much needed rain, now the sun .

my garden loves it

God provided lady bugs to eat my aphids, now my peppers are looking good

He takes care of the 'little' things, (actually that's a pretty big thing, now I don't have to go around and try to wash them off all the plants)

though I'm not sure why the deer is still around, boy does he like green beans, but I am not discouraged, I planted more and the ones that survived are reviving again.

hope he doesn't notice the peppers getting bigger

watermelons are ripening, onions are big, cukes are growing

God is blessing and blessing and blessing - - - - more than just my garden, it is so easy to be distracted by so many things in this world, but His wonderful love and patience helps me get things back into order when I am so easily drawn away.

did you ever notice how easily good things can be bad when out of balance - ahh, there is that word again, that has been a consistant reminder of how I htink God wants me to live my life - in balance - I always get into trouble when I am out of balance - only when I put God first does everything start to get into balance again. . . . .

though I don't think I can have too much joy - because it always makes me praise Him - and then I am at my balancing place - He gives so much that I can praise Him for

it has been so long since writing,  the garden is all in,  plants are growing surrounded by a fishing line fence with soap hanging on it to keep the deer away. he has visited a number of times but hadn't been back since putting up the soap . . . . . .  until last night, he ate my little green beans that had been making a valient recovery since his last invasion.  I am frustrated, not to irritation, but to confusion  as to what to do. I love growing fresh veggies but how much time, money, energy should I put into it - - is it a wise use of my time.   I think of the saying that use to be asked "What would Jesus do?"   how can I even apply it??? I am sure He didn't have a garden, though He gave Adam one to start out in.  what is my purpose? how am I reaching any one for Him? - - - -  priorities - - - - what are mine.  where is the balance??     Why do I get so much joy out of working in the dirt and with my hands, how does that share Jesus with others.   ah ha, I need to spend a little time reading and talking to my Lord, Savior and friend,  He will help me sort this stuff out - - - maybe that is what is part of it - - - time for a little meditation

meditation won't happen now have to get supper ready and then off to church , how I love to go to the house of the Lord and be with His people - perhaps there will be a message for me there or maybe be able to encourage another, God is good, maybe both   it's cool that I still have peace and joy even when I don't know what exactly is going on.  thank you, Lord

The blackberry and raspberry plants are in, I am so happy . I was so careful, as the raspberry was going up in the front of the yard near where the cable enters the yard, but I staked out the area very carefully taking all caution to remain away from  where the cable was buried, even showed my husband how careful I was being. But alas, little did I realize that when they buried the cable they put it in at an angle . . . sooo . . . I cut the cable . The cable company was very cooperative and it is now fixed. But I did get the raspberry plant in and that is good.

It has been a good day, that the Lord has made. The weather was beautiful, I really enjoy working outside. The orange tree has a lot of blossoms on it, they should be opening soon. I love the smell of citrus blossoms. I will remove them after they die off as the tree needs to work on growing, not making fruit for the next year or so. I always feel so good after working outside, sometimes more tired then others but always a good, contented kind of feeling. I believe I was made for physical work, specially outside - - Thank You, Lord - - I pray that others would know the joy of good hard work, in what ever way that God has for them.

been a long two weeks   Vinny has started t-ball, and is having a blast. It is fun watching all these 5 and 6 year old kids running around, they are so cute, just happy to be playing. His team has won their first 4 games and Vinny gets better with every game as he is starting to understand his job at each new position the coach has put him. He catches the ball pretty well and hits well also.

My garden is starting to grow, my corn has started to come up and the onions are looking good.  I finally got the orange tree planted and then we realized we need a different type for pollinization, so we will be getting another before too long, Lord willing.  I tilled the  area where I will be putting the blackberry plant, I hope to finish cleaning up the area of all weeds and get it planted tomorrow, then to work on the area for the raspberries and get them in. I will put in the nectarine last as I am still not sure where to put it.

I have also been able to repot one of my palms, I cut it into two. Now I have one more to repot, it would be nice to get it done soon. I also still need to clean out all the old branches from the pots of fern, sometimes I wonder why I have so many plants and then I look outside and thank God for the beauty of them all and the joy He gives me while I work on them.

Only I am concerned that they may keep me from something else He would want me to do with my time. Balance . . . . i'm not always sure on how to maintain it . . . .  occupy until He comes . . . . be ready to give an answer of the hope which is within . . . . . pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks, rejoice evermore . . . my mind jumps around . . . I still need to work on my menu for the next two weeks and plan a grocery list, but I don't want to - - it needs to be done - - cars in the shop again for a little transmission work, should get it back tomorrow - - tomorrow is pay day - - Thank the Lord, we can pay our bills. He provides - - tomorrow is pizza day and Grandma and Aunt Eileen are coming for dinner, should be nice. I hope I get to play-work outside for awhile tomorrow. Still need to work on that menu but now I am too tired - -  uh oh, better not start singing - - not that tired.

tired, tired wanta go to bed, wanta lay down and rest my head

tired, tired wanta go to sleep, wanta lay down and put up my feet

sung (to the chagrin of my sons) with a very country sound, when silly with tiredness, unfortunatly I was never able to come up with an ending, so it was always just left hanging or sung again and again as I would finally get to go to bed. good night