Saturday, July 19, 2025

LIFE

Life

The garden is alive with the sound of bees

humming happily with a song of glee

in the golden squash blossoms and snow peas

where they thankfully work all day for free

pollinating while sipping morning tea.

It really is a pleasing sight to see.

Do be cautious, for though bees are wee

you won't want one to sit on your knee.

The garden is alive with singing birds.

From morning to evening music is heard.

A symphony of voices are on tour,

although sometimes it sounds like discord

when baby birds

learn to sing new chords.

Even so, their happiness does not bore,

each day it loudly and proudly soars.

The garden is alive with floating butterflies

which flutter down from somewhere high in the blue sky.

They never stay long, perhaps they are shy,

but when you do see them come down from on high

do take the time to go out to say hi

for all too soon they will wave bye bye.

Floating down to sip nectar, they flicker, flutter nigh

then, flicker, flutter to return high in the sky.

The garden is alive with numerous bugs -

beetles, worms, flies, gnats, mosquitoes, borers, ants, slugs – ugh!

There's even grubs

when the ground is dug.

Watch out, never a bug hug

for stinging ants create hubbub,

though earthworms and ladybugs

are good bugs gardener's love.

The garden is alive with a blaze of color

found in a rainbow of colorful flowers.

Hummingbirds know just when and where to come for dinner

as red bee balm and trumpet vine blooms in summer.

There's orange day lilies and yellow sunflowers,

petals of purple on the cone flowers,

white daisies and pink phlox, a stunner,

here at “Rainbow’s End” each summer.

* * * * *

The garden is alive with various forms of life.

Wherever you look green initiates the gift of life.

Unfortunately with life

comes assorted forms of strife.

In the garden it's insects

or weather not perfect,

though weeds survive

while other plants die.

In life

there's strife.

Everyday new problems

compound old problems.

It's hard to see the joy

when troubles annoy,

but God had a plan

for us humans.

Our problems mature us

and through them we learn to trust

in God's faithfulness

and inherent goodness.

Building a foundation of trust

will strengthen and encourage us,

growing our waning faith

through enabling grace.

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 works so that you may be

mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:2-4

In this you greatly rejoice,

though now for a little while

you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.

These have come so that you faith -

of greater worth than gold,

which perishes even though refined by fire -

may be proved genuine

and my result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.

Though you have not seen him, you love him;

and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him

and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy,

for you are receiving the goal of you faith,

the salvation of your souls.

I Peter 1:7-9

Photo from yesterday.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Monday, July 14, 2025

VEGETABLE HUMOR

Can you guess who I am?

Lettuce now begin.

Plant either in a row or in a hill.

In a few days leaflets will spill.

One morning you’ll find bees in our blossoms.

Soon you will see our fruits of green loom.

If you carrot all for me

you’ll very cauliflowery

watch where you step, peas do not squash.

Otherwise I’ll end up squashed – ouch!

Look behind the cabbage.

To the right of the spinach.

You’ve now run out of thyme.

Just who do you think I am?

The corn is listening with their ears so don’t lie.

The potatoes are watching with their eyes, oh my.

You’ve bean strung along on a string in the heat.

If you goof you’ll turn as red as a red beet.

Here are clues to remember as I’m a good treat

when tomorrow I’ll be ready to harvest then eat:

I can be eaten raw, or fried, or steamed.

I can be grated for cake with ice cream.

I can be made into pickle relish,

even though I’m not very ticklish.

Try me with peppers, onions, tomatoes, and garlic.

I’ll be yum yum and so good to the last lick.

Here I am. It’s me.

Now do "zu see me"?

(I'm zucchini.)

(Maybe I’m just a little bit funny?)

* * * * *

Just a little bit of humor goes a long ways

as it will brighten any weary day.

Ecclesiastes says there’s a time to laugh.

Laughter can be quite healing. How about that!

I pray you’ll have more laughter than tears

for joy will lessen any fears.

I pray you’ll have more glad times than bad

so that you will rarely be sad.

I pray you’ll have much happiness

with peacefulness and quiet rest.

I pray you’ll have contentment.

I pray these blessings are sent.

You’ll find happiness, peacefulness, and contentment

are blessings from a loving heavenly Father sent

to everyone of us

when we learn to trust.

When you count your blessings

I know you’ll be filled with joy.

You might find yourself laughing

with much thankfulness and joy.

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy…

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

Psalm 126:2-3

…A time to weep and a time to laugh…

Ecclesiastes 3:4

Not certain which squash plant this blossom belonged with.

Intigued with how the morning sun filtered through at just that moment in time.

ZUCCHINI RECIPES

Vegetable Pizza

4 cups shredded zucchini

1/2 tsp salt

Let stand 10 minutes in calendar, squeeze dry.

Oil 9x13 with olive oil. Heat oven to 400.

2 eggs

garlic

1 cup shredded cheese of choice

Bake 20 minutes.

Cook 1# ground beef/turkey/sausage

Cook diced onions/peppers/mushrooms

Top with sliced tomatoes or tomato sauce

Sprinkle with garlic/basil/oregano/etc.

1+ cups shredded cheese or sliced cheese

Bake 20 additional minutes.

Or use one small roasted spaghetti squash with 1/2 cup shredded cheese, 2 eggs, and 1/2 tsp granulated garlic. Or use 4 cups mature summer squash.

-----

Zucchini Bread

1 cup shredded zucchini

2/3 cup sugar

1/2 cup milk

1/4 cup oil

1 egg

1 1/4 cups flour

1/2 cup w/w flour

1 t baking soda

1/4 t baking powder

1/2 t salt

3/4 t cinnamon

1 1/2 t vanilla

2/3 cup walnuts

Grease pan. Bake 350 for 55 minutes.

-----

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

2 cups grated zucchini

3 eggs

2 cups sugar

2 t vanilla

1 cup flour

1 cup w/w flour

1 t baking soda

1 t salt

1/2 t baking powder

3/4 cup applesauce

2 T olive oil

2/3 cup cocoa

Bake 325.

Friday, July 11, 2025

GOOD FOR YOU

(Paragraphs re-verbalized from another site.)

Good for You

Remember when mom said,

“Eat your vegetables, they're good for you.”

Chances are she repeated

what she heard when she was a child too.

But there's actually more wisdom in that statement than you might know.

God designed good-for-you foods to keep us healthy and to grow.

Be sure to pass on what you learn today

so others will be healthy everyday.

Consider the carrot.

Mom said they're good for eyesight,

for seeing in the night.

If you slice a carrot, what do you see? An eye?

There's a pupil and iris – just like the human eye!

Walnuts are special!

If you crack a walnut without breaking the meat

you'll find your brain in miniature, which is quite neat.

There's two hemispheres: the cerebrum and cerebellum.

And guess what? Walnuts help the human brain to function.

What about the tomato?

A tomato is red and has four chambers

just like the human heart has four chambers.

The red color of the tomato is called lycopene

which you'll want to be part of your heart-healthy team.

Have you thought about celery?

Celery is reminiscent of your bones.

Did you know there's sodium in your bones?

There's the exact same percentage of sodium,

it's true, in celery as there is in human bones.

How about onions and garlic?

Onions and garlic are kitchen staples

often paired with other vegetables.

Onions and garlic detox your system.

Do you need to buy more onions?

Examine kidney beans.

Notice the kidney bean's shape?

It's the same as your kidney's shape.

And kidney beans help maintain your kidneys.

Will tonight's dinner be homemade chili?

Dinner tonight:

Tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers, celery, kidney beans

will make a pot of tasty chili and healthy genes.

(Don’t forget the fragrant and flavorful herbs.)

It's time to set the table and call your crew.

Mom was right! Vegetables are good for you!

* * * * *

Give us this day our daily bread...

with meat and vegetables and drink, we're fed

and oftentimes with dessert to top it off.

God graciously and daily provides a lot.

As a child we're taught to say “thanks”,

but do we remember to tell God thanks.

More than likely we say, “give”

which is a selfish way to live.

Start today by telling God “thank you.”

You'll find you'll be more appreciative, too,

for your heart will be grateful

for each and every mouthful.

I give every green plant for food.

Genesis 1:30

Better a meal of vegetables where there is love...

Proverbs 15:17

Give us this day our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11 (KJV)

If we have food and clothing,

we will be content with that.

I Timothy 6:8

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Friday, July 4, 2025

BEE BALM

Saw the first hummer in the first red bee balm yesterday. Didn't realize I already had a story pertaining to.

BEE BALM

Bee balm in the herb garden ablaze.

Scarlet red seen through this morning’s foggy haze.

Soon hummingbirds will come feed

then I'll take the time to heed

for God’s creatures are entertaining me

as I take time to watch them feed, you see.

Hummingbirds have set feeding times

when they come to the bee balm to dine.

I’ll stop my activity and watch from a distance

because when I get the camera they become distant.

But I know they’ll be back

for dinner or a snack.

If I’m quiet and still, I’ll hear them hum past.

I’m thankful bee balm has a long season and lasts.

I am entertained by my visitors for weeks

when red flowers hummingbirds look for and seek.

I believe they remember me

when my colorful garden they see.

Bee balm is also available in other colors.

You might buy it in shades of pink or lavender.

You'll recognize bee balm by its scent

as when touched it smells just like citrus.

Just beware of happy bees for they, too, like bee balm.

Bee balm also has medicinal qualities which calm.

Bee balm’s stalks are four-sided – square.

Now that’s something that’s quite rare.

Every year you’ll have a bigger spot

taking over your garden plot

but that’s okay with me.

There’s more to share, you see.

* * * * *

A delightful practice is to share.

Someone will know that you care.

We all need to know someone cares

for we all have burdens that we bear.

Burdens weigh us way down.

We’re seen wearing a frown.

Our shoulders slump down

from carrying pounds.

The weight of pains – physical,

or insecurities – emotional,

worry and anxiety – mental,

or wayward family – relational.

God does have an answer –

it’s Biblical and sure,

found in Scripture

to help us endure.

We all need help at one time or another

so God tells us to share with one another.

Sharing as in offering words of encouragement or

practical caring, from God’s storehouse of blessings poured.

Share with God’s people who are in need.

Practice hospitality.

Romans 12:13

Do not forget to do good and to share with others,

for with such sacrifices God is pleased.

Hebrews 13:16

Regarding bee balm and taking hummingbird photos, I've learned that sitting under the tree when hummingbirds are active will net some amazing photos, though it seems I miss the best shots. It takes patience and can be very frustrating. By the time I focus, they're gone - zip! Many times after they feed, then sit on the fence to preen. I need to refocus to capture their photo so quite often miss the best photos. If I'm wearing a red shirt they seem to approach quite close to me. Have yet to focus in time to capture one of these photos.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

Thursday, July 3, 2025

Anniversay

It was July 4th when in my mid 50s that I started writing Life Is a Garden Party. What I wrote did not have a title at that time.

I had visited with a neighbor a couple of days before. I came away with a phrase in my head: From dust to dawn a gardener's dream is drawn. He also had the gardening bug! As I had a bit of sun poisoning that July 4th I sat outside to write that phrase down, which became my first "poem."

I kept writing non-stop for weeks as it was a very hot and humid summer. I did venture out early one morning to make a list of subjects to write about but then scurried back in where it was cooler.

In the beginning the stories were observations. Soon an application was added, applying God's principles to nature.

One day I was coming in from the garden when the title "Life Is a Garden Party" came to me. Weeks later I realized the not dear deer think my yard is a garden party also. Many attempts have been made to foil their visits.

Writing became an addiction, even writing in the middle of the night but then not able to read it in the morning.

One poem was written in my head when coming in from garden: Butterfly - way up high - in the sky - come on down - food is found - on the ground... This story is written as if floating down and up in the shape of butterfly wings.

Overtime the stories became pages long.

Currently 5 volumes have been published. Future volumes have been written and are being enhanced on rainy or snowy days. Mostly enhanced by adding paragraphs of what has been gleaned since written.

When I "enhance" I am reminded of God's past faithfulness which in turn reminds me of Lamentations 3:21-23:

Yet this I call to mind

and therefor I have hope.

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning;

great is your faithfulness.

A hymnwriter wrote:

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,

sun, moon, and stars in their courses above,

join with all nature in magnitude witness

to Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

Great Is Thy Faithfulness

Morning by morning new mercies I see.

All I have needed Thy hand had provided

Great Is Thy Faithfulness, Lord unto me.

Here's a story about favorite things. You, dear readers, are also my favorites.

FAVORITE THINGS

Sunlight through curtains and birds joyful singing,

waking before the alarm starts its ringing,

a hot cup of coffee to start each morning...