Surprise Visitor

Catherine, my neighbor, came by a little bit ago. She is an elementary school teacher. She came bearing gifts. This is not the first time she has done this.

Today Catherine brought a treasure of salamanders! There were at least 7. They will add such wonder and beauty to the pond. The salamanders were a part of her classroom at Fifth Avenue School. With school out I will take care of them now. More to see next time you come!

Thanks Catherine for your special gift.

Yesterday's Visitors

Or neighbor from China and her granddaughter were back yesterday. She has shared with us some of her garden's produce. Her little granddaughter loves to feed the fish and so she did yesterday. It brought back memories. The whole idea for the fish pond in my yard came from when I was a kid in Bellmore. The Weiss Family, our next door neighbors, had one incredible yard. Helmut Weiss was a mason. They had a cement pond (literally) in the middle of their yard, complete with goldfish. I remember as a kid being in awe of that. So I can only imagine what my neighbor's granddaughter is thinking.

Bob Pawson also graced us with his presence. He is an excellent gardener himself. It is good to have visitors .

The Daylily bloom season has begun. Come on over.

More Visitors

One of my pleasures with the backyard is sharing it with others. Last evening Alice and Nancy took a quick peek before the Bible Study and Edie stopped by after this morning's Bible Study. There is an open invite for the kids of Good Shepherd to come and feed the fish and for all of us who are kids at heart. They are eating 3 times a day now and are glad for an extra feedings they can get.

Hope to see you soon!

More on the Early early Bird

Last year the catbirds would land on the picnic table as I was eating. They are even more friendlier than the chickadees. This morning one landed on the round tale as I was eating breakfast. She returned a few times. She landed at my feet- I could feel the breeze from her wings as she came in. I noticed that she was getting the little blackberries for her brood. I got some and put them on the table- I had to go in for a minute. Returning, they were gone! I have new friend!

I'll keep you posted...

On another note, a toad has been chirping near the pond...

On still another note, Lucy picked her first cucumber from the garden today. We grew them in the pile of compost formed from last year's blooms of daylilies and tiger lilies- it was the sweetest cuke I have ever had!

Early Early Bird

I have a family of catbirds nesting in my hedge now. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gray_Catbird)
They are so interesting. I am usually up at 5am and outside in the back on these warm summer mornings within minutes. Included in my daily routine is feeding the birds.

I like to get out there before them. If I don't they are waiting impatiently for me, chirping and calling and letting me know that according to them I am late.

This morning before dawn, I was out filling the feeding stations when there she was, the catbird. She was quietly getting some food before all the others. They generally do not come to the feeders, but feed off the ground, however they love the bird bath and are often seen at the pond.

Long Distance Visitors

John and Becky Foster arrived last evening from Lebanon, New Hampshire. After the nursery school graduation we did a quick tour of the yard. John and I are fellow gardeners. He brought me ferns from New England. We'll plant them this morning by the pond. My grandmother loved them.

Thanks LORD for the shower last night! Now I don't have to water today.

Rain Meter

Thia spring's rain has been a gardener's dream. It has been regular and in perfect amounts. The health of the plants reflect this.

Last night's thunderstorm was no exception. The rain came and watered the earth here on Long Island's south shore.

Hopefully this will be the case through July and August. I would rather leave the hose on its holder.

Today's Visitors

So good to have the entire nursery school over to feed the fish. Emma helped me as assistant guide. Cindy, our little Chinese neighbor (3 yrs old) joined us as well. We were also happy to have the staff Miss Margaret, Miss Ilona, Miss Michele and Miss Gail join in the fun. None of the kids fell in the pond and I was told they were still talking about their visit when they went back to the school.

Once again, come and visit. The Daylily season has begun and we have birds and butterflies as well.

This Morning's Visitors

Our fine Chinese neighbor across the street brought some fresh vegetables from their garden a bit ago. Then Allison,her daughter-in-law, and Allison's daughter Cindy came over to feed the fish. She enjoyed that and when it came time to leave she pulled her mom back into the yard. I have this feeling Emma and her will become friends shortly.

If you haven't come yet, please stop by. New things are beginning to open each day.

More Visitors and Advice

Ilona and Edie visited the backyard at my request after morning Bible Study. John Foster gave me tomato seeds this Christmas and I started them inside. I have only done this once before as I recall and that year I had the sweetest tomatoes I ever had.

This year I have over two dozen Beef Steak Tomato plants growing out back in pots. I overheard Ilona talking on Sunday about staking up her tomatoes and so I invited her over to show me how. She did one, then I tried and sure enough I needed a little correction. It is interesting how much we care for those things we put work into.

Mission accomplished- I know how to do it now. Thanks Ilona for your help and thanks Edie for your compliments. And thank LORD for the family you have given me in fulfillment of your promise for those who leave mother and father to serve You.

Matthew 19.29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

Bird Brains

Funny how that phrase has come to mean something negative. The birds are really pretty smart. We did, moments ago, have a near collision. Two Rock Doves were coming into the yard and they crossed each others path on the way in and and one had to veer left to miss hitting the other.

Right after this a weaver finch came to the bird bath and drank the fresh water I just put in it. Jesus has told us if we are thirsty to come and drink. Few listen to the Master. He came unto His own and His own did not receive Him!

Wise people choose to drink of the water He gives each day!

More Guests Invited and Uninvited

Great to have Tony, our mailman, do a walk through tour today. He especially enjoyed the fish pond which is a favorite of many. He has been here in Daylily season and has said he is looking forward to this year's show.

Nancy came early to the Bible Study this evening and I invited her to take a walk through the yard. She especially liked the Shasta Daisies, now in their 22nd season with us!

We also have continued to have toads come. They are uninvited but very welcomed. Emma enjoyed the one that was here last Thursday night. It looks like a good year for the toads. This is the third spotting of one on the premises.

Guest Book

Prudy stopped by after church. She, Lucy and I did a walk through. She always has the nicest things to say. We love trading grandchildren stories. Between our six daughters we are adding to the earth's population!

This Evening... at the Picnic Table

Emma and Lili

These Two Bring Joy To my Life

Visitors Today

It was my pleasure to give Edie Raevis a guided tour of the yard after this morning's Bible Study. Her mom was part of the church I pastor. Edie is a blessing- always with encouraging words for my soul.

In moments Emma, my Princess Granddaughter, will arrive for dinner and to spend the night. She'll leave after lunch tomorrow so I will be on a hiatus until then. I have some surprises for her- including our first toad I found while cutting the lawn today. You don't think girls like toads?! Well check out her mom at the same age with a garter snake at her Nanny and Poppa's!

Hope to see you real soon for a tour.
Keep the first two weeks of July open for Daylily Season here.
You have to see it to believe it.
For a preview go to the archives of June and July of last year.
Have a good evening!

A Gardening Master

I love how the Lord had Jeremiah go down to the Potter's House and watch the work for the message he was to give to Israel. Yesterday I was at a master gardener's house, Joe, an elderly gentleman, who grows plants and flowers for the local nurseries. He was showing me his marigolds and I noticed that all the buds that would have been blooming had been clipped off. He then explained. He doesn't let them bloom too early. The clipping off of would be fruit strengthens the plant and makes it much larger than it would have been had he let it bloom. It also prolongs its life into the fall.

This is true not only in plant life but in our lives.

June Evening Walk

The yard is open for you to visit now.
Come on and take a walk.