I MEANT TO DO MY WORK TODAY I meant to do my work today... But a brown bird sang in the apple tree. And a butterfly flitted across the field, And all the leaves were calling me. And the wind went sighing over the land, Tossing the grasses to and fro, And a rainbow held out its shining hand... So what could I do but laugh and go? ~By Richard LeGallienne~ TREES Trees are the kindest things I know, They do no harm, they simply grow. And spread a shade for sleepy cows, And gather birds among their boughs. They give us fruit in leaves above, And wood to make our houses of, And leaves to burn on Halloween, And in the Spring new buds of green. They are first when the day's begun To touch the beams of morning sun, They are the last to hold the light When evening changes into night. And when a moon floats on the sky They hum a drowsy lullaby, Of sleepy children long ago... Trees are the kindest things I know. ~By Harry Behn~ FEEDING THE BIRDS... To me, the garden is a doorway to other worlds; one of them, of course, is the world of birds. The garden is their dinner table, bursting with bugs and worms and succulent berries. ~by Anne Raver~ *** As Autumn aproaches, it's time to set up a feeding station for our feathered friends, so we can enjoy their company in our garden, over the winter months. In the garden, their are plenty of plants, rich in berries, enticing birds into the garden, but they will need a little extra, to see them through the months to come. *** Here are some festive ideas... String whole peanuts and dried fruit together to create a garland. Scoop out some orange halves, make three holes around the rim for hanging and then tie with string/ribbon. Fill with suet, nuts or birdseed. Find some pinecones, and coat with peanut butter or suet, then roll in birdseed. Hang on your bird-table, or tree with string/ribbon. *** A really good idea, is too keep a container with a lid in the kitchen, to put bread crumbs/stale bread/crusts/crackers/rolls in, and biscuits/cookies/cake and cereals, also apple cores can go in too. What a feast they will have :-) GARDEN PATH Let's stroll along a garden path And just enjoy the day No thoughts of worries fill our minds We'll just wander on our way. Forget about life's problems You'll see that they will keep Just walk with me a little ways Nature's blessings we will reap. Let's find some joy in little things We'll talk of nothing much Just wander down the garden path Sweet flowers we shall touch. We'll find a spot to sit awhile And watch the clouds float by We'll listen to the song of birds And sigh a pleasant sigh. When at last the day is over And home now we must go Take the memory along with you For the days you're feeling low. ~by Charlotte Anselmo~ A LITTLE POEM... The kiss of the sun for pardon. The song of the bird for mirth. One is nearer God's heart in a garden Than anywhere else on earth. ~Author Unknown~ DO NOT STAND AT MY GRAVE AND WEEP Do not stand at my grave and weep; I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn's rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush; of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die. ~Author Unknown~ CHINESE PROVERBS... Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come. ~Chinese Proverb~ That the birds of worry and care fly over your head, this you cannot change, but that they build nests in your hair, this you can prevent. ~Chinese proverb~ A bird does not sing because it has an answer; it sings because it has a song. ~Chinese proverb~ MY MOTHER One crisp, bright, moisty, morning, When Spring was on the brink, My memories started blooming, I couldn't help but think. Of a woman I called Mother, And what she's meant to me, Of long time that has passed, Just what and who was she? Did you ever see a butterfly, Elusive and so free, So elegant and beautiful, A sight for all to see? Did you ever see a sunset, Spectacular and bright, But fading, oh, so quickly, Like a spurling, whirling kite? Did you ever see the dewdrops, Sparkling in the sun, Just waiting to be gently touched, But gone before it's done? Did you ever see a rainstorm, Brewing in the sky, Slowly rumbling and a tumbling, Before your very eyes? I know you've heard a songbird, With it's slow caressing tune, That comforts and that soothes you, As a warm beeze blows at noon. All of these are memories, Of a timid soul, I've known, Who I can now appreciate, Since I am up and grown! ~By Phyllis Cole~ A FEW QUOTES... I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs. ~by Joseph Addison~ Poor indeed is the garden in which birds find no homes. ~Abram L. Urban~ Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, and never stops at all. ~Emily Dickenson~ IT'S UP TO YOU One song can spark a moment, One flower can wake the dream One tree can start a forest, One bird can herald spring One smile begins a friendship One handclasp lifts a soul One star can guide a ship at sea One word can frame the goal One vote can change a nation One sunbeam lights a room One candle wipes out darkness One laugh will conquer gloom One step must start each journey One word must start each prayer One hope will raise our spirits One touch can show you care One voice can speak with wisdom One heart can know what's true One life can make the difference You see, IT'S UP TO YOU!! ~Author Unknown~ MAKING A BIRD NESTING BOX?... Maybe you wish to add a little fun sign to it... ...try some of these... Empty Nest Home Tweet Home Every Birdie Welcome Lovebirds Home is Where You Build Your nest Fly on Inn I HEARD A BIRD SING I heard a bird sing In the dark of December A magical thing And sweet to remember. "We are nearer to Spring Than we were in September," I heard a bird sing In the dark of December. ~by Oliver Herford~ SWEET BIRD... Sweet bird! thy bow'r is ever green, Thy sky is ever clear; thou has't no sorrow in thy song, No winter in thy year. ~by John Logan~ BEYOND THE GARDEN GATE Step into my garden Step in and you'll see A measure of peace And tranquility. It's the scent of the blossoms The buzz of the bees The sweet song of birds As they sing in the trees. The sweet scent of roses Their petals so new As they glisten and sparkle With the fresh morning dew. Run your toes through the grass Beneath a canopy of trees Hear the rustle of leaves As they blow in the breeze. Let the beauty of springtime Fill your soul with great peace Take it with you and share it With each one you meet. ~Author Unknown~ FastCounter by LinkExchange