BARE

 

Bare

The deciduous trees are bare,

striped down to their underwear.

Skeletons they now wear

seen under the moonlight's glare.

Two days ago the trees did wear

a covering of leaves shared.

Then during the night a heavy frost, like white hair,

settled on those autumn leaves unaware.

Yesterday these golden leaves floated down midair;

steadily they gathered on the grass there.

Whereas two days ago they floated solitaire,

one by one their cycle of life declared.

To watch these leaves trickle down in the open air

its peaceful, while inside sitting in an easy chair.

Soon, though, work awaits there

as gardeners are not spared.

A leaf rake and a set of elbows prepare

to relocate those leaves scattered in a pile there.

Leaves for composting as gardeners show they care

for the environment by recycling leaves snared.

Come autumn gardeners find there's more leaves to ensnare

as annually these trees produce more leaves to share.

Each year raking is an autumnal affair.

Year after year gardeners learn there's more wear and tear.

For elbows kink, I declare,

I huff and puff hot air,

My nose drips off and on in the fresh air,

and there's more raking tomorrow – so beware.

All winter long these leafless tree skeletons bare

will stare through the window showcasing their underwear

while the gardener enjoys warm gingerbread baked with pears

in front of the fireplace toasting their tootsies bare.

* * * * *

It's said if the trees are especially heavy-laden with leaves

then the winter will be exceptionally cold – like below-zero degrees.

It's said if oak trees are heavy with acorns

then the coming winter will be colder than norm.

This is one of God's ways He provides for His creatures.

These creatures that scamper all season with tails of fur

collecting nuts to bury for the coming winter.

These creatures which wisely prepare all summer.

Take time to watch the squirrels today

for God's creatures teach us each day

to save or prepare for the future.

Saving pays dividends, for sure.

Go to the ant, you sluggard;

consider its ways and be wise!

It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,

yet it stores its provisions in summer

and gathers its food at harvest.

Proverbs 6:6-8

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Gala

Everyone’s dressed in their finest

in burgundy, golds, and rusts

as a celebrated guest

each year come Oktoberfest.

You’ll see some, though,

wear emerald

and come as they are

to the gala.

The gala is held on a sunny day

and is free to all, there’s no need to pay.

This gala might last for a few days.

Some travelers come from far away.

What is it these travelers come to see?

What is it that brings a sense of glee?

These travelers are sightseers, you see,

come to see the colors of the autumn trees.

For in autumn the trees are ready to party

dressing in pleasing colors, never gaudy.

There’s goldenrod yellow to maize-tinted gold,

bittersweet orange to mulberry red, so bold.

Mixed among these autumn colors

are emeralds in multi-colors

of pine or forest green evergreens

towering throughout this stunning scene.

Soon the trees colors will change and drop

when brown siennas, and umbers, and chestnut

leaves fall

each fall.

Make a date today

to view the vast array

of autumn leaves this year.

Your spirit will be cheered.

* * * * *

And when you do go to this gala

take along some Gala apples

for an autumn picnic

or maybe you’ll go pick.

Do something special to celebrate autumn.

You’ll find there’s so much to do for fun -

apple picking, leaf viewing,

pumpkin craving, Thanksgiving.

What do you look forward to each autumn?

Selecting a Halloween jack-o-lantern?

Or baking pies – apple? Pumpkin?

Can’t wait for glorious autumn.

A thankful heart

is just the start

of a celebration that lasts

long after autumn is past.

Praise the Lord.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;

his loves endures forever.

Psalm 106:1

Give thanks to the Lord Almighty,

for the Lord is good;

his loves endures forever.

Jeremiah 33:11

The hill out my backdoor.

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GARDEN CLEANUP

Yesterday's project.  Podded pole beans and scarlet runner beans last night.  Vegetable soup on the menu. Story from Life Is a Garden Party Vol V.

CLEANUP

Today’s sun shines bright,

though frost forecasted tonight.

Time to cleanup the garden

in preparation for autumn.

More fun to don on a sunny day

while serenaded by the blue jays.

A big basket of fresh green beans

is harvested under the sunbeams.

Tomorrow a stir-fry will be made

with a yummy ginger marinade.

Others will be blanched 3 minutes then frozen.

Will taste mighty fine when the snow is blowing.

There are shell beans to be podded one night

to add to homemade soup one cold night.

There's onions, carrots, and green beans to add

with tomatoes and zucchini, I'm glad,

for minestrone or chowder

making a tasty simple supper.

Peppers are taken in

to be chopped and frozen

for meat sauce this winter.

Better than a diners.

These pepper plants will be covered tonight

so baby peppers can mature in the sunlight.

Fresh parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme

are cut to make bouquets today; it's time.

They'll be used to make herbed turkey stock

from turkey bones simmering in a pot

with onions, celery, and carrots

as a base for turkey soups. Can't wait.

The wheelbarrow and I

strain with winter squash piled high.

Can't wait to eat.

They'll be a treat.

I'll wait a week for the squash to cure

then will bake in the oven for supper.

Carrots, cabbage, and beets

are said to be more sweet

when left out in the cold,

or so the “sage” ones told.

Besides, I've run out of room

to store my gardening boom.

* * * * *

Do you thank God for your daily bread

as well as other foods which you are fed?

Our food is a gift from God, you know,

designed to make us strong and help us grow.

Have you thought to thank God for the variety

of foods available every day when you pray?

Not just the colors but the textures and flavors -

creamy, crunchy, sweet, tart – made for us to savor.

Vitamins, minerals, fiber inclusive,

designed for us to be healthy and live.

A study of vitamins and minerals contained

in fruits and vegetables will amaze how God ordained.

Nutrition incorporated to sustain health.

Over time you’ll learn a healthy diet is wealth.

God knows just what we need each day.

Thank Him now as you bow your head and pray.

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11 (KJV)

Give us day by day our daily bread.

Luke 11:3 (KJV)

Scarlet Runner Beans

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

CRISP

 

CRISP

Wood smoke a wisp

on a cool day crisp.

Off to the orchard to pick

apples night-visiting deer missed.

Walked by the pond where fish

are deep in the mud in bliss.

Leaves underfoot crisp.

Black walnut kicked.

High in the trees apples list.

An apple picker picks.

Into a bucket when picked.

Apples tasted juicy crisp.

Here's one under the tall grass missed.

Bucket soon full with apples picked.

Some nipped by greedy, squawking birds but still crisp.

This orchard long ago planted by loved ones now missed.

What will taste delish?

Applesauce, apple butter, yes?

Apple pie or apple crisp?

All good to the last lick.

Light a candlewick

then for a midnight snack, fill a dish.

Don't make yourself sick.

Blow out the candle, as you make a wish.

* * * * *

If every man, woman, child

could pick apples on a day mild

enjoying the wonderful outdoors

given to us by God the Creator

their stress levels would then be lessened;

if everyone could learn that lesson.

When you look into someone's face

you'll see worry that can't be erased.

It's etched into their brow,

brought on by stress – and how!

Worry causes stress, you'll find

and prohibits peace of mind.

If there are more worry lines than laugh lines

brought on over the years through one's lifetime,

then you need to be reminded

what God the Father says, so kind.

It's: “Do not worry about tomorrow,”

for you'll find worry leads to sorrow.

When you worry, joy is unattainable,

for worry renders you quite unable

to see the good things that abound

then you’ll wear a great big frown.

So forget about your worries and put on a smile.

Your smile will become a habit after awhile.

I will forget my complaint;

I will change my expression and smile.

Job 9:27

Godliness with contentment is great gain.

I Timothy 6:6

The story was inspired during the last week of my grandmother's life when I walked past the pond and the black walnut tree, to the orchard beside the barn to pick apples to take in to show her. She did hold one and smell it.

Gram was known for making the best apple pies. I don’t know which apples she preferred to use to make pies, but I do know my grandparents had a Northern Spy tree. They produce large apples. (Those apples were my dad’s favorite.)

P.S. I’ve learned to use two types of apples for the best tasting apple pies. Here’s my recipe for flaky and nutty-tasting pie crust:

2 cups whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon baking powder

2/3 cup shortening

1 tablespoon olive oil

enough milk to form dough

Bake at 425.

Blend ingredients using bread dough attachment until dough forms a ball.

Roll out on lightly floured surface.

White flour may be substituted but not as tasty. Try with ½ teaspoon cinnamon.

As an aside, try switching from all-purpose flour to unbleached flour for baking.

Not only less chemicals, but the end product is more moist and golden in color.

Neighbor's apple tree abundant this year.

Story from Vol V

Life Is a Garden Party.

Available via Amazon.