STILL

 Still

In the still of the night they came

as a hush lay over the land;

silently they’ll surprise, though not motionless,

causing more work tomorrow for many of us

and fun for some of you -

rather young or old, it’s true.

They came fluttering,

a silent spiraling,

orbiting round and round

then lay still on the ground

silent, their journey ending,

though employment is pending.

A frozen orb caused this fuss,

though it creates a hush,

in the meadows and woodlands,

the countryside, towns, and lawns

as it falls silent and still

while stirring up a chill.

Silent, yet sparkling, yes effervescent, before becoming still,

then children in multi-colored snowsuits and mittens spill

dispelling the quiet born

from these orbs cold and frozen.

Laughter fills the air

from children playing there.

The stillness of the landscape becomes tracked

as snowmen appear from snowballs packed.

These snowmen, still, like guards

made from snow packed hard

survey the snowflakes that descend

from someplace up in the heavens.

Other people get out the shovels,

or noisy snowplows and blowers,

interrupting the still silence

as they seek to keep their balance,

though they might not giggle and laugh

as they work at scooping out a path.

However you view

this cold, still view

a photograph – a still,

will freeze this moment, it will,

of snowflakes falling...

still, silent, calming.

And still they come with a certain solace

as they flutter down from outer space

a serene,

tranquil scene,

silent and still now,

though cold – and how.

Still...they lie after their journey,

still...they come every January,

still...the hush heard in February,

still...to some quite contrary.

Now lying still...

through tomorrow...still.

* * * * *

Our lives are rarely still.

We tend to make ourselves ill

with busyness from sunup to sundown

all around our homes and even around town.

Ill as in physically drained

or even emotionally drained

for we take care of everything,

but sometimes forfeit one thing.

That one thing is time with the Lord.

Where we should go to be safely moored.

Where peace is found despite difficulties.

When God enables with grace, plenty.

God desires that we learn to be still.

To hear from Him we need to be still

for God speaks to us in a still, small voice

which surely gives us reason to rejoice.

His voice gives us comfort and hope,

gives us direction when we can’t cope,

brings us peace in the midst of our troubles,

making our impossible possible.

Be still and know that God is the Lord

who longs to carry your heavy load.

Don’t make yourself ill.

Learn tranquility and be still.

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

...a still, small voice...

Then a voice said...”What are you doing...”?

I Kings 19:12 (KJV/NIV)

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you...

Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

My grace is sufficient for you.

II Corinthians 12:9

Cast all your anxiety on him,

for he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

Here’s a short devotional I wrote in 2019 which goes along with I Peter 5:7:

In reading a devotional today, it emphasized how we tend to control our circumstances by coming up with possible solutions in our mind to the problems we’re facing instead of first going to God with our heartache. This devotional did not state “casting your cares” as an example, but that verse came to mind. My note to myself: GIVE TO GOD WHAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN!

And was reminded of Matthew 6 where Jesus states: Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? YES, you are much more valuable than you realize! God already has the solution to your situation. As God provides for the birds daily, He will also provide for you, who is His beloved. GIVE TO GOD WHAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN.

Giving your heartache to God, versus stewing over possible human solutions, may just provide an answer from God sooner vs later. Though if the answer comes later, God intended to use that period of waiting to grow your faith and trust. GIVE TO GOD WHAT WEIGHS YOU DOWN.

Cheerio-o-o (which means Godspeed).

It sounds to me that papa signs Cheerio-o-o.

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

WOVEN

 

WOVEN

Mama cardinal with her orange beak

hunting for dried grasses she now seeks

to weave together into a nest

where one day brown speckled eggs will rest.

Behind the trumpet vine

is where you can now find

the nest being woven

started early one morn.

She’s a master at designing.

She’s heard singing while she’s weaving.

With grasses her home is knit

as she sings out chit-chit-chit.

She does weave expertly

and waits expectantly

for she knows what’s ahead.

Her husband is bright red.

One egg was laid sometime Thursday.

Another one spotted Friday.

Still another egg seen on Saturday.

Brown speckled in the woven grass and hay.

Mama cardinal sits on the woven nest

while red plumed papa cardinal seems to rest

in the nearby lilac bush.

I can see his feathered tush.

A surprise today – another egg was seen.

Mama now returns where she sits like a queen.

It seems the woven nest is too small

for these four brown-speckled eggs so small.

As she wove the grasses together

her life is being woven for her

for she’ll have four offspring

to raise for two weeks this spring.

I wonder if she’s excited to be a mama?

Does she talk about it with her offspring’s papa?

He’s always someplace nearby

when you look up toward the sky…

sometimes in the budding lilacs, sometimes seen on the fence,

sometimes in the weeping cherry if I happen to glance.

Sometimes I can hear him sing “cheerio-o-o”

for encouragement to his wife he often shows.

Out the back door I now go.

There mama cardinal goes.

Chit-chit-chit can be heard

calling for papa bird.

Here comes red papa

talking to mama.

Cheerio-o-o.

Cheerio-o-o.

Chit-chit-chit

mama chats.

Cheerio-o-o.

papa sings out low.

I can hardly wait to see

the baby cardinals wee.

Just 12 more days it will take

to see their most ugly face.

They’ll be all beak and no feathers.

Only a parent's love could mother

these somewhat ugly mugs

ready for a parent’s hug.

These babies lives are being woven as they are taught to give

when their parents teach them the essentials of how to live -

to wake up early with a glad song in their heart

so humans can begin their day with a fresh start.

* * * * *

In the Old Testament Bible story of old

we read about an upright man named Job.

Satan planned to trick blameless Job

into abandoning his faith, we're told.

You see Job’s life was being woven together

by God who does have a good plan and purpose for

each and every problem in this lifetime we face

for our life is woven together by God’s grace.

The Master Designer has a good plan

for every human – each man and woman.

He knits our life together

with happiness - and troubles.

It’s in troubles we learn to depend

on our God who will be there to fend.

We learn God will be always faithful

as He bestows blessings by the handful.

Not only will we learn patience through our difficulties,

we learn about God’s everlasting love, joy, and peace.

We learn to be kind, good, faithful, gentle and

we learn needed self-control – all God’s good plan.

In the New Testament Jesus told (Simon) Peter

that Satan asked permission to sift him as wheat.

Just as with Job, God had a greater purpose for Peter.

God knew that difficulties would one day hone Peter's faith.

We read about God’s greater purpose in I and II Peter

where Peter encourages us in our trials and troubles.

Peter was given a greater portion of God’s grace

to deal with the many difficulties he would face.

God has a good plan and purpose for us in weaving together

what might be construed as buffeting from Satan, the deceiver.

As with Job and with Peter, God is refining us to come forth as gold

so that we will give God the glory and end up with a testimony bold.

Your life, too, is now being woven

by the Master Designer.

Listen to these words God has spoken

(He’s the polisher and refiner):

God is for you and with you

and will never leave you.

God has a solution for your problems

but first you must give them over to Him.

You are not meant to bear your burdens alone

for burdens will leave you weary and worn.

Learn to view your burdens as unrecognized blessings

for burdens should bring us to God instead of stressing.

And that’s exactly where the blessing lies –

when we seek God first He will surprise

with peace and joy for our life -

a life lived without strife.

What was sent from Satan as stressing

will end up turned into a blessing.

When up against a brick wall,

or when you feel you might fall,

when life seems null,

learn to view all

your disappointments,

and appointments

as God’s weaving -

it will end up pleasing

for God has a good plan and purpose,

one which spoils Satan’s ruse.

Try not to dwell on the here and now.

Look beyond to the end for somehow,

in God's time, He has a purpose for us

that can only be born out of trust.

Our troubles will weave for us

faith believing, which is a must.

Faith is meant to be active,

not ever to be passive.

Faith will grow as we daily trust

in God who has a good plan for us.

Believe and give God glory

for you are writing God's story.

Others will see

your faith and believe.

Your troubles

then have purpose.

God will abundantly bless you

for giving Him glory too.

The fruit of the Spirit is

love, joy, peace,

patience, kindness,

goodness, faithfulness,

gentleness and self-control.

Galatians 5:22-23

Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.

But I have prayed for you, Simon,

that your faith may not fail.

And when you have turned back,

strengthen your brothers.

Luke 22:31-32

He knows the way that I take;

when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job 23:10

Never will I leave you;

never will I forsake you.

Hebrews 13:5

Cast all your anxiety on him

because he cares for you.

I Peter 5:7

I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me,

and I will listen to you.

You will seek me and find me

when you seek me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

 

Dandelions

Yesterday yellow sunshines decorated the grass,

though most all of my neighbors think they are truly crass

for they try killing them with everything available, as if they could,

causing allergy problems and air pollution in my neighborhood.

Today the grass is full of parachuted blow balls,*

yellow sunshines gone to seed which the wind sprawled,

making a zillion times a zillion more seeds

which in turn populate my yard each year with weeds.

Not only in the yard, but also in flower gardens.

These blow balls are not discriminating, beg pardon.

No matter which direction you look,

next year dandelion blossoms will poke.

The ones in the vegetable garden are the largest.**

I dug out today before my brother, who’s eldest,

comes to plow the garden this year.

He likes to have the plot cleared.

I am reminded of my grandmother

who liked dandelion greens for dinner.

It may have been her secret to long years

as she almost made it to 101 years.

You can order dandelions for dinner

if you happen to visit Lancaster.

You could also order seeds to plant,

but I won’t be doing that?

Today I broke the dandelion digger

as I weeded out dandelions, go figure,

for underneath the sod

are stones which make work hard.

Doesn’t it seem quite ironic, though,

that seeing the first dandelion blo

is a most welcome sign each spring.

Do you find yourself thinking the same thing?

*A blow ball is the downy, fluffy seed head that forms after a dandelion blooms. The scientific term for the structure of the blow ball is "pappus." (Copied) It does bring a smile to my face to watch children blow dandelion blow balls. Do they realize they are planting seeds?

** The vegetable garden’s soil is the richest, most fortified with organic materials. I use dried leaves which provide the same nutrients as 10-10-10, plus other essential minerals. Egg shells (calcium) and Epsom salts (magnesium) fill the tomato patch row.

* * * * *

For every negative

there’s a positive.

Though some consider dandelions unsightly,

dandelions are also very healthy.

They’re full of vitamins and minerals

to keep one quite healthy and feeling well.

Dandelions also aerate the soil

which supplies calcium to enrich the soil.

Honeybees seek out dandelions for nectar.

Please don’t poison their food ambrosia.*

Regarding honeybee food, plant crocus’

to entice these welcome visitors to forage.

* Another word for ambrosia is “bee bread”

explained as honey or pollen used as food by bees.

Hope you learned something new too!

For every upside

there’s a downside.

Upsides are right choices.

Downsides are poor choices.

The right decision leads to joy and peace.

The opposite to discord or unease.

Choose blessings

vs. cursing.

Choose what’s beneficial

vs. what’s superficial.

Choose life

vs. death.

Death will eat away like a canker

as poor choices often hamper.

One’s happiness is tempered,

sometimes shown with a temper.

Heartache overcomes joy

as wrong decisions destroy.

Choosing life will satisfy

as God will daily supply

with blessings from on high

for God loves to multiply.

Seek what God desires.

Blessings will transpire.

I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse –

the blessing if you obey the commands of the Lord your God

that I am giving you today;

the curse if you disobey the commands of the Lord your God

and turn from the way that I command you today.

Deuteronomy 11:26-28

I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses.

Now choose life, so that you...may live

and that you may love the Lord your God,

listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him.

For the Lord is your life...

Deuteronomy 30:19-20

I will bless them.

I will send down showers in season;

there will be showers of blessing.

The trees of the field will yield their fruit

and the ground will yield its crops;

the people will be secure in their land.

They will know that I am the Lord...

Ezekiel 34:26

For more on bees, copied from Google: The Bible mentions bees as symbols of God's provision (honey in the "land flowing with milk and honey").

Honey was a staple when I was a child as my parents had hives, or supers, for honey bees. Mom made homemade yeast bread weekly turning one loaf into “monkey bread” sticky with honey. Honey was used to sooth a cough. Most of the (hive) frames were spun in jars, other frames were boxed into honeycomb. I remember Dad ate honeycomb. Just looked up benefits of honeycomb:

Honeycomb is a source of essential vitamins, including vitamin B, crucial for gut health. Raw honey in honeycomb acts as a powerful pre-biotic, feeding the gut microbiome and improving nutrient absorption. Additionally, the fiber content in honeycomb aids in digestion and helps regulate bowel movements. (Copied) My great Uncle David ate honeycomb before bed.

Be on the lookout for local honey: Buying local honey supports your community's economy and beekeepers, offers a fresher, more flavorful product unique to your region's flora, and may help with seasonal allergies by exposing you to local pollen, all while having a lower environmental impact than mass-produced, imported honey. It's often raw and unfiltered, retaining more natural enzymes, vitamins, and minerals lost in commercial processing. (Copied)

Life Is a Garden Party

is available via Amazon.

 

January Saturday

Haven’t seen the sun in a while.

Seeing it today brings a smile

which causes yesterday’s snowfall to glisten

this morning as daybreak has risen

over the hill

where sunlight spills.

The snow sparkles

like a twinkle

as the sun shines upon

this fluffy white down,

though too cold to be out and about.

The sun, though, erases any pout.

The sky is blue today,

instead of laden gray,

as the bright sun shines

upon the evergreen pines

where cold snow drapes

and decorates.

Today a bird chirps a melody.

It’s a cardinal in the magnolia tree.

Like the sun, it too was missed

this month after Christmas.

Just three weeks ago Christmas was

as time quickly ticks away, it does.

Soon the sun will be overhead.

It will be noontime instead

for the morning has quickly passed

for, you see, time doesn’t last

and neither will the sun.

Soon it will be gone.

Soon it will slip down over the western hill

where a sunset may beautifully thrill

in pink and rose and orange hues -

a breathtaking view.

Be sure to enjoy one late winter afternoon

for the earth will continue on its axis soon.

* * * * *

Jesus said, “Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Yet each day also has many delights for us to own.

Take a minute right now to enjoy

whatever it is that brings you joy.

Don’t concentrate on what bothers,

but focus on then savor

something that brings delight:

like sunshine shining bright...

or the cold, sparkling snow,

or the grass beneath your toes,

the rainbow after the summer storm,

or talking to a loved one on the phone.

In truth, there are more delights to be had

than troubles that might make you feel bad.

Don’t be sad.

Be glad.

There’s much to be thankful for.

God has many good things in store.

Start today. Learn to look,

then write your blessings in a book.

A diary of God’s many blessings,

instead of daily worry and stressing,

will change your countenance and outlook.

You’ll be smiling. Now go look.

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow

for tomorrow will worry about itself.

Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

Matthew 6:34

An anxious heart weighs a man down,

but a kind word cheers him up.

Proverbs 12:25

God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Ecclesiastes 5:20

Rejoice in everything you have put your hand to,

because the Lord your God has blessed you.

Deuteronomy 12:7

Story from Life Is a Garden Party, Vol VI

available Spring 2026.