WOVEN

 

WOVEN

Mama cardinal with her orange beak

hunting for dried grasses she now seeks

to weave together into a nest

where one day brown speckled eggs will rest.

Behind the trumpet vine

is where you can now find

the nest being woven

started early one morn.

She’s a master at designing.

She’s heard singing while she’s weaving.

With grasses her home is knit

as she sings out chit-chit-chit.

She does weave expertly

and waits expectantly

for she knows what’s ahead.

Her husband is bright red.

One egg was laid sometime Thursday.

Another one spotted Friday.

Still another egg seen on Saturday.

Brown speckled in the woven grass and hay.

Mama cardinal sits on the woven nest

while red plumed papa cardinal seems to rest

in the nearby lilac bush.

I can see his feathered tush.

A surprise today – another egg was seen.

Mama now returns where she sits like a queen.

It seems the woven nest is too small

for these four brown-speckled eggs so small.

As she wove the grasses together

her life is being woven for her

for she’ll have four offspring

to raise for two weeks this spring.

I wonder if she’s excited to be a mama?

Does she talk about it with her offspring’s papa?

He’s always someplace nearby

when you look up toward the sky…

sometimes in the budding lilacs, sometimes seen on the fence,

sometimes in the weeping cherry if I happen to glance.

Sometimes I can hear him sing “cheerio-o-o”

for encouragement to his wife he often shows.

Out the back door I now go.

There mama cardinal goes.

Chit-chit-chit can be heard

calling for papa bird.

Here comes red papa

talking to mama.

Cheerio-o-o.

Cheerio-o-o.

Chit-chit-chit

mama chats.

Cheerio-o-o.

papa sings out low.

I can hardly wait to see

the baby cardinals wee.

Just 12 more days it will take

to see their most ugly face.

They’ll be all beak and no feathers.

Only a parent's love could mother

these somewhat ugly mugs

ready for a parent’s hug.

These babies lives are being woven as they are taught to give

when their parents teach them the essentials of how to live -

to wake up early with a glad song in their heart

so humans can begin their day with a fresh start.

* * * * *

In the Old Testament Bible story of old

we read about an upright man named Job.

Satan planned to trick blameless Job

into abandoning his faith, we're told.

You see Job’s life was being woven together

by God who does have a good plan and purpose for

each and every problem in this lifetime we face

for our life is woven together by God’s grace.

The Master Designer has a good plan

for every human – each man and woman.

He knits our life together

with happiness - and troubles.

It’s in troubles we learn to depend

on our God who will be there to fend.

We learn God will be always faithful

as He bestows blessings by the handful.

Not only will we learn patience through our difficulties,

we learn about God’s everlasting love, joy, and peace.

We learn to be kind, good, faithful, gentle and

we learn needed self-control – all God’s good plan.

In the New Testament Jesus told (Simon) Peter

that Satan asked permission to sift him as wheat.

Just as with Job, God had a greater purpose for Peter.

God knew that difficulties would one day hone Peter's faith.

We read about God’s greater purpose in I and II Peter

where Peter encourages us in our trials and troubles.

Peter was given a greater portion of God’s grace

to deal with the many difficulties he would face.

God has a good plan and purpose for us in weaving together

what might be construed as buffeting from Satan, the deceiver.

As with Job and with Peter, God is refining us to come forth as gold

so that we will give God the glory and end up with a testimony bold.

Your life, too, is now being woven

by the Master Designer.

Listen to these words God has spoken

(He’s the polisher and refiner):

God is for you and with you

and will never leave you.

God has a solution for your problems

but first you must give them over to Him.

You are not meant to bear your burdens alone

for burdens will leave you weary and worn.

Learn to view your burdens as unrecognized blessings

for burdens should bring us to God instead of stressing.

And that’s exactly where the blessing lies –

when we seek God first He will surprise

with peace and joy for our life -

a life lived without strife.

What was sent from Satan as stressing

will end up turned into a blessing.

When up against a brick wall,

or when you feel you might fall,

when life seems null,

learn to view all

your disappointments,

and appointments

as God’s weaving -

it will end up pleasing

for God has a good plan and purpose,

one which spoils Satan’s ruse.

Try not to dwell on the here and now.

Look beyond to the end for somehow,

in God's time, He has a purpose for us

that can only be born out of trust.

Our troubles will weave for us

faith believing, which is a must.

Faith is meant to be active,

not ever to be passive.

Faith will grow as we daily trust

in God who has a good plan for us.

Believe and give God glory

for you are writing God's story.

Others will see

your faith and believe.

Your troubles

then have purpose.

God will abundantly bless you

for giving Him glory too.

The fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.

But I have prayed for you, Simon,

that your faith may not fail.

And when you have turned back,

strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:31-32

He knows the way that I take;

when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

Cast all your anxiety on him

because he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

 

Dandelions

Yesterday yellow sunshines decorated the grass,

though most all of my neighbors think they are truly crass

for they try killing them with everything available, as if they could,

causing allergy problems and air pollution in my neighborhood.

Today the grass is full of parachuted blow balls,*

yellow sunshines gone to seed which the wind sprawled,

making a zillion times a zillion more seeds

which in turn populate my yard each year with weeds.

Not only in the yard, but also in flower gardens.

These blow balls are not discriminating, beg pardon.

No matter which direction you look,

next year dandelion blossoms will poke.

The ones in the vegetable garden are the largest.**

I dug out today before my brother, who’s eldest,

comes to plow the garden this year.

He likes to have the plot cleared.

I am reminded of my grandmother

who liked dandelion greens for dinner.

It may have been her secret to long years

as she almost made it to 101 years.

You can order dandelions for dinner

if you happen to visit Lancaster.

You could also order seeds to plant,

but I won’t be doing that?

Today I broke the dandelion digger

as I weeded out dandelions, go figure,

for underneath the sod

are stones which make work hard.

Doesn’t it seem quite ironic, though,

that seeing the first dandelion blo

is a most welcome sign each spring.

Do you find yourself thinking the same thing?

*A blow ball is the downy, fluffy seed head that forms after a dandelion blooms. The scientific term for the structure of the blow ball is "pappus." (Copied) It does bring a smile to my face to watch children blow dandelion blow balls. Do they realize they are planting seeds?

** The vegetable garden’s soil is the richest, most fortified with organic materials. I use dried leaves which provide the same nutrients as 10-10-10, plus other essential minerals. Egg shells (calcium) and Epsom salts (magnesium) fill the tomato patch row.

* * * * *

For every negative

there’s a positive.

Though some consider dandelions unsightly,

dandelions are also very healthy.

They’re full of vitamins and minerals

to keep one quite healthy and feeling well.

Dandelions also aerate the soil

which supplies calcium to enrich the soil.

Honeybees seek out dandelions for nectar.

Please don’t poison their food ambrosia.*

Regarding honeybee food, plant crocus’

to entice these welcome visitors to forage.

* Another word for ambrosia is “bee bread”

explained as honey or pollen used as food by bees.

Hope you learned something new too!

For every upside

there’s a downside.

Upsides are right choices.

Downsides are poor choices.

The right decision leads to joy and peace.

The opposite to discord or unease.

Choose blessings

vs. cursing.

Choose what’s beneficial

vs. what’s superficial.

Choose life

vs. death.

Death will eat away like a canker

as poor choices often hamper.

One’s happiness is tempered,

sometimes shown with a temper.

Heartache overcomes joy

as wrong decisions destroy.

Choosing life will satisfy

as God will daily supply

with blessings from on high

for God loves to multiply.

Seek what God desires.

Blessings will transpire.

I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse –

the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God

that I am giving you today;

the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God

and turn from the way that I command you today.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.

Now choose life, so that you...may live

and that you may love the Lord your God,

listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.

For the Lord is your life...

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

I will bless them.

I will send down showers in season;

there will be showers of blessing.

The trees of the field will yield their fruit

and the ground will yield its crops;

the people will be secure in their land.

They will know that I am the Lord...

Ezekiel 34:26

For more on bees, copied from Google: The Bible mentions bees as symbols of God's provision (honey in the "land flowing with milk and honey").

Honey was a staple when I was a child as my parents had hives, or supers, for honey bees. Mom made homemade yeast bread weekly turning one loaf into “monkey bread” sticky with honey. Honey was used to sooth a cough. Most of the (hive) frames were spun in jars, other frames were boxed into honeycomb. I remember Dad ate honeycomb. Just looked up benefits of honeycomb:

Honeycomb is a source of essential vitamins, including vitamin B, crucial for gut health. Raw honey in honeycomb acts as a powerful pre-biotic, feeding the gut microbiome and improving nutrient absorption. Additionally, the fiber content in honeycomb aids in digestion and helps regulate bowel movements. (Copied) My great Uncle David ate honeycomb before bed.

Be on the lookout for local honey: Buying local honey supports your community's economy and beekeepers, offers a fresher, more flavorful product unique to your region's flora, and may help with seasonal allergies by exposing you to local pollen, all while having a lower environmental impact than mass-produced, imported honey. It's often raw and unfiltered, retaining more natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals lost in commercial processing. (Copied)

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

 

January Saturday

Haven’t seen the sun in a while.

Seeing it today brings a smile

which causes yesterday’s snowfall to glisten

this morning as daybreak has risen

over the hill

where sunlight spills.

The snow sparkles

like a twinkle

as the sun shines upon

this fluffy white down,

though too cold to be out and about.

The sun, though, erases any pout.

The sky is blue today,

instead of laden gray,

as the bright sun shines

upon the evergreen pines

where cold snow drapes

and decorates.

Today a bird chirps a melody.

It’s a cardinal in the magnolia tree.

Like the sun, it too was missed

this month after Christmas.

Just three weeks ago Christmas was

as time quickly ticks away, it does.

Soon the sun will be overhead.

It will be noontime instead

for the morning has quickly passed

for, you see, time doesn’t last

and neither will the sun.

Soon it will be gone.

Soon it will slip down over the western hill

where a sunset may beautifully thrill

in pink and rose and orange hues -

a breathtaking view.

Be sure to enjoy one late winter afternoon

for the earth will continue on its axis soon.

* * * * *

Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Yet each day also has many delights for us to own.

Take a minute right now to enjoy

whatever it is that brings you joy.

Don’t concentrate on what bothers,

but focus on then savor

something that brings delight:

like sunshine shining bright...

or the cold, sparkling snow,

or the grass beneath your toes,

the rainbow after the summer storm,

or talking to a loved one on the phone.

In truth, there are more delights to be had

than troubles that might make you feel bad.

Don’t be sad.

Be glad.

There’s much to be thankful for.

God has many good things in store.

Start today. Learn to look,

then write your blessings in a book.

A diary of God’s many blessings,

instead of daily worry and stressing,

will change your countenance and outlook.

You’ll be smiling. Now go look.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

An anxious heart weighs a man down,

but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25

God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

Rejoice in everything you have put your hand to,

because the Lord your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 12:7

Story from Life Is a Garden Party, Vol VI

available Spring 2026.

 

Bamboozled

Was it Bambi’s mother

or maybe its father

that came in the dark of night.

Its way lit by new snow bright.

It must have been both of them

for hollow tracks follow them

across the road and back again

as they were tricked once again.

Bamboozled

yes, snowed,

from something under the snow

that stopped these bucks and does.

They headed straight for the azalea bush

but their tracks stopped. The bush remained untouched.

Did their noses twitch?

Did something make it itch?

Was there an electric fence effect

that perhaps their noses did detect?

It did give me a laugh

to see tracks stopped in their tracks.

Bamboozled

yes, snowed,

from something under the snow

that stopped these bucks and does.

You see the azalea bush had been sprayed

last week with a deer deterrent spray.

I’m thankful it did dismay

these creatures that came my way.

Say, was Bambi’s name derived

from bamboozle, as a disguise,

for gardeners yearly devise

ways to bamboozle these guys.

* * * * *

Have you ever been bamboozled

and now you’re in a heap of trouble?

Were you deceived and betrayed?

Did someone lead you astray?

Maybe someone’s slander

caused hurt and anger.

Perhaps you believed a lie.

Now something in you died.

Maybe you’re now unemployed

and life seems bleak with no joy.

Perhaps you’re in debt

which causes regret.

Many have been dwelt

the loss of their health.

Perhaps you suffer from depression

that keeps you in a prison.

Could it be your child

leaves you quite bewildered.

Could be a relationship’s broken

that leaves you heartsick and weakened.

Perhaps your family was torn apart

when someone you loved did depart.

Disappointments, setbacks, loss of dreams,

many will give up from lack of esteem.

Whatever it was that has bamboozled you

know that God is waiting to be there for you.

He longs to heal and comfort you.

He’ll cover you with His compassion too.

The Lord comforts His people

and will have compassion on His afflicted ones.

Isaiah 49:13

I will heal him;

I will guide him and restore comfort to him.

Isaiah 57:18

As a mother comforts her child,

so will I comfort you.

Isaiah 66:13

I will turn their mourning into gladness;

I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow.

Jeremiah 31:13

God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us.

II Corinthians 7:1

Vol VI

to be published 2026.