I hope my blogger friends are well and avoiding Covid-19. I've never seen anything like this in my life. It's like a Steven King horror movie. You are in my prayers and please stay safe.
BACKYARD BLESSINGS
This fall morning blessings overflow my backyard in Hayesville, NC. Stillness fills my soul before the world wakes up.
The sun rises like a ruby above the Blue Ridge Mountains. A wedge of geese resounds through scarlet clouds that reflect like fire on Lake Chatuge.
Golden rods dot the shoreline and a Monarch butterfly sips nectar from Joe Pye weeds. Diamonds sparkle on the dew-drenched grass.
It's a moment of peace. I could almost reach out and touch the hand of God before duties call me. I gaze out my kitchen window as I fix breakfast. I'm entertained by the bunnies that play in my backyard.
Two rabbits hop over each other. They sail through the air, turn and stare. One hops toward the woods, and the other chases it. They jump, gaze, and play hide-and-seek. What a way to begin a new day.
I'm delighted to spy three white-tailed deer strolling toward the cornfield. They glance around to see if anyone is watching.then munch on the corn. A cool breeze rustles the blades of corn, gold glitters on the field. A Lone Star quilt block graces the old red barn.
But that's not all the animals waking up. A groundhog wobbles through my backyard with two babies trailing her. She's proud of her children and showing them off to the human to admire.
You would think that's all the wildlife that inhabits my backyard, but next comes a parade of wild turkeys. Three march in a straight line around the walnut tree glowing with yellow leaves. The birds flap their wings and fly straight to the cornfield for their breakfast.
I'm so blessed to have a wildlife sanctuary in my backyard. Nature puts on a show that's new and different each morning. That's why I look forward to each day.
The Holy Bible says that God's mercy and loving kindness are new everyday.
by: Brenda Kay Ledford
This essay won a gold medal (first place) in the 2020 Cherokee/Clay Senior Games Arts Literary contest in North Carolina.
For more information, www.cherokeecountyseniorgames.org
7 comments:
Brenda, thank you for this post - a little bit of sane and thanksgiving in a world seemingly gone mad. I feel as if I were right there with you seeing it all. Your talent with words is a blessing!
Thank you for a wonderful, uplifting post. Yes, Jesus will take care of us. All of this has come as no surprise to Him.
Your essay was wonderful! I have bunnies in my yard late in the afternoons. I hope you'll be safe; do you still teach and will you be going back to a classroom?
Such a beautiful essay. Easy to see why it won. Congratulations. It really is a blessing to live close with nature and see the beauty God created. So many don't have that. I am very thankful too.
Beautiful essay, Brenda. I enjoyed reading about the wildlife in your backyard. I love the sunflower photo too.
Marvelous essay.
You are gifted. To paint word pictures, like this.
Would love to grow sunflowers like this. But the "critters" will not let us. ~sigh~
This is a delight to read, Brenda.
This is Mildred in GA. My husband is not well and I am taking time away from my blog but will still be visiting you here. God bless you.
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