Battling

I've been battling those unwelcome guests or vegetarians - deer, rabbits, moles, and as of this morning, a woodchuck/groundhog.  Could be whose scat I've seen in the yard.  Also red beetles on the lilies and asparagus.  Remembered I had a story about battles. Re the dandelions in this illustration, I battle the dandelions that have made their way into the many flower gardens.  It's important to keep dandelions for bee nectar.

BATTLING

Gardeners spend the season battling

yellow dandelions in the spring.

They might find grubs in the soil

making for unwanted toil.

The battle has turned to war

for dedicated gardeners.

Without fail, slugs will find the hostas.

Gardeners devise ways to take them hostage.

After they think aphids are under control

they then find green worms on the flowering rose.

Yes, the battle has turned to war

for most dedicated gardeners.

Japanese beetles come every summer

making more work for the gardener.

Some years there are striped beetles and bugs galore.

A dedicated gardener is never bored.

Gardeners battle to win the war.

That’s just part of being a gardener.

Not only do gardeners battle insects and beetles

they declare war on weeds – a season-long battle.

Rather dandelions

or two types of plantain

gardeners declare incessant war –

that’s just part of being a gardener.

At my house there’s unwanted purslane

and horsetails – both a genuine pain.

They both came in a load of topsoil

which now make for constant labor and toil.

Though war is declared, the battle is waylaid.

This warrior’s combat has begun to fade.

* * * * *

Every day there’s a battle of some sort,

though unwanted, I’m sorry to report.

Gardener’s battle with bugs and weed seeds

but there are worse battles to battle indeed.

There are physical, emotional, and mental battles.

Everyone fights the battle of gossip. Please don’t tattle.

Physical battles come and are hard to deal.

Emotional battles take longer to heal.

Mental battles with oneself even weaken the strong.

There are spiritual battles between right and wrong.

It seems we constantly battle something

for no one knows what a day will bring.

We battle not to eat too much

otherwise we might end up feeling stuffed.

We battle not to spend too much

even though we already have too much stuff.

Battles are meant to make us stronger

so we’ll grow stronger faith and trust.

Pray that your battle does not linger,

that everything turns out fair and just.

Please don’t give up your battle

with whatever it is you are saddled.

Fight to win the battle by declaring war

and you’ll learn the good things God has in store.

Be strong and courageous.

Do not be afraid or discouraged…

for there is a greater power with us than with him….

With us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.

II Chronicles 32:7-8

Photo is dusty miller.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II

go to WestBow Press, Amazon or B&N.

To order Life Is a Garden Party, Vol I

go to Amazon or B&N.

Follow Life Is a Garden Party on facebook.