Beautiful Gardens

"For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle is heard in our land;" Song of Solomon 2:11 & 12

This is the lovely view from my parents' home in the Finger Lakes area in NY. The area is picturesque with rolling hills, valleys, woods, the Finger Lakes, vineyards, and of course, my parents' gardens!

When they moved to this place about 10 years ago, there wasn't a flower on the property, but years of diligent, loving care have changed that! When I was growing up my father was a farmer who worked very hard raising crops for the cows that he milked. Now he has transferred that love of the land to the many vegetable and flower gardens that he and my mother have created on their small acreage.

Along with a love for plants, my parents have a love for birds. They have numerous birdhouses and feeders on their property. At any given time you might see a dozen different birds in their yard. My favorites (and I think my father's, also) are the bluebirds. He even raises worms for their daily breakfast and builds special houses just for them. I also really enjoy watching the hummingbirds as they flit from the feeder especially filled with sugar water just for them to the many flowers with the nectar that they so love.

I can't begin to remember all the different types of flowers that they have planted in their gardens but I think the columbines must be some of the most beautiful. I can say that because the roses aren't blooming yet!

Even their vegetable garden is artistic and orderly, so much like their lives.
Nestled in the branches of an evergreen tree beside their house, my father found a nest of chirping sparrows. The little mother was most distressed with our discovery!

My father also has a passion for bee keeping. Here he is at work on the hives.

My parents are a great example of the rich, productive lives that I believe that God would desire for grandparents to live. They spend their days working in the gardens, helping their neighbors, babysitting their grandchildren, and being involved in their church. My father has a daily job of taking some young men to their place of work. My mother also keeps busy with sewing and quilting projects. They eat much of what they produce but also share great quantities of their excess garden produce with others. In spite of some health issues, they continue to be physically active and strive to take care of their bodies by eating well. They love the Lord and their lives display this love in many ways.

I told my father, "When I grow old, I want to be like you!".

Beautiful Gardens
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