“The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice; he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him. Let your father and mother be glad; let her who bore you rejoice. My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.”
Proverbs 23:24-26 ESV
Summer and Father’s Day have arrived in style and here are a few bright faces to greet you. Take a look and see if you see the “happy face” that a couple of bees helped to create while they were sipping a little early morning nectar-delight among the sunny flowers!
A pop up shower passed through downtown in the late afternoon while I was attempting to get a workout in at the gym. Upon leaving, I spotted a partial, but bright rainbow. By the time I could travel to a decent spot for a view, the sky had mostly cleared, but surprisingly a faint remnant was still visible.
The grands love to sketch and draw. They have sketch books at our house and will sit and draw for hours. It is a fun thing, but at the same time we use it for teaching and learning things together. I guess WL knew I didn’t get a good view of a full rainbow, so he made one for us. We researched the order of the colors and other facts about rainbows. And of course, we discussed the story of Noah and God’s purpose and promise, which is the only true significance of His first rainbow, and all those since the flood!
This made me come to the conclusion that we should have photos of just the two of us made a bit more often. I had to go back to a day in January where we did some cold riding along the trails to get a little time together before my knee surgery!
If there had been a “National Best Father Award” given for his generation, Pawpaw (Pam’s Dad) would have been the clear winner. Pam certainly misses him, as we all do, but his love, legacy, influence, character, and faithfulness lives on and through the many he touched! Having a Father of his kind, and for 94 years, is a treasure and unspeakable blessing that not everyone gets to experience…truly thankful!
“The righteous who walks in his integrity— blessed are his children after him!”
Proverbs 20:7 ESV
We had an unusual last week of spring, cooler than normal with skies that dazzled us every day. No two skies have ever been or ever will be exactly alike. Like people and snowflakes, and most everything else if you think about it. This is my Father’s world!
It’s not that the entire sunflower garden decided to turn its back on me, but they are inclined to face east, awaiting the next sunrise. They, by their very nature, stand gazing in anticipation of the next coming of the sun. This should give me something to consider!
The waxing crescent was so faint and the tiniest slither Wednesday before sunset. I call crescents “fingernail” moons. A closer look through my long lens revealed the moon appeared to be enjoying a nearby companion. The neighbor was Venus. Appearance can be deceiving and perhaps “nearby” is not exactly accurate since the two are roughly 106 million miles apart.
Crocosmia in bloom, a hiding place, and patience is the key for the hummingbird experience. I watched as it appeared that a male was chasing her earlier and she thought him to be aggravating. They don’t sit still very long, but I imagine she was tired. He wasn’t giving up however…
…because he decided to briefly join her at the crocosmia about two feet away. Sensing her frustration he left quickly, barely giving me time to make a photo. The little birds have been hard to capture this year. I could put up a feeder and make it easier but I choose to try and catch them on the flowers.
I was able to get a photo of a male hummer yesterday and wanted to show how much difference the lighting makes in how we see the ruby throat. Facing me, and with a bit of filtered sunlight, it is easier to understand the species being called a ruby-throated hummingbird.
Pam probably wishes I wouldn’t show off her zinnias, but wait and let her do that in a post. I couldn’t help but take out my phone and get one pic as I walked up the driveway after my 3.5 mile trip out on the trail…a tiny bit of jogging (don’t tell) but mostly a brisk walk!
Crows have invaded our lawn and even the garden. I remember when crows were so cautious that it was very hard to get close to one. And, they can see so well. They would take flight or detour way around you. I’m not certain that “scarecrows” even work very well these days. One year I placed one in the garden near the blueberries, and it seemed the crows and other birds used it for a perch. This crow (I named him Edgar Allan Crow) is sitting next to, but above a large clump of mistletoe. He is confused in his hopes for what mistletoe might bring, since he is above and not beneath, or he is simply keeping his distance from…
…a fellow creature far below at the edge of the pasture near the Sunshine Cottage. We had experienced a rain shower and this guy was very wet. I was downwind so he kept walking right at me, occasionally shaking off the water. I waved my arms and made crazy noises, but since they don’t see well and he didn’t smell me, he was not bothered at all by me being a few feet away. But, I was greatly bothered by him being a few feet away. He has been spotted in the yard several times now. They dig holes too. Convincing a skunk to leave the area is not a simple task.
Father’s Day is a day about family and relationships. Good, bad, happy, or sad, the day brings with it many emotions. Swamp mallow is a beautiful plant that is currently brightening up the wet, marshy areas, hanging out among cattails and willows. Again, I was thinking how much variation there can be, even among family members. This plant belongs to the same family as cotton and other warm weather sun loving plants. The buds and blooms look so similar to cotton, yet they bloom weeks apart and thrive in very different environments.
I struck gold yesterday, gold finches that is! I have been seeing gold finches for a while and patiently waiting for them to start hanging out in our garden. I knew it was just a matter of time. This is probably a first for me, a foursome. I don’t think I have ever viewed 4 close enough together and remaining still long enough to all be in one photo. I hope to get some close-ups for next week
Tuesday evening shortly after sunset. This needs no introduction!
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Life and Linda
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