Easter Sunday. What a joy.
In the front of my church during Easter services is an Easter lily, dedicated to the memory of four people my husband and I love. A big role for one lovely white plant to play.
Last Sunday we sang in church “How can it be, my king died for me?”.
That is humbling and strengthening, all at the same moment.
Charles H. Spurgeon wrote “O people of God, be great believers. Little faith will bring your souls to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your souls.”
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Sensitive plants
On March 17 on the Coast to Coast radio show, I heard Dr. Gerald Epling, a scientist, talk about his fascinating work with plants. He says that his experiments show that a plant can respond to something happening to another plant.
Also, a plant can respond to a human approaching the plant.
One caller said that a tree branch tapped her on the shoulder ; it is an interesting topic. I stayed up too late listening to this and didn't get all the details.
Dr. Epling calls his field biocommunication.
Also, a plant can respond to a human approaching the plant.
One caller said that a tree branch tapped her on the shoulder ; it is an interesting topic. I stayed up too late listening to this and didn't get all the details.
Dr. Epling calls his field biocommunication.
Monday, March 17, 2008
The Benediction of Saint Patrick
For a rollicking good time within the pages of a book, I recommend the novel "Ireland" by Frank Delaney.
The narrator changes but the main character is named The Storyteller; he is the last in the grand Irish tradition of itinerant story tellers who travel in farm land and small towns and earn a meal by telling thrilling stories from Ireland's past.
Yes, the story of Saint Patrick is here, and King Conor of Ulster, Brendan the Navigator, Brian Boru, Finn MacCool, Norman raiders, a devil in a cave, monks and kings.
Interwoven with these tales is the unfolding story of a nine year old boy who meets the Storyteller, and who searches for this mysterious and hard to find man, in modern day Ireland.
The book is so enthralling that now I want to buy the audio cd version read by the author, who I am told is an accomplished performer.
The narrator changes but the main character is named The Storyteller; he is the last in the grand Irish tradition of itinerant story tellers who travel in farm land and small towns and earn a meal by telling thrilling stories from Ireland's past.
Yes, the story of Saint Patrick is here, and King Conor of Ulster, Brendan the Navigator, Brian Boru, Finn MacCool, Norman raiders, a devil in a cave, monks and kings.
Interwoven with these tales is the unfolding story of a nine year old boy who meets the Storyteller, and who searches for this mysterious and hard to find man, in modern day Ireland.
The book is so enthralling that now I want to buy the audio cd version read by the author, who I am told is an accomplished performer.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Dandelions
Here is a fun photo for dandelion lovers everywhere; and especially for Jodi, who commented that she is eagerly awaiting her first dandy lions of the season.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Roses and Dandelions
Are you thinking about roses today?
Rev. Samuel Reynolds Hole was a really dedicated preacher and rose enthusiast, who grew 5,000 roses in England, in Victorian times, and preached in 500 churches in his lifetime.
The man had a poetic vision for gardening, and wrote, in 1899 “What is a garden for? For the soul, sir, for the soul of the poet!”.
Our gardens do stir our souls and lift our spirits; even the lowly dandelion can cause me to admire its sun yellow color, and we all have adored picking dandelions when they ceased blooming and have the round white fluffy seed puffs we can blow into the breeze.
Once, while walking to elementary school, I dawdled to pick a fabulous dandelion bouquet for my much loved teacher. I arrived late, and was marked tardy by her. When I explained why I was late, the tardy mark was erased. Never underestimate the power of a flower gift.
Rev. Samuel Reynolds Hole was a really dedicated preacher and rose enthusiast, who grew 5,000 roses in England, in Victorian times, and preached in 500 churches in his lifetime.
The man had a poetic vision for gardening, and wrote, in 1899 “What is a garden for? For the soul, sir, for the soul of the poet!”.
Our gardens do stir our souls and lift our spirits; even the lowly dandelion can cause me to admire its sun yellow color, and we all have adored picking dandelions when they ceased blooming and have the round white fluffy seed puffs we can blow into the breeze.
Once, while walking to elementary school, I dawdled to pick a fabulous dandelion bouquet for my much loved teacher. I arrived late, and was marked tardy by her. When I explained why I was late, the tardy mark was erased. Never underestimate the power of a flower gift.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Librarything.com, Interesting Book and Warm Lapdog
Calling all book lovers! For suggestions on books that may be ideal for you, consider a visit to a fun website at www.librarything.com
You don’t need to sign up or log in, just click on “search.”
Type in a title, author, key words (like Cotswalds or chick lit), or genre, and it shows books in a similar vein, in a seemingly endless chain of recommendations.
The brilliant basis of this website is that anyone who owns books can sign up and list the books that they own, and then when you search you will be led to other books owned by folks who share the same interests.
I enjoy reading Jan Karon, typed in her name, and was led to Miss Read who wrote Thrush Green, and a long series of novels. It turns out Jan Karon admires Miss Read. So I had to buy Thrush Green, which is a lovely escapist read.
If you have a favorite character, type in his or her name and you will find other possible authors to explore. I read the Martha Grimes novels featuring Richard Jury and my favorite fictional nobleman, Melrose Plant. Search by Grimes or her characters and you will find more mysteries to pique your attention. Using librarything I also found some delightful humorous Christian novels, including the Dearest Dorothy books. Give it a try and tell me via a comment here where your reading adventure leads.
Photo by Mtsofan of Creative Commons
You don’t need to sign up or log in, just click on “search.”
Type in a title, author, key words (like Cotswalds or chick lit), or genre, and it shows books in a similar vein, in a seemingly endless chain of recommendations.
The brilliant basis of this website is that anyone who owns books can sign up and list the books that they own, and then when you search you will be led to other books owned by folks who share the same interests.
I enjoy reading Jan Karon, typed in her name, and was led to Miss Read who wrote Thrush Green, and a long series of novels. It turns out Jan Karon admires Miss Read. So I had to buy Thrush Green, which is a lovely escapist read.
If you have a favorite character, type in his or her name and you will find other possible authors to explore. I read the Martha Grimes novels featuring Richard Jury and my favorite fictional nobleman, Melrose Plant. Search by Grimes or her characters and you will find more mysteries to pique your attention. Using librarything I also found some delightful humorous Christian novels, including the Dearest Dorothy books. Give it a try and tell me via a comment here where your reading adventure leads.
Photo by Mtsofan of Creative Commons
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Hungry cat or Rose gourmet?
I found this photo at Creative Commons and it combines two of my favorite things: roses and cats.
The cat looks quite a bit like my cat Big Boy.
I hope you enjoy the photo.
The cat looks quite a bit like my cat Big Boy.
I hope you enjoy the photo.
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