Mr. Mom

Mr. Cardinal was busy recently satisfying the voracious appetite of this youngster.

The little one is growing quickly and learning to fend for itself.

Two and a half weeks ago, my husband, Don, had an emergency procedure that repaired a tear in his esophagus and saved his life.  He was in intensive care for a few days, and now he's home and on the mend, and we are very grateful.  It's interesting how something like that can rearrange your priorities, and a lot of things that seemed important before have taken a backseat for the time being.

What stands in our memory is the kindness of strangers, the caring professionalism of the medical team at the hospital, and mostly, the support of our loving Father.

As a father has compassion on his children, 

so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him;

for He knows how we are formed,

He remembers that we are dust.

Psalm 103: 13, 14

Linking with Wild Bird Wednesday
and Saturday's Critters

Garden Party

Summer has been here for 59 days now, and it has been a very pleasant one, 

but it is finally showing its true colors with a few sultry days.

While everyone is trying to cool off...

a young female cardinal wonders what's going on in the flowerbed.  

It's a party, of course.  

The Salvia and Rosemary sent out fragrant invitations on the breeze to the butterflies and hummingbirds:

You're invited to a garden party.

Refreshments will be served as the nectar lasts.

Please wear your dazzling colors.

And so they have come, dressed in their finery.  

When the party began,

 the rosemary flowers were all standing straight as soldiers at Buckingham Palace 

and forgot to bend a few stems for the hummingbirds to perch on.  

Fortunately, there was some thin, rusty wire in the shop that worked for seating.

If you build it, they will come.




Linking with:
id-rather-b-birdin
Saturday's Critters
and Wild Bird Wednesday

Thanks to Kim Klassen for her texture Cecile on the first image.

I Love Sunflowers

It's sunflower season, and I love sunflowers.

I love the magic encased in their spiky packages,

and how their petals unfurl...

and turn toward the sun, catching its fire.

I love the way the little stars of pollen appear and multiply...

sprinkling out stardust like parmesan cheese on a pizza.

I love the way they adorn an evening table...

the gentle curve of their leaves...

the graceful arch of their stems and the stiff white hairs that cover them.

I love sunflowers, but more than that, so much more,

I love the One who made them,

who also made the stars,

who gave His life so we could live.

Linking with Weekly Top Shot,

Little Things Thursday

and Friday Photo Journal

First published on 9/12/11