I had just finished reading two separate blog posts.
The first post was about clean windows and how they look great – until the sun streams through and we can still see the smudges and streaks left despite our efforts. You can read this Lynn Austin post here. A Clear View
The second post asked the question “Just How Big is God?” The author encouraged readers to consider how God knows every little detail, even down to when a sparrow falls to earth. Every sparrow! Read this post by Leslie A. here. Just How Big is God?
A few mere moments after completing these readings, I heard a loud thunk.
In our house, a thunk usually means a bird has flown into our large picture window.
This window, speaking of clean windows, streaks, and smudges, defies my every attempt to make it clean and sparkling.
I raced towards the front window, glancing down into the flower bed beneath the brick ledge.
Sure enough, a stunned sparrow twitched on the bark. I went out and saw that it barely breathed. I gently picked it up and stroked its back, watching for signs of being stunned or on the edge of death. Some birds survive our window. After a few moments of being knocked out, they flip over and fly away.
This little guy did not. He didn’t take more than 2 or 3 breaths as I held him cupped in my hand. I watched the still breast, hoping that I just couldn’t see the ribs move. But the glass wall was too much for his tiny body.
And there I was. Crying for a tiny sparrow who died from smashing into my window. Even though I could see the dirt and smudges on it, it looked clear and invisible for my feathered friend. There was nothing I could do.
But God knew. He knew the exact moment the sparrow crashed into the window and the second it took its last breath. And He cared that it happened.
God knows all things. He cares about everything in our lives, down to the tiniest detail. Though He is the God of the Universe, He knows and cares.
About us. About that poor sparrow. About me crying when the sparrow died. About my frustrations with daily life or big events or fears that seem silly. He cares.
The Curious Garden is a picture book that was inspired by the Manhattan Highline Railway.
I’ve read articles about the Highline that tell how the lonely stretch of railway has been transformed into beautiful public gardens. But this is the first picture book I’ve found on the topic.
The Curious Garden tells the tale of Liam, a young boy who explores the empty spaces to find railways breaking down and nature taking over. Liam decides to help. Together, Liam and the garden grow and explore the empty spaces.
“The garden was especially curious about old, forgotten things.”
I love that sentence. The garden is not just a thing in this book, but one of the main characters!
The Curious Garden (doesn’t the title take on a new personna after you’ve read the above sentence?) will delight explorers and nature lovers.
KID KANDY:
Nature Walk
I walk almost every day through my neighborhood. When I walk tomorrow, I am going to look for places that nature is acting curious and spreading in unexpected places.
How about you?
Ask a parent or sibling to walk with you.
Look for:
– weeds growing in sidewalk cracks
– flowers springing up in odd spots
– old rusted things covered in grasses or vines
– moss creeping along damp, shady areas
– nature that is being mysterious and curious as it expands to new areas
It was a successful inaugural run…for my brand new recycled clothesline.
Until now, several factors have discouraged this celebratory occasion.
We have a tiny backyard.
The project resisted efforts towards completion.
Time kept on slipping, slipping, slipping.
Do you know how hard it is to find poles for clotheslines?
Today, may I introduce you to my tiny yard, brand new, recycled clothesline?
Pleased to meet you.
Our son had an old clothesline pole hanging out on their property. This treasure came complete with a cross bar (which my husband dropped on his head; his next gift is going to be a safety helmet – and I am not kidding) and rings for the lines.
We had to anchor the opposite side of the clothesline to the garage which required us to angle the entire clothesline. Do you now how hard it was to make it NOT square and straight? Using the garage as the second pole was due to lack of a second clothesline pole and a lack of space.
Our one available section of yard is only about 6 feet wide. It hides behind the garden shed and is almost beneath, gasp, the powerlines. Where the birds sit.
In spite of the challenges and possible necessity of rewashing bird-soiled items, I am so pleased and excited to use the clothesline.
Hurray for fresh air, crunchy clothes, and a lower gas bill.
Our angled clothesline connected between a pole and the garage.
Do you have a clothesline? What are your tricks for getting the cleanest and softest clothes?
Birds you see each day are the stars of this book, Every Day Birds.
Simple text, colorful fonts, beautiful cut paper illustrations, and one characteristic or behavior of each featured bird make this book a keeper. Twenty common North American birds are pictured in Every Day Birds. A picture identification and additional information section is included at the end of the book.
Young readers and budding bird lovers will treasure reading Every Day Birds. Reading will be followed up by time outdoors searching for the birds who live among the book pages.
Check out this brand new book. Every Day Birds.
KID KANDY:
Bird Watching
Materials: Every Day Birds, binoculars, hat
1. Read and study the birds found in Every Day Birds.
2. Put on your hat and head outside to look for birds.
3. Use the binoculars to see details of different birds without having to get too close.
4. Compare the birds you found to the ones in the book. How many did you find? Which was your favorite?
5. Some bird enthusiasts keep a lifetime list of the birds they see. You could make your own list by using a notebook for a bird journal. Draw or list the birds you observe.
Are you having fun yet? I’d love to hear which birds you saw on your bird hunt.
Fading beauty. I’m so sad to see my tulip season conclude.
I am so onboard for this celebration. It’s time to plant my garden!
The strawberries are looking future-tasty.
Actually, I cheated. I’ve already started to plant seeds, since we are expecting highs in the mid to upper 80’s today, it may be past time for new sprouts. But I think that is a freak of too-hot-too-early weather and it should drop back to the 60-70’s.
Half planted beds. Waiting for seeds.
Here are some National Garden Week photos from my yard.
Garlic, parsley, and sage – all repeat visitors from last year. Plus a cat tail of one who wanted to be featured.
Oh, each new bud, flower, and sprout is so exciting.
We even planted a tree trunk for the cats to scratch and climb. It won’t grow…but it is part of our garden.
I’m already dreaming about tasty blueberries, sweet-tart strawberries, exquisite raspberries, and savory herbs and vegetables.
Dabbling to pretty-up a very hot corner of the yard.
Join me. Let’s celebrate our gardens.
The dogwood is just beginning to burst into bloom.
Hi yes, I’m still here, doing fine. Thanks for asking. Just been out of town quite a bit, can’t seem to keep the fridge stocked with two ingredients that make sense together, and where did I put that camera battery charger? So sorry for the long silence, two plus weeks is very unlike me to at […]
Love, Laughter, and Life 