LADY CHATTERLEY

 

Lady Chatterley

Someone's not too happy.

In fact, downright yappy.

Lady Chatterley has returned

this sunny summer weekday morn.

I didn't know she was here

until her chattering appeared.

Yes, I did distinctively hear

Lady Chatterley loud and clear.

There she is chasing my friends

who daily come visit when

the bee balm is in bloom

morning, night, or at noon.

Lady Chatterley doesn't want to share

so she chases away on a dare -

chattering,

while chasing.

Now she's left all alone

to dine on red flowers grown

where beneficial bees

sip contentedly.

Does she know buzzing bees might retaliate

if disturbed when she comes to investigate?

She doesn't seem to mind

when bees zoom in to dine.

But, oh, when she sees another hummingbird

much chattering can be heard

as she gives chase

here at my place.

Although there are many flowers with which to share

she's seen chasing, rather one or a pair.

Perhaps Lady Chatterley thinks she's the queen.

Perhaps she is. I've labeled her the Queen of Mean.

Did you guess who Lady Chatterley is?

She's a female hummingbird. Whiz whiz.

She doesn't sit still for a minute;

neither quiet for a moment.

Not only can you hear that distinct hum,

she pipsqueaks with her fast-moving tongue.

Do take time to be silent and listen.

Here she is now. I hear her wings humming.

* * * * *

How much of our daily chatter

is simply that: babble or tattle?

And quite often what we say probably isn't edifying;

if truth be known, it's usually in the form of murmuring.

What we think

and what we speak

should always be edifying -

building one up, encouraging.

Not tearing down as often is the case,

judging others without a measure of grace.

Looking for the good

as we know we should.

Everyone everywhere

has troubles they bear.

We all need more encouragement.

In turn, peace and joy will be sent!

Be an example in word and deed.

Others will emulate you, indeed.

Encourage one another.

Everyone will be happier.

Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it

will become more and more ungodly.

II Timothy 2:16

Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace

and to mutual edification.

Romans 14:19

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father,

and with it we curse men,

who have been made in God's likeness.

Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing.

My brothers, this should not be.

James 3:10

Whatever you do,

whether in word or deed,

do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus,

giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Colossians 3:17

Encourage one another

and build each other up.

I Thessalonians 5:11

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Trails

This morning’s sunny.

Here comes bunny.

From under the pine

he comes out to dine.

Hop, hop, stop.

Hop, hop, stop.

He’s not late.

Breakfast awaits.

Inside the gate

he investigates

the daffodils

with their frills.

Breakfast is found

on the ground.

Perhaps it’s dandelion leaves

which seem to appease.

He hops then jumps.

His feet thump.

His nose

knows.

He sniffs.

A whiff.

Friend or foe?

Decided foe.

He hurriedly hops along

for there’s someone

on his trail

with a long gold tail.

This tailed someone

with sniffer on

tracking down

on the ground...

doesn’t see

what I see.

Bunny, though,

sees and knows.

Closer and closer the two become.

Fast bunny gets ready to run

through the gate -

he’s now safe.

Wise, quick bunny won.

Goldilocks sits in the sun

thumping her tail

as bunny sails...

under the forsythia

with its yellow flowers.

Bunny’s breakfast is now found

where wild strawberry leaves abound.

* * * * *

Happy trails to you...

may all your hopes come true.

May you be blessed

with happiness.

May contentment reign

despite what rains

for life does contain disappointments,

heartaches, turmoil, and disagreements.

May delight gladden your countenance

instead of worry showing on your face

as anxiety wears a frown

turning a smile upside down.

May you seek God when fears

threaten to bring on the tears

for God has promised to be with us

when we live a life of faith and trust.

May peacefulness be found

and harmony abound.

A peace that the world does not understand,

but a peace from God to enable you to stand.

May you be blessed

with cheerfulness

as your happy heart dances

despite your circumstances.

May you find joy in everything

filling your heart with thanksgiving

to encourage others along the way

so they too will seek peace and find joy today.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.

Proverbs 15:13

I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.

Philippians 4:12

Be content with what you have.

Hebrews 13:5

Delight yourself in the Lord

and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4

Look to the Lord and his strength;

seek his face always.

Psalm 105:4

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

A heart at peace gives life to the body.

Proverbs 14:30

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.

Proverbs 15:13

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,

and good news gives health to the bones.

Proverbs 15:30

A cheerful heart is good medicine.

Proverbs 17:22

An anxious heart weighs a man down,

but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25

He has shown kindness by giving you

rain from heaven and crops in their seasons;

he provides you with plenty of food

and fills your hearts with joy.

Acts 14:17

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

Out of the most severe trial,

their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty

welled up in rich generosity.

II Corinthians 8:2

May the peace of God rule in your hearts,

since as members of one body you were called to peace.

And be thankful.

Colossians 3:15

Life Is a Garden Party

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Grow

A tiny seed planted in a peat pot

to grow under a heat lamp, not too hot,

and sprinkled with water wet

will sprout with two green leaflets.

In a few weeks this seedling

will need careful transplanting

then will daily mature under the sun

and from a needed rain that weekly comes.

By inches it will creep

then soon blossoms will greet

in a yellow array

imitating the sun’s rays.

Bees will unerringly seek

these sunny blossoms which greet

as this plant now matures,

though hardship it endures.

Yes, buffeted about

by wind and/or drought

it grew despite

life’s unknown plights.

For its life is filled with hardships whether

from too much sun or from stormy weather.

These hardships will harden the plant to endure

and most likely a sweeter harvest ensure.

On summer afternoons the plant will wilt

as the sun over the horizon tilts,

but the plant will survive

for its roots keep it alive.

This plant that started life as a seed

now produces enough to feed

ones family through the months of winter

as it soaks in the goodness of summer.

This seed grew

with life anew

for inside each seed is a miracle

waiting to be let out. Grow little plant, grow.

* * * * *

And so it is with us

as we grow in faith and trust.

We mature through hardships

for hardships strengthen/equip us.

One day our hardships may another encourage

as others see us prevail and take courage

for our roots have grown deep

in God’s Word, which we seek.

God’s Word assures us that God is with us,

and in us, and will never forsake us.

We are assured that God loves us

and through His Son has forgiven us.

Hardships are meant to refine us,

as we learn about God’s faithfulness,

and in the end, we find, teaches us

to give glory to God who blesses us.

His delight is in the law of the Lord,

and on his law he meditates day and night.

He is like a tree planted by streams of water,

which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.

Whatever he does prospers.

Psalm 1:2-3

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged,

for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.

Joshua 1:9

I pray that out of his glorious riches

he may strengthen you with power

through his Spirit in your inner being,

so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,

may have power, together with all the saints,

to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

and to know this love that surpasses knowledge –

that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Ephesians 3:16-19

God has said, Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.

So we say with confidence, The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.

Hebrews 13:5-6

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

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MAMA

 

MAMA

A flurry of blue feathers

one spring day when fair weather,

there's a couple

in the crab apple

where a nest is being built

after two blue jays did flirt.

Twigs and sticks versus grass and hay

are brought in on a few warm days

to form a round nest in the crouch

of the crab apple tree where much

foliage hides their nest

then round eggs will soon rest.

Mama's snowy white down

covers newly laid eggs round

as she sits day and night long

through sun, rain, and wind storms

caring for her family,

always tending patiently.

She sees me come and hears me talk

listening with her gray head cocked.

We wait together for the birth

of her little ones who'll bring mirth

for everyone is delighted to see

and welcome whose ever newborn babies.

Tuesday her babies finally peeked out.

It was a glad day for me, have no doubt.

It seemed expectation was a long time

though waiting is something that takes time.

Although something good comes out of waiting,

waiting can seem to be frustrating.

Her baby's eyes were still closed

but their big beaks were not closed.

They were expecting a handout

from mama on her journey about.

In comes mama with a call

announcing her presence to all.

A friend took their picture on Wednesday

of mama and her baby blue jays.

It's the cutest picture you ever saw,

I think, of newborn babies, by far.

Everyone oohs and ahhhs over these newborns

who was born one June summer afternoon.

Today when I went out to visit

five beaks peeked out for a little bit.

Mama come in closer to hover

over her babies undercover

in the crab apple tree's foliage

in today's humidity haze.

One baby opened its eyes

when I spoke to mama up high

or maybe it winked at me

as only one eye I could see.

Today's entertainment

did bring much enjoyment.

I'll be entertained for a few more days

by mama and her baby blue jays.

Perhaps mama will teach them to stay near

for soon the sunflower heads will peer

inviting birds of yellow, red, and blue.

Sunflowers and birds make for a pretty view.

* * * * *

Who likes to wait?

To wait we hate.

Rather in a traffic jam

or for a pot of clams,

perhaps through extended illness

or through a child's mixed up mess -

waiting teaches us patience

whatever the circumstance.

Abraham waited years for God to fulfill His promise.

After waiting patiently, Abraham must have shouted “yes!”

Yes, Abraham did get ahead of God's timetable,

but though all those years Abraham learned God is able.

He learned God is Lord of the impossible,

because with God all things are possible.

After learning to wait patiently,

God blessed Abraham abundantly.

There is more than one blessing in learning to wait.

We learn God is ever faithful – which is great!

God is building steadfast perseverance is us

so we will not be moved in our journey of trust.

We learn God had a good plan

bestowed from His loving hand

as we wait in expectation

for God's "best for us" solution.

...If we hope for what we do not yet have,

we wait for it patiently.

Romans 8:25

And so after waiting patiently,

Abraham received what was promised.

Hebrews 6:15

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.