On My Birthday

(Cranberry Viburnum blossom)

(A Mudpie cake the children made)






You've asked, Did I have a nice birthday?
And what did I do ?
Well, on my birthday I sat in the sun, a cup of coffee in both hands, and watched my husband hang laundry on the clothesline he just built. On my birthday I planted a tree, and bought three. On my birthday I sat by the river and ate ice cream with my children and sweet man. On my birthday I played Bocce on the lawn, in the evening, with my children and their ever loving father who is my dearest friend. On my birthday I accepted love and believed every kind word I heard and didn't fret over the ones that don't love me. On my birthday I walked in beauty, listened for the beauty, created the beauty, and appreciated the beauty. On my birthday the tone was set for the rest of my year, hopefully!!!

I made some wishes before I blew out the candles.....
And now I am waiting for Him to exceed my expectations!!!


For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:14-21


(Two London Plane trees and a Pear tree waiting to call our backyard home)

(My garden in May, full of hopes)


(My clothesline)

Thanks for asking :)

And then there was rhubarb!!!

And then there was rhubarb! Watch it grow!
The biggest and best, putting on quite a show.

All the other garden plants are tiny, weak, and frail.
Not like this great, fearsomish, huge perennial.

I've never eaten rhubarb, poisonous and tart.
Was she raised in a bubble? Or is this girl just too smart?

Nah, I think I'll try it. Sounds like just the treat
For my birthday diet Rhubarb pie I think I'll eat!!

Certainly Coping

The light breaks through, the day is young
The children are sweet, the man is gone
Gone to work to feed and clothe
The hungry mouths, the little souls
Gone to work to bear the load
To carry on through heat and cold

Here I sit, pondering still
The meaning of life, God's purpose and will
All good things with some coffee or tea
All good things for a girl like me
But plants want their moistened sod, and dishes want their soap
The laundry wants its day in the sun, and I will certainly cope

On Purpose

Our Momma duck hatched 14 babies on Saturday. I suppose the hatching of ducks has happened millions, perhaps billions of times before. The mother duck leads a very uneventful life for about a month... sitting...sitting...sitting...sitting...sitting... her man waits patiently nearby, entirely devoted to her and the cause, and then one day they move to the next phase. I wonder about the instincts of animals, do they ever question their calling? Does a momma duck ever say, "Is this really what the Creator wants me to be doing?" Does the pappa duck ever say, "You know what, I don't have time for this, there are more important things I could be doing, she doesn't need me here to hatch those eggs." In the grand scheme of things what's a few more ducks? Surely there are more important things to be doing than hatching such vulnerable, humble creatures. The circumstances aren't even ideal for ducks here. But he doesn't leave, and she doesn't ask, she just trusts the calling placed in her breast at the dawn of time, and she sits, and she waits, and she nurtures, and she protects.... "He has showed you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8) "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." (Romans 8:28) What purpose has He called me to?
Loving the Lord, my God; loving my neighbor as myself; forgive trespasses as I would want to be forgiven; and specifically.... being nurturing and devoted to the cause my instincts dictate... my husband, my children, my home, my heartstrings tug when God is calling me to His purpose, and right now I believe I am in the center of His will for my life. I am not perfect, but His will is, and He is teaching me the lessons needed to do His will, I don't always get things right, but He is merciful and patient if we are humble and soft hearted, and I believe that all things will work out for good. But I must remember...

Isaiah 55:8-9 (King James Version)

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God Moves in Mysterious Ways - lyrics by Cowper.

God moves in a mysterious way
his wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
and rides upon the storm.

Deep in unfathomable mines
of never failing skill,
He treasures up his bright designs
and works his sovereign will.

You fearful saints, fresh courage take;
the clouds you so much dread
Are big with mercy and shall break
in blessings on your head.

His purposes will ripen fast,
unfolding every hour;
The bud may have a bitter taste,
but sweet will be the flower.

Blind unbelief is sure to err
and scan his work in vain:
God is his own interpreter,
and he will make it plain.