This Evening

The Mimosa Again

I woke up this morning to a sweet fragrance. It literally filled the second floor of the house. What was it? It was familiar. Then I realized that the mimosa I had planted from seed 22 years ago was beginning to bloom.

When I was a kid in Bellmore my Nana had brought a potted sapling out from Laurelton and we planted it in our backyard. It grew into a beautiful tree. When Nana went to heaven I decided I'd give it a try. The outcome- a huge tree 22 years later that fills the yard, the house and the street with its fragrance.

Life is like a mimosa tree. Plant good seed (kindness, love, grace, mercy, faithfulness, etc.) and you will get a return- a big return. It is written into the universe by the One Who created it.

I'm heading out for the morning run now with my heart full of wonderful memories of my Nana (she was a grand person). This morning my thoughts go to that wonderful lady because of a seed I planted just like she did almost a quarter century ago and all because of a God Who put wonder in this earth He made.

An Incredible Summer Surprise!

Last evening Lucy and I went golfing with friends. We love the beauty and the casualness (I don't take golfing seriously- if you saw me golf you'd understand) of the 18 hole Par 3 of Robert Moses. Sandwiched in between the Atlantic Ocean and the State Channel, the experience is one where you enjoy yourself and forget about all the stresses of life. Watching deer cross the fairway as you are ready to land the ball on the green (hopefully) is wonderful. All along one is serenaded by the song birds.

We were preparing to go last night. About 5 years ago we went with my brother Mark's children, Stephen, Michal and Marlee. We had a disposable camera and were taking pictures as we went. I remember one group picture. It was a classic! Aunt Lucy and Uncle Larry with their niece and nephews there where so many memories have been and are being made, we were delighted!

When we got back to the car the camera was not in the back pack. We went back to the course and retraced our steps to that last picture. Nothing! What would anyone want with a disposable camera with all the pictures taken? It didn't make sense. We left our name and number at the clubhouse. We went to the lost and found numerous times. We called several times. Finally after a year we gave up. Gone were those precious pictures, the photo memories of a wonderful never to repeated day. Gone was what I hoped to blow up for all of us into 8x10's, gone were the other shots on the camera. Oh well.

Sometimes miracles happen when we least expect it or aren't even looking for one to take place. Last night as Lucy reached down in golf bag to retrieve her glove she felt something strange. She pulled it up and there was the camera! How it got there we have no idea. But there it was.

Life can throw us some disappointments and then a few years later God can reverse them. My life's verse in the Psalms. Psalm 16.6 to be exact- "The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places."

Tomorrow the sun will rise and you never know what the tide may bring in.

P.S. Off to Target later and be watching from the retro from metro!

Grandma Milligan

This morning, very early, a saint by the name of Lela Milligan went to be with the LORD. She was known to my daughters as Grandma Milligan. I was her pastor for five years.

Some people felt that at 23 years of age I had no right to pastor a church. As I look back now I believe they had a point. There was a lady in that church named Lee Milligan who would have none of that. From the moment I arrived she was one of my right hand people!

She led the children's church and ministry. She would do so for the next nearly 25 years. At 95 years of age she completed her work and left for heaven just hours ago. The family asked for me to speak at her funeral. Since I am unable to do so I thought it appropriate to share a tribute here in this venue. Perhaps equal to that is my need to express gratitude to the LORD for bringing her into my life and to pay tribute to a lady who was a blessing to me. And what a blessing she was!

She never declined anything I ever asked her to do. But I seldom had to ask. From babysitting my kids to helping spackle and paint the new addition to our church (as shown here in the picture) Lee was on the spot, on the job and always with joy in her heart!

She prayed for me and my family. She loved us beyond words. When I spoke to Cub, her son, today, he told me that her love for me was coupled with my three girls. There is no doubt. She was a grandmother to them. They loved to go to her house. It was a cozy warm home that you could relax in.

She gave and gave. She worked with children when most people her age were retired. She worked tirelessly. She served with a joy and zest for what she was doing.

Lee Milligan was a jewel. Now she is home, home with the LORD. Family is traveling in from Texas and the Carolinas on this Father's Day Weekend for her funeral in Clearfield, Pennsylvania. I will be there in spirit. It will be a celebration. She would have wanted it that way. It won't be long until we join in the one that she is a part of in heaven.

Thanks LORD for a life lived for you so well with so much love.

Outback yesterday morning, this little guy was making his way around a patch of carrots. Most gardeners do not realize how helpful toads, birds and turtles are. With the Daylily season underway, slugs begin to appear. Box turtles love to eat slugs. Birds take care of other pests. Even Ladybugs are helpful to keeping certain harmful insects under control.

Thank You All!

For two years now Larry's Backyard has been in the number one Google Spot worldwide. Ahead of Veggie Tales and businesses by that name, if you Google "Larry's Backyard" this blog is the first entry. A great was to tell others about it.

Thanks to all who read this blog. I know some of you but most of you I don't know. Always feel free to comment. It is great to have you here!

Loads of new entries coming up. God bless!

The Blooms Outback

Tomorrow morning at 3am (the time they open) the Daylily season will begin in my backyard. These beauties for a day will make the yard different each morning for the next three months. Some blooms will be found no other place on earth as they have been crossed back there. By July 1st the yard will be at its peak lasting 2 weeks. Some will bloom on into September.

The wonders of nature, God's Handiwork, always amaze me and make me realize

how Great the Creator is!

Early Morning Reflections

Rising before dawn has been a part of my life. I ran track and cross country in High School and rose early to run. My dad had me work with him in Brooklyn years ago and I got up with him while it was still dark. I think it is my blood to get up early. In China and Israel as well as the Dominican Republic I found myself up often before anyone else. It has many advantages. However if you know what they are I don't need to convince you and if you are not a morning person, I'll never sell you on the idea.

One thing I love is the quiet. Quiet times help me reflect. Reflecting makes me thankful. In this time between Memorial Day and the 4th of July we are now in, I am thankful for my country, America. Sweet Land of Liberty! One fifth of the world will not be able to read what I am writing right now because of government blocks on free speech. In 4 hours I'll do something illegal in places outside the US as I lead a Bible Study at the church. As I work in the backyard I am thankful for the dirt we have here- rich soil, growing our own produce- an abundance of food.

In the Memorial Day Parade, behind the Mary G. Clarkson Float we listened to a number of Patriotic songs. One of them touched my soul. This land is my land. This land is your land, from California to the New York Island, From the Redwood Forest to the Gulf Stream Waters. This land was made for you and me! I sang it and it delighted me to hear Emma, my 6 year old granddaughter singing later at the BBQ.

I could go on and on. God bless the USA!