AFTER

 

After

After seeds are planted in the ground

life begins from that little round

or oval-shaped seed so small

in which life originates for all.

After sun and rain nourish that little seed

buried under the soil down on ones knees

it begins to sprout

quickly bursting out.

After a week it emerges through

reaching heavenward toward skies of blue

where two little leaflets drink

dewdrops when morning winks.

After a few more days more leaflets appear

sometimes feed by showers of heaven's tears,

although other times these showers become storms

when this little seedling looks quite forlorn.

After storms of life buffet this little life,

sometimes cutting like a knife,

this little seedling rights itself again

and is happy to see the sun return.

After several weeks of sunshine

this little seedling grows into a vine

where blossoms form and intertwine

its tendrils up a fence line.

After the blossoms form

bees visits from their drone.

Sing-song buzzing is in the air

on days when it's sunny and fair.

After soaking up the sun's warmth

these blossoms turn into fruit -

perhaps snow peas, or cucumbers,

or pumpkins, or green pole beans or...

After these vegetables mature

there'll be good eating for sure.

Harvesting takes place

as one feeds one's face.

After these vegetables mature

inside each are seeds for more

to reproduce next year.

An excellent plan, that's clear.

After awhile seeds are dried

then in an envelope they hide

until next spring -

which is exciting.

After weeks of summer, but all too soon,

autumn's cold frost will bring with it doom

ending the cycle of life

with dying and certain death.

Afterward these vines are recycled into compost

when this gardening "black gold" another seed will host.

The cycle of life completed for this seed.

For humans, bees, and compost it did feed.

After all is grown and gone

a miracle lives on

as seeds will reproduce

with more ideas for this muse.

Seriously, in each seed there's a miracle,

as well as a cure for whatever ails,

for a healthy life is daily maintained

from good-for-us minerals and vitamins.

* * * * *

As all gardening ends with death,

then a recycling; as with life

death is not the end,

it's a new beginning.

After this life

there's eternal life

if you believe

and Christ receive.

Your old life can be recycled into new

if you believe what God did is true.

That God's Son died

for you and I.

There is a happily-ever-after.

It's in heaven, the thereafter,

and will be reserved for you today

if you believe in Christ Jesus, then pray.

"Dear Lord, I believe

and your gift receive.

You're always be with me in all that I do

and I have your promise of everlasting life with you."

There really is a happily-ever-after,

although not on earth as so earnestly sought after.

We won't receive it until we die,

when we go to our home beyond the sky.

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.

Romans 10:9

Our citizenship is in heaven.

And we eagerly await a Savior from there,

the Lord Jesus Christ,

who, by the power that enables him

to bring everything under his control,

will transform our lowly bodies

so that they will be like his glorious body.

Philippians 3:20

Squash Blossoms

(female on left)

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GARDEN BAND

 

Garden Band

On a sunny day

the band comes out to play.

Who joins the garden band?

Come. See. You'll be a fan.

This morning the band is heard warming up.

Look. It's the bees in the borage. Yep!

Come listen. It's free.

They never sound off key.

Then a loud hum joins in.

Look quick. It's hummingbird wings.

He's a welcome addition

as he stops to audition.

He's directed to the string section

where there's a lot of vibrating action.

Someone imitates a violin

and there's the twang of banjo strings.

Another new member sits in the woodwind section

where everyone harmonizes in collaboration.

There are piccolo chirps.

Others imitate a flute.

Tweets

so sweet

that humans take note

of the song being wrote.

Tunes from oboes, saxophones,

clarinets, and trombones

are heard in this symphony

sung by visiting birds and bees.

A mockingbird joins the garden band.

His song is heard throughout the land.

He imitates trumpets, tubas, french horns

for mockingbirds fool from the day they were born.

Soon the bandleader will point

to keynote speakers on point.

Who is it that joins the band?

It's the crickets. A lively clan.

They sit in the percussion section

strumming louder for attention.

Rhythmic they strum

having so much fun.

Now a soloist joins the orchestra.

Who is it that whistles loudly just for show?

It's the caw caw of a crow.

He has the loudest voice, you know.

The garden band has many members.

They practice from April through October

then many members go on tour

as in October southward they soar.

Take time to listen to the free concert today

for soon the band members will be on their way

to entertain the senior citizens

in their Floridian winter homes.

* * * * *

When God's Word states “make a joyful noise unto the Lord.”

Someone literally took God at His Word – it's the birds.

But God's Word was written for you and I.

Are the songs we sing joyful or filled with why?

Do we daily thank and praise God with joyful hearts

or do we doubt God's faithfulness as each day starts?

Our words are our recorded music.

Words can be therapeutic.

Words like: “you’re a blessing”, “thanking God for you”,

“God is good”, “praise the Lord”, “to God be the glory”.

Let these words praising God or edifying others replace words

that curse, fight, slander, ridicule. Words that cannot be unheard.

What do you want to be remembered for?

An encourager, through your words and more.

Or will the legacy you make

leave behind only heartache?

Make music in your heart. Shout for joy.

Everyone around you will enjoy.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music;

make music to the Lord with the harp,

with the harp and the sound of singing,

with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn -

shout for joy before the Lord, the King.

Psalm 98:4-6

What she has done (said)

will also be told in memory of her.

Matthew 26:13

Mockingbird

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Morning Tour 5/23/24

Many new blooms this morning here at Rainbow's End thanks to rain showers, high humidity and temps.  Some for the first time, some I have no idea where they came from.

First time for this Itoh peony.  Supposed to be copper?

Don't recall the name of this allium, but good deer deterrent.

Behind this iris is a hollyhock.  Blooms the 2nd year - which is this year.

This juxiposition was not planned, but turned out picturesque.

A few wisteria blooms this week.  Did not bloom early spring due to frost.

First time for a white columbine here.  

Many columbines in several locations this year.

Lots of fencings to keep deer at bay - hopefully.

Ferns are doing well thanks to rains and high humidity:

Snowball bush inherited from mom's father's side of family:

Due to high temps, last of these poppies.

Did plant other color poppy (gifted) seeds on Monday.

Popped up in raspberry patch.

These are wild poppies that I allow to bloom.

Popped up in asparagus bed.

Have no idea where this came from as old fashioned iris are planted in this bed.

I have experienced iris' cross breeding.

Ladies Mantel

Alliums

Flowers appear on the earth.

Song of Songs 2:12

AMBER

 

AMBER

Night comes calling.

Twilight is falling.

Just before dusk

there's a hush.

Amber transcends

as the sun descends.

Just for a moment in time

everything is gilded, sublime.

Awash in a hue not in the crayon array

of golden yellows found in the cardboard tray.

Everything seems illuminated;

this color spectrum highlighted.

Even the birds are silent

for a moment of sacred silence

in this golden light

of amber highlights.

An exaltation of silent prayer

of worship to their Creator,

the God of the universe,

in heart-felt, non-spoken verse.

Amber enhances just before dusk begins to set

promising tomorrow there will be other delights.

Night quietly settles in.

It's time for me to head in.

A last look at the horizon.

Tree toads vocalize in song

in the lawn

as I yawn.

Sundown

in my town.

Twilight's

now night.

Good night.

Sleep tight.

Tomorrow there will be more surprise delights,

as was this moment in time filled with delightful sights.

* * * * *

Oh beautiful, for spacious skies,

for amber waves of grain,

for purple mountain majesties

above the fruited plain!

America! America! God shed His grace on thee,

and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.

(written by Katharine Lee Bates)

In high school* this chorus became part of a composition,

which was posted on the bulletin board, about pollution.

Look how far a little unknown encouragement has taken.

Only God knew there would be a "poet" in the making.

(*According to the yearbook, this teacher was Mrs. Mary L. Snyder,

who taught at Horseheads High School, Horseheads, NY. [1971])

The following was written circa 2008:

Despite the differences between republicans and democrats,

the left wing or right wing, congress, senate, or whatever bureaucrats,

God has shed His grace on us

despite our living in lust...

despite our misuse of His creation,

despite our lack of appreciation,

despite our abuse toward other humans,

despite our waywardness from God's plan...

despite our living for oneself

instead of lives of worship,

despite our selfish, cold, hardened hearts,

God is for us and will never depart.

God is gracious

to all races

when we cry out for help

or weep from burdened hearts.

God's blessings abound

when we look around

for God is loving and kind

we find time after time.

There seems to be a lot of topics written here

that could be expanded on or made more clear.

Perhaps another day you'll read

about pollution, government, greed.

For now this story ends

with a thought on how to mend

our relationship with the Lord,

whose grace we cannot afford.

Just pray, “Heavenly Father, thank you,

for all blessings come from you.

Your loving kindness brings delight

as you bless those whose walk is right.”

Let him that glorieth glory in this,

that he understandeth and knoweth me,

that I am the Lord which exercises

loving kindness, judgment and righteousness in the earth:

for in these things I delight.

Jeremiah 9:24 (KJV)

(The Hebrew translation of kindness is devotion.)

The Lord loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of his unfailing love.

Psalm 33:5

The Lord works righteousness and justice

for all the oppressed.

Psalm 103:6

What does the Lord require of you?

To act justly

and to love mercy

and to walk humbly with your God.

Micah 6:8

God does not show favoritism.

Romans 2:11

Life Is a Garden Party

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Daniel

 Daniel or Danielle consumed asparagus here last night.  Not happy.

Daniel

Daniel loves to eat vegetables.

He doesn't wait to set the table.

He eats what he wants

as often as he wants.

Daniel likes sweet green peppers the best.

He eats them before he eats the rest.

He hasn't tried hot peppers at all.

Perhaps he's too smart, that Daniel.

One of his favorites is snow peas.

Green pole beans also seem to please.

Daniel has never said no to beets either.

He likes butternut squash when its tender.

Daniel will try potatoes

and nibble on tomatoes.

Green seems to be his favorite color,

although he wears a tan coat and collar.

Yes, Daniel loves to eat vegetables.

This is a true tale, not a fable.

Then again, the eater might be Danielle, who knows

for they come in the middle of the night, you know.

Daniel or Danielle are unwelcome guests.

Who are these midnight guests? Can you guess?

They are deer

who are not dear.

But they do have a lesson to teach us:

vegetables are very good for us.

They give us strength to jump up high

and endurance to run fast, bye bye.

* * * * *

The Bible tells us a true story about another Daniel.

This Daniel asked for vegetables to be served at the table.

Daniel and his friends were healthier looking

and God gave them all a keen mind for learning.

It is a good idea to follow Daniel's example.

Daniel, God's servant; not Daniel the deer's example

because Daniel the deer steals his vegetables

and you know, of course, that stealing is illegal.

Give us nothing but vegetables to eat and water to drink...

At the end of the ten days they looked healthier and better nourished...

To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding

of all kinds of literature and learning.

Daniel 1:12, 15, 17

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love.

Proverbs 15:17

You shall not steal.

Exodus 20:15

Photo of Danielle.  Her fawn was born on my side of the fence. Did not jump over as I was outside.

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I'm Back

 

I'M BACK

Oh what a beautiful morning,

Oh what a beautiful day...

everyone’s waking up singing –

the robins, sparrows, and blue jays,

the mourning doves, red-winged blackbirds,

cardinals, chickadees, cowbirds -

all tweet to their heart’s content,

their chorus heavenward sent.

Swallows, finches, and wrens

also have a song to send.

Warblers and nut hatchers,

thrushes and thrashers

vocalize proudly.

Crows chime in loudly.

Rather red, blue, black or brown

everyone joins ‘round.

There are chirps and tweets,

not always sounding sweet,

for newborns seem to learn

very early in the morn.

There are coo coos and caw caws

mixed with a wren’s a cappella.

A barnyard’s clucks and quacks and gobbles and honks chatter

after Brewster the Rooster’s er-er-er-er-errrr!

Canadian geese overhead

honking, northward bound, early heard

add to the morning chorus

sounding like a loud ruckus -

for when you try to catch a few more winks

the glee club is heard exercising hi-jinks

announcing “I’m back”…

the long winter is past.

* * * * *

Aren’t we glad the winter is past,

to hear the birds singing - at last!

Birds announce spring is here

for each low coo coo you hear

or every loud caw caw caw

is a reminder to all

that spring has finally sprung.

With it new hope also comes.

Hope is a confidence,

a promised assurance,

that God does have a solution

to all of our earthly problems.

So when life seems upside down,

instead of wearing a frown,

be assured that the One you hope in

has all the answers to strife within.

Sometimes hope seems lost

when life seems like dross

but the hardships of life,

sometimes bringing much strife,

teach valuable lessons to us –

growing our faith and teaching us to trust.

Spring brings hope of a brighter tomorrow

and through all of life’s stresses and plateaus.

Faith is being sure of what we hope for

and certain of what we do not see.

Hebrews 11:1

Hope does not disappoint us,

because God has poured out his love into our hearts

by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:5

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