Perking up the sad spot

Perked up the sad spot in my front garden with some new friends on Sunday evening.  Sad spots only make me happy when they are in pound cakes.  You may have to be from The South to get that?? You  can post a comment if you live in another country and that happens to your cakes too.  I know my niece, who is a cake baker and a recent transplant to Colorado, has had several sad faces when she's tried to make cakes at the high altitude.  She did have a recent success though with a cake that looked like a giant hamburger.  Way to go Jen!

Back to my new happy spot...we visited the new Southern Living Show House in Senoia, GA on Father's Day.  It is worth the trip to see this great town and what they are trying to accomplish with restorations and new ideas.  The designer house is a relocated, restored farm house with several additions.  Father's Day was a great day to visit for Duke boy and Hedgie Boy since they are both into what makes a home look beautiful in a livable way.  Not that all men don't think that way--but it wasn't too crowded--we did see a few men. Enough about all that sexist talk...The rugs were one of my favorite things about the house.  Favorite flower in the garden there was Queen Mum agapanthus.

Happy spot in garden---Black Eyed Susans, Orange variegated blanket flower--called sparkle something--I threw away the plant marker--I planted these to encourage Duke boy's peony to get happy.  It is so unhappy.  If it never does anything it won't be for lack of friends.  My pink cosmos is still tall and beautiful and producing new flowers daily.  Note to self is to apply bug spray before evening gardening.  After I took the time to slather myself in some family Off I didn't spend as much time nearly hitting myself in the head with my trowel while shooing mosquitoes from my ears. 

Yesterday morning sitting on my front steps with a cup of coffee I had a delightful visit with a hummingbird.  He swooped in to stick his beak into a nearby yellow cosmos.  He wasn't happy with that and flew to my purple tall verbena--I think that's what it is?  I shall try to repeat that experience this morning--after the sun comes up.

Looking forward to another beautiful day in the world.  Did you see that blue sky with all those little perfect fluffy white clouds yesterday?  Amazing!  It was just the shape of the little clouds that I drew on my paper when in school you had to draw a happy picture.  I know you know what I'm talking about.

Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything.

I Peter 4: 4 or so   The Message

War Hero Daddy Rule

Amazingly beautiful day today.  Spent my time trimming bushes.  Yesterday spent my time boating riding, swimming, and having fun with friends.  I like swimming better than bush trimming. All that glorious rain on Thursday made my flowery friends very happy.

Those above comments are the remains of yesterday.  I was too pooped to finish it.

Henry Eugene (Red) Erwin

Medal of Honor Recipient

Today is Father's Day and I honor and miss my Daddy.  He was a war hero which I never thought was odd growing up.  Daddy never made a big deal of it so I thought every body's Daddy was a war hero.
Kinda like I thought ever home in America had weenies and kraut on Sunday nights for supper--like it was a rule or something??  He and my Mom, and Grandmother Starnes, passed on the love of gardening and making your yard a beautiful place to hang out.  I never understood all that "yard work" when I was growing up. I do now.  I also know that the yard or garden you work so hard in is worth hanging out in when your not working in it.  Sit a spell and enjoy all that hard work. 

Hope you will sit a spell today some place beautiful.  If you are fortunate to have a good Daddy to sit with then I hope you will do that too. 

Bitterness management Day

Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you...and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another...Ephesians 4: 31&32

This is a tall order for the day.  Perhaps we could just try this at home...for those of you who live alone...Wal-mart trips...church...work.  ?? Where are you most prone to bitterness, wrath and anger.  Anger is the go to word--rarely do people seek my assistance and call it "bitterness".  Do you have a "bitterness management class?"  Nah--don't get those calls...perhaps there would be fewer calls for anger management if I did.  Usually there are layers of bitterness under the anger. 

Where does my tender heart need to beat today?  Lord, you have exposed yours to me in my garden this morning.  Thank you for layering my heart with your beauty in my garden.  Blueberries in my tummy to sweeten my day.  Chipmunks running to hide.  Birds singing.  Lilies, hydrangeas, daisies, cone flowers, zinnias, butterfly bushes.  Tomatoes.  Grasshoppers eating everything in their path--really???  OK, no bitterness.  It can hit before you leave the yard--see!

Peaceful Tuesday. Be kind. 

Welcome Italy and Lebanon--21 different countries--golly. 

Work is slower due to clients taking time to do summer stuff.  My garden is faster due to the rain.  Having difficulty beating the birds to the blueberries.  Only got 1 this morning.  Sad. 

Peace to all.  Have a restful evening.

Scones with a royal subject

Wonderful day with Hedgie girl in Carrollton.  I was the chauffeur for school today.  Just piddling while Hedgie got educated--had scones at "Piece of Pie" with a British subject who shared her story about  moving to this country and settling in Colquitt, GA.  Many lovely shops and friendly folk in that town.

Have a wonderful sleep and wake up refreshed for a lovely June Saturday.

Peace.

Walking in the Divine

The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words.   Romans 8:26  (NRSV)

This scripture reminds me that many times in my work that I can just shut my mouth and wait for the Spirit to intercede where I am unable to go--because some of that suffering is just too deep for words.  Those are the daily divine interventions that I  miss because in the next moment I am running my mouth again to try and soothe--the Spirit has already moved.  I can relax and just be present and pray for my own intercession.  I pray for an awareness of the divine today not just in my office. 

The Spirit is see and feel in my garden.  I am open to an intercession.  Fresh blueberries, a ripe tomato, beautiful lilies, even those well made grasshoppers.  My hydrangea to remember sweet Thomas putting on new growth. 

Peace for your day.                          Walk in the Divine.

French gardens

Hello Kenya and Turkey and the new person in France.  Bonjour.

You will be happy to know that Paris, my hydrangea, is joined by a
new day lily, French Lingerie.  Oo la la. 

 Bought it on Saturday at the home of the other flower nut--like me--he just knew all the names--very impressive. 

All three of my gorgeous lilies are open--all burgundy, purpley.

Flowers in the house today.  Love my cutting gardens--not Martha Stewart designated area--mine are all the gardens here at Chatt-a-while. 

A kind heart is a fountain of gladness, making everything in its vicinity freshen into smiles.

                                                      Washington Irving

Vegan cereal

Good laugh but not so funny at the time.  If you are trying to be vegan the vegetable broth comes in a box that looks--from the side--like almond milk.  When your chef husband graciously cooks your supper and then puts the vegetable broth right next to where your almond milk is---makes for icky bowl of cereal--luckily I was able to rinse off my freshly picked blueberries and regroup. 

Garden is looking super today.  Watered all since yesterday's rain didn't last long enough to make much of an impact.  The grasshoppers haven't located my new lilies yet.  Don't tell!!!!

How about that gorgeous orange full moon last night.  Wow!!

The heavens are telling the glory of God.  Look it up!

Peaceful Tuesday.

Turtle parade

China and Denmark.  17 Countries clicked on this page.  Never cease to be amazed by that. 

Watched a turtle parade on the river last night.  Dusky dark and they all slid off rocks and followed each other down river.  Very cute.( I have to admit before I looked upstream thought it was an alligator.)  Always look twice.

Used up all my bend-overs in the yard yesterday.  Duke boy and I bought plants Saturday from two other plant nuts.  One was a day lily nut and the other just a flower nut.  Got the most gorgeous burgundy lilies from the latter.  Hope the grasshoppers aren't chewing on them as I write.  I know I said I wasn't going to buy any more flowers---I think I can hear Dionne Warwick singing "Promises, promises..."

Hedgie girl returning to  school today to put some finishing touches on her degree.  Pray for safety and great teachers who want to see their students learn.

Peacefully Monday to all.

Berry nice day

A bird in the bush--after I picked--means 2 whole cups of blueberries in the freezer for me.  Yum, had about a half cup of my cereal.  Saw a place in LA yesterday where we could have stopped to pick berries--hot, hot, and hot are the thoughts that came to mind--it was around noon.  Picked mine in the coolness of the morning with drips of rain still falling off the trees.  Also free.

Duke boy bought me 2 new sprinklers while out doing guy things with the LA Boys.  Eating big breakfasts, shopping in guy junque stores, and watering gardens.  Tried out my new sprinkler last night after Rock Man helped me get the nozzle of the hose.  He babysat BW while we were gone.  She got to sleep on a pile of clean clothes = happy. 

Time to go back to the work-a-day world.  Peace to all.

"God-defiers are always in trouble;
    God-affirmers find themselves loved
     every time they turn around."   Psalm 32: 10  The Message

Peace

Nigeria has joined as the 15th country to click on my page.  Very exciting as I sit in LA viewing the stats. 

Good visits with my LA relatives.  Rainbows, ribs (only 1.5 still being as vegan as possible), enjoying rain while covered on the porch. 

Time to hit the road and get ready to work again on tomorrow.  This week we slide into June.  Gotta get home to my garden and see if it got some of God's water. 

Peaceful Tuesday to all.

Peaceful Day

Beautiful flags yesterday on a corner in Troy.  Remembering those who've lost family to war.

Visiting with family, mosquitoes, and gnats in LA. 

Peace to all on this Memorial Day.

War Eagle wedding and the EB wedding

Dancing, kissing, delicious food, old friends, orange and blue.  OK, not everything is always perfect.  We did have a super time being part of the War Eagle wedding experience.  Duke Boy--AKA Bama Boy behaved himself except for his sox.

 Katie reminded me of me on my wedding day.  Duke Boy and I wrote our vows on July 4, 1981 at Lanett UMC. I was lying on the floor grieving over the fact that I wasn't a good writer and on our wedding day, December 20,1981, I could only sputter the words out between tears.  Poor Katie had the same rough time but she pushed through.  Donnie didn't make her say the words about Slade's rings. I promise that you are just as married.  On our day our minister and good friend, Jack Shelton, totally forgot to mention the rings--he told us later that he figured we were the just going to stop by Lorch's( a popular jewelry store) and pick up a set afterwards.  Little did he know we'd already shopped at Service Merchandise.


<><><><><><>

<>

<><><><><><>

My computer has gone nuts with all this Auburn stuff.  Can't make it quite showing this pix.!!

Back to the War Eagle wedding.  It was a totally beautiful day for a very deserving sweet couple.  We wish them all the happiness in the world.  Check your wedding sign in book for my "ROOOLLLL  TIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

End of a great nite.  Me and Bama Boy

Tell us how you really feel Bama Boy

Gorgeous cake

Auburn wedding rehearsal and Barney Fife

TaDa---post #100--welcome Tunisia and South Africa,that makes 14 countries.  Treated to a fun evening with the happy couple, Katie & Slade, winners of the War Eagle Wedding.  I'm the official driver for the preacher, Duke Boy, who is AKA Bama Boy.  He's known this couple and several of their attendants since 6th grade. Bama Boy wore his Bama class ring and threatened to not sign the marriage license until they kissed it.   The wedding is today and hopefully the weather will be as lovely as last evening.  We were sheltered from the sunset by Samford Hall so I was pleasantly cool while the wedding party frolicked on the lawn practicing for the big event. 

I did sin by longing for, can't spell the other word, (had an Annie Sullivan moment where I became frustrated by needing how to know how to spell the word before you can look it up) the hydrangeas on our walk to the wedding site.  I will have to ask Mr. Frankie, the groom's Dad, and Ponder's Nursery owner, what kind they are.

  Both of these families are so lovely that it was a real pleasure to be part of their evening. During my denial of the aging process I was in the Young Adult Sunday School class where the Bride's dad was my teacher .  We reminisced over the lessons: Springwood School, all Auburn sports, and Jesus--oh and Barney Fife--"You can never say enough about sin." 

My own garden is quite lovely this morning.  Watering, picking blueberries, dead heading day lilies and gardenias, and eating breakfast on the patio made for a relaxing way to start this long Saturday.

Peace to you all.  Congratulations to all.

Hair, eyes, and life on the Hooch

Twelve countries, welcome India and Germany, and over 2000 hits on my page.  Today is post #99.  Someone asked me recently what was the purpose of blogging?  It began as a means to reach a different audience for my office at the Pastoral Institute.  I'm not sure what it's become?  Another friend who is a blogger said it's addictive.  Maybe so?  I do look forward to sitting down and seeing what comes out of my fingers.  I look forward to seeing comments, # of hits, and the audience--what countries are clicking on the page.  Thanks for your support of my randomness.

On to the day in the garden.  Another morning up before daylight so I can be earlier than the birds getting my blueberries. I make coffee first, wash dishes in sink, put clothes in washer, and finally there's enough light to tell if the berries are ripe.  Stop to admire Paris-- first "oh my goodness" moment for the morning--I know there will be more.  Next OMGoodness was a half cup of berries for my cereal. 

Today is the rehearsal for the Auburn wedding of Katie and Slade. Duke Boy will be on his best behavior as he goes to mingle with those on The Plains.  His heart pumps Crimson Tide.

Going to accomplish a few outdoor tasks in the garden before my hair appointment.  First,the spider that is trying to take over the front door.  I have knocked Madame in your Hairy down twice and she is back again like a hair in a biscuit.  Lots of hair reference must be foreshadowing re: my Hair appt.  Second ..day lily deadhead and third..weed the front garden bed.  Or perhaps "Not" to all of that.  There may be a "BUT First" I encounter along the way. 

Duke Boy just grabbed my coffee cup for a refill.  Bless him.  Last night I came home to him trying to remove a contact from his eye.  Looked like he'd done a round with Sugar Ray.  This is his second attempt to not wear glasses "for the rest of his life".  I've worn contacts since I was 15--I'm in my 40s --ok or late 50s?? now.  I still remember my first day weeping in the eye doctor's office because I had hard contacts stabbing into my eyes.  Fast forward to Duke Boy with me trying to help him remove a contact or perhaps just the iris since it was difficult to tell if there really was anything in there??  It isn't natural to look straight ahead, eye open with a finger coming toward it--just ask Duke Boy.  Could be an eye doctor trip today...

Life is so rich it doesn't have to be made up.  Peaceful Friday.



Duke Boy with BW



Cereal moments

A dream of mine that has reached fruition--sounds like a cereal ingredient--is a "cutting garden". It is still very difficult to cut any flower in my yard since I know most of their names.

  This morning I'm thinking of my niece as I fill my house with the scent of gardenias. I neglected to trim those bushes last year and probably the year before --and this year oh golly gee-they are pulling to the ground with blooms.

Speaking of cereal--I gathered enough blueberries before the blue jays got them --to cover the top of my cereal.  Oh my goodness. 

Thanks to all of you who helped make our fund raiser a success yesterday.

Don't be a potty pooper when the potty comes to your yard for "Relay for Life".  Remember someone you love and support the research to end the awfulness of the disease.  I sent mine on to a great friend.  Enjoy!

                                                     Peaceful Wednesday from the Hooch

Thankfulness

Preparing for my day by practicing gratitude.  Check out www.aholyexperience.com for the research on that.  Hoping my brain is lit for the day since we have a fundraiser to complete at the Valley PI today. 

Take care as you go about your day since the weather is a little iffy here--not sure about the weather in Australia??  My plants are trembling with excitement over real God water not saucepan drinks today.

Peace to all.

St. Francis and Katrina's hydrangea corner

Water aerobics--gardening

Watering my garden today was an aerobic activity.  If you don't believe me try watering yours with a saucepan.  My hose pipe was previously engaged so I improvised.  Not only was it a workout--it got me up close and personal with all my flowers. 

Newness every morning

Got pooped on last night with the "Relay for Life" purple potty in my front yard.  Clever idea being implemented by the Hedgies and friends.  Contact them to fix up your neighbors. :) 

Am amazing morning in the garden with a cup of coffee and Duke Boy.  We do our stroll about three times a week where we stop and comment on the various plants and decide where we need to move it next so that perhaps they will survive.  I know I  can't stop talking about the day lilies...it's just their year. 

Blueberries from the back garden on my cereal today. Blueberries also in the stomachs of baby robins too; judging from the parents flying out of my bushes while I was enjoying my coffee. 

Peaceful lovely Sunday to all.  Come to church at Shawmut UMC for a wonderful sermon.  I will be in the nursery so bring me a baby to hold. 

Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  They are new every morning.
         Lamentations 3:22-23

and the people said "amen".

What a hoot!

Bizzillion things are calling for my attention today.  Time to pick one and go with it. 

Lovely evening on patio last night with Duke boy. An owl entertained us and scared DB a little--"The Birds" ended his love affair with winged creatures. 

Have a wonderful Saturday.

Peace from the Hooch.

Spring loveliness

Bridal steps to the river

Arriving home last night my front garden was just excited to me.  Duke Boy's gorgeous hybrid day lilies amaze us daily with their unique colors and shapes.  A clump of yellow ones with the evening light coming through their petals really caught my eye as I walked to my door. 

"The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm.  If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness."
                                                  Therese of Lisieux

My daises are about to burst forth in the house garden.  Therese is right they have simple charm that distinguishes them from the elegant lilies.  Time to give all of them a drink. My hoses have been used to define a natural area on my front lawn--hmm--hoping the grass is dead under them after a week.  If I leave them there my garden is going to look naturally dead. 

Peace to all this gorgeous spring day.

Look for the puddles

Reminded again by Madeleine L'Engle that "Peter could walk on water... until he remembered that humans had forgotten how to".  It's in our  God made nature to be healers, comforters, acceptors of answers that we'd not considered part of our plans.  I pray you will seek moments to walk on water today to strength your divine nature. 

Fortunate to have garden walking moments already this morning in preparation for water walking.  Blue, pink and lavender hydrangeas that only a loving God can create.  Another miracle is a peony sprouting in the front garden.  (We are not good with those.) Pray that the grasshoppers don't find its' tender leaves tasty.  Still no handsome prince candidates in the yard to protect the garden from those creatures. 

Peace to all on this beautiful May day.  Look for the puddles as you go out into the world today.  Don't miss an opportunity.

Wearing purple

Top a the morning to you.  Ireland has clicked on, as has Canada.  9 countries--how fun is that. 

Yesterday got to read the "Warning" poem to 11 Red Hat Ladies.  "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple."  I was a really young girl when I started wearing purple.   Grandmother sewed for my sister and me--matching dresses--I think that's why I started plumping up as a child so I wouldn't have to wear hand-me-downs that were identical to my can't-squeeze-me-ins.

Felt like Martha's staff this morning dead heading day lilies.  Not sure if you have to but it sure makes them look prettier.  Ours are showing off their tall orange faces in the front garden.  They had led a sheltered, sunless life in the back garden so now they are free to stand tall and bloom. 

Time to start the day and the trek to Columbus.  Peace to all this wonderful Wednesday. 

Take time--smell the flowers

Yummy food prepared by Hedgie Boy yesterday.  He also did the lovely table setting.  Fun to visit and be waited on in their lovely, and always interesting home.  Lucy got to put her feet up with me while Hedgie Boy got lunch ready. 

Awaken to birds singing and the end of "Desperate Housewives"  not really--what was in that box???

Duke boy and I made cookie dough for 500 cookies for our Chick-fil-a fundraiser next week.  Hope to make the other half when we get a report on how many sandwiches are sold--goal is 1000.
  Also helped just a tiny bit make the gazpacho for lunch and laugh on Tuesday.  There is a reason that people buy those herbs in jars--what a pain.  But..so delicious--sampled at 10 PM. 

BW is curled under her blankie anticipating rough weather.  Hope the worst of it is gone.  Did appreciate all the rain for my flowers.  God's water is so much more nourishing than from the hose--probably a message in that??

Super Monday to you all.  Take time to smell the flowers--I'm headed there now.  My gardenia bush has hit the runway.

Peaceful Monday. 

                                                The Red Garden Tub in the House Garden

Mother's Day in the garden

Lovely relaxing pre-Mother's Day.  Piddled in my garden yesterday for awhile.  Discovered the secret to good dirt.  Planted pass along plants and moved stuff around.  OK, I did buy 2 Calediums Friday night.  Every now and then you have to have a pretty annual.

God's water has saved me again--don't have to break out the hose. It's occupied anyway surrounding part of the front lawn which shall become a natural area.  No more watching Duke Boy dodge all those tiny trees while mowing. 

Today I'm treated to a lunch prepared by my the Hedgies.  Looking forward to a lovely meal from another great cook.

                                                        My Hedgie girl cook for the day.
Correction to the statement. Hedgie Boy was my cook today.  He did all Vegan just for me. 
Very yummy.  He is a sweetie. 

                      Hug, call ,or remember your Mom.   Peace.

Birthing memories

Just turned off the noise in the house so I can hear what my birds are saying about Friday.  The chat must be out there hiding since one of my feathered friends is fussing quite loudly.  Must be time to get the kids out of the nest before Mother's Day.  Mom may need some R&R after all those flights to fill up those big bellys. 

http://www.aholyexperience.com/ has a Mom's project going for Mother's Day.  She has a beautiful website with links to some great missions.  I'm supposed to attach her button to this site.  I totally don't know how to do that so this is my effort to get the word out.

I asked my Mom on a recent visit about why she had me via C-section in the wee hours of the morning??  I discoved this tidbit while looking at my birth certificate.  She has no idea because she had no memory of my birth.  I was treated to stories about both of my older siblings births--oh well, this is what happens when you are the third and now middle since I have a little sister too.  Hard to imagine that ole Dr. Parsons who birthed my Mom, and then me would schedule a middle of the night delivery. Maybe he was really into golf by then and saved day times for his own pleasure??  He's no longer around to answer that question for me either.   Oh well, thanks Mom for bringing me into this wonderful life.   Hope Mother's Day is beautiful. 

              My side of the family at my baby's wedding--she is the gorgeous one in the white. 
                                                       My Mom is 5th from the right. 
                                The wedding was on the Hooch in our river garden. 

Maman je t'aime

Bonjour to my reader from France.  I know a few other words but I'm sorry to say my days in Mademoiselle Howell's class weren't some of my best moments.  It's not very difficult to change an "F" into a "B" on a report card.  I only did this in my memory box.  I suffered the consequences that semester.  I did make Bs after that... for real. Ms. Watson, my second grade ?? teacher was the one who gave me my best memories of French--we just did some small conversations and since she was so lovable I learned more.   Please don't ask me to conjugate any verbs--torture.  Dear reader, I plan to visit Paris one day--bucket list.

Paris, a hydrangea, lives in a pot in my garden.  She is showing off right now.  All pink and beautiful.  I babied her last year, much like the rose in The Little Prince, French novel.  Wish I had a croissant for breakfast to go with all this Frenchness.  I shall manger (eat) oatmeal with blueberries in a moment.

Raised the window so I could hear my feathered friends and clap my hands a the chat (cat) . All hydrangeas are stunningly happy and well watered this morning.  Time to walk out and say "hello".

Remember your (I Love you mom ) Maman je t'aime this week.  We are trained by Hallmark and the Postal Service to do that this Sunday. Mine has a lovely pot of flowers assembled on my recent visit.  All purples and yellows. 

Peaceful Thursday to all.  I shall now tour the garden.

                                                       Paris wanted to say "Bonjour".

All God's creatures

Ms. Sunny has a Prince Charming at her house that she's offering up as a grasshopper eater in my garden.  You are so kind but what about those  delicious mosquitoes on your deck?  A turtle looking at me with envy as I drove by him on the road.  He knew about my garden and all the good eats too. 

All this rain makes for a gorgeous view out the kitchen window. 

Peace and lots of hoppiness from all the garden creatures. 

Showers are blessings

No toads yet but God is spraying the grasshoppers off my plants right now.  Thanks!  Rain is gently tapping on the ground outside my window.  Birds are singing quietly--perhaps in the shower??--:)
Plants are smiling.  They don't have to depend on me to rush by them with the hose. 

BW is still buried under her blankie evading the thunder and lighting that passed over the garden earlier. 

Pine straw ONLY covers the squirrels' iris playground. Tomato plant in the pot for Mother's Day gift.    Sunday night garden adventures.

Time to greet Tuesday.  Peace to all.

Bring on the Toads!

May God give you eyes to see beauty only the heart can understand. 

Prayers for all those facing health crises today. 

It's Monday and time to get the work-a-day groove on.  Slow me down Lord, so I can be fully present for each one I meet today.  I shall walk in my garden and gaze at each plant individually knowing without each one I would have a less lovely in my garden.

Toads--we need some toads at Chatt-a-while Gardens.  I can not longer stomp all these black and red grasshoppers.  They are eating up my leafy friends.

Peace and bring on the toads.

Twilight Zones

Since today is full of Sunday and the Lord's work I decided to post the following.  If you've already read this article don't miss the comments below it from an old friend.

Twilight Zones 

 ( this is a copy of my article that appeared in the Valley Times-News on May 4,2012)

I am merrily tripping my way—not literally—no broken bones—into May.  Spring is all over my garden and I’m loving it.  Duke boy and I have lived in this home for nearly twelve years —record for this UMC preacher’s family.  My gardening friends tell me that plants have a cycle: sleep, creep, and leap.  This means that many plants, about a fourth of mine, have leaped into the Twilight Zone or wherever leaped out of your sight plants go.  The good news is that the rest are really showing off.  Duke boy has an Oak leaf hydrangea that has finally taken over a back corner of our garden.  It’s a transplant from my brother-in-law’s mother’s house.  Our knockout roses in the front garden are from my mother’s house and doing their part to be showy.  Ferns, also Duke Boy’s, from every garden where he is allowed to dig; grace the spots and pots under our tall oaks.  Blueberry bushes, domestic hydrangeas, and my hostas that I baby, add to the mix of May marvelousness in our garden.  I almost forgot the wide expanse of daylilies not just the normal ones but some unusual hybrids from a friend’s garden that grace our presence. 

I really tried to NOT BUY ANY NEW PLANTS this year.  I failed.  I bought two small ones for the front porch while I was buying some to pot for my Mom for Mother’s Day.  Ok, I bought 3 tomato plants, romaine, and spinach…a few other seeds.  Duke Boy has helped me move plants to fill in holes where the Twilight Zone moments occurred.  The squirrels have loved the new playground of iris that I installed under the tallest oak in my yard.  We play this game—I plant them—shallowly of course, since they are iris—they dig them up so I can replant them the next day—I know, pine straw with barbed wire under it will do the trick—just kidding all you squirrel lovers—if you love them bring over a cage—got a whole herd for the taking---anyway.  That part of the garden is in constant flux.  If my memory were better I would know that squirrels love to destroy what I try to plant in that spot---the agony is that spot is the first place I see when I look out my kitchen window.  Squirrels have a hard time sharing the glory. 

This is a comment from a friend of nearly 30 years after reading the article. She is just a hoot and I have to share it:

Darling KEB: Love to hear you’re a gardener.  I am a wantabe.  Most reputable greenhouses have my picture next to the cash register with a big circle around it and a line across  it  like a no smoking sign.  They just refuse to sell me beautiful young plants because the word is out that I kill them.  I think there is a list that goes out to businesses like the sex offender list… IS THIS WOMAN YOUR NEIGHBOR? DON’T LET YOUR BULBS OR PLANTS GO HOME WITH HER! SHE IS A SERIAL PLANT KILLER!!!  I really don’t understand it.  My plant linage is pristine. My grandmother was a pincher.  She pinched small stems off plants everywhere – including national forest and botanical gardens oblivious to large signs posted to notify of the federal crime to pick the flowers. “I am not picking the flowers, I would never deprive anyone else of being able to see this beauty.  I am just pinching off a small leaf or stem”. At which point she put in her pocket or hankie to be  transferred – sometimes days later – all crumpled and dry to  a pint milk bottle full of water and it rooted, grew, bloomed and flourished. Rhododendrons flourish in the Ensley Highlands today because Memama went to the Smoky Mountains in the 50’s. My dad, brother and son all inherited the plant gene. They could/can make it happen. Mother still has the descendent of a philodendron I received when Christie was born at least ah …30 years ago.  She keeps trying to get her to take some home with her. We tell her it would be more humane to just run it thru the compost chipper than to make it die the slow horrible death of going home with Christie.  I am beginning to think that Christie and I must be adopted. Memama said we just over loved them.  So since neither Christie nor I  work well with moderation, we have beautiful silk arrangements that don’t need anything but admiration.   Marcia H.

The Brown life

Stopped for big easy Mother's Day gift--hanging baskets for Ms. L.  Rolled down the window to look at the beauty.  All "I really want is>>a tomato plant."  OK. Can do.  Joe says they have a 2 kinds...??and a "Better Boy".  The Pearly Gate man had always raised Better Boys because you get two crops.  She has been a Brown now for 60 years today--no anniversary since her man is inside the Pearly Gates.  Got to hear the story of their courtship at lunch yesterday.  Saw the motel where they honeymooned.  It's vine covered but still standing.  Lots of good years between those two folks--two kids--two more that she claims, 3 grands, 5 greats---one is inside Pearly Gates with the PGMan and another on the way to be with us..   I'm in the Browns for 30 plus years.  I hope to be as proud to tell it as she is when I reach my 60 years as one.

Peace and double crops to all this humid, beautiful Saturday.

A well-watered garden

Australia and South Korea have now clicked on.  Post #80 with 1595 hits.  Y'all just amaze me.

 Today , I could have slept late. Guess this Paris time is rough on my sleep cycle.

 Being able to listen to my birds sing up the sun is pretty amazing. 4 or 5 different songs going on out there.  Hope they are all high above the cat that lurks in my garden--lurking and garden are not words  you want to see in the same sentence--he/she can lurk on my snakes but not on my birds.  He/she, whence forth to be called: Lurky--has a few more moment of lurkdom--come daylight I shall step on the back porch, do my best "get out of my yard" Tarzan yell, and banish Lurky for the day.  He will have to wait for the nighttime to get his snake groove on.  These are the lies we tell ourselves about the tranquility of our garden while we are away at work. 

Joy, thanks for the rain, God.  My prayer is that you will allow him to satisfy your needs today.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs...You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
      Isaiah 58:11 NIV

Be still

Feeling like Rip Van Winkle--went to bed on Monday and woke up--it's Thursday.  How did life get so busy.  Has it always been this way and I was too busy to notice?? 

"Be Still and Know that I Am God."  Psalm 46.10

This is a tall order but necessary for me. I shall be present when I go to my paying job. It helps if I start the day in my garden.

Hydrangeas--I have a lovely pink bloom on the one closest to my kitchen window.

Duke boy's oak leaf hydrangea is blooming it's head off in the back corner.  Thanks Jen--via Katrina's yard.  The legacy lives on.  The lily from her yard is standing tall scoping out a time to set its' bloom.

Two baby tomatoes are getting some red...yummy times coming.

If I learn to fly I may get some blueberries--they are going fast already and aren't  even ripe--I know about nets--just don't do them --YET!

Some yet unidentified seedlings coming up in a pot???

This is my stillness with God.  This centers me for the day.  Clients keep your appointments.  Don't be scared. 

                                        "Be Still and Know that I Am God."  Psalm 46.10

Cold night of sleep

Very affirming yesterday to have 120 people come to Business by the Book at WPUMC where I was the speaker.  The free meal was a big draw so I'm thinking maybe half came to hear me. Thanks to all who did--even those of you just there for the lunch. :)

Unbelievable to me that it's Wednesday again.

 Slept in an air conditioned room last night--just too hot. Felt good to hunkered down under the wedding ring quilt.  Crazy.

Time to get out and water and speak to my flowers.
 The red bird tub was tipped with a "present" in it when I got home last night.  Not sure if it was a statement or just what relaxed birds do.

Peace from the Valley.

I am glad that in the springtime of life there were those who planted flowers of love in my heart.
  Robert Louis Stevenson

Make a cheerful face

Time to walk in the garden.  Tension filled time in the house trying to get my printer to print out a talk I have to give today.  Finally...done. 



"A glad heart makes a cheerful face.." Proverbs 13:15

Have a glad heart today as you go into the world this first day of May.

Random wanderings on Monday

Random gardening is a hereditary trait.  Plant what you love where you want it to go.  Done by me, my Mom and her mother before her.  Plants are like furniture.  It's OK to move it to a new spot if it seems crowded or out of place.  Unlike furniture it may resist your move and die on you--bitter / sweet? 50/50 chance.  These are my random thoughts after gardening with my Mom. 

Glad to be home again with BW tempting me with the chase game.  I blog on.

Peaceful Monday to you.  Listen for the birds singing.  There may be a time when their music can't be heard by you.  Drink it it.

You have a rampart

Latvia and France have now clicked on my page.  A co-owner from Bluffton Street Antiques is from Latvia so maybe it's not a coincidence.  The French folk are viewing on normal time since that's what my page is set for--if you missed that post- I tried unsuccessfully to set the time on my blog--no luck--decide to acclimate the brain and body for my trip to France--it's not yet scheduled.  Still waiting for someone to read this and give me a humanitarian award for writing about the Hooch and my garden--takers?

Inside now after a round of hellos and water on all my plants.  Re potted a couple of plants that the windstorm got last week.  They shall be happy again soon.  Attempted to make a rain barrel from an old trash can--the one the opossum ate the lid off--an old screen and a bungee cord.  Not enough bungee in that cord so I will have to resort and develop plan B--stands for Bigger Bungee. 

Bird boycott still in progress for the red bowl in the garden tub.  Maybe birds don't like red?? I'm not giving up yet.  I put fresh water out for them--little hot towel rack and some casteel soap--just kidding.  I do want them to feel welcome

. 

(The Lord) will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

                                                                                  Psalm 91:4 (NIV)

Ruffled feathers

The front garden bird-sized tub got a makeover last night.  Now there is a beautiful red bowl adorning the ancient waterfall like $5 bargain bird bath.  One problem--I think the birds are not sure about it. 
Chirps from the crepe myrtles are---"what is she thinking??" "too glitzy for my taste", "who bathes in a red shiny bowl--too slippery" "our family has washed our feathers of dusty in concrete shallow dishes for centuries" "and they call us birdbrained". 

  I am not giving up yet.  The water is still in the bowl this morning.
   I haven't had to fill it twice before 8AM!!

Peace and unruffled feathers to all of you this wonderful last Friday of April.  Looks like rain on my garden today.

Scandalous garden behavior

I didn't need my jacket this morning when I took BW out but since I still had on my jammies I wore it anyhow.  Please don't tell my Momma that I was in the yard--you  can not use the word "garden" with such tacky behavior--- in my pajamas.  This is evidently a huge faux pax and I make it a lot.  My neighbor is swore to secrecy about my behavior.  As a child there was a woman in my neighborhood who frequently had on her pajamas in the yard--sometimes even after lunch.  She had beautiful pjs too.  I remember dreaming I'd buy those kind one day.  They were the silky kind with lace on the pocket and big collars.  She also smoked which was pretty scandalous and cool in those days.  Plus she had a pool in her yard. Oh my, ...she had it all.  Did I mention the Cadillac? 

Back to the reality of my pjs.  They are not the Ms. A. variety so quit trying to locate my house on the Internet map for a view.  I have also been know on Saturdays to be in the yard after lunch with them still on. ( I try to stay in the back yard when I'm not in my gardening attire. Even though my pjs are much nicer than some of my gardening get-ups.)  I also don't have a pool--I do have the Hooch--a step up.

Odd the things that intrigued us as children. 

I'm listening to a bird call to me from my blueberry bushes.  He doesn't know he should be nervous about the shiny thing twirling near his head.  Rats.  My bushes are full of berries.  Maybe I will get a couple on my cereal this year. 

Peace to you on this last Thursday of April.

One morning I shot an elephant in my pajamas. How he got into my pajamas I'll never know.
Groucho Marx

Beautiful day in the neighborhood

There is a strong singer trying to get that sun up outside.  Wants to show off those feathers.  Probably one that got them washed in the front garden tub last evening.  Maybe trying to wake me to put some water in their basin.  Spruce up their Wednesday look.

Scripture this morning, "love God, love your neighbor as well as you love yourself."  The morning of reflecting, reading, connecting, praying, garden wandering, allows me to give away better love during the day to the neighbors I'm meeting.

Mr. Rogers, "it's a beautiful day in the neighborhood...would you be mine?"  Put on that sweater and your walk around shoes and get out there.

Birds with dirty feathers flock together

Tired tonight.  Watching "Dancing with the Stars".  Max is my fav no matter who he dances with.  Laura Ingles Wilder is hard to take seriously as a dancer--she needs to be rolling down a hillside of wildflowers. 

Filled my birdbath with water twice today.  Four birds came to bathe while I stood close by on the porch.  It was fun to watch.  Looked like kids running through the hose pipe on a hot day.

Have a good night.  Happy birthday to Ms.M.

Short path to a friend's house

Monday morning on the river.  Heat was blowing when I wandered down to make coffee.  Chilly on my right arm but I only have the window open a crack.  Can't really hear the birds over "Morning Joe" holding court in the den. 

Great evening last night with Ms. M.  We laughed, bemoaned throwing away "treasures", walked, and weeded--just a little.  So refreshing to my soul to spend time with a good friend.  We shall celebrate her 80th birthday tomorrow by attending a fundraiser for the Pastoral Institute in Columbus. 
               Old enough to be my mother and young enough to be my friend.

This is a recent frolic at Ball Ground, GA at Gibbs Gardens.  We are the ones in the hats.

Peaceful Monday to all. 

Rollin on the river

Thought I'd get to meet some of y'all down the Hooch from me up close and personal last night.  Duke boy beat the slop out of me at Canasta (BW was in his lap)during that storm last night.  BW was trying to tell us something with all that vibration yesterday morning.  We humans are so dense sometimes.  I will post a picture of the Hooch later today--right now it's muddy and swift.

All flowers in the yard are now doing the happy dance.  Transplanted a hydrangea from Easter--it may explode the blooms are so full.  Its roots may be in China by now. 

Ms. Louise, my MIL, has a robin nest on her porch.  It's perched on the top of  a wreath on her window.  I  climbed in a chair yesterday to gaze at the 3 huge sleeping heads.  Mom and Dad have fast tracked their flight school applications so they can have some empty nest relief.  When we finished our visit with Ms. Louise one of the flight school candidates had his head up, leaning on the side of the nest, eyes closed, and mouth opened.  Reminded me of feeding Hedge girl in her high chair when she'd be almost asleep but wanted that last bite. 

Church is usually an indoor activity just in case this abundance of rain hasn't passed.  See you there.

Enjoy those showers of blessings.

Laughing and playing in the garden

Our weather barometer is vibrating--it's BW--she got under the bed and wouldn't come out this morning.  Somewhere there is a thunderstorm.  She is not a fan.  She's not even playing the "catch me" game today.

Make haste to the garden before that testy weather arrives. 

My hope for your city is :

"Old men and old women will come back to Jerusalem, sit on benches on the streets and spin tales, move safely with their canes--a good city to grow old in.  And boys and girls will fill the public parks, laughing and playing--a good city to grow up in."  Zechariah 8  The Message

My view

Wanted you to see my view of the Hooch. 

Hosta, hydrangea, hope, happy garden thoughts

Our gardens are beautiful.  I don't have sweeping vistas like the magazine.  I have the wander around the yard and go --hurrah--I have 5 hostas today!! I only had 2 yesterday.  Look at those 3 super cute pink Gerber daises on really long stems.  Wow! We have tons of yellow shorty day lilies. Wait for the plethora of hydrangea blooms soon.  I'm so excited I'll be eating those gazillion blueberries on my cereal soon.  And---those devil thorny vines are nearly gone for THIS week. That's how the conversation went as Duke boy and I wandered the gardens at dusk.

Ok, I just reread that and I probably didn't say plethora--Ok, I didn't.  But isn't that a great word.  It seems a shame to only use it when referring to weeds. Actually, I didn't say "we" on the day lilies--I said "you" .  Those are HIS! A gift from a member of a previous church. 

 If the rain holds off we shall be out there tomorrow moving around the things we planned tonight while having a brag fest about our garden on the patio. 

Gardeners are never bored during such beautiful weather.

Peace to all and a happy dirt digging Saturday to you.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

Barney songs and rain--good things

My piece of the world didn't get much rain yesterday so I'm about to have to water.  When I water I have the gift for making rain.  Wear your plastic rain hat today.

 Had to fill the Parisian bird bathing facilities in the front garden last evening.  Not sure if the feathered guests splashed out all the water or if there is a level leaking spot. 

BW is snuggling with Duke boy and he is singing the "Barney song" to her.  Smiles.  No game of
" catch me" this morning for me.

Peace to all of you this day.  Thanks for your time to read my mind's wanderings.

"Don't be weary in prayer; keep at it; watch for God's answers, and remember to be thankful when they come."     Colossians 4:3 TLB

Watching for God's answers

"The time of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."    Act 3:19 KJV

Scripture in 3 places this morning about God's presence after awakening
                           from an unrefreshing night of worries. 

"Don't be weary in prayer...watch for God's answers..." . Colossians 4:2 TLB

The Holy Spirit speaks to me through scripture and other books of devotion that I try to surround myself with in the morning before gardening.  Until I surround my back garden with lights solace isn't found in digging in the wee hours.  Rock Man,my neighbor, will have trouble sleeping then too if I resort to such pursuits.

"...Don't get discouraged.  God, your God, is with you every step you take."
                                     Joshua 1:9  The Message

Time for breakfast now with my calmer spirit.  Peace be unto thee this wondrous Wednesday.

Looking in the wrong place for brightness?

If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives.  

                                     2 Corinthians 4: 10 or so  The Message

Having an unadorned clay pot kind of a morning?    I am because I just wrote a brilliant paragraph and then hit the wrong button.  Gone to cyberspace ...

We are clay pots so no one will confuse us with God.  STTTTRRREETTTCCHHHHH.  Yea, me too.

In my yard the clay pots require the most water but often they hold some of most beautiful plants.  hmm?
                            Can be used with cracks in them
 make great shards for holding in the dirt when they are past their usefulness to hold flowers. 

Don't miss the brightness today as you go out into the world.
                         Unadorned peacefulness be unto you.

Just a quick check in before jumping in the shower to go to my paying job.  Gardening this morning was amazing---3 sets of clean, vine free, no reason to fall down unless you just lose it, stairs.  It takes 1000 steps just to water my yard...Used a pedometer this morning just for fun. 

Peace be unto you.  (from a sign on my kitchen door)

The soul of every living thing

Duke boy & I just completed our garden tour which we do most pleasant Sunday mornings.  We have a new bird with a really strange call that we heard last night and again this morning.  He is  in a neighbor's tree so I haven't spotted him yet.  We spent yesterday digging, moving, pulling, mulching, and every other "ing" that you have to do to stay ahead of the weed invasion in springtime. 

Yes, we did level the birdbath.  We used the caveman method because if we own a level it's below "see level" in our garage.  Cave men probably dug with rocks and used force to get things level. It works.  Saturday night bird baths were on the house--actually in front of it. :)

Thanks to my new garden gloves my middle fingernail was much easier to clean last night in the shower.  Smiles to Ms. Sunny.

BW is trying to get me to play the game again this morning.  She is pouting now.  She is a tease.

Job 12:7-10 - But now ask the beasts (cattle) to teach you, and the birds of the air to tell you; or the reptiles on the earth to instruct you, and the fish of the sea to inform you. Which of all these does not know that the hand of God has done this? In his hand is the soul of every living thing, and the life breath of all mankind.

BW encouraged me to look that one up.  Peace and love to all God's creatures.

Morning games

Little BW is playing the" lap game" with me this morning. She comes to my chair puts her paws on the cushion looking all pitiful and needing a lap---then when I go awee and go to pick her up she bolts back and gets silly and playful.  I fall for this every time.  She will play this as long as I will.  It reminds me of the "drop game" from the high chair when Hedgie girl was little.  Remember it?  Spoon on the tray, the look you get of mischief then oops--so you pick it up and then you pick it up and pick it up and pick it up --then you say- oh, this is the "drop game? 

BW has left me now because the heat kicked on.  Probably because I have the kitchen door open--I wanted to hear the birds sing.  I will let her enjoy the heat vent for a few moments before I turn the heat off. 

Duke boy is running, the birds are singing, and I'm blogging.  Time to get out and garden!!  Ms. Sunny sent me some new gardening gloves..How sweet are you!!  Thanks.  Can't remember if I blogged about wearing two left handers because the middle finger was gone from both of my pairs of righties.  I always break the right flip flop first too.  Maybe this phenomena occurs with you lefties too in the reverse?  Glad I'm just sistateered connected with Ms. S. so my manicure will last for another week.  Now on week 2.

BW is back and not happy that I'm typing and won't play the lap game again.  She knows I'm writing about her.  I know she knows because of the intent RCA dog look in her eyes.  You have to be a 50s child to know what that means.  Peace,  I will give BW a lap for a minute or two since her favorite lap is out running.

"Love is a tree, each person a branch. And a pile of cut off branches doesn’t make a tree. Love can only be comprehended in community. You need imperfect people in your life to perfect your practice of love."   from http://www.aholyexperience.com/  I don't know how to add her button to my blog or I would.  She is a very inspiring blogger.   She has lovely pictures and even a book.  Impressive.

Valley High Rocks

     Missed blogging this morning because I was in a tizzy to get to a health fair.  I'm guessing that's an oxymoron or maybe just a plain ole one. I wasn't thrilled about having to spend more morning inside on such a lovely day but after spending three hours talking with teenagers and watching them walk in groups, I was really glad I went.
      Some of them looked so grown up that I thought they were teachers and I had to ask them if they were students.  Everyone I met today was totally respectful and kind to me and their peers.  Sparky, the little fire truck dog ,was squirting people with his fire hose while pretending he was going to take their picture.  It was all very good natured fun .  Thanks Valley High for the great experience today.

1 Timothy 4:12
International Standard Version (©2008)

"Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity."

Where are my long johns?

Crashed last night after a day of feeling out of sorts.  Decided it was because of a tetanus shot on Tuesday afternoon.  I have a knot on my arm, which I will get checked out if it doesn't go down today.  Just read on "Smart as a doctor" on-line that this happens to some people.  (Not really a website--I made that up.)

I'm listening to my heat kick on.  I didn't cover my plants since I was hunting for my own comforter last night.   We've been sleeping with the windows open and a light quilt for the last couple of weeks. Our quilt, a wedding ring, made by Duke boy's momma, wraps you in just the right temperature of love for spring nights.

Hope you have a peaceful day.  I shall venture outside in my coat after the sun comes up to check out the damage from the Linsey-Woolsey britches weather, aka, the last time to need your long johns this year.

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers...don't you think he'll attend to you."  Matthew 6:29  The Message

Hello Malaysia

Amazing how much more knowledgable I am since starting this blog.  ...I did not say smarter.  I just read about Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia--look it up.  Someone there--are you reading this?---clicked on this page.  Does that amaze you as much as it does me?  See I'm one of those who goes to our local Wal-Mart and thinks--who are all these people?? and why don't they open another check out line?
Bottom line--thanks to all of you who continue to click on this page--it's very inspiring.

Cover up all those baby plants tonight---35 degrees, really? The birds are a little quieter this morning.  Probably trying to find their sox.  I knew I hadn't bought plants yet for a reason--  paying taxes a main reason--I don't count my 3 tomato plants, my lettuce on the back porch, my zinna seed in all my pots. I NEED blooming things.  My hydrangea from church is a spectacular shade of blue with those lovely mop head blooms.  Perhaps it won't get that cold tonight???  Beware gardeners.

Ecclesiastes 3:1  to everything there is a season..  This is what happens when we get ahead of our seasons. 

Convertible Therapy

Psalm 19 (New Revised Standard)

1 The heavens are telling the glory of God; and the firmament proclaims his handiwork

    That's a big ole AMEN!

Traditionally Duke boy and I take off on Easter Monday to enjoy the day.  Since he preaches when he's not cooking my meals or digging holes for me, the Lenten season is filled with activities at the church which keep him pretty busy.  Oh, don't forget March Madness--that's all that basketball stuff--it's another couple time stealer.  I've tried to enjoy basketball on TV, actually I haven't tried that hard, OK sometimes I watch the last few minutes of a game or I step in to see the score. 

Back to yesterday---we stopped and filled up the tank on the Cruiser with that solid gold fuel and set out for lunch at the Callaway Gardens Country Store.  We are still veganing so we split the Veggie Burger--I didn't eat the cheese.  Forgot to mention the top was down, the windows were up, and I had a jacket on.  After lunch the windows came down too.  What a perfect day for cruising.  The rhododendrons, native azaleas(orangy), irises, and delphiniums are gorgeous now.  We also did the short hike on the LBJ Wildflower trail.  It's a good hike if you're not disabled in any way--a few steps and up and down hill.  We learned some names of things in our yard that maybe we won't pull up next time--oops. 

Drum roll!!!!!!!!!!!!!I didn't buy a single new plant yesterday.  We stopped at THREE plant places--all our usual haunts -- and I just "looked with my eyes".  Donnie bought a peony bulb and a small pot of verbena. Please put these on your pray list.  We are lousy with both of these plants.  Of course, in our golden years I have been know to grow things from seeds.  Do NOT tell my squirrels.  They think I gave up on that idea so they don't know to come on my back porch or in the front garden anymore. 

Another great part of the day was the free passes we had to get in the gardens.  Thanks to those loyal Callaway volunteers, the Davis family.  Thanks y'all.

I couldn't make that bold go away so I went with it.  Hope all of you have a marvelous Easter Tuesday.

Easter Tidings a little late

This was too cute. This was done by my Hedgie girl. 

Let down the nets

"Master, we've been fishing hard all night and haven't caught even a minnow. But if you say so, I'll let out the nets."

                                      Simon Peter  Luke 5   The Message

It's Monday and next Monday taxes are due, I've worked hard all night in my dreams.  Time to let out the nets for another week.  The good news is I've got a couple of days off to find a buried treasure in my garage that I can put in my booth at Bluffton Antiques in Lanett for someone to take to their home and love.  On Friday I took some silver dollars to Belcher's to cash in but they were closed.  Boo hoo.  Really wanted some weekend $ since my real money was promised to taxes.  Walked just next door to Bluffton and a man was looking at the coin booth near mine.  We exchanged pleasantries and he asked me if the coins were mine.  No, but... a few moments later he was smiling about his new purchase and so was I.  Think that might have been a God moment.  Unfortunately, if burglars are reading this I don't have any more silver.  Less than 30 pieces, way less, on Good Friday. 

My garden is also calling my name today.  Duke boy and I toiled all day on Saturday.  He put 20,000 steps on his pedometer and I put a bizillion ups and downs on my garden stool.  Told Duke boy to remind me on Sunday when I mentioned the ER and possible heart attack that I'd pulled vines that Tarzan would have loved to have swung on from my flowers beds.  English Ivy or perhaps Boston, one of those, is bad news unless you have full time staff in your garden.  I'm grateful that my Sunday arm pain wasn't a heart attack because he remembered that conversation when I complained. 

                          Let down your nets...an have a fabulous and full Easter Monday.

Easter sparkle

Time for my afternoon nap.  Wonderful beautiful day with two worship services and a delicious lunch at Duke boy sister's house.  The best part of the meal was the "sparkle" cookies aka iced sugar cookies with sprinkles.  My great niece deemed them "sparkle" cookies.  She was definitely right.

Peace and love this marvelous Easter day.

Blue happy feet

I will have to keep my sox on today in the garden.  Got my toes painted robin egg blue yesterday.  Hedgie girl made fun because I'm usually opposed to colors that resemble fungus but since I only have an Easter purse and not a new frock, why not??  Hope it's warm enough to wear sandles to church. :)

Duke boy toiled in the garden yesterday and made a new bed for our Ginger lilies.  Perhaps they'll bloom this year instead of looking like untassled corn in the back flower bed.  Today maybe we can level The Chatt Pool so the diving board area will have some water.  Currently the kiddie pool is the only place for the birds to waller .  My Cardinal is a frequent guest and doesn't mind staying in the shallow end. 

Missed our  Good Friday church service because one of our nursery babies came to me before service and said "Happy Feet".  I took that video to the nursery awhile back and we play it for dancing.  I picked up her red suckered sticky self and she and I went to the nursery to see "Happy Feet" and color Noah and the Ark pictures.  Heard the service was lovely but I was "stuck" :) with great company and had a ball.

Hope all of you find some great company to be "stuck" with this lovely Easter eve day.  Find a spot on Sunday to worship and sing of the Resurrection. I tried to get all internetty and put a link to a song.  Y'all are so lucky that I couldn't figure it out.  I shall listen to Marian Anderson singing "Were you there?" and hear it before days end. 

Know that you are always welcome at Shawmut United Methodist in Valley, AL where Duke boy will be delivering a wonderful resurrection sermon tomorrow.  We meet at 11 ET.  I will be the one with the blue toes.

The Chatt Pool is open

"Bring a gift of laughter, Sing yourself into his presence."
"We're his people, his well-tended sheep. "  Psalm 100 excerpts from The Message

I was sad while looking out my kitchen window into the river garden because I was thinking how brown my azaleas are now. 
Then I went to the front door to my house garden and looked at my lovely apricot colored iris, pink Gerber daisies, and of course my leaky bird bath. 
               Whence forth it shall be called: The Chatt Pool. Sounds more inviting.

This is the time of year when it's easy to remember to "sing yourself into his presence".

Good Friday changed the world.  We are forgiven.

Warbling sweet arpeggios in the Garden

I want y'all to know that from now on if you call me a "bird brain" that I won't be offended.  While I was resting on the patio yesterday listening to my birds sing I read an article in Duke Magazine , page 34,  research on birds and their songs and how it may assist in a treatment for Huntington and Parkinson diseases.  Birds brains are evidently pretty similar to ours in many ways.  DO NOT TRY TO FLY without purchasing a ticket today! I noticed evidence of this intelligence yesterday while sitting in my dining room observing a cardinal .  I believe it was trying to tell "get out of that chair and put some water in this leaky, wop sided excuse for a birdbath".  He did look like at me with his little head cocked to the side for several deeply concentration filled moments.  I am not making fun.  It was a deeply connecting moment.  Today I shall fill that leaky bath again! 

Today you are invited to worship at Shawmut UMC at 6PM as we remember Maundy Thursday.  

Listen for the songs and remember your connection through your Creator today.

"The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land ."  Song of Solomon  2:12  

"Spring warblers are filling the forest with sweet arpeggios."   Song of Solomon from The Message.

I just tried to look up "the voice of the turtle" and was a little disappointed that I could only find information on rock bands and journals.  Those of you who know these things need to send me a comment on turtle noises.  Is there such a thing?  Will one talk to me on the patio soon?  I want to be prepared. 

Gentleness on Wednesdays

Poor little BW has a terrible fear of storms.  She only weighs 14 pounds so when I felt the couch shaking I knew she was scared. (She already received a dose of anti-fright meds otherwise she'd have been running around the room jumping and panting.)   I picked her up, moved her close, covered her up, and kept my hand on her.  She calmed a little and the storm moved on.  Most of the time all that is required is a gentle loving spirit of calmness with all of God's creatures.  Please don't try this on anything uncaged at the zoo! 

Be mindful of your children, friends (spouses fall in friend category),  and others in your path today and remember to use a gentle spirit. 

My birds are singing a happy tune.  Time to take my morning walk around the gardens at Chatt-a-while.

Casting the whole of your care [all your anxieties, all your worries, all your concerns, once and for all] on Him, for He cares for you affectionately and cares about you watchfully. 1 Peter 5:7 (AMP)

Stock up on kindling

The United Methodists crossed the Hooch yesterday to worship and eat together.  It was good.  A full sanctuary during the middle of a work day is something that is usually reserved for a funeral so it was an encouraging experience.  The opportunity to cross the river and worship with fellow Christians is available all week all over the valley.  I hope more of you will join us.  Today Duke boy is preaching at Lanett 1st UMC. 

"Sometimes our light goes out but is blown into flame by another human being. Each of us owes deepest thanks to those who have rekindled the light."  Albert Schweitzer

John Wesley, the father of Methodism, believed we all contained a divine spark.  Perhaps that's why worship together is so lovely.  It gives us the opportunity to have our spark rekindled. 

OK, time to listen to the birds.  I hear at least 4 distinct songs.  A robin checked out the new bathing facilities in the front garden yesterday morning.  Thinking of installing a tiny heated towel rack??

Have a great day.  Go rekindle some light.

April Foolishness

Je t'aime.  ( I love you.)  Paris is so beautiful but very rainy and chilly.  Cruising on the Seine requires a coat and an umbrella.  My spirits shall not be dampened!

OK, so I am there in my mind and on the Internet.  It is on my bucket list.  I have a very deep bucket and a very shallow bank account.  Surely there is a pulpit swap in Paris where Duke boy could go?  I don't have any readers in France yet .  Russia and Germany only, so far.  A Parisian experience could be great for those of us in the fast lane for 60.  Think of the joy of living on the Hooch for the summer if you did a house swap in Paris with us? 

Back to the reality of Monday on the Hooch.  If you are a local Bluffton Street Antiques has some great goodies for those Easter baskets.  My booth (#19) even has some baskets with grass for you to fill with imaginative finds for your sweeties.  Good sermon and free lunch at First UMC of  West Point today.
Check out the Pastoral Institute at http://www.pilink.org/ for all the happening there this month. 

"Each day, and the living of it, has to be a conscious creation in which discipline and order are relieved with some play and pure foolishness. "
                May Sarton

Hello Paris

Wahoo!  Unexpected lottery winnings have given me that trip I've only dreamed of.  Leaving tonight for Paris .  Tomorrow I plan to strut down the Champs Elysees and visit Cartier for a little bling.  Napoleon was never as decked out as I plan to be.   Most of the week will be visiting all those little shops and cafes on the Seine.  Goodbye Weigh Down Alabama and hello pastries. 

No time to write now.  Gotta pack.  Maybe I'll learn how to post pictures so I can share the joy when I return.