I opened my eyes and felt a confusion as the world seemed black & white on a day promised sunshine.
I had to go in search of the color.
And looking outward I saw a floral firework display against the sodden green.
Such intricate beauty and color – sought and found!
I was 17 and spent my summer earning the money for driving lessons and insurance. The family car had a standard transmission and Dad seemed in no mood to teach me to drive it. I was told there were plans for a newer car so I took my lessons – three. The instructor took me to the Dept. of MV for testing. Amazing myself, I passed both tests and went home with a license in hand. Then I waited, and the newer car came and I still waited, now worried that I had forgotten everything.
Labor Day weekend we had plans to go to the Grandparents for a cookout. I had hoped to drive, but I wasn’t offered the wheel.
The last car Dad had to himself!
We were about half way when Dad pulled to the side of the road and told me to get behind the wheel. Heart pounding terror came as the reality of being responsible for my family set in. But, I was 17 and I had a license to drive, so I did. Slowly, then up to speed, things were going well and then the first turn – right. With the power steering, I suppose I could have made a neat and tidy 360 – except for the hedge. It really slowed me down and we came to a stop in the middle of someone’s yard.
Dad got out and talked with the homeowner and asked to call a tow truck. An inspection on the lift showed no damage done to the car. I thought the damage to my driving career was total. I don’t remember anyone saying much during all that time. Dad was usually spare with his words.
When the garage man was paid, I walked to a back door and then Dad spoke, “Get back behind the wheel.” And I did.
It seemed like many years went by before nature repaired that hedge! The gaps reminded me not only of the foolishness of overconfidence but the kindness and restraint of my Dad in actually teaching me a life lesson – there are times when one must “Get back behind the wheel.”
Recently I had a difficult situation which seemed to cause me to crash against an invisible hedge, the jolt was hard and it left me wondering what to do, how to proceed and that’s when I seemed to hear Dad again, “Get back behind the wheel.”
Maybe you feel like you’ve crashed somewhere and you’re looking at some mess you’ve made. Maybe it’s time now to take a deep breath, get back behind the wheel of life and go on again to your destiny. Please do. Or perhaps you know someone in this situation who could use your kindness and encouragement to go on again. Please give it.
I’ve driven past many tall hedges in this rural area never giving much thought to what might lie behind them. Our country roads have become busy highways and I think of them merely as privacy screens.
Then one day in late spring, I received and invitation and had the privilege of wandering about in this secret garden. I wanted to share my visit with you.
Summer is now here and this is glorious memory!
I consider how they grow…”they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.” Matt. 6:28-29
So true, for such a small investment of my time and effort, they bloom glory. For one day.
I consider that a bloom could be an analogy for each life. In the view of millennia, we each are a bloom to open in magnificent splendor for our day. Be luminous where you are planted; the world needs the color and wonder of you!
Sometimes, they are still. I needed to use the photo program to bring them in this close for you. Such tiny birds! They truly hum with their wings.
We can recognize several different birds this year. One is never still and hovers the whole feeding time; another bird lights nearby and after looking all around, comes and sits still to drink. She almost always chirps a bit after feeding as if to say how much she enjoyed the treat. And another we call “Dip and Sip” for her constant in and out motion – so amazing to watch them fly backward! Only the mature male has the ruby throat. He will usually sit still and drink.
We were blessed to have rain yesterday and this morning the whole yard was alive with song to enjoy as I waited to photograph these little marvels.
I could see them from the swing, first pale, then growing red as the days went by. When I saw the tree quivering in late afternoon I knew it was time to make our move. Early the next day we maneuvered the pick-up into position. My place had feet firmly planted on the ground gathering every ripe cherry I could reach or holding the bowl for harvest. Hubby climbed into the bed of the truck, regaled me with stories of youthful cherry picking at his grandmother’s house and picked from as many branches as he could pull down. I can’t be sure, but I think he was taste sampling for ripeness along the way!
In the nearby trees squirrels ran back and forth scolding us for taking what they thought was theirs. And then robins came and boldly stole the fruit above our heads. It was a good first picking with jelly and cobbler rewards and we are grateful for our abundant crop.
It is hard to know if there will be a second picking, the tree quivers and branches bow under the weight of other fruit loving creatures determined to share our bounty!
This warm spring brought the strawberries weeks early and we nearly missed them!
Since we don’t grow our own strawberries anymore, it was easy to miss the season of harvest. We had a rush to get the last of the crop for feasting and preserving!
I love making jams. Winter treats and gifts await!
It seems to happen. The ‘perfect’ posts, saved, go missing. Changes will need to be made on this end!
Today, I start to make up for some lost musings and offer garden updates. The hummingbirds have returned; I had forgotten how very tiny they are. The yard has been alive with bluebirds, cardinals, catbirds and wrens nesting about. And, I suppose the nuthatches, finches and tufted titmice that come to the feeders are nesting as well. Most stay hidden in the growing canopy, out of reach of the resident hawks.
With rain last week and again last night everything is lush, including the weeds! I enjoyed my early walk around.
I am making some progress in rearranging gardens. Last week a friend gifted me with new to me plants and Monday my sister brought daylilies and new perennial begonias. The begonias thrive for her and barely hang on by a leaf here. Perhaps these offerings will be happy here.
Mr. Toad seems to have safely migrated across the yard to forage under the hydrangeas. This time I was quiet.
This was first harvest and the garden is coming along. It was a bit hot so the spinach is beginning to run to seed but we are enjoying it along with the first peas and lettuces too.
I decided to work on a small bit of shade garden after realizing that ferns and hostas had been busy colonizing in my absence. I set about weeding, rearranging and mulching.
Suddenly I was surprised by sudden movement near my foot. The many years of country living have perfected my response – scream first – and then identify the intruder.
This time it was only toad, usually the unseen gardening partner. I finished and left him to his work.
I walked away feeling rather bad about screaming, it seemed to make him a bit glum.
Cleaning e-files, I found a devotional piece I wrote several years ago; just on the day I needed it!
The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land Song of Solomon 2:12 NKJV
The rising temperatures of spring bring bird song and light, changing the view to fresh green and bright color. Spring is a gift that lightens the spirit, lights the days and stirs us to brighten the world around us.
When I was very young, there was a great flurry of activity each spring. Windows were thrown open, rooms aired and cleaned. Draperies were changed, walls were washed and sometimes freshly painted, carpets were changed out and floors had the wax renewed. Everyone was energized, everything seemed light and fresh. Then finally the freshening of wardrobes with things outgrown discarded.
Housekeeping customs have changed in many ways and I am grateful! But there is still that inner stirring, a nesting instinct, to clean, clean out, throw open the windows and to make things fresh: in home, garden and wardrobe.
But while working on home and garden, I think about the need for an interior cleaning of a different kind. I find some dusty, actually rather grim and dirty attitudes lurking in corners of my soul; petty things that had loomed so large in the shadowy light of winter gloom. Now seen in the light, I find no use for them. It is time to really lighten up, cast off negative attitudes and sing a new song.
And I find myself praying – Lord, shine the light of Your Word into every corner of my soul. Help me to let go of old ideas and weed out grimy thoughts. Please do the necessary repairs on my weariness that I might have freshness. Blow through my attitudes changing and renewing my mind. Let me hear the singing birds and please, clean even my glasses that I might see beauty in the more colorful folks around me. Amen!
Some things don’t change and spring cleaning is still needed in me as well as around me. I’ll be pretty busy this spring!
