The skunks love to come through our back yard. Somehow their mighty bad fragrance drifts into our bedroom windows. It literally is enough to gag me. So I went in search of a solution.
Online it said they do not like unexpected noises or lights. Well, I figured getting a motion sensitive light was too expensive to begin with. Mom always said that hanging “tin pans” (or now aluminum pie tins) would repel critters.
Tin pans tend to rust and we simply do not use them much any more. Not even certain I could buy one if I wanted to. Maybe I could try an empty vegetable can? Aluminum pans though come with all kinds of tasty treats like fruit pies from the bakery or crumb crusts from Keebler. I have been collecting them.
I moved two small shepherd hooks close to our bedroom window. I put out aluminum pans on yarn strings. Bob saw they needed to be anchored there so he added a wooden clamp clothes pin. The winds have been strong and relentless lately. The yarn wraps around the hook. The wind has even blown a pan off the string a time or two. I refuse to surrender to the stench of skunk.
At first the clacking of the pans bothered me, but then I would remember their purpose. Eventually the sound just became a song the wind played for us. And I am happy to report we have only had one skunk (that we know of) stinking up the yard!
Someone mentioned that the skunk sprays because we have a dog. I have to say I do not agree as the dog is rarely even allowed into the back yard! She is more than likely sunbathing on the cordoned off deck if she is out back.
The winds are gusty again today. I have restrung a pan for the hook. As soon as I can get out without freezing or being blown away I will hang it up again.
Wind is in many places in Scripture. Psalm 104 says God walks upon the wings of the wind. In Job 38 God answered Job out of the whirlwind. And John 3:8 says
The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Listen for the wind. Avoid the skunks. Rest in the power of the Almighty God.
Remember those? Things that make you pause and be glad. Little things throughout the day that have you stop for a breath and rest momentarily? Here are some recent ones I experienced.
Grass is an impossible shade of green (after several days in the 70s and lots of spring rain)
The honeysuckle bushes are leafing out, a sure sign of spring
This sunrise with glorious shades of pink and gold
A truck center named Rush (my maiden name)
The Sandhill Cranes are in large numbers in Nebraska where we once saw them migrating.
It has been said that if we look for glimmers and for things to be grateful for we will see more and more of those things throughout our day. Have you tried this practice?
My granddaughter gave me a manicure as part of my Christmas gift (five of them actually). The first one was a couple weeks ago. My nails are still shiny and I think of our sweet conversation and her love each time I notice them.
The tulips I planted when we first moved in are emerging again. Each year I say I am going to dig them up. They never get to bloom because the rabbits eat them. (I think it is rabbits? Perhaps white tailed deer?) This year I decided those tulips are just a spring salad for some critter that likely needs the leaves more than I need the flowers. I hesitantly think, MAYBE. I am learning to smile when I see the mowing job the critter has done. It proves a Glimmer of life I do not get to witness, but I see the results from their presence under that front tree.
Watch today for things that delight your eyes. Even if it is just a momentary thing it can be important for your health.
I wanted to go out on the back deck to marvel at the sun and look to see if the Thumbelina daffodils had started to bloom yet. The dog was in front of the door. She could not decide if she wanted to go out or not. I slid open the door and growled at her “Go in or go out! I do not care!” After she moved I stepped outside. Before looking at the daffodil leaves I looked up and to my left sensing something looking at me. I saw this wonderful hawk in the nearby tree. It was not startled by my growling.
I texted Bob “Hawk on back deck.” knowing he would grab his camera and come see. His photos were much better than mine. Here was our visitor! He likely saw our feeder as a bait station. Like Sonic says, “You gotta eat!”
r m dutinaMy favorite by r m dutinar m dutina
“Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars and spreads its wings toward the south? 27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes its nest on high? Job 39:26-27 NRSVUE
We often hear the hawks calling from high in the sky. Sometimes we can see them, sometimes not. We are always blessed when they come to close to us! God is in control of them, certainly not us!
These blasts of snow and cold followed by spring warmth and sunshine have the Ohio Valley in whiplash. Never certain if we should layer up with woolens or wear spring weight slacks and short sleeves. It is definitely NOT shorts weather yet, though we have seen some folks sporting them!
The daffodils get a little taller everyday. Roofs are getting covered with snow this morning. Furnace is still needed. One night I had to open the window as bedroom was so warm! Next night I got my leg out of the covers in my sleep and awoke with a frozen limb.
Here is part of A Song of Creation, Canticle 12 from The Book of Common Prayer
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, * O heavens and all waters above the heavens. Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, * all winds and fire and heat. Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, * drops of dew and flakes of snow. Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, * O shining light and enfolding dark. Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
We had a recent morning snowfall that was enchanting. Part of the enjoyment was knowing that this would not be a “shoveler” and was likely one of the last snows of the season. I will upload the video as soon as YouTube takes out the music that recorded in the background of the video. Here is a link to the song that came to me as I watched the snow.
Just last week a flock of FIVE female goldfinch showed up at the feeder. This was as the snow was still deep upon the ground. I was delighted to see them!
As the inches of snow melted, 37 mole tunnels appeared on the vacant field and the two lots adjacent. Those critters were obviously busy during the big accumulation.
The morning of February 14 I noticed the maple buds were beginning to swell. Last week the twigs were all smooth. Now bumps of growth have appeared.
Spring is on the edges of our days and nights here. The daffodils which had broken the ground surface before the snow storm are continuing to gain height. I have not seen any crocus yet.
There are still snow piles up and down the street. Soon we will complain that it is to hot or too humid. Never satisfied, are we?
I recently read a book entitled “The Dog That Talked to God.”It features a miniature Schnauzer. I knew one once. My friend Jeanne owned it and it was sweet, though yappy.
The book is Christian fiction. Not only does the dog talk to God, the dog talks occasionally to its master. That might be fun!!
More than halfway through the book the owner decided to sell her house and relocate. This was difficult for both her and the dog. Here is one conversation the two of them had.
Rufus stared at his front paws.
“I guess. Maybe. But I don’t like this change. I liked the way things were. Except for the cold. And the snow. And getting run over by cars. Other than that, I liked it. And there were no horses there at all. None at all.”
This time I bent to him, not to hear him, but to hug him tight to me.
We were both lost and alone and dislocated and we wanted what we had before and would never, ever get back.
“God did say to trust him,” Rufus added, his voice soft, almost a whisper. “I don’t know what that means exactly. But I think he will show us what he wants us to do. Right? He does that sort of thing, right?”
Does that sound familiar to your life experience? This was not just a cutesy book with a warm fuzzy message. This book, written from the perspective of a woman and her dog, written by a man which had me puzzled for a bit, is more like a meatloaf sandwich when you apply it to yourself. The woman is angry with God and has decided not to talk with God anymore. It is an age old human situation and this one is told in an interesting way. I went through that after my mother died suddenly. (We worked it out.)
My book has a copyright of 2012 so you can likely purchase it used through Abe Books or Thrift.
I receive daily quotes from several sources. The ones from Every Moment Holy tend to be from one publication for a week or more. Then they will choose a different volume of liturgies to quote from. They books they publish run along a theme for the liturgies in each volume.
Here is their website https://www.everymomentholy.com/ They offer several volumes for sale, free printable liturgies from various topics and other materials on the site.
Let me glimpse in growing things, some hint of your unseen kingdom. Let me shape here a living poetry that whispers words of grace to all who pause to listen. From A Liturgy for Yard Work 1 from Volume 3. I would love to quote more from this, but I have loaned my books to a Pastor at our church!
Last autumn my sister sent me flower arrangements from a company in California that prides itself on sustainable arrangements with little environmental damage from pesticides and fertilizers.
Notice the succulent in the center of each arrangement?
The instructions said after the flowers faded I was to remove the succulent from the water tube it was in and plant it in a pot of soil to get it rooting.
They arrived in early November. This is how they appear in early February! The base of the flower pot is small enough to fit in the large plastic pharmacy pill bottle top for a saucer!
No, they do not look quite as nice as when they first arrived, but they are still alive!! I am tempted to trim off those outer leaves, but I decided not to do that yet. If they shrivel and look unhealthy by late winter/spring I might.
“Let me glimpse in growing things, some hint of your unseen kingdom. Let me shape here a living poetry that whispers words of grace to all who pause to listen. ” Do you glimpse in these growing things some hint of the unseen kingdom? Does the photo come to your eyes as ‘living poetry that whispers of grace to all who pause to listen?’
Apple photos identified the plant as Echeveria. https://worldofsucculents.com/grow-care-echeveria/ has detail on how to grow it. “Thanks to their charming rosettes and gorgeous water-storing leaves, Echeverias are among the most popular succulent plants. Echeverias are one of the easiest succulents to propagate. They are usually propagated by offsets or leaves, but they can also be grown from stem cuttings and seeds. The best time to separate offsets and take cuttings is in the spring.
Guess I do not need to worry about those shriveled leaves, “Echeveria is self-pruning. All you may need to do is pick out the dead leaves or flowers. Removing dead leaves prevents rot or disease from taking over the plant.”Seems the shriveled leaves may have been due to lack of water. (This house is SO DRY this winter I am tempted to purchase a humidifier!)
May your find reflections of glory and glimmers of God’s presence wherever you look today!
O God, your ways are holy. Is there any god as mighty as you? You are the God of great wonders! You demonstrate your awesome power among the nations. Psalm 77:13–14 (NLT)
I was not quite awake as I poured my coffee. Remembered there were snow flurries last night when I took the dog out. Flipped on porch light and looked at deck to see how much snow we received? Yikes!! The four inches that remained from the last storm is still there. This was not new snow but shook me up for a brief minute. No, I was not awake before but startled to reality now! Negligible snow in the night .
I do not remember the last time that snow lingered like this in our town. I just saw a forecast that calls for 1-3 inches of new snow tomorrow!
Our God of great wonders has blessed us with unusual weather this winter. I pray you can enjoy it?
We took a ride in the Sunday sunshine and Bob took photos of the snow and shadows. We knew a few older houses in downtown Batavia that would form icicles from the second story to the ground. Indeed, they did!
Our son took a vacation to Hocking Hills in the midst of this winter mayhem. Perhaps you are familiar with Old Man’s Cave?
photo by Jeff Dutina
photo by Jeff Dutina
photo by Jeff Dutina
Beauty from the Lord our God is every place we turn. Praying you will discover treasures in plain sight for yourself today!
A friend sent me this and I thought you would enjoy it! “Douglas Florian is one of my favorite children’s poets. Here is his poem called “Cabin Fever”
I've done the wash. I've swept the floor I've fed the cat And fixed the door.
I've read three books and last week's news, and for the fourth time polished the shoes.
It seems like years
since I've had fun.
I look outside
For signs of sun.
I bite my nails.
I crawl the walls.
For lack of space
I pace the halls.
My mother warned me
of cabin fever.
I was a fool
to not believe her.
Sound familiar? They say we might return to more temperature in the Ohio valley soon. I am liking the stay-at-homeness, but will also relish he release to come and go as we please.
We are having a laminate floor installed in teh sewing/sitting room this week. That ought to tear this up, dirty things up and take time to put together again!
The January almost nationwide storm swept through our area with bitter cold and wind. In total, we had about seven inches of snow, which for us is unusual. Grateful it was not the possible twelve inches, which would have been over the top of my boots! As it was when I had to walk through the ditch at the edge of the driveway where the snowplow had piled it even higher, I almost fell. Yes, Lucky still requires walking even in this weather. She is faster though at tending to her business. Bob did fall in that snow this morning while returning with her from her morning constitutional. Later this morning we plan to run the car over that pile a few times and salt it in hopes of diminishing the depth there!
There has been a feeding frenzy at the bird feeders. The starlings are doing their best to empty the mealworm feeder as fast as they can. I did fill it extra full this time and if I am writing at my computer I try to frighten them off. They are larger than the bluebirds and get food other places. And they are cowards. One tap on the window and they usually take off. The bluebirds seem to know they are welcome! Of course, when I am not sitting here writing the starlings help themselves unhindered. The slate colored Juncos were so amusing jumping about on the surface of the snow. I wondered why they did not scoop up the fallen meal worms. Must not be to their liking.
I made a huge pot of chicken tortilla soup on Thursday. It makes so much we have plenty to share with friends and neighbors. I just had a text message from another neighbor asking if we would like some chicken tortilla soup? Hilarious! That makes three of us on the same street who made the same soup! It is filling and certainly warms you up!
It is snowing again now. The snow plow did not come through until late on Sunday afternoon. The shovelers our HOA hires arrived after the plow. Then the shovelers evidently came again during the night to remove some of the snowplow depth at the end of driveways. I doubt we will see the shovelers again unless these flurries develop into 2-3 inches. Not likely. The surface of our road is still white.
I had to wonder when it was snowing really hard where the bluebirds take shelter? It is not as if we see them huddled in a particular tree or shrub. They are not known for digging tunnels for shelter. Where were they? As the wind whipped the wind chimes into a continuous winter chorus where was the even tinier Carolina Wren?
Birds hide in dense evergreens, shrubs, tree cavities, or human structures
Many species huddle together to share body heat
They enter torpor, a nightly mini-hibernation, to conserve energy
Birds fluff their feathers to trap warm air increasing insulation
They forage intensely before a storm to build fat reserves
Window ledges and backyard shelters become crucial hiding spots
Some birds stay perfectly still for hours to preserve energy
We do not have evergreens on our lot. There is space under the deck though. I like the idea of a flock of bluebirds sheltering under my deck during a winter storm! 🙂 Maybe if I give up the garden that runs across the back of our lot I will opt for evergreens to replace the many annuals I usually put out?
photo by r m dutina
I did notice the pesky squirrels did not appear on Sunday until late afternoon.
Glorify the Lord, all you works of the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever. In the firmament of his power, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, you angels and all powers of the Lord, * O heavens and all waters above the heavens. Sun and moon and stars of the sky, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, every shower of rain and fall of dew, * all winds and fire and heat. Winter and Summer, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O chill and cold, * drops of dew and flakes of snow. Frost and cold, ice and sleet, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever.
Glorify the Lord, O nights and days, * O shining light and enfolding dark. Storm clouds and thunderbolts, glorify the Lord, * praise him and highly exalt him for ever. The Book of Common Prayer Canticle 12, Morning Prayer Rite II
So regardless of your situation this winter I hope you too are able to glorify the Lord. Our church along with most others was closed this past Sunday. we look forward to seeing our church family again soon!
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 