Monday, June 23, 2014

Summer is here

Hi Folks ~ Heat, humidity, afternoon thunderstorms and hurricane season for the next 6 months. Hopefully, we’ll have no hurricanes.  With all of the rain we’ve been having everything is growing like crazy. Mowing is a weekly occurrence if everything cooperates. Last week I flooded the lawn mower so that it wouldn’t start, only I didn’t know that that was the reason why it wouldn’t start. I cranked and cranked on the rope and nothing, gave up, came inside, frustrated and cried a bit. Sheesh! I was all set to mow because it was early morning and nice out and rain was expected later in the day. Well, after being inside for a bit, I had the thought, and feel it was God, to go back outside and try it again. So, I did, and after the second crank it started just like normal. What a relief!  I thanked God and happily went around mowing the place. This lawn mower is probably at least 20 years old and I hope it lasts me a few more years.

This morning I noticed the grass needs mowing again, but I already had it in my mind to weed-wack so that’s what I did. Plus weeded, trimmed and raked, for about three hours. Maybe I’ll mow tomorrow morning. When I’m working outside, I have a ‘sweat rag’, and water.  You can’t drink too much water, especially in the summer. You must keep hydrated. If I get out there by 8, by 11 I’ve done enough and had enough of the heat.  Thankfully I do have some shaded areas to work in too, and that helps.

I don’t know if any of you are having this problem or not, but for my reading list of blogs I follow, I’m only getting one blog at a time coming up, instead of the normal list like usual.  I went to Blogger to see if anyone else is having the problem and they are and the ‘powers that be’ told the poster thanks for the tip and they are working on the problem.

This morning I got a load of laundry started in my little washhouse and when I came out the door a reflection in the big bird bath caught my eye.  I had to run in for the camera.

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‘Hugs-n-kisses’ ~ I just love this hibiscus. No two blooms are a like.

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I can’t quit taking photos of the Vanda orchid ‘Miss Joachim’ either.

This cluster is just above my head and you can see some in the background that are at least 10’ into the air. These grow like crazy and I am so thankful for that. I have them all over in the different gardens.  Just break off a piece with roots and stick it wherever I feel like it.

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This is ‘Granada’, the rose reflected in the photos at the top of this post. These blooms are a couple of days old so are fading from the original look, but I think they are just as beautiful.

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‘Maman Cochet’ climbing rose. The blooms is pretty large and the scent wonderful. You can see part of my hand holding the bud up as it was drooping.

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I loved the sunlight hitting this bloom.

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This is one of my unknown mini roses.  It is really sweet.

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Saturday morning I got the urge to go to yard/garage sales on the way to work so I left early. I ended up spending a whopping $9. Here’s what I got below.

I picked out these frames at one yard sale.  They had been 50 cents, then marked down to 25 cents, and since it was after 10 and she was ready to close up, I got them for around 12 cents each.  There are 17 frames which I plan to use for embroidery pieces to sell in my Etsy shop.

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This one feels sort of like suede and is embossed with peacock feathers. I may keep this one for myself. Time will tell.

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I’m going to use the beads from the bracelet in crafting, they are plastic not glass.  The earrings I love. I do not have pierced ears so wear and am on the lookout for the older earrings, either clip or screw on types.  My husband would have liked these.  I wore them last evening just for myself. Another name he had for me was ‘earring lady’, because I  match my earrings to whatever colorful top I am wearing. These are sweet and dangle.

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This is a sweet small wicker rocker. It needs cleaning and maybe painting, and a little repair, but the price was definitely right.  It is comfortable to sit in, just the right size. Right now it is in the living room, not sure where it will end up.

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I love ‘love birds’ and this is now in my collection.

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Thank you all for your prayers and encouraging words for my talk at my widow’s group. They said I did fine. You can read what I talked about on our widow’s blog. Anna The Prophetess.

Being a widow is a daily, learning to live, differently. Last week I was feeling down for a few days, then the next morning I woke up feeling positive again. I thanked God for the change in my feelings. I know friends are praying and that really helps me all the time.

Today happens to be ‘International Widow’s Day’. If you think of it, take a minute to pray for widows all around the world. Some have it really, really rough. What some of them are going through makes my experiences seem small. We all have one thing in commen in this sisterhood, and that is missing our husbands.

I found out about a book through Grace Gems that I ordered yesterday. The author is Octavius Winslow (1808-1878). The day after my dear husband went to be with God I found a writing by Octavius Winslow online and it touched my heart deeply.  The writing is “The Godly Widow Confiding in the Widow's God”. The verse: "Let thy widows trust in me." —Jeremiah 49:11. This writing was just what I needed right then. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, God is my strength, seeing me through each and every single day. I am loving Him more and being drawn closer to Him with each new day.

My dear husband told me about Grace Gems a few years back and I get their daily devotionals in my email. He thought I would like them and I do and am being blessed by them, and feel my husband’s love for me too.

This new book is: THE PRECIOUS THINGS OF GOD
Devotional Studies on the 12 Things Scripture Call 'Precious'

I will close this post with a gem from Grace Gems, written by Octavius Winslow.

Lock your hand in His!

(Octavius Winslow, 1866)

"Our Father in Heaven." Matthew 6:10

"Father!" It is the language of the believing heart.

Oh, it is a marvelous fact, a stupendous truth--
that God should be our Father!
Higher than this, the soul cannot rise.
Love then reaches its deepest yearnings.
 
Only realize this fact, that God is your Father, and it explains . . .
  every chapter of your history,
  every event of your life,
  every sentiment, feeling,
  and desire of your soul.

All that is omnipotent in strength,
all that is profound in wisdom,
all that is tender in sympathy,
all that is rich in infinite plenitude--
is bound up in the endearing epithet, "Father!"

That Father is yours!

You were His child from eternity!

Stupendous thought!

His love to you,
His choice of you,
His purpose to adopt you,
His plan to redeem, sanctify,
and bring you to glory--
are eternal acts of His sovereign grace!

Believe that all that your Father does is for your best;
that your highest interests are all in His hands,
and in His hands are all secure.

Lock your hand in His,
willing to be led,
unquestioning,
confiding,
meekly,
just where your Father leads.

***

Have a nice week ~ FlowerLady

28 comments:

lil red hen said...

Yes! I'm having the same problem; sorta glad to hear I'm not the only one.

Your "finds" are so nice. I really like the little chair!

Thank you for posting the words about our heavenly Father.

denimflyz said...

Dearest Lorraine,
I am having the same issues with no blogs coming up on the dashboard, I finally wormed my way to the forum and complained. I thought I had it fixed as I was told it was something about the draft phase? but I see it was the same this morning. I hope that they get it fixed.
Getting very hot here, but we have been getting glorious rain which we needed so badly. I'll take a little of yours off of your hands.
Please take care and I will try very hard to shoot you an email. As you know, its been very hectic here.
Love, Hugs to you my friend.

Gardener on Sherlock Street said...

Such beautiful reflection photos. Thanks for sharing.

Deb J. in Utah said...

Those picture frames are great and what a buy! As always, your flowers are wonderful. I love this thought about Heavenly Father. Thank you for sharing!

Ruth Hiebert said...

I use Feedly for my blog reading and it is working as normal.
I love all those gorgeous flowers.

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

I have the same issue with only one blog showing up. Hopefully they will get that fixed soon, without "un-fixing" something else.

The pond reflection picture was very pretty. When I see all of the beautiful flowers you have in bloom it makes me think that it must smell heavenly in your yard.

That peacock feather design frame was a wonderful find. I've never seen one like it. I would keep it if I were you. The other frames will be perfect for your embroidery.

When I go out in my flowers in the heat, I usually wear my big giant straw hat, an ice water soaked old cloth diaper around the back of my neck, a "sweat rag" tucked into one side of my waist band and a little cloth bag with my phone pinned with a giant safety pin to the inside on the other side of my waist band. I hope that Google street view picture taking vehicle never does a drive-by while I am out there!

shirley said...

Gee Lorraine i wish I could grow those beautiful orchids to be as plentiful and lush as yours.
Your roses are always a delight and i like the one reflecting in the pool.

camp and cottage living said...

Lorraine
I love seeing your beautiful flowers!
It's wonderful that you have a good support group to share your feeling together with. And even more precious that the Lord is there with you every step of the way.

Gary said...

Good morning Lorraine,
Summer is indeed here isn't it? Over here we haven't had rain for nearly a month, and hot sun as well, so things in the garden business are mercifully slowing a little. I expect a good bout of rain will kickstart things at some point no doubt though. I have only just seen this post of yours, as blogger are messing with my dashboard layout. If the mower floods again, and you can't restart it, close the throttle, take the spark plug out, crank it for 30 seconds to get the petrol out of the cylinder, then put the plug back in and start as normal and all should be fine. The garden is looking lovely.

Sunray Gardens said...

You have some lovely blooms. I do understand your frustration on the mower. It can be very upsetting to have those things happen when we don't know what to do. Glad that was all it ended up being though.
Cher Sunray Gardens

Deb said...

Lovely treasures you scored the frames are great and the chair looks inviting.
The Mower troubles happen here to every now and then I always think I've done something wrong, than 10 minutes or so I try again and it starts, drives me crazy I don't remember each time I've been through this before.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely love the reflection photos in the big bird bath!

You always have such beautiful blooms in your garden. I envy the roses. :-)

Have a wonderful week, FlowerLady.

Hugs,

eli

Debra Howard said...

I'm so glad you got your mower started...sometimes it helps if you choke it and pull then slide back over to the gas. God is so good isn't he...that was especially sweet of him to urge you to go back out and then to give you such beautiful flowers and a beautiful reflection in your birdbath. Doesn't it just make you feel all warm inside with His love...it sure does me.

L. D. said...

I like the "Lock your hand in His" It is sound advice. Letting the mower sit does let the excess gas evaporate. The mowers that get difficult to start may need a new spark plug. Your flowers are always so beautiful. You live in such a wonderful area for gardens. Here in Iowa we are hitting heat and humidity on a daily basis and I have to come inside by noon even when I don't want to.

Maryann said...

I'm also having the same problem with blogger. The heat and humidity have hit here as well, I try to get out before 10 or 11, after that it's just too hot. We have been blessed with some random cool days so I am not complaining. You really made out with that box of frames, I can't wait to see all you decide to create with them.. Hope you have a wonderful week

Sally said...

Hi Lorraine, I'm having the same problem with my blog list. I'm going thru them and adding my email address so I'll be getting them there. It will be easier in the long run!
Your Hibiscus and Orchids are spectacular! I commend you for working in that heat....not sure I could do it!
I'm so happy to hear of all the love and support you receive in your widows groups. Beyond any intellectual understanding, I know in my soul of souls that Jesus is our "husbandman". We can't do any better than that! xx

Pam's English Garden said...

I'm having a lot of problems with Blogger lately, Lorraine, and have been thinking seriously about switching to WordPress. Love your 'reflection' picture -- well captured. I am always glad to learn of a new devotional, so thank you. P. x

sharon said...

that same thing always happens to me with my blower...love the reflection....nive flowers..I do love the peacock frame keep it!!

Rose ~ from Oz said...

A wonderful post Lorraine, I soaked up every word and image. Weather-wise I'll be facing the summer you're dealing with in another 5-6 months!
The Reading List in blogger just righted itself this morning here. The problem has been more than frustrating. For days I've been unable to follow the latest posts by the blogs I follow. I hope it stays fixed!

Balisha said...

I love that picture of the rose with the sunlight on it.You find the neatest things at garage sales. I think that chair is sweet.
I wasn't a widow very long, but I do remember the days when I felt like the world was against me. Maybe my tire was flat or the window was broken...I would just ask God why he felt he had to take my husband. In times like that....I would look around at everything that "We" had built and accumulated and put it in perspective.....finding that I was so blessed.
I know how hard it is to keep up the outdoor work in the heat....but just remember that it's better to have the grass long...than to get sick from being out in the heat.
Take care and know that others are reading this blog and you are helping so many women by writing your true feelings.
Balisha

Julie said...

Beautiful flowers and finds!!!!!

KathyB. said...

Ah, Blogger has been a bugger lately and sometimes I think I'd quit blogging because I don't have time for the frustration...and just maybe I should switch to Word press. But I have grown very fond of my blogger friends and the format WHEN IT WORKS !

Your photos of your blooms show them to be lovely and I can see why you get excited over them.

I am going to check out the link you shared for widows. I have some dear friends who've been recently widowed and I know any encouragement and uplifting are needed, thank-you.

Thistle Cove Farm said...

Those are pretty earrings and nice find! For some reason, rest of photos didn't load for me and would have loved seeing the wicker rocker and everything else you found while visiting sales.
Not sure how I feel about an international widow's day...perhaps it's because life has been a struggle lately. been canning tomatoes and sauce, now finished, and have lots of other things to occupy my time. I'm so in need of selling and moving and, honestly, don't think I'm rushing because it's been 2.5 years. the thoughts of going through another winter here makes me weep.

Diana Studer said...

I read my blogs thru Feedly since Google Reader died. Bloglovin is also popular.

That hibiscus with the violet heart is gorgeous!

Morning's Minion said...

I've had little time at my desk this week--and was very frustrated with the non-functioning blogger preview window. It seems to be functioning this morning.
No time to do much reading and will come back later to finish this interesting post. Just wanting to say that I've never been successful in starting machines with pull-cord starters. Surely the mechanical geniuses of this world could come up with something more woman-user-friendly [?]

Darcie said...

What a beautiful picture you got in the reflection! Sometimes it amazes me what catches our eyes...we just have to simply look, huh?

I hear you about the lawnmower...I didn't know you could flood them either, but I learned that the hard way too. Glad it worked the second time. You have such a great spirit of giving it your best. I know it isn't always easy for you, but you inspire us all.

Dorothy said...

Beautiful post about life in your corner of the world. I loved the reflection photo and the roses... Oh My!! So much to look at in the garden. Ours are folding in for the winter. I hope the summer delivers lots of color and life to your yard. And may that mower work the first time, every time. xx

M.K. said...

I do always enjoy the beauty of your blossom photos, but my heart jumped a beat when you said "yard sale finds"!! What fun! Those beads are lovely, and what a great find on those frames! I need to go look at your Etsy shop. I've toyed with starting an Etsy shop for my soap stuff, but I've always wondered if people actually sell much there. Do you? There seem to be so many people on there, I wonder if one shop would get lost in the crowd.