The wind was blowing the flowers and leaves around in almost constant gusts of 20 to 30 MPH the other day. Walking Sophie and Tucker I thought, “Another no picture day.” As the wind blew against us another thought crossed my mind, “Why? There are plenty of non-moveable things to photograph. Like these locust pods tucked deep into our windbreak. I…
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“I love the dried and torn milkweed pods as they burst open in all their seedy and shimmery beauty. Oh, the delights of September!” Joy DeKok About a year ago, I was delighted by the milkweed seeds, and I almost missed this bug standing his or her ground with so much courage. It was as if this guard bug believed…
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The other day, I watched this lovely goldfinch ride a blade of prairie grass as the wind blew her about with gusts up to 25 MPH and a storm headed our way. As she hung on and sang because that’s what birds are created to do. As I watched and listened, I felt a gentle moment from God whisper across…
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Jon and I were enjoying a lovely Sunday afternoon in the living room when a male grosbeak hit the window. He smacked it so hard that he left feathers on the glass. We both got up to look and were sad to see him lying on the ground motionless his head at a funky angle. Sadness filled our hearts. Adding…
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Daddy & Me In the tenth grade, John Marshall high school held a Father-Daughter dance. After school, I climbed a tall ladder, hung streamers in the lunch room, cut out name tags in the shapes of father and daughter lions, and could hardly wait to dance with my Daddy. Mama taught me the steps and gently encouraged me to let…
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This downy woodpecker’s body language communicated anticipation. He sat there, eager and ready for his turn at the suet lunch counter. When the second the other downy left, he was there. I know there are times when it’s important to wait passively, and I’m not good at it. For so long I believed all waiting (especially when waiting for God)…
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I enjoy taking photos and love it when I get to take good ones and sometimes even near perfect ones. But sometimes perfect – even almost perfect doesn’t happen. When I get ready to go outside, the last thing I do is hang my camera around my neck. That action sets my goal: get great pictures. I feel the determination…
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I admired his tenacity. The feeders were full. On the ground was a fresh and generous scattering of all their favorite treats. I grinned at this bird who decided to eat coneflower seeds, and he was willing to do what it took to get the best of them. He knew I was out there because I spoke to him when…
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Three years ago today, Mama left here for heaven. I wanted to do more to remember her than stand at her grave. I wanted to share her with you. And, on the selfish side, I wanted to write about her because that’s one way I can still honor her. In a couple of days is my birthday. Sixty seems like…
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There was something dry and brittle in my heart – something that didn’t belong. The day was gloomy gray, and so was my spirit. Everything felt heavy, and tears flowed with no warning. My whole body felt weary and wounded. My jaw ached from the constant clenching and my shoulders from hunching. And my head hurt the way it does…
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“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap, but by the seeds you plant.” Robert Louis Stevenson As fall races towards winter, I’ve wandered and pondered a little more often. I take deep breaths of the fall air, and I feel a twinge. Winter isn’t far away – I can hear it in the howl of the wind and…
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