The Woodpecker Tree

Since it’s April for a few more days,

and April is poetry month,

I’d thought it would be fun to share these pictures

and the little ditty that goes along with them.

There’s a good sized Ailanthus tree that’s dying

below our house in “Grandpa’s” backyard.

The Pileated Woodpeckers are showing off

their skills at its base.

The amount and size of chips would make

you think a beaver had been there.

Amazing! 

Grandpa has made up a little sing-song,

and the grandkids all like to sing along.

“Woodpecker pecking on the Woodpecker Tree,

Don’t come pecking on Grandpa and me!”

Andrew loves his Grandpa.

I’m so glad the two of them can spend time together.

Family is such a blessing.

“Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past.

Ask your father and he will tell you,

your elders, and they will explain to you.”

Deuteronomy 32:7

Up Into the Cherry Tree

Foreign Lands

From A Child’s Garden of Verses

By Robert Lewis Stevenson

Up into the cherry tree
Who should climb but little me?
I held the trunk with both my hands
And looked abroad in foreign lands.

I saw the next door garden lie,
Adorned with flowers, before my eye,
And many pleasant places more
That I had never seen before.

I saw the dimpling river pass
And be the sky’s blue looking-glass;
The dusty roads go up and down
With people tramping in to town.

If I could find a higher tree
Farther and farther I should see,
To where the grown-up river slips
Into the sea among the ships,

To where the roads on either hand
Lead onward into fairy land,
Where all the children dine at five,
And all the playthings come alive.

Do not be anxious about anything, 

but in everything by prayer and supplication

 with thanksgiving 

let your requests be made known to God.

Philipians 4:6

Creedon Turns One!

Here is Creedon.  He’s my only nephew.

I soak up his cuddly boyishness every chance I get!

Most people only see his more serious side,

but when he’s comfortable his goofiness comes out.

When he smiles with those clear blue eyes you can’t help but melt!

We took these pictures in Grandpa’s cabbage patch.

It was one of Creed’s more serious days,

and no matter what we did, he wouldn’t crack a smile.

But he’s cute anyway!

 Last week Creed turned One.

When you have your First Birthday…

You play with your excitable cousin, Shayla,

(These two are such opposites!)…

 And cuddle with your Grammy

while the ladies get the food ready.

 Your Mamma has made a sweet whale cake because she’s super cool…

 And since your sister’s birthday was last week she gets a jellyfish cake.

(It’s princessy looking because she really likes that kind of thing.)

Your biggest sister discusses lose teeth with your cousin…

 Your Daddy helps you blow out your candle…

And then they let you TOUCH the cake! 

 It is nice.

 Then Mamma hauls you off to look in the bathroom mirror… 

 And washes you clean.

 Grandpa serves the chocolate whale cake 

to all the uncles and aunties and cousins.

 Then it’s time for presents!

 You get lots of TRUCKS!!!

I love you little Creed and am so happy to be your auntie! 
I pray you will grow into a passionate man of God.

"My son, if your heart is wise,

then my heart will be glad indeed;

my inmost being will rejoice

when your lips speak what is right.

Do not let your heart envy sinners,

but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.

There is surely a future hope for you,

and your hope will not be cut off."

Proverbs 23:15-18

The Value of Play

You know the little reminder boxes that pop up on your computer? 

The ones where you always hit “remind me later”

because you don’t want to read all that stuff? 

That’s what I’m doing now. 

The “School is Almost Here” notification keeps popping up in my brain,

and I hit “remind me later” just as fast as I can.  

Our homeschool starts in three weeks,

but until then I will savor freedom of summer.

What I see from the back door window.

I let the girls play with the past-their-prime garden vegetables,
and they think I gave them the moon! 

Can't you just feel the glorious squish?!

I could almost eat this.  Other than there's a lot of "pepper".

At the beginning of this year’s summer vacation

 I was a little concerned that the “I’m bored” bug might hit. 

The concern wasn’t necessary. 

Play has kept the boredom away.

A grocery store sprung up in our living room.

 I love to see the incredible creativity of children at play. 

And as the hours of school approach

I don’t want to see the time for play disappear,

even though I know it will lessen.  

 I love school.  I love the learning. 

I love the requirements of discipline and hard work. 

I love this thing of learning to keep on going even when it’s drudgery.

This is preparation for life in the real world.

But…  

A mind too full of work and responsibility has no room for creativity.

It’s in the unstructured times that ideas blossom. 

New things are tried.  Failure is bound to happen. 

Fresh attempts are made with a different technique.

These play times are also important preparation for life in the real world. 

Flower lady in her lovely ballgown.

The mamma helped with this play!

 “Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant,

and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well.

 Then youth will bring few regrets, and life will become a beautiful success.”

 -- Lousia May Alcott,  Little Women

My native maidens.

 “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God,

and he will give it to you.

He will not rebuke you for asking.”

James 1:5

It’s the Season for…

It’s the season for…

Toughening up the tender white winter feet again…

 And Swinging.

 It’s the season for…

Loosening up the soil…

 And planting seeds – some indoors

and some out.

It’s the season for…

Sunshine so warm that puzzles

should be done outside…

And postponing housework

until two weeks of laundry

absolutely cannot be ignored any longer!

 It’s the season for…

The daffodils to dance in the breezes again…

And wondering when I’ll find time

to sew spring things…

 And tasting a few tidbits of green things

from the garden.

 It’s the season for…

Wishing I didn’t have such bad allergies

and could turn this into and arrangement…

 And the first ride of the year.

 It’s the season for…

Bouquets picked by little girls

(which had to live at Grammy’s house not ours)…

 And finding the flowers, jackets,

and such forgotten for better things!

 It’s the season for…

Buds opening wide…

 And joy for simple things of life.

Oh, that we might know the LORD! 

Let us press on to know him. 

He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn 

or the coming of rains in early spring."

Hosea 6:3