Life is a Garden Party

Monday, March 18, 2024

Hellebores

 



What a lovely surprise this chilly day.

This hellebore has multiplied nicely.


Hellebore is the Latin name for Lenton Rose, which is the common name.  Here's an explanation from google:

Why are hellebores called Lenten rose?
One of the attributes I have come to admire concerning Hellebores is their season proper - they actually bloom during Lent, during the winter, starting to flower before the spireas, forsythia, and flowering trees have begun to blossom.Mar 24, 2010







Birds have been joyous the last few days.  

Countdown

 



Personally, I think spring begins

when one sees their first robin.


Countdown to Spring is posted on my Life Is a Garden Party facebook page.

Friday, March 15, 2024

I'M BACK

 Birds are joyous this sun shiny morning!  Happiness.

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



Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.


Thursday, March 7, 2024

ONE-BY-ONE

 

One-by-One


One-by-one

spring comes

a day at a time

over weeks in time.


The sun rises earlier each morn.

You'll notice temperatures slowly warm.

One-by-one piles of snow melt

before day is done in the snow belt.


One-by-one twittering birds appear.

To see them return is quite dear.

To hear them return brings cheer

as their tweets ring loud and clear.


This morning chirps and cockles are loudly heard one-by-one.

Tweets and twitters join in as all the birds under the sun

sing to their heart’s content.

I think thankfulness is meant.


Daylight lasts longer in minutes, one-by-one.

One somehow feels younger as each new spring comes.

An excitement returns

with each new, sun-filled morn.


Needed spring rains

green the grass again

and flower bulbs are no longer hibernating

seen one-by-one now daily awakening.


Purple crocus' bloom

one sun-filled afternoon,

one-by-one visited by bees

despite the cool springtime breeze.


One-by-one daffodils and tulips now race

quickly growing heavenward inch by inch.

They put a smile on my face,

though other things I see bring a wince.


It's time to start winter's clean up.

One-by-one sticks are picked up.

This afternoon pine cones are raked up

an hour before it's time for sup.


Each spring garden chore is accomplished one-by-one.

At the end of the day I no longer feel young.

And come tomorrow there's still much more work to be done

while being serenaded by the birds under the sun.


One-by-one

each spring comes.

I couldn't wait for it to finally come

forgetting there’s much work to now be done.


* * * * *


Solomon had a lot to say about work:

its satisfaction, its enjoyment, its worth -

for work is a gift from God,

yes, even digging in the sod.


Especially the miracles that spring forth

one-by-one as each tiny seed brings new birth.

There's a satisfaction, a happiness, a mirth -

waiting to be born under this turf called earth.


Can’t wait for the new day to be born

to view new birth for which I yearned.

Delights daily fill my senses – sight, touch, smell - but even more so

God-given joy fills my heart to watch vegetation bloom and grow.


Find satisfaction in his work.

Ecclesiastes 2:24


Find satisfaction in all his toil -

this is the gift of God

Ecclesiastes 3:13


There is nothing better for a man than to enjoy his work.

Ecclesiastes 3:22


To be happy in his work – this is a gift of God.

Ecclesiastes 5:19


Joy will accompany him in his work

all the days of the life

God has given him under the sun.

Ecclesiastes 8:15



Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.


Monday, March 4, 2024

March 4, 2024

Like the crocus,

it will burst into bloom;

it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.

Isaiah 35:2


Happy, happy.  Joy, joy.  Bees and crocus herald in the most welcome season - spring!








Autumn Crocus

A friend mentioned planting peas today.  Inspired me to plant spinach and lettuces this afternoon.

Romaine and leaf lettuce.  First year I used seed tape. 

As rains forecasted Wednesday, expect to see seedlings within the week. 



He will send you rain for the seed you sow in the ground
and the food that comes from the land will be rich and plentiful.
Isaiah 30:23

As rain and snow come down from heaven,

and do not return to it without watering the earth

and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower

and bread for the eater...

Isaiah 55:10


As the soil makes the sprout come up

and a garden causes seeds to grow,

so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise

spring up before all nations.

Isaiah 61:11


Were you able to plant today or plan on planting soon?



Friday, March 1, 2024

AWAKENING

 

Awakening


Soon the garden will be awakening

but in the meantime its a-sleeping

under the blanket of snow falling.


Through January the garden's hibernating.

Asleep while the temperature is below freezing

though comfy under its cold, white covering.


The white February garden still slumbering

burrows deeper under its downy protection

while many gardeners continue shoveling.


Though March finds the garden still barren

many gardeners start a-counting

the days until spring finally begins.


Each day of winter is one day closer to spring.

Soon we'll see the return of songbirds and hear them sing.

Everyone can't wait for the return of a new spring.


Finally, the bright sun returning

melts the white blanket protection.

Soon little green shoots will be sprouting.


You'll see an awakening

in your flower gardens.

Your face will be smiling.


Perhaps the songbirds sing,

awake, awake - it's spring!”

Do take the time to listen.


Snowdrops are the first to appear one morning.

A sure sign of the garden's awakening.

They'll bring hope even if it's still snowing.


Next the crocus' are seen awakening.

On sunny days there will be bees buzzing

in these gold and purple blooms so endearing.


Take time to notice the flowering trees budding

as they reach toward the sun awakening,

soon in their glory with spring flowers blooming.


The grass will be seen greening,

other trees will start leafing,

daffodils then tulips blooming.


The whole earth is awakening,

a miracle in the making,

experienced each and every spring.


* * * * *


Stop to think about it: life is a constant evolving -

where we experience more of our soul's awakening.

It seems the more we learn about ourselves

the more there is to be changed about self.


Sometimes we react, instead of enact our faith,

when surprise circumstances come to test our faith.

When we doubt

worries mount.


Some days it's one step forward, two steps back.

If only we could take our actions back.

Will we ever learn

that God is in the storm?


It's that discovery, though,

that ends up teaching us "whoa."

To trust before we act

when believing faith we lack.


You may find you're never where you want to be

for there's always more to learn, you'll see,

but faith grows with each test

when in God we rest.


You'll find it's our soul awakening

that increases our faith believing.

Awake my soul.

God is in control.


Find rest, O my soul, in God alone;

my hope comes from him.

Psalm 62:5


My soul clings to you;

your right hand upholds me.

Psalm 63:8


A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul.

Proverbs 13:19


Praise the Lord, O my soul;

all my inmost being praise his holy name.

Praise the Lord, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits -

who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,

who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed.

Psalm 103:1-5



Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.


Friday, February 23, 2024

SKY

 

Sky


When was the last time you daydreamed?

When you took time to look at the scene?

What did you discover

hiding undercover?


Have you looked up high

to view the blue sky?

You'll find there's a lot to discover

under the atmosphere's cover.


You'll find the sky's blue will change

as the four season's change.

In the winter the sky is ofttimes gray, covered with clouds.

Sometimes covered entirely with a dull gray shroud.


However, when the sun shines through

that gray magically turns to blue -

heaven's blue” -

shining through...


as gray dissipates

off into space.

If you take time to look up at the hues

you'll see a beautiful robin's egg blue...


peeking out where there were dull gray clouds

that sometimes turn into white shrouds

of huge puffy marshmallows

as comforting as a pillow.


These are called cumulus clouds,

perhaps the most favored clouds

of which daydreams are made of

floating in the sky above.


Spring often brings nimbus clouds,

otherwise known as rain clouds,

over the mountain

filled with springtime rain.

(The Latin word for rain is nimbus.)


Spring rains from the sky

are welcomed for it's by

these awaited-for spring showers new growth reigns

producing blooming flowers once again.


Sometimes these nimbus clouds

bring noise quite loud,

producing thunder and lightning

sending bystanders for covering.


But on a day with no rain,

a tropical sky reigns

in Caribbean blue

or Pacific blue.


In the distance the sky will appear almost navy blue

as it blends in with the distant mountain's purple hue.

Yes, the sky contains a crayon box of colors in many blue or gray shades,

changing often throughout the day, reflected in spans of water as day cascades.


Come morning you might see stratus clouds

layered in the sky like a blanket of clouds.

Stratus clouds are identifiable as they lie low like fog;

it's as if fog rose from the earth and became a cloud.


If you see a gray blanket in the morning sky,

it's likely a stratus cloud which will dissipate by and by

giving birth to a sunshiny day.

A day to get outside and play.


In the neon blue summer sky,

there might be alto clouds up high.

Alto clouds are identified as many small clouds.

Be sure to look up throughout the day to identify clouds.


You might see thin, wispy clouds.

These are known as cirrus clouds

when the sky is mostly blue

as you daydream under its view.


Cirrus clouds act like a barometer

signifying a change in weather.

Many adults know this to be true

as they grease up in ligament of blue.


As you daydream you'll see silver-lined clouds

as the sun peers from behind the floating clouds

that bring shade throughout the day

in an awe-inspiring display.


Be sure to enjoy the lake blue sky

and the bright sapphire blue sky,

but especially the sky-blue-pink sky

before it turns into a twilight sky.


Later the twilight sky will twinkle

with constellations that are sprinkled

containing stories of make believe

of gods and goddesses crowned with wreaths.


You'll notice that the coming autumn skies

brings the prettiest blue by and by

as blue is opposite orange on the color wheel.

In the northeast, watching the changing leaves is a big deal.


Sapphire blue skies turn to cobalt

as autumn's glorious sunset wrote

rosy orange streaks which glow

and sky watchers are wowed.


The azure sky of an unclouded day.

Enjoy, for soon winter will come to stay

for at least four months in the north

when many gray skies give birth.


It's February 12 as I write this story

watching the sky change in all its glory.

What started out as a dull gray day

has turned into a cumulus cloud day...


with neon blue skies

brightening the sky

as clouds travel from west to east.

Daydreaming brings with it peace.


Lost in the dreamy topaz

as cumulus clouds jazz

across the sky,

how time does fly.


Time goes quickest when I'm writing,

putting words to my daydreaming,

today sharing the names of clouds in the sky

and various colors of blue, oh my.


Do take time to appreciate

the atmosphere's vaporous lake

as floating gases overhead dance,

although that phase possibly lacks romance.


In the meantime, many daydreams lie

in the quickly changing blue-dyed sky

as time goes by – and bye bye.

How wondrous the sky.


The sky, or heaven, named

by those of Biblical fame,

has many true-to-life stories to tell

especially how weather parallels.


Stories for another day.

That's enough for today

for daydreaming has to end

as work waits for this woman.


* * * * *


In the Old Testament a cloud symbolized

God was in the Israelites lives

leading them where they should go

on their destined path, you know.


They were to go onward

when the cloud moved forward

as God was their guide

throughout their lives.


After reading the selected scriptures below

consider the clouds as God's ever-present shadow,

His presence still guiding us

when we believe and trust.


Some of these verses are quite poetic

suggesting that clouds are chariots

on which the Lord himself rides,

I'm sure with a smile wide.


By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud

to guide them on their way

and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light,

so that they could travel by day or night.

Exodus 13:21


When Moses went up on the mountain,

the cloud covered it,

and the glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai.

For six days the cloud covered the mountain,

and on the seventh day the Lord called to Moses

from within the cloud.

To the Israelites the glory of the Lord

looked like a consuming fire on top of the mountain.

Exodus 24:15-17


Then the Lord appeared at the tent in a pillar of cloud,

and the cloud stood over the entrance of the tent.

And the Lord said to Moses...

Deuteronomy 31:15-16


There is no one like God

who rides on the heavens to help you

and on the clouds in his majesty.

The eternal God is your refuge,

and underneath are the everlasting arms.

Deuteronomy 33:26-27


Sing to God, sing praise to his name,

extol him who rides on the clouds -

his name is the Lord -

and rejoice before him.

Psalm 68:4


He makes the clouds his chariot

and rides on the wings of the wind.

Psalm 104:3


See, the Lord rides on a swift cloud.

Isaiah 19:1


The Lord will go before you,

the God of Israel will be your rear guard.

Isaiah 52:12


Let's consider the subject of clouds again

for in the clouds God has another aim.

One day the Lord will return to earth

to gather those who have received new birth.


When He comes He's going to come in the clouds,

although it seems we rarely pay attention to clouds,

just like society rarely pays attention to God.

There seems to be a correlation in those words.


Become a meteorologist by studying the clouds

and develop the habit of giving God glory out loud.

Be ready to join the Lord in the air

when those clouds become heavenly stairs.


At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud

with power and great glory,

Luke 21:27


At that time the sign of the Son of Man

will appear in the sky,

and all the nations of the earth will mourn.

They will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky,

with power and great glory.

Matthew 24:30


In the future you will see the Son of Man

sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One

and coming on the clouds of heaven.

Matthew 26:64


After that, we who are still alive and are left,

will be caught up together with them in the clouds

to meet the Lord in the air.

And so we will be with the Lord forever.

I Thessalonians 4:17


Look he is coming with the clouds,

and every eye will see him.

Revelation 1:7



Life Is a Garden Party

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