Saturday, September 1, 2012

Newsletter - 9/1/12


Hello Dear Friends!

The Nature In Us blog posts are now being fed into the Google Plus social media community.  If you'd like to see them there, you can click on the "Follow Google+" link above in the box or on the link in this paragraph.

We took a day trip to Lynchburg, Virginia a couple weeks ago.  I mentioned it in my last newsletter along with a photo of Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg that had 132 or 139 steps to the top (varying data on websites).  My spirit said, "Go for it!"

I didn't have the blog post written yet, but you can now access it:  Monument Terrace and Mr. Elder's Rose Garden.  The link to the photo album is in there which has lots of historical explanations on the photos, not just titles.  It was fun to find a hidden garden off one of the terrace levels.

© Donna L. Watkins - Pickerel Plant Blooming in
Butterfly Garden - Old City Cemetery - Lynchburg, VA
We had arrived in town before 9:00 AM and were surprised to see so many people out and about downtown.  Then we realized that the Saturday's Farmer's Market was open and very well attended.  We enjoyed the folks at the visitor's center who were VERY helpful.  I love cities that have restored downtown areas and brought them back to life!

Our next stop was the historic Old City Cemetery which was immensely more interesting than we thought it would be.  There were various buildings with historical information on African-American and Confederate graves, funeral traditions and gravemarkers, a Civil War quarantine hospital, an old train station, and a butterfly garden with a peaceful pond.  I had a link to the photo album on the picture I included of me on the swing, but had not yet put photos in there.  So ... I took it back out, but I would assume it came across in RSS feed, so I wanted to mention it so you can visit virtually if you'd like.

Read blog post about Old City Cemetery in Lynchburg, Virginia.  

View photos of Old City Cemetery.  
The photos include descriptions of the historical data we read, not just titles.

Last week I began being impressed with the thought, "run around the perimeter of the house."  I have never been into running even when I was totally healthy.  I guess I'm so used to walking so I can see everything around me as I pass by.  Matter of fact, when I see runners, I always think, "you're missing so much and so many things to see."

© Donna L. Watkins - Precious Bunny Rabbit at Breakfast Window
Click to see larger image.
Well, the thought stayed with me so I thought it may be another one of those things to do just to kick the devil in the butt.  Faith without works is dead, so I've been doing "works" in faith before things are totally healed.  This should only be done under the unction of the Holy Spirit.  It doesn't work to do something to produce faith, rather than as an action of faith.

I did this when I gave the "chair on wheels" away while I was still a bit challenged in walking long distances.  I also returned the oxygen machine before I could totally breathe well.  I don't know how all that works, but my desire is just to be obedient to what the Holy Spirit imparts.

After a few days of thinking about running, I was telling my Canadian friend, Genny, about this and as I typed it to her, I thought, "Well, what's the big deal?"  If it's God, it will produce whatever is to be gained.  If not, I've done something that I've not done since high school track during gym period.  After hitting "send" on the email, I left the screened porch and began to run around the house.  I only got a bit more than half way before I was really breathing heavy, so I slowed down and finished it off in a walk.  I sure did feel better doing it though, even though I don't know that it produced anything.  I guess that's why I wasn't sure I needed to do it.

Isaiah 40:31 came to me when I got back: "Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

I have certainly hoped in the Lord choosing the Word rather than surgery and He has definitely renewed my strength.  Sometimes when I spend time with the Father, I feel like I'm soaring on the wings of eagles, but I don't think that's going to literally happen.  I like the part that they will run and not grow weary.  I doubt I'll do much running but it's just nice to know you can do all things especially when the doctors have told you you're ready to die.  Let God's Word be true and every man a liar that speaks against it.

Since we'll be taking a mini-getaway for my birthday weekend, I'm doing this newsletter ahead of time.  One thing about technology is being able to schedule things to happen while you're not involved in them.  Nice!

The Monarchs have been coming through on their migration routes.  I love seeing them although I don't see as many as we used to.  

© Kathy Pol - Gray Fox on Deck
I wish I could say that this picture of a snoozing Gray Fox is on our deck, but it's not.  My neighbor across the street took it along with a bunch of others during the time this precious creature snooped around the deck to make sure it was safe, cleaned up a bit and then laid down for a nap.  What an event for their day!

I had mentioned the Bluebird Cove photo galleries in my last newsletter. I've been seeing a lot of butterflies and deer. Bluebird Cove is what we named our one acre property when we moved in and established a Backyard Wildlife Habitat.

We chose that name because we saw lots of bluebirds in November of 2000 when we moved in.  We weren't used to seeing them in Alabama since we were in a more dense wooded environment. They like open space to find worms and bugs.  The 'cove' part of the name came from being at the cul-de-sac on our street. To me, a cul-de-sac is kinda like a cove, so it sounded good.  Here's the links to this year's albums.  

© Donna L. Watkins - Dead Blue Jay - Window Collision
With all the joyful things that go on daily here in Bluebird Cove, there are times to be sad.  We have a door to the deck that is directly across from the front door.  It seems birds think they can fly through the deck door to the front of the house, but they find out that doesn't work.  We have decals and things hanging on both glass areas, but we still get a few collisions.

Earlier this week, a beautiful Blue Jay hit the glass and broke its neck.  I watched as it gasped for its last breaths of life and held it as I prayed for healing and life to enter its perfectly created body.  I took it to the garage where my husband was exercising and we both prayed over it, but we had to bury it.  Not the first we've done over many years, and fortunately not one of many.

It seems so inappropriate to bury such a beautiful creature beneath the earth.  I feel so much a part of the reason for the death, not being able to find a way for them to not try to fly through that door.  The glass is 20" wide has six items on it.  I don't know how the Blue Jay ever thought it could fly between the objects anyway.  It's usually smaller birds that hit it, but most are just shocked since they have only begun their flight from the deck rail.  You'll find a post link below regarding bird collisions. It's a new approach but not on the market yet.

© Donna L. Watkins - Ruby-crowned Kinglet in Black Willow
Click here for larger image.
We should be seeing the Ruby-crowned Kinglets coming through on migration.  They are always a delight.  They usually eat up our cottony scale on the pyracantha bushes, but we don't have any this year, so it will be interesting to note what else may interest them in our backyard wildlife habitat gardening.

The reason they're called ruby-crowned is because a ruby-colored patch is exposed when they are displaying or agitated, but is otherwise hidden by grayish olive crown feathers. These birds are a widespread and common summer visitor (present mainly May-Sep) to northern coniferous forests and they winter in the southern U.S. to Central America, favoring a range of wooded habitats. They forage actively and tirelessly for insects and spiders, caught with its needlelike bill.

Well, that's the good and the bad news here at Bluebird Cove ... I'll have some travel posts after we return from our trip.  Squeek will have a friend to keep her company and we'll only be gone four days.  The itinerary has gardens and historic sights on it so far, but I love the unexpected places we find after we arrive.

Have a Blessed Day!
Have a wonderful holiday weekend and don't' forget to get out in God's Creation ... even if it's only an hour to stop at a park while you're shopping.  It restores the soul and spirit!

Love, Hugs and Many Blessings,
Donna

P.S.  Know somebody who needs to see something in this newsletter? 

Send them the link to the website:  www.TheNatureInUs.com.  


Thanks for sharing!  


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Posts Since Last Newsletter

Trust Me and Rest  (DLW)

Lynchburg, VA - Monument Terrace & Mr. Elder's Rose Garden  (DLW)

Birds: Avoiding Window Collisions and Cats

No Work Lawn

The Martha vs. Mary Issue

Walkerton Tavern - Richmond, VA  (DLW)

Dealing with Gassy Pets

Coyotes - They’re Turning Up Everywhere

Newsletter - 8/15/12  (DLW)

Previous Posts You May Have Missed












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The photo(s) and article are copyrighted. You may use either of them if you include the following credit and active link back to this website: © 2012 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission from TheNatureInUs.com. The link to use is: www.TheNatureInUs.com.

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