FIREWORKS

 

Fireworks

Yodels

echo

between the hills

when loud booms fill

the darkened midnight sky

on summer nights by and by

when the noisy rumble

of raging thunder

awakens sleepers.

A rude greeter.

(Jeepers creepers.)

Suddenly the sky is lit

for less than an instant.

Lightning* flashes

with zig zag slashes

then thunder follows

louder than a holler

booming,

moving

onward,

eastward.

This show continues for a time -

lightning with thunder behind.

A bright flash, a loud boom,

another flash, another boom.

Choreographed by the Creator

with a display spectacular.

Sounds like heavenly bowling

when the thunder is rolling,

although many dogs howl

not liking it at all.

This display of fireworks

with lights, than a boom that shook,

is reminiscent of the 4^th of July

when patriotic revelers look toward the sky

where an explosion of fireworks

cause ooohs and aaahs with every look,

but nature’s display is not man made.

Thunder and lightning is God-made.

It's designed to cool the earth God made

and to water creation's blades and glades.

Rain may come in sheets

and sometimes there's sleet

or is it hail

that might hale?

Wind may ruffle the leaves on trees.

Dead limbs may fall out of trees,

sometimes falling on power lines

then electricity is off for a time.

Creeks rise and sometimes overflow

when rain comes down too fast, we know.

In the morning the earth gleams green.

Seedlings have grown by inches, it seems.

Other plants are found lying on the ground

for the wind and rain have knocked them down.

Because of last night's rain,

the grass needs to be cut again.**

After the thunderstorm

a new day is born;

after the din

song birds sing.

* Lightning always comes before thunder. Although they are generated simultaneously by the same electrical discharge, you see the lightning instantly while the sound of thunder takes longer to reach you. Light travels at 300,000 km/s, whereas sound travels much slower, at approximately 340 m/s. (Copied)

**Lightning and thunder contains another power besides flashes and booms. Grass appears greener after a thunderstorm because lightning during the storm breaks down nitrogen gas in the atmosphere, converting it into a form that plants can readily absorb as nitrate, essentially acting as a natural fertilizer for the grass when it rains down with the storm water; this process is called nitrogen fixation. (Copied)

* * * * *

Before our personal storms come to pass,

God has left us with a viable promise.

It's: “Immanuel - God with us,”

so we'll remain strong despite weaknesses.

So when those troublesome thunderclouds roar,

or unwelcome lightning storms knock at our door,

or figurative fireworks leave us sore,

know that God is with us and for us, for sure.

Yes, something good will come from it

when we believe down in our spirit

that God keeps His promises.

This is our hope to possess.

...for the Lord has promised good things...

Numbers 10:29

God is not a man, that he should lie,

nor a son of man, that he should change his mind.

Does he speak and then not act?

Does he promise and not fulfill?

Numbers 23:19

The Lord your God will bless you as he has promised.

Deuteronomy 15:6

You know with all your heart and soul

that not one of all the good promises

the Lord your God gave you has failed.

Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Joshua 23:14

And now, Lord God, keep forever the promise you have made...

Do as you have promised, so that you name will be great forever.

O Sovereign Lord, you are God!

Your words are trustworthy,

and you have promised these good things to your servant.

II Samuel 7:25-26, 28

The Lord has kept the promise he made.

You have kept your promise...

with your mouth you have promised

and with your hand you have fulfilled it.

I Kings 8:20,24

You have kept your promise because you are righteous.

Nehemiah 9:8

My comfort in my suffering is this:

Your promise preserves my life.

Psalm 119:50

The Lord is faithful to all his promises

and loving toward all he has made.

Psalm 145:13

...being fully persuaded that God had power to do

what he had promised...

Romans 4:21

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,

for he who promised is faithful.

Hebrews 10:23

In keeping with his promise

we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth,

the home of righteousness.

II Peter 3:13

Life Is a Garden Party

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ME ME ME

 

Me, Me, Me

Summer days brings hours of berry picking.

Sweetened by the sun, just right for picking.

Best eaten alfresco

in the great outdoors,

although the intent is to fill the freezer

to enjoy the fruits of summer this winter.

Quiet, except for the hum of the bees.

Warm, although there's a breeze through the leaves of the trees.

Succulent, these pretty round jewels in red, black, or blue.

Antioxidants designed to give good health to you.

Tasty, one for now and two for later.

Enjoying the luscious fruits of summer.

The quiet is rudely dispelled

when someone repeatedly yells

"me, me, me."

Someone I can't see.

This "me, me, me"

is from someone greedy.

When this someone was a baby

their plea was "me, me, me."

Now someone is grown and their "me, me, me"

is loud, rude, increasingly greedy.

This someone had previously found the ripened berries

and doesn't want to share with anyone, not hardly.

"Me, me, me" as in mine.

"Me, me, me" is whined.

Although not human, this someone

acts just like us humans often.

For more often than not our words, thoughts, and deeds

center around me, me, me; yes, indeed.

There, up in the tree top is this noisemaker.

Although, here, in our heart we're often self-centered.

Seed-eating birds don’t want to share the berries.

Unfortunately, greed in our heart often tarries.

Birds have much to teach us.

To share, without making a fuss.

* * * * *

Greed, at its basic definition is idolatry, it's putting self first.

We learn greed is never satisfied, it leaves you with an unfulfilled thirst.

There's much that lures.

We want more, more, more.

The opposite of selfish greed

is to plant unselfish seeds

that will greatly encourage someone in need -

rather physical or emotional needs.

A helping hand, a listening ear,

transportation somewhere - each is dear.

You need not expend a lot of money,

time spent turns someone's spirit of gloom sunny.

Being consumed with "me, me, me" becomes quite unfulfilling.

Being concerned about another’s comfort is always fulfilling.

Don't be like the bird who doesn't want to share.

Exchange greed for an outlook that shows you care.

Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed;

a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.

Luke 12:15

But among you there must not be even a hint...of greed,

because these are improper for God's holy people.

Ephesians 5:3

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature:

...greed, which is idolatry.

Colossians 3:5

For of this you can be sure:

An immoral, impure or greedy person - is an idolater.

Ephesians 5:5

Life is a Garden Party

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LARKS

 

Larks

Hark!

A lark

in the park

when spring starts

across hills and parks

with a song in its heart.

Spring

sings

as larks take wing

and their songs bring

a cheerful welcoming

to announce "it's spring!"

Concertos -

some high, others low,

sopranos,

or altos -

from larks and swallows,

and bluebirds and sparrows.

Songs

strummed,

sung out strong

all day long

from songbirds their life long,

somehow righting wrongs.

Teachers

these creatures

that feature

musical lectures

as unpaid preachers

making life richer.

Quiet

at night,

but morning quite

loud and blatant

thanking their Maker, that's right,

with a song from their spirit.

Grateful. Offering,

yes, daily praising

before receiving

their daily feeding.

A lesson they're teaching

those who are listening.

Who are these larks?

Robins start

by setting spring apart

from winter cold and dark.

Red-winged black birds and sparrows dart.

Be sure to watch for meadowlarks.

These larks

that dart

from hills and parks

wearing feathers dark

daily teach us grumbling humans to always start

each day with a song of gratitude in our hearts.

* * * * *

Do you have a song in your heart?

It's never too late to start.

Focus on what's right.

Your spirit will be light.

Focusing on what's wrong

quenches your heart's song,

zapping any joy or happiness

so peace of heart and mind will not last.

Focusing on what's right

will bring lasting delight

and you'll find there's a grateful song

bubbling up inside all day long.

So take a lesson from the birds

as each morning they are heard

thanking God before receiving

with a song of thanksgiving.

He put a new song in my mouth,

a hymn of praise to our God.

Many will see and fear

and put their trust in the Lord.

Psalm 40:3

Sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, praise his name;

proclaim his salvation day after day.

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous deeds among all peoples.

Psalm 96:1-3

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth,

burst into jubilant song with music.

Psalm 98:4

My friend, Karen, taught me to thank God BEFORE receiving and again AFTER receiving. It seems that is what birds do when they welcome daybreak with a song in their heart before receiving their daily blessings. Then again at twilight they thank God after receiving when they say goodnight.

Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth.

Worship the Lord with gladness;

come before him with joyful songs.

Know that the Lord is God.

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

Psalm 100:1-3

Shout for joy, O heavens;

rejoice, O earth;

burst into song, O mountains!

Isaiah 49:13

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs.

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything,

in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:19-20

Is anyone happy?

Let him sing songs of praise.

James 5:13

Life Is a Garden Party

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HERBS

 Golden Garlic was blooming this morning so my morning tour included the herb garden, plus.

Golden Garlic

Chives

Garlic

Garlic Chives 

(blooms late summer)

Lovage (smells like celery)

Thyme

(neighor's cat loves to roll around in it; goes home tipsy)

Lemon Balm

Oregano

Sage

Rosemary 

Harvest starts soon

Johnny-Jump-Ups

(organic edible)

For the earth

which drinketh in the rain

that falleth often upon it

and bringeth forth

herbs fit for them

by whom it is tilled

receiveth blessings from God.

Hebrews 6:7

INSTRUCTIONS

 Everyone have their 2026 vegetable garden planted?

What is your best advice to grow the most fruitful vegetables?

Liam (6) told me last week we need water and soil and sunshine to make plants grow.

Amended soil is paramount.

Instructions

Much of what one knows about gardening

has been passed down through generations

of gardeners before

to those who come after.

These “oldies but goodies” know the best dirt -

not gossip, but the best secrets about earth:

how to enrich the soil,

how to reduce toil.

How to make compost

so your garden will boast.

Recycled leaves make the best organic matter

if manure is not available from your farming neighbors.

Egg shells add calcium to the garden's soil

which also cut grubs and slugs that sometimes toil.

Potassium in banana peels grow roses healthier.

Organic fresh cut grass adds nitrogen, a free fertilizer.

How to read the signs of the moon

in order for your plants to zoom.

What to plant side-by-side

and which should never reside.

When to prune

and how to prune.

How to deter deer

who are not dear.

Their advice

free, without price,

is not via the best chemicals to buy

but the best organic remedies to try.

For instance, Epsom salts grows better tomatoes.

They know the reason to hill up the row of potatoes.

Have you learned the reason?

It’s to prevent sunburn.

Yes, reading labels does teach,

as do catalogs sent to reach

perspective buyers who desire

to plant more, if they never tire.

Magazines and books

are other places to look

for needed advice

to make ones garden look nice.

But the best advice, by far,

is from old timers who were

taught by family instructions (wise tales) passed down,

and through trial and error, ups and downs.

* * * * *

Many of our practices and sayings

are based on Biblical teachings.

For instance, our saying:

“Red sky in the morning,

sailors take warning.

Red sky at night,

sailors delight”

is a Biblical teaching.

The Bible has a lot to say about farmers,

or the smaller version of the same – gardeners.

Basically caring for the land

which provides for all of us humans.

That land is a gift from the Lord

upon which His blessings pour.

After reading the below scripture from Isaiah

take a moment to appreciate – be in awe...

that God still speaks to us today:

through the Bible always,

through His wonderful creation,

through previous generations,

through our spirit

when we listen to it.

When a farmer plows for planting, does he plow continually?

Does he keep on breaking up and harrowing the soil?

When he has leveled the surface,

does he not sow caraway and scatter cumin?

Does he not plant wheat in its place,

barley in its plot, and spelt in its field?

His God instructs him and teaches him the right way.

Caraway is not threshed with a sledge,

nor is a cartwheel rolled over cumin;

caraway is beaten out with a rod,

and cumin with a stick.

Grain must be ground to make bread;

so one does not go on threshing it forever.

Though he drives the wheels of his threshing cart over it,

his horses do not grind it.

All this also comes from the Lord Almighty,

wonderful in counsel and magnificent in wisdom.

Isaiah 28:24-29

When evening comes, you say,

'It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,'

and in the morning,

'Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.'

Matthew 16:2

Since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities -

his eternal power and divine nature -

have been clearly seen,

being understood from what has been made,

so that men are without excuse.

Romans 1:20

Teach them to your children,

talking about them when you sit at home

and when you walk along the road,

when you lie down and when you get up.

Deuteronomy 11:19

He who works the land

will have abundant food.

Proverbs 12:11

See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop

and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.

James 5:7

Looks like green worms have been feasting on this cabbage. 

Sprinkle with whole wheat flour.  It is said the worms will digest and "bust their gut".

It does work, truly!

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.