On my way to let out my flock of hens, I saw a Solitary Sandpiper on the edge of the pond.  This is the first time in 10 years I’ve seen one right here on our property, and according to my bird app, this bird is “rare” for our area.  It bobs up and down when it walks and peeps now and then.  It’s so cute!

I was highly annoyed when my cat ran after it, scaring it away before I was ready to say goodbye.

“Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.'” Isaiah 30:21

There was a scar on yonder mountainside,
Gashed out where the cruel storm had trod;
A barren, desolate chasm, reaching wide
Across the soft green sod.

But years crept by beneath the purple pines,
And veiled the scar with grass and moss once more,
And left it fairer now with flowers and vines
Than it had been before.

There was a wound once in a gentle heart,
From which life’s sweetness seemed to ebb and die;
And love’s confiding changed to bitter smart,
While slow, sad years went by.

Yet as they passed, unseen an angel stole
And laid a balm of healing on the pain,
Till love grew purer in the heart made whole,
And peace came back again.

from Streams, by LB Cowman

I let the chickens out, and as we have two rabbits in the coop, I went down to the edge of the pond to gather fresh clover for them.  I dropped my handful twice in order to take photos.  This spider web was a tiny perfect work of art.  The spider was about the size of a grain of rice.  I was careful not to pull up the clover which surrounded it’s beautiful web.

My cat the bird chaser now started bothering the fish.  It was pretty neat, actually, to see Mr. Fish come close to Mr. Cat….and then get swatted for his efforts to be friendly.  The fish followed him all along the edge of the pond.

I was happy to find a Solitary Sandpiper feather covered in dew.  I brought it home in my pocket, along with two eggs from the chicken coop.

He froze for a photo and then jumped quietly off the rock, and then under it.  I imagined a cozy home for frogs, just right, with lots of dampness.

gossamer upon flowers and grass; more spider art

The bunnies received their salad with joy and I headed back for the house.

It’s been cool this morning.  I did some weeding, and texting with my Mama, family laundry was hung out to dry, I picked smooth tomatoes from the garden, and a pumpkin.  Inside the house, there is a gray cat curled up in a ball on a red velvet cushion next to me.

I’m thinking about my son David, tomorrow is his birthday.  He requested a cheesecake so when the Schwan’s truck came earlier I bought one from them.  Now I just need to make sure we have 14 candles in the house.

Happy Monday!

You are loved.

“God is there to meet you in the center of each trial.  And He will whisper to you His secrets, which will bring you out with a radiant face and such an invincible faith that all the demons of hell will never be able to shake it.” E.A.Kilbourne