New Guest!

For the first time ever in the backyard we welcomed a Towhee this morning. What an absolutely graceful and beautiful bird.

Summer Vacation is Over!

I just moved all my house plants back inside. They have been outback since Memorial Day. Tonight we are supposed to go down to 49 here on Long Island's South Shore. That is a little cool for these guys. If you haven't moved them in and you are in the north, today is the day... unless of course you are in Colorado! The early winter weather there would have done your plants in by now.

Lots going on in my backyard these days. Moving stuff out and some other stuff around. Stop by and I'll give you a plant or two!

Fall Blooms

Another bloom on a daylily this morning! The Jerusalem artichokes are also in full bloom. The mums are beginning to open. But there is one plant inside that takes the cake! It is the bamboo which was given to Lucy and I as a wedding present 6 years ago this month.

It has not been doing well. I moved it recently and it began to show signs of recovery. Then I read online that since it is planted in water it needs aquatic plant food. Three times now in Target I have forgotten to pick it up. Next time I will remember.

Last night before the Bible Study I wa watering our house plants (as I waited for the folks to arrive). I noticed that there were several new areas of growth. I got my Bonsai manicuring sisscors out and was cutting off some of the leftover dead leaves when I looked down and there was a brand new shoot coming up out of one of the pots! If you are not a gardener you will not fully understand how exciting this is! Added to that joy was the thought that the LORD was giving us an early anniversary present! Psalm 16.6

Truth From Proverbs

Such is the end of all who go after ill-gotten gain; it takes away the lives of those who get it.

Proverbs 1.19

Those who acquire material possessions, including money at the expense of someone else will have their lives taken away by the things they thought were treasures to be had.

Reflections of a Road Trip

My mother celebrated her 80th birthday this past weekend. All of her grandchildren and great grandchildren were there for the momentous occasion. We had a wonderful time. That is really an understatement. It was all we had hoped it would be and much more. These family reunions do something to me... something very good.

Driving there and back give me time to reflect amidst the beauty of upstate New York. Having my nephew accompany me gives me quality time with him.

I have celebrated my dad's 80th and now my mom's. I am watching the family grow. 4 new grandchildren were added to our clan over the past 2 years. This brings me great joy. Little boys have become men (my nephews) and little girls have become sweet young ladies (my nieces). Lucy cooked dumplings, Cheryl made lasagna and I whipped up some salads. Tonya made chili and Theresa and Tina made meatballs- the heroes were delicious as was everything else. We ate. We talked about old times and new, told stories and laughed heartily.

By some incredble act of tight lips we kept the secret from Mom. She was surprised. She told me last night it was the best birthday she could have ever wanted. That makes me happy. It was a terrific weekend. I believe Stephen's status on Facebook said it best: Thankful for a wonderful weekend! God has blessed me with an awesome family.

My Mom's 80th Birthday

Today my Mom celebrated 80 years of life. We surprised her last night by coming upstate. This evening we took her and my dad out for dinner. It was a good time, in fact a very good time.

I am thankful for a good church which enables me to be away to do things like this. I am thankful for my mom and her life. I am thankful for the family I am part of.

God bless you Mom!

We Have Frogs!

This morning after our nursery school meet the teacher I went out to the pond for a few moments. Three kerplunks later and I knew that our third tadpole had become a leopard frog. Three tadpoles went in around Memorial Day and here a day after Labor Day we have three frogs.

Over the past few days we have had another box turtle sighting, a shrew run across the path by the garden and now a third in our brood of frogs.

It is funny because these guys act like they are in a big pond or even lake. They jump in to escape being captured. They don't realize that they are a big frog in a little pond. 25 years ago I moved from upstate New York, from a community of 20,000 back to the Metro Area I was born and raised in, which has a population of over 22 million souls. I was a big frog in a little pond. Now I have become a little frog in an ocean. It okay. I love serving and working here on Long Island. My children and grandchildren are all here. Life is very good. I am content.

Labor Day Weekend

The last weekend of the Summer of '09 and the weather here on Long Island is perfect. Although I am looking forward to the cooler temperatures of the fall, these mid 70 degree days with low humidity suffice.

Lucy and I visited a number of folks from our church in the nursing homes today. They were all glad to see us. We stopped at the bank and the post office and the grocery store as we made our way from Brentwood to West Babylon and back home. We finished our excursion at the Country Buffet. Arriving in mid afternoon we thought it would be empty but it was not. Many people waited in line to be seated after us. It was crazy. I guess many folks had in mind to do what we did- eat an early dinner.

I just took a walk out to the pond and once again two leopard frogs jumped in as I approached. I noticed yet another rebloom on a day lily yesterday which means the season will be extended for another month. None of these new ones have bloomed yet.

Have a good Labor Day!

I'll be spending mine in the backyard!

Another Uninvited Guest

Summer's End

Summer is over in the backyard. I know we still have Labor Day and might even hit an occasional 80 on the thermometer but with the cool evenings coming fall is fast approaching. Not that I mind. It is my favorite time of the year. Some have called it Long Island's Best Kept Secret.

I have Jerusalem Artichokes growing out back. This year they are the highest they have ever been. They have just begun to bloom their beautiful yellow flowers. They are like small trees this year.

Seed pods are forming and most of my daylily crosses are in the refrigerator until we plant them after Christmas. There are still things in the garden. We have green onions year round. For the most part things are getting ready for winter's rest. Yes I know it is still summer but signs are all around of change. The leaves have begun to fall from the clump white birch. Emma and I sampled our first Gooseberries the other day. They are fall favorites outback.

I love the cool evenings without any air conditioning. I love the preparations that have begun for school which begins here a week from tomorrow. I love September. I was married in this month. My mom, nephew and grandson were born in this month. For me it is a month of beautiful weather and joyous celebrations. Oh I still may get to the ocean one final time, I'll golf at Robert Moses, and I know I'll endure a warm day or two, but my sights are set for autumn. In my mind I have already begun to mulch the fallen leaves. Today I enlisted my granddaughter to come over and help rake. Nothing worng with a little advanced planning!