Friday, April 30, 2021

On the Porch & In the Garden & Sharing the Love

Good Last Day of April to You!

It's time for one of those random weekend On the Porch offerings.

The fireplace is burning brightly early today ... it's been damp and rainy, but oh my, the little gardens are loving it.  The herbs and lone tomato plant are soaking up all nature's goodness.  The daffodils and hyacinths are still making their colorful presence quite obvious.  The glory of the azaleas that are badly in need of a good pruning ... so pretty.  

And the roses are looking healthy and strong only because the rabbits haven't shown up for a late April feast.

The tiger lilies from Mom's backyard have mostly been mostly transplanted and they seem content to put down their roots in this locale.  There are a few newer bushes that look like they're not all that sure if they want to bother coming back to life.  The compost has been turned over and again.  The mulch has been spruced up and redistributed, fertilizer put to good use. 

Oh and yes, 'we' pulled out a very ugly tree.

The birds are going crazy at the feeders and have been checking out the birdhouse.  For some reason they're completely ignoring the birdbath that was also hauled from Mom's place and given center stage in the backyard.

The sun is trying mightily to make her golden presence known.  

I love spring.







Speaking of making our presence known, if we are writers or creators of some sort, we pretty much do it for the love of the craft, not necessarily to be noticed or acclaimed or paid large sums of money.  But still ... it's awful nice when someone says, 'hey, this might be worth reading.'


*  And Andrew in Don't Do What I Did.

*  Lisa wrote, This week’s featured post also offers us advice. Specifically, marriage advice. But we can use it for any close relationship. You’ll discover lots of nuggets in this post.

Of the 8 pitfalls, #5 was particularly slippery for me during the pandemic. 

Read all 8 pitfalls from our blogging friend Linda Stoll. You can trust Linda to always give you solid advice. 

*  And Richella said, If you're looking for some really good marriage advice, I highly recommend this post from Linda Stoll, who just celebrated her 45th anniversary. I have to confess that I giggled a little when I recently saw a marriage book written by authors who confided that they'd been married almost 20 years. I have two rules for marriage advice: I only take it from people who have made it through at least 30 years together, and I only take it from people who have been through some really tough times. Marriage is wonderful, but it's not easy!

Thanks, friends, for sharing the love.

I gotta run now.  My sister's coming over for a cup of tea.  Maybe she'll help me pull some weeds?
Linda

P.S.
Thanks for all those prayers for family members hit by covid.  All three grandkiddos are recovering well.  BTW, please don't believe the lie that children don't get covid, ok?  'Nuff said.


*

Linking up with

47 comments:

  1. As long as there is water to be had in the wild, the birds do not need the bird bath. Do not despair, they will find it!
    Blessings!

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  2. Thanks for sharing your colourful pictures of spring! It is still very brown here, but the pokes of green are starting to come through. I am glad your family is recovering. Have a wonderful spring weekend, Linda!

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    Replies
    1. The lilies of the valley are springing up!

      They remind me of childhood days at Grandma's house ...

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  3. Loved seeing your cheerful spring photos, Linda, and so glad to know the kids are recovering from the Covid. It took a while for the birds to notice our birdbath when we first put it up; just give them time, and they will find it.
    Blessings!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for reminding me that patience is a gardening / birding virtue, Martha!

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  4. It seems like it's been raining everywhere this week - but I guess that is expected and desired in the springtime! Your images are beautiful, Linda! Enjoy your birds and flowers!

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    Replies
    1. I look forward to seeing all the beautiful images you'll be capturing with your lens, June!

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  5. Thanks for the callout!

    Spring is here, and we are past
    winter's cold and murk,
    but do not rejoice too fast
    for hummingbirds do lurk
    in the blooming desert flowers,
    growing just out back,
    and they're warming up their powers
    so that they may attack
    me with their pointy little beaks;
    I have been nailed each year
    by these ruby-throated freaks
    but let me make this clear:
    I won't hunt them down, nor even curse
    lest their payback be far worse.

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    Replies
    1. I have never heard of those cute 'ruby-throated freaks' attacking people! I had to do a little research to see if you were pulling my leg, Andrew ...

      'Hummingbirds do not attack humans, they are just curious to see if you have any food. Hummingbirds will get very close to people as they know they can fly off pretty quick. ... But no matter how brave they are, they just don't have the body weight to do damage to a human being.'
      - worldofhummingbirds.com

      ;-)

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    2. Hummingbird propaganda! They WANT you to believe that as part of their plot for world domination.

      Seriously, one of the little demons jabbed me in the neck, and drew blood...and what I assume were the pollens on its beak caused an allergic reaction, a hard 'disc' the size of a silver dollar that took several weeks to fade.

      And I really felt bad, because once upon a time I found an 'exhausted' hummer, and dabbed a Q-tip with sugar water to his beak. Hummers can run themselves out of energy very easily, and a shot of 'artificial glucose' will get them going again.

      The little guy perked up quickly, and zipped away.

      You'd think the species would be grateful, but nooooooo......

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    3. Only you, Andrew, only you!

      ;-)

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    4. It's not just hummingbirds, Linda. It's squirrels, too, they're in cahoots.

      For proof, look to the David Crowder Band's "Foreverandever etc" video. They're a fine Christian band...and they KNOW.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4JBhmdUunA

      Are we having fun yet?

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    5. Squirrels + Crowder?

      Never would have guessed ...

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    6. And then there are the mockingbirds who give no mercy if you accidentally come anywhere near their well-hidden nest. I've been dive-bombed by a few over the years. Thankfully no blood from a beak-ing, but still plenty scary.

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  6. I love spring, too, Linda. All the new life fills my heart with hope. I love your beautiful photos and spring musings. I think it might finally be warm enough here to plant some flowers. :) Love and blessings to you!

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    Replies
    1. New life, hope, love, and blessings! How good God is to is!

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  7. A tomato plant already! You are a brave New England gardener!

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  8. Marriage is wonderful but not easy. Put a nail in that statement. After celebrating soon-to-be 48 years (June) I can only agree with that. Anyone who says otherwise has not been married. :)

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    Replies
    1. I'm quite wary when someone tells me they've never had an argument with their spouse.

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  9. Loving the bright beautiful pictures that speak life to me! I worked out in my yard Saturday a bit. Repotting, planting a few things and just enjoyed it. Though my back didn't enjoy it one bit! LOL! Happy week to you dear Linda. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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    Replies
    1. Don't you just love puttering in the yard? I aim to do it every day. Great therapy, wonderful time to muse and mull ... and pray.

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  10. Beautiful photos, Linda. It looks like spring is bursting out all over! Happy first week of May!

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    Replies
    1. Dear Pam, speaking of beautiful photos, I'll be heading your way to see what delights you have for us this week!

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  11. Beautiful pictures Linda. I enjoyed our time together this weekend and I didn't even pull up a week in your garden!

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    Replies
    1. I love the off-season when you're here on weekends! God is good ...

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  12. It's lovely to see your words popping up here and there, Linda! Thanks for sharing my post, and for giving me such a fitting way to end it. :-) I love that you have tiger lilies from your mom's backyard in your own flowerbeds now. And I got a good laugh out of this: "Oh and yes, 'we' pulled out a very ugly tree." It probably won't surprise you to know that "we've" been there and done that too. :-)

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    Replies
    1. We're debating the merits of chopping down another ugly tree. Sometimes it's just the right thing to do, ya' know?!

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  13. Wishing you and yours well.

    God bless.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Victor. I hope your week's kicked off to a great start.

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  14. Purple is my favourite colour so I'm loving those pretty flowers.

    I'm also fighting a (losing) battle against the weeds. Dandelions are my nemesis! LOL.

    Thanks for the visit!

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    Replies
    1. I have a granddaughter who adores purple, too, Margie! Her clothes, room decor, much of her stuff ... and, of course, purple earrings for her newly pierced ears!

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  15. P.S. Glad to hear that your grandkids are on the mend. The virus doesn't against age.

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  16. I love spring too - sunshine and new life always make me feel more hopeful. And I'm glad your family are recovering well.

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    Replies
    1. You're right, Lesley ... springtime didn't come a moment too soon this year! Hopeful is the perfect word.

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  17. Don’t you just love Spring, Linda??!! I putter around in my little yard almost everyday. I have two trees that I’m worried about, that haven’t recovered from our attic freeze I’m glad that your grands are recovering from Covid. Thank you for your visit to my blog and Happy Mother’s Day to you.

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    Replies
    1. Happy Mother's Day to you, Kitty! You're the 1st one to say those words to me this year ...

      ;-}

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  18. It’s so wonderful to be able to get out into the garden again. Tiger lilies bloom around Independence Day around her and I’ve always loved them.

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    Replies
    1. I've never loved the outside more than this year! I'm guessing we're not the only ones ...

      ;-}

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  19. Linda, I think we all feel so good just being able to spend some time outdoors even in our own yards. Seeing everything blooming and coming back to life has been so life-giving and hope-filled. So grateful our God gave us seasons to enjoy!

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    Replies
    1. Life-giving. Oh yes, please! Thank You, Lord, for the way You nurture us through Your creation ...

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  20. Linda-love hanging out on your front porch, brightens my day whenever I stop by! Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. You're comment is like a great big smile today, Donna! So glad we're connecting in this season ...

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  21. Late reading this but happy end of April to you too. When I read this post, I felt welcomed and cozy and right at home. Thanks for such lovely photos and words

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    1. Oh I'm glad you're feeling all cozy and right at home, Jean ... that makes me happy!

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