all God does provide.

A love personified

where God does reside.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.

Galatians 5:6

I will show you my faith by what I do.

James 2:18b

His faith and his actions were working together,

and his faith was made complete by what he did.

James 2:22

We continually remember before our God and Father

your work produced by faith,

our labor prompted by love,

and your endurance inspired by hope

in our Lord Jesus Christ.

I Thessalonians 1:3

Photo taken yesterday 3/9/23.

Life Is a Garden Party

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GESTATION

Adding an additional post to say THANK YOU.  There have been 769 visits to this page already this month.  May Jesus Christ be praised!

Gestation

After 11 months

we're happy to make a fuss

as it's been a loooonngg wait to see

something that will please you and me.

All through long days or weeks when too much rain came

and other weeks when there wasn't enough rain,

they wait and wait as we count the months down

when this delivery is seen in our town.

For each new birth is something to be celebrated

after we wait and wait through the gestation period.

All through long weeks when it was too hot and humid

we impatiently waited as they silently hid.

Hidden in a dark cocoon,

morning, night, and noon, a womb

protected them

during gestation.

And still they waited,

activity bated,

as it wasn't time

for them to shine.

Through the final months, though,

they waited under snow.

The wait seems like it is taking too long.

Each new day feels like a week prolonged.

This incubation

or hibernation

continues through January

and all through February.

Will this long pregnancy ever end?

Everyone's counting the days until when

this new birth

arrives on earth.

Then one day, through the snow,

new life begins to show.

The 11 months is nearing completion.

It's almost time for their presentation.

Who will be born

one chilly March morn?

Who waited 11 months

and arrives with a fuss?

Tiny white snowdrops

and crocus' will pop,

daffodils add to the array

when spring gives birth this glad day!

Their debut

creates a view

that is worth the wait

no matter which state.

Look for hyacinths,

followed by tulips,

alliums

also blossom.

Celebrate

spring's due date.

A time of rebirth

upon planet earth.

* * * * *

What a long wait to see the newborns!

It seemed like spring would never be born.

Winter’s temperatures and snows repeatedly reappear

despite the calendar’s proclamation year after year.

But after winter is past

spring will begin with a blast:

a celebration, a show, a gala

with brightly colored flowers.

They couldn’t wait to unfurl

from under the earth’s furrow.

They couldn’t wait to bring forth hope

for spring is a season of hope.

A season of hopefulness, of new beginnings.

A time of anticipation and expectation.

A confident assurance that God keeps His promises.

Biblical hope is much, much more than simply a wish.

See! The winter is past;

the rains are over and gone.

Flowers appear on the earth.

Song of Songs 2:11-12

I went down to the grove of nut trees

to look at the new growth in the valley,

to see if the vines had budded

or the pomegranates were in bloom.

Song of Songs 6:11

We have put our hope in the living God.

I Timothy 4:10

We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,

firm and secure.

Hebrews 6:19

Jonquil

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MARCH

 Written one snowy winter.  This year has been a green winter.

March

So glad to see and hear the bird's returning.

A sure sign of spring again awakening

even though there's still a foot or more of snow.

It seems there's something they know that we don't know.

I believe the birds herald in spring

when they arrive with voices singing.

You'll notice mornings begin earlier

with the arrival of these flying harbingers.

And the days are becoming longer too.

Perhaps because birds have much to do

as they find a nesting place

with a safe and secure base.

Today is overcast and gray

though a pleasantly warmer day.

Titmice and chickadees are seen and heard

as in and out of the evergreens they soared.

It also seems the weather forecasters

don't consider these "good news" loudspeakers

for forecaster’s report more snow.

Where will these early bird's go?

Snow today with more forecasted tonight

blanketing the frozen ground in pure white.

Where have all the tweeters gone?

Of their tweets I have grown fond.

Where have all the chirpers gone?

Were they a mirage passing?

Where have all the twitterers gone?

Spring is delayed, I'm guessing.

In like a lion

is still going on

through it's the 6^th of March.

Have the tweeters flown back south?

They are missed

as winter's kiss

descends again

Just when will it end?

Another half foot or so by morning.

No tweets heard in greeting.

When will winter end?

When will spring begin?

* * * * *

Everything does come to an end.

Changing diapers comes to an end.

Being a student comes to an end.

Sometimes employment comes to an end.

One day a loved ones life will end

and, yes, the world will one day end.

We have been forewarned what to expect

and we have been promised what comes next.

Expect wars and famines and earthquakes.

Expect an increase of wickedness.

It will also be a time of great stress.

The world will be in an even greater mess.

Not until the sun is darkened and the stars fall from they sky

will the Redeemer, the Son of Man come, appearing in the sky

to redeem His own, His elect.

That's the promise which comes next.

The promise of eternal life in heaven.

You can be certain your home is in heaven.

Just believe

then receive

the free gift of eternal life

given when Jesus laid down His life

as a sacrifice

on the cross.

It is free

to you and me

through believing,

not through earning.

It's a matter of the heart.

Just believing is your part.

Matthew 24

(Signs of the end of the age.)

For God so loved the world

that he gave his only begotten Son

that whosoever believeth in Him

should not perish

but have everlasting life.

John 3:16 (KJV)

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