Arbors To Craft, Kiwis To Plant,Doves To Enjoy

One of my favorite places at the front of our home is the dovecote ( structure in the left of the photo) my husband built me that is home to some of my white ring-neck doves. I also have 3 white bantam cochins living in it. My husband has been busy re-landscaping this area because the ice storm this past winter destroyed some of the trees and bushes here.

To the left of the dovecote is an arbor my husband is building , part of a landscape design my daughter's husband drew up for us and also helped begin.( Our beloved son-in-law Thomas is very talented in this).

This arbor has kiwi planted on either side. This is a very sunny area and the kiwi will grow quickly , hopefully giving us shade and fruit.We will be putting a swing under the arbor. This arbor looks out over the lawn and the pond. My husband is not finished with the arbor yet, and has already begun another arbor that will be close to this one, as a grape-vine covered an entrance to the red gravel area in the top picture.The little building in the background is my husband's honey-house.

Having the doves so close to the house and also an outdoor eating area is very soothing and also fun to watch. My husband and I often eat our dinner together in this area when the weather permits, and we have also put a small fountain pond in this area where we watch the goldfish as we listen to the water gurgle and the doves coo and laugh.

 This is to the right of the dove cote,the closed red umbrella is shown open in one of the photos above. This photo was taken a few weeks after the first photos, the rhododendrons blossomed 2 weeks ago and are still loaded with blooms.

Here is my view of the dove cote from one side of the front porch. When the arbor is done ( soon) I will be able to see it too. Even better, when the grapes & kiwis grow up and over the arbors, there will be shade, a welcome respite from the hot summer sun . I will add more posts showing the project as my husband finishes it, he has a lot of projects though. He plants and tends the vegetable gardens, keeps the bees,and along with his  full time job , it is important we actually DO sit down together and enjoy the peaceful garden rooms and areas we have created."As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field,so he flourishes. When the wind passes over it , it is no more; and its place acknowledges it no longer.But the lovingkindness of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him." Psalm 103:15-17

For A Few Pounds Of Sugar

Here are three of my husband's four bee-hives.The jars in front of each hive are full of sugar water to feed the bees and help get them through the wet, cold days of our spring weather which does not provide enough nectar & pollen for new hives.The close-up shows the feeder jar. You can see how the bottom of the jar slides into the hive allowing the bees access from inside the hive.My husband has been keeping these feeders full, so the bees have no lack, plus, the flowers, trees, grasses and weeds are blooming.

Now, take a look here.In front of the picture window.

We have two HUMMINGBIRD feeders there, but the hummingbirds have to zip through the honeybees to drink the sugar water we put out for them.

The hummingbirds also compete with yellow jackets, hornets, and ants.

 I sure hope we have a bounty of honey this year,  given the honey bee take-over of the hummingbird feeders.I wish I could have captured on my camera the sight of the hummingbirds weaving around the honeybees, and one hummingbird even seemed to be doing a face to face mirror dance with a bee. There are so many little dramas & comedies going on around here all at one time.How could I ever get bored with so much entertainment? This little bit of comedy is to be had for only the price of a few pounds of sugar.

They Too Loved the Sun & Rain

These 4 little boys enjoyed playing soldiers in our woods , not too many years ago.The two boys on the left are my nephews, both are now men married with children of their own and serving in the ministry of our Lord . The 2 boys on the right are our sons, they strive to serve Jesus too, but not in any paid positions..The tallest boy is our oldest son who served in the U.S.M.C. for 11 years doing 2 tours of duty in Iraq , one as a tank commander.All 4 boys loved a Grandpa who served in the U.S. Army in Korea and Vietnam, and our nephews' mother ( my baby sister) served in the U.S. Navy ,and their father was a Sea Bee. The two boys on the left also have a sister who serves in the U.S.Navy and now their youngest brother serves there too..Our sons' other Grandpa served in the U.S. Navy during WWII. Fortunately, our son came home alive, as did my father, father-in-law, and our nephew's father.So many did not.

Our son and my father lost many friends and brothers in arms.I know I cannot truly understand the loss of someone you fought along -side and may have seen die,or cradled them in your arms as life left them, but I do know this is  life-changing ,something  you can never forget.Even pondering this breaks my heart. Little boys emulating soldiers, so soon becoming warriors, and life changes for them in an instant.What I do know is the men and women I have talked to joined the military branch of their choice because they really felt called to serve their country and I know our son and my father were willing to give their lives for their country, believing their country was worth their sacrifice.Having a few friends and acquaintances who would mockingly belittle such noble ideals , and seeing the news make light of the ideals so many in the history of our country knowingly and willingly sacrificed their lives for, causes me to praise God for those who will stand for their ideals, for our country,and in so doing are not mocking the people they sacrifice for.So unlike what I see in those who voice their views against the ideals of our founding fathers, against those who stand and die for freedom, and for a country that has stood firm for those seeking these ideals..until this time in history.

I am thankful , unabashedly, for the American ideals of freedom for all, but wonder why this freedom is being squashed in the idiocy of being politically correct , and why we will censor truth so as not to offend those who would gladly terminate us for this freedom?Why we are so willing to eliminate or censor any celebrations deeming themselves "Christian" but embrace any and all honoring  those who are anti-American and anti-Christian ? What does this say to our youth, and what will this bring about in the near future as the children we raised in such idiocy become our leaders and the enforcers of politically correct ideals?

I wonder about this as I ponder the Christians of Nazi Germany,you know, so cool, so new, so...against the Jews and those who would support or defend them? So much like what I see now. How did I get to this ,here, in this post? Well, the loved ones I know who have served in the military fought for the ideals our country seems to have left behind in the pursuit of a new message, one that seems to mock, berate, and show shame for ideals that many, many thousands in our history DID die for.Shame on us, but most sad of all, it seems the shed blood of our countrymen cries out for the loss.So many good and righteous men and women buried , having died far away from home and loved ones, so the youth of our country can mock them, vandalize their cities, and give up rights won at great cost to show themselves to be "cool" and follow current media idols.

Happily, all 4 of these boys have grown up to be Godly men.They miss their Grandpa ( my father), a veteran who died when they were young.My father loved us, he loved this country. He would not understand those who take our liberty so lightly and are quick to mock this country, and apologize to the world for who we are.I appreciate him and what he stood for more and more and am thankful our sons and nephews do too.

It seems to me , honoring veterans of our wars is best done by remembering what they gave their lives for, and that is our country, their fellow brothers-in-arms, their families.Many felt they were honoring God in serving....mocking and belittling them, their families, our country , seem small , petty,and mean.

Take some time to reflect on the military men and women you know or are related to . Thank them. Remember those who fought and died in military service in this country. It is a small and quick thing to do for those who lost their lives and cannot enjoy this holiday weekend you are looking forward to, but I suspect, they would not begrudge you this. The freedom to celebrate any and all occasions with those you love in a country proclaiming freedom is what they signed up to fight for!

"For love of country they accepted death."James Garfield
"We who are left how shall we look again Happily in the sun or feel the rain ,Without remembering how they who went ungrudging and spent their lives for us loved , too, the sun and the rain?"Wilfred Wilson Gibson
 "Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal.." headstone in Ireland

"The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem." Aaron Kilbourn

Hawk & Blizzard

Blizzard our Siamese cat enjoyed a day in the sun.

Blizzard wears a harness and leash because we have lost too many beloved cats to predators, and we also do not like our cats to eat the many wild birds we feed.

Blizzard enjoyed chasing bugs & butterflies, bees and ...

...ducks!

But the most fun of all was stalking, attacking, and wrestling our dog Hawk, a willing participant in their never-ending games, most often played indoors on Hawk's pillow in front of the t.v.

O.K. Rest time in the shade, the games will continue later on tonight,indoors.

Blizzard keeps watch on Hawk, and stalks him all day, attacks Hawk whenever he can grab him, and when the two of them are exhausted, they fall asleep together on Hawk's pillow. I think they are pretty evenly matched, but most often Blizzard shows himself the winner of their friendly wrestling matches.I think Hawk allows this because he loves having a furry companion to cuddle and claim as his own. Whatever brings them together and binds their friendship, they are fun to watch !

From The Porch ~The Chipmunk

Do you see her? This little chipmunk is hanging out with the concrete bunny in front of our porch.

She seemed to like having her picture taken,

Such tiny perfection, such glossy fur, such bright eyes, such delicate little fingers ( paws?) She is busy though, there are seeds to be eaten and gathered, and I think she has young ones waiting for her in some cozy , safe haven hidden from the cats and any other predators looking for little chipmunk snacks.She is so bold and fearless though. I hope she stays safe , she is a sight to enjoy from the porch.

Springing With Joy ~Lambs

Lambs are the perfect illustration of the word 'spring'."Spring: to leap, bound...to spurt; dart;shoot." Webster's

 I am not sure which lamb starts the little flock of lambs going, but in the early evenings, especially if it is a sunny evening, one lamb seems to give a certain look, then without warning, a whole group of lambs begins to run, leap, circle and spring, seemingly, with great joy, into the air, twisting mid-air to face the opposite direction,  land, and begin again, over and over.There is no T.V. show that can compete with this, and I love to sip a cup of good coffee as I watch my lambs play their lamb games.

 Sometimes the yearlings get into the game too, and to see a larger sheep jumping into the air, and leaping off logs to run around with the lambs is truly a delight, but I do have to laugh at the larger and older lambs as they jiggle as they run. Kind of like older ladies having fun with their young'uns, jiggling and laughing for the sheer joy of life."Joy:state of happiness, bliss." Websters Dictionary. I don't know about you,but in spite of so-called modern "wisdom" , I think animals do experience joy and happiness, just watch my lambs, baby bunnies,goat kids,puppies, foals,well...you get the picture."Shout joyfully to God, all the earth; Sing the glory of His name; Make His praise glorious." Psalm 66:1

Simply Thankful

Our first-born, our daughter, and me. Her birth made me a mother , and for that precious gift I am thankful.She is now married and  a mother with 4 children of her own.

Our 2 sons ( shown with me ) were born very soon after our daughter and I can honestly say the years I spent at home raising our children were some of the very best years of my life. Don't get me wrong, I am still enjoying life and consider these years wonderful too, but I thoroughly enjoyed being with my children in all stages of their lives, and still do. The amazing thing is I am enjoying their children too !

I don't have anything witty & wise to say this year about Mother's Day because I feel simply thankful. This year it will be a quiet day, and that is very nice. My children have their own children to celebrate the occasion with them, but they have remembered to call me. I am fortunate to be able to be with my children and grandchildren frequently and have a lot of fun with them. But today I will enjoy my front porch. I will leisurely sip coffee as I sit in the rocking chair, watching the birds and my lambs.My husband & I will read the Sunday paper together, and later barbecue some chicken.I also plan on working around our pond, because I like doing that. I will think of my children and their children, I will pray for them all. ( How can I not?) I will again praise God for allowing me the privilege of being a mother and a grandmother, something never to take for granted.I am thankful that today I know my children are all healthy and safe, as are my grandchildren. I am thankful to know that my children & their spouses call Jesus their Savior, that the 7 oldest grandchildren do too. What else can possibly be better than that except for the youngest grandchild to come to Him too? "This is the day that the Lord has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24