Today at Iten's Acres: The Morning After the Rain May 27, 2015

The morning after the rain:

Today at Iten's Acres: A Raucous Quiet May 26, 2015

I love the stillness of the morning. The quiet. It is a raucous quiet at times. She who rules the world is either telling me to "go away" so she can have the house to herself, or "since you're home, all your attention belongs to me." I'm not sure which--she gets the latter. Yes, spoiled. We sit early on and watch the birds feast on the morning spread. She actually is a gentle soul.
Outside, the quiet is lovely. The birds are full of spring--active, melodious or just plain noisy--but alive and delighted to be so. The flowers have nothing to say but are in touch with the wind--waiting for today's promised shower of blessing. I shall have to get what work I can done before the rain. I will work on the new beds again, and if the rain holds off until this afternoon, I will mow the back--hoping to tempt the swallows to join me this time. The beautiful can fly--soar. I love to sit on the hill in the early morning too. The Bible I take with me is in my head. As I grow older--and older--the Spirit has graciously written at least some of His Word on my heart. Hidden, but quietly prodding and encouraging. It's so easy to wake up in the morning, surrounded by the beauty of His creative love and find something to complain about. The stillness of the raucous quiet is my cure. Those He brings to mind--to heart--I can whisper a prayer of blessing for their day. Nature's harmony with their Creator can inspire a similar restful desire in my soul. He, too, is a bird watcher, you know. And a lover of flowers. And a giver of rain--a rain that brings life and beauty. What's that old saying? There can be no rainbow without a storm--or something like that. Yes, a life--a day--of storms can bring the reminder and the hope of His unchanging eternal promises. He is the God of lovingkindness--don't you just love that word?--of faithfulness, of truthful loyalty, of abiding presence. Enjoy your day with Him. That is the very reason why He has given it to you. So you can be glad in it. That's not so difficult a "command" to embrace, is it? Off I go--to embrace the gift of my day. You do the same. Love you.

Today at Iten's Acres: First Day May 25, 2015

The first day of the hermitage for the summer of 2015 has come and gone. A strange day in some ways. The morning was good--walk, new irises, the hibiscus are coming up. Got started on the new beds. It has been too long since I spent four hours plus on real physical labor. Ugh. Was hoping for some rain, but none came. So, I watered a few things. Filled up the bird baths. It will rain tomorrow for sure now. I worry about my renters in the mailbox. A good wind has been known to send that thing flying. Without wings.
The strange thing about this first day was that the hermit went to a graduation party. Yep, real people were there. Lots of them. I actually tried to go to two, but couldn't find the first one. I can get lost even with mapquest. Sorry Kathryn. I love you! The one I got to was for a gang of the gentlemen of WC--the football crew. Super young men. First day of their lives as college freshmen to be. I have no doubt that the Lord has His eyes on them. I'll pray that they remember that every day for the rest of their lives. A good truth to keep focusing on--for all of us.
Anyway, despite spending time with people, this old hermit had a good day. Lots of time outside, working and, of course, sitting on the green throne at the top of the hill. Even got to read a little bit--biography of King James I. Two and half months left. One day at a time.

This Week at Iten's Acres: Beauty May 24, 2015

A Saturday morning walk among these beauties.  Hope you enjoy.

Today at Iten's Acres: Fatherhood May 22, 2015

Well, I am finally a new father. Some folks have their mail order brides. I have my mail order kids. Triplets. I guess I'm guilty of robin the nest. And I now have my own twitter account. Better than that social media one I'm sure. I've never had someone try to worm their way into my life. Ahhh, the high cost of country living. There goes my nest eggs. I'm feeling blue. Audubon--you have met your match. My life is for the birds.

Today at Iten's Acres: Musings May 18, 2015

Got the lawn mower fixed. Had to mow the back. I usually call that joy Feeding the Swallows. Alas, no swallows joined me today though Dennis says they are back. They probably couldn't see me the grass was so high. Mowing the Jungle would have been apropos to today.
Cat birds are back. Love the catbirds. I should put up the hummingbird feeder. Wonder if the Baltimore Oriole will show up this year again. Will be his third visit if he does. What a beauty!
First mass gathering of the goldfish in the pond. And I do mean mass. Up until today, barely a sign. Today, the pond is orange.
Blooming this spring is strange. Some things early. The iris--not much going on. Tears. Though a new one bloomed today in the bed put up in Mom's memory. Two things way early!!!!! As in "You've got to be kidding me early." Spiderwort that usually doesn't bloom until mid-June--blooming. A Japanese iris that has never bloomed until the very end of July. Blooming. Stokes asters and coneflowers--July bloomers--buds already. Did I sleep for a couple of months and miss everything? No, that can't be true--exams are next week. Love you seniors.
Sadly, it also seems to be the spring of the dead tree--seven or eight of my trees appear to have lost the battle with winter. How they survived the vortex of two winters ago and succumbed this winter--strange things going on at The Acres. Fits the owner, I imagine. Hey, you don't have to agree with me.
Have a lovely evening. I'm going for a walk.

This Week at Iten's Acres: As A Garden May 17, 2015

"For as the earth brings forth its sprouts, and as a garden causes the things sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations." Isaiah 61:11