"It is never too late to be what you might have been."

~ George Eliot





Comments - and even criticisms - are welcome. It encourages me to know if my words touched a place in your heart; and criticisms show me how to improve. Thanks and have a wonderful day!




Wednesday, May 22, 2013
















Honeysuckle and Privet Hedge

On our Sunday morning wander,
we walked along the timbered trail;
when suddenly I stopped to smell.
Eyes closed, I stopped to ponder,
a heady perfume in the air.
What tantalizing scent hung there?
Inhale…
Exhale…
Memories flowed on fragrant breezes.

With scented wind I was carried
back to innocent childhood days.
White and yellow flowered bouquets,
gathered so my face could bury
in nose-tickling, sweet perfume,
the tendrils twined within privet blooms.
I’d pluck,
then pinch,
taste nectar’s drop upon my tongue.

Sweet memories formed by fragrant
honeysuckle and privet hedge
found along the timbered trail’s edge.
__________________________________________________
I know some people consider honeysuckle and privet hedge to be a hindrance in the garden. They can be invasive and take over if allowed to, but I can't imagine spring without their wonderful scent wafting through the air. 

I can remember laying across my parents' bed, with their south-facing window wide open allowing the perfume of the privet bush right outside to fill the room. It is one of my favorite aromas and always takes me back to childhood. And, it never seems to fail, wherever there is privet hedge, honeysuckle is always somewhere close by. The two together flood the backyard with an intense fragrance that I wish I could bottle to enjoy in winter!

Who among us hasn't pinched off a bloom and slowly pulled it away to taste that singular drop of honeysuckle clinging to the "string"? I know adults that still can't fight that temptation at least once during the season. :-)
__________________________________________________
Lord of Nature - You amaze me! I praise You for all the wonderful things you have surrounded us with that seduce the senses of man. . .Even the simple honeysuckle flower with its hidden drop of nectar to taste. The smell of it combined with the heady perfume of privet, brilliantly intoxicating, Father!  Help me to take more time to enjoy the simple pleasures in life, God, and to always share them with others. ~ Amen

Thursday, May 16, 2013














Wren’s Poem

O little wren,
so small and unassuming,
How can it be,
your voice rings out so clear?

The world we’re in
has a habit of presuming
that size is key,
you can’t be,
more than you appear.

Still - a plain brown bird
whose stature is misleading;
your tiny chest
swells in massive melody.

Your trill is heard
within the branches rising,
“I am blessed!”
“I am blessed,”
 so immensely. 
_________________________________________________________
You can't judge a book by its cover or a bird by their size. . .

I love feeding the birds in my backyard! You never know what is going to fly in to join the feast. But, until recently, I never realized that this common little Carolina Wren has such a BIG voice. Wrens are tiny and they are plain in their looks, just a simple cinnamon color! According to what I have read, they may weigh as much as two quarters held in your hand. Yet, their voices carry as strong a tune volume-wise as a mockingbird. I have heard their song many, many times. But, until one sang right in front of me, I never dreamed that effervescent voice came from such a pint sized, little bird. Just goes to show you should never underestimate any creature. You never know what magical gift God has given them. They say they sing, "teakettle, teakettle" but what bird sings that, lol? I changed it to "I am blessed!" :-)
___________________________________________________________
Maker of Music in Nature - I thank you for the many ways You have placed magic and beauty in our lives. Even the simplest of creatures bring wonder into this world, if we will just take time to notice. Your creativity is truly amazing, Lord. I praise You too, for even I am more than meets the eye; as is true with everyone in this world. We need only look with Your eyes, Father. ~ Amen

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

The Road Taken
 Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
      

______________________________________________
Day 30, Poem 30 (one day late because my internet refused to work!) - The poetry prompt for the 30th was to take an existing poem and take each line and try to exchange words for opposite meanings. Once again, I turned to Robert Frost. :-o

The original poem:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
______________________________________________________________________