Up, down, up, down....

Hi folks ~ Like a yo-yo our emotions go, up, down, up, down, praying we have more ups than downs in this time of isolation. I'm not perfect, I'm human and have my times of down, especially after I've posted something positive. The evil one wants to destroy our faith and he does try his best, but his best is NOT good enough. He's NOT in control. The One, Jesus, who lives inside of me is GREATER and He brings me back up when I'm down. Either through scripture, prayer, emails, texts, family, friends, nature, He is always working in our behalf, for our ultimate good.

Yesterday I was in a funk during the day, then a dear friend called, then later my dear BIL and SIL called, then I watched my pastor's Wed. Bible study, then afterwards was able to put the zoom app on my phone and tablet and I went to bed thankful and lighter feeling than I had been earlier. 

Being able to zoom with family and friends is going to be great! I'll let you know how it goes after I've participated in a session. My SIL said she did it with 55 ladies from BSF on Sat morning and it was fantastic. Modern technology has been a blessing in it's positive aspects, not the negative ones. To be able to reach out to others is a gift.

I have an online blogging friend who posted today and the title was *Today is Blursday*, then she wrote, "everyday is Blursday."  What an apt description of what time is like since our having to isolate ourselves from others, some home from jobs, etc. Our routines have been disrupted so that we have to check the calendars, phones or computers to see what day it really is. 

It has been a time of rest from the hectic world we live in. I read somewhere this morning that because of everything being shut down around the world, nature sounds are being heard where they've not been heard in a long time. 

Before this 'isolation station' happened, I thought of joining my local botanical garden again, for a $50 fee for the whole year and I could go there any time I felt like it to enjoy it's peace and beauty. I put it off, and feel that was God's doing, because I would not have been able to go. I then thought, I have my very own little botanical garden right here. I keep working on the different areas and making forward progress in this time of 'going nowhere'.

So, here are more blooms to share with you. I know some of you are still having snow and I hope this will help cheer you up. Others of you are locked indoors with no place to go for fresh air and spring beauty, may you enjoy blooms from Plum Cottage also.

Below is 'Carnation' rose. Such a beauty. Lots of buds on her right now.

Next are pics of my 'sweetheart' rose, at least that was the name I was given when I bought it.

Below are two white flowering plants that have delicate, lovely scents. The first is 'basket plant flower', Callisia fragrans.  This plant creeps along, spreading itself prolifically.

The second is an Angel wing Begonia, Begonia Odorata. This plant is easily propagated by cuttings. 

Next we have 'Dancing Ladies' orchids.

  These are blooms from 'Giant Milkweed'. The leaves of this plant are velvety, silvery green and huge. The blossoms beautiful.

 'Tahitian Gardenia'

This little flowering plant is an unknown to me.

 

 This is 'Blue Lips'.

 'Texas Sage'

Here is an unknown. I have the name somewhere, but can't remember where. ;-)

Here is an upcoming project to work on, the St. Francis garden area. There is a path there, but it is overgrown with a ground cover.

 
Next pics are of another garden project tackled last week, still a work in progress, but it makes me feel so much better already.

I think that's it for now. Keep focused on positive, beautiful things. (On a positive note, the virus cases and deaths are declining in our area, and we may have another three weeks to a month of isolation. Hoping and praying this may be true and for the best for us all.) Do what you can when you feel like it. Don't stress as much as possible. 

Love, hugs and prayers for all,

FlowerLady