Outback Today

I know it may not last, after all it is winter on Long Island (and that includes my backyard) but there is a feeling of spring out there!

Let me list them:

1- Today finishes the coldest month of the year.
2- The days are getting longer (2 minutes each day of more sunlight).
3- The crocuses are up.
4- The Stars of Bethlehem are too.
5- Today we conclude the least amount of snow in 75 years for a January.
6- I have not shoveled any snow this year.
7- The pond is thawed.

We also saw yet another red winged black bird today. Also out there was a gold finch and a cow bird along with our regulars.

I took another walk around the back this afternoon, following the Bible Study. Tomorrow is the first day of the last full month of winter. Seeds will be planted over the next few weeks inside. My dear wife Lucy is incredibly patient with my gardening hobby as the house will become a greenhouse at every window where the sun comes through!

A Midwinter's Morning Walk In The Backyard

It is midwinter. The ground is hard from the cold temperatures we have had. Yet here on Long Island, as Rudy Migliore called it on his radio program last Saturday, the greatest Island in the world, there is no snow at all. We could get flurries over the next few days but the sun is shining brightly now.

I just came in from a little walk, checking out the beds and the pond, ending with playing fetch with Moe, my faithful companion and watch dog. I had fed the birds earlier. There was quite a number out there.

Speaking of the birds, that has been one of the interesting things this winter in the yard. The red winged black birds have remained this year. I was spotting Robins in the past month too. This year I have had nuthatches for the first time.

There are some definite signs of the coming spring among the botanical elements out back. The Star of Bethlehem has begun to sprout. There are crocuses that are up. There are day lilies that do dormant but remain green throughout winter's cold. There are also signs of growth among some of the tiger lilies and irises.

Inside some day lily seedlings are now up. The rest will go in soon. Then we will be on our way. The amaryllises are up now- one is actually about six inches. We are also trying for the first time to grow Kiffar Lilies, the official flower of Lucy's city in China, Changchun. We have three of them doing very well.

Even when it is winter outside and our garden is taking a midwinter's nap for the most part, inside it is summer and we have all kinds of activity happening. On the outside at the feeders there is something almost always happening. The other day I went to put food out a Chickadee came and waited for me to fill the homemade coconut feeder. He was only about 4 feet from me singing and excited that breakfast was being served. My dad and others have them literally eat out of their hands. Maybe this spring I'll try that. It would be cool. Oh yeah I have left the blue bird house up for the winter. It would go out next month anyway. I am hoping this year to get a family in there- if I can keep the weaver finches (house sparrows) out.

And that is how it is out back this morning.

In Honor of Our Troops

For All Those Who Have Grieved

Life Goes On When Our World Crashes Down

1. The sun comes up as the day begins

Everything just keeps happening

My world has come crashing down

I cannot believe what I have found.

Chorus

The world goes on, doesn't miss a beat

I find it hard to stand on my feet

My heart is broke, my strength is gone

Yet everything keeps going on.

2. It doesn't seem right that its this way,

I want to scream and shout, "Hey

don't you know what I've been through?"

I feel that the world should feel it too. Chorus

3. The Only Comfort is times like these

Is from the Father of the heavenlies

He knows just what you're going through

He'll strengthen and He'll comfort you. Chorus

New Blog on the Holy Land Up and Running

Since the first of the year I have been posting on a new blog I created. It is all about the Land of the Bible, the Holy Land, Israel.
It is called "From Israel With Love" and the address is http://hislandholyland.blogspot.com/ Enjoy!

Why They Are Called GRANDchildren

Because they make life Grand!

Another one coming in April!

Next Generation

There is a new radio show called Next Generation that is worth listening to. Hosted by Rudy Migliore, it is on each Saturday on WNYG 1440AM beginning at 1pm.Eastern Time Zone.

It is geared to a youth audience but all of us can listen! I know the host personally. With all the bad news around today here is some good news!

Wherever you are in the world you can hear this!

Go to:
http://www.wnygspiritofny.com/ and click on "On Air".

Give a listen and then put a comment up here on the Blog.

A Study In Contrast

Some years ago I read about this scene in a book of sermon illustrations. A picture is worth a thousand words.

This is on Fifth Avenue in the city. In the foreground is Atlas, who shoulders the whole world. He is bent over and must bear this tremendous burden all the time.

In the background is St. Patrick's Church. There worshipers go to unload the burdens of this world by praying to the LORD.

On one side of the street, the man with the world on his shoulders. On the other side, people walking out of a building with no burdens at all because they have just given them to the One Who bears our burdens.

What side of the street are you on?

Come on over to His Side!

Happy New Year and Happy Anniversary!

You knew it is the New Year but whose anniversary is it?! It was one year ago (actually tomorrow) that this blog got started! I remember beginning this. Now there are 4 other blogs going for public viewing.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing this. I am glad you are taking time to read it. May this New Year be a good one for you.