morning dew

A hundred thousand diamonds beckoned from the lawn this morning.

yet to be identified

They are bbbzzzing all around the ponds

I can hardly catch one sitting long enough to snap a few photos.

It felt so good to go for a walk around the park today.

Sunday

Marten noticed them first, the swallows darting into their nests in the skeletal tree beside the path.

The rest of us were preoccupied with looking for beavers by the beaver dam across the pond.

It is the natural way of things, the children and I, parents and young.

We walk hand in hand exploring, a lunch basket swung over my shoulder.

Little voices ask when we can stop and eat.

Impatient little birds demand their meal.

The swallows patiently dart back and forth.

Little ones dependent on big ones.

Feeding, nurturing, teaching,

until one day they fly away.

And the parents are left with an empty nest

and then the nest itself is empty

and the parents are gone too.

A friend's father passed away,

4 months after her mother.

It is the natural way of things,

but I have no experience with it,

I don't understand it.

Parents and children and parents and children.

Happiness and grief till God stops time.

Lake St. George

american gold finch

A whole family has moved into our neighbourhood as

they are rather thrilled with the feeder hanging in our front yard.

rain

A blessing for a thirsty earth:

it has rained heavily all afternoon

drenching my flowers and my vegetables

the yellowing lawns

and the farmers' fields.

peonies in full bloom

Nighttime rain gave sparkle and freshness to the blossoms this morning.

The lilacs have finished blooming and the peonies have taken center stage.

How can you not wander past the flowers and be blessed by their beauty?

Thank you Father!