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Man’s Best Friend

Just sitting here looking out at the retention pond. It is so still it looks like glass. The juvenile Sand Hill cranes are almost as big as their parents. We should expect another brood around next March. I need to fill the bird feeder–we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy God’s awesome creation. Red winged blackbirds visit often, a pair of cardinals, blackbirds, and an  occasional woodpecker feast on the seeds as well as ground-eating birds, when the seed falls, like Common Moorhens, doves, and the cranes.

Sunday night, Jud wanted to watch a movie on TV.  It was late and I really wasn’t in the mood, but he has been so good sharing me with my new FB group as I work on photos and projects to post, that I acquiesced.

We found a free film On Demand titled Duke which is based on a true story. If you don’t mind using a box of tissues, this one is a must. Not to be a spoiler, but it was about a homeless veteran and his stray dog being reunited. My blog on the Love Bags let’s you know how I feel about the homeless, and I am a dog lover. Combine the two and I become a sappy mess!

Jud and I both can relate to this special relationship. When we married, our canines, Abby/his and Fiona/mine were a part of the package bringing our family to four. Unexpectedly, in June 2016, we adopted J.J.–increasing us to five! Abby, our Australian Blue Healer, became an angel in November 2016–a very sad time for us. She was amazing. If you are faced with that dreaded decision, please get in touch with Lap of Love (I can let you know more about them).

Not everyone is a pet lover. And, yes, they are a huge responsibility, a great expense (still cheaper than sending a kid to college 🙂 ), can be naughty at times, need a babysitter if you can’t take them with you, and so on. But, the everyday rewards far exceed the responsibilities.

In 2012, before we met, Jud and I both lost our spouses. Our dogs became our loving, loyal, constant companions–there when every one else went home, there when we grieved and laughed, there when we needed unconditional love, there to meet us at the door when we came home, there first thing in the morning and the last at night.

Is it any wonder they are called, Man’s Best Friend?  Oh, and not to be disrespectful, but did you realize that God spelled backwards is dog!

Blessings, Patty

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JJ Close Up

 

Just a little humor this afternoon!

Enjoy   🙂

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

 

 

Though the Flower Fades

Good morning everyone . . . It is a beautiful, yet crisp, day here in Central Florida. The outfit I have picked out for church may be a little on the “summerish” side, but I will wear it anyway.

This is my first time to post to Cee’s site. I hope I am doing it properly. If not, I imagine it won’t publish. I, too, love flowers. My Blog name is Though the Flower Fades taken from Is.40:8 . . . The grass withers, the flower fades, but the Word of the Lord remains forever.

I hope you enjoy my orchid photos. This is an Espresso Orchid. It is about 10″ in height and the blooms are only 1″ or less in width. I was captured by it being so petite and delicate. The macro photo shows the bloom’s intricate detail while the other photo allows you to see the whole plant.

He has risen!

Blessings, Patty

What is it About Orchids?

I always thought orchids would be the most difficult plant to grow. However, upon receiving one and seeing that they pretty much take little care, I was hooked. The colors, varieties, and the perfect symmetry of each bloom captivates me each time I look at one.

I live in Florida and moved from one county to another seven years ago. On move day, there was not an inch of space left on the truck. Needless to say, upon arriving at our new home,  we were exhausted and anxious to get the bed set up and get a good nights sleep. I can’t remember exactly when I began to think about the orchids I left behind—the one thing I regret about moving. Any serious gardener can relate that certain plants become your babies. You get so excited when you see that new leaf or spike or bud appearing. A life is continuing.

The busyness of unpacking and getting the new house in order took priority over driving for an hour, one way and back, to bring my orchids to their new home.  A few months later, I called the new residents to see if the orchids were still hanging on the backyard fence under a big tree.  Apologizing, they said the orchids were no longer there (although they got along pretty well when I lived there).

There was only one thing for me to do . . . start a new chapter in “orchiding.” I first purchased two and now have seven: three are in different stages of blooming, one has brand new buds and the new arrival, an Espresso miniature orchid (see entire plant below), looks to be finished (at least for today). This precious baby is only 10″ tall with blooms of one inch across. The creamy-colored blossoms look like fine porcelain with the tiniest of detail that only our great Creator could design. There are over 25,000 species of orchids–wow, do I have a lot of collecting to do!

I am so glad that the Lord created a Technicolor world and I have the pleasure of having some of it on my back porch. When I wake up each morning, after putting on the coffee, I walk over to the vertical blinds, open them and the glass sliding door, and begin to look closely hoping to see a small beginning of another miracle.

I plan on revamping my back porch. have some stands that need to be spray painted and stained making a more attractive home for my orchids. I will share before and after photos. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the beauty of just a little bit of creation.

Until next time,                                                                                                                                        Patty