So often the home garden pest control remedies work as well or better than the chemical counterparts, and with the added bonus that with these formulas made of kitchen cupboard ingredients, you don’t need to worry about poisoning yourself, your pets, or your garden!
Care2.com has some simple pest control recipes on their site:
www.care2.com/channels/solutions/outdoors/2871
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Pets Shedding & Healthy Coats
Unless you have a Hairless Terrier or a Sphynx, it’s the season once again to expect increased shedding. Dogs typically lose their winter coats in the spring, when it is replaced by a shorter, lighter one for summer. Prevention for hot spots and allergy problems is wise to begin before the heat arrives.
The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. For example, German Shepherds are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose little fur at all. While hair cycles are affected by mental state, hormones, and nutrition, changes primarily occur due to fluctuations in temperature and the amount of daylight.
The length of daylight hours is thought to have more impact on the shedding cycle than temperature, which is why all pets shed during particular times of the year, whether they are in Montana or Florida.
Pets that are kept primarily indoors experience fluctuations in both temperature (going in and out of the house) and light (including the artificial light in our homes) all year long. Because they are in a constant state of change, these pets tend to shed their hair, sometimes profusely, throughout the year. Most pets will shed excessively during the winter due to the dry heat in the home. The average humidity of a heated home in the winter is similar to that found in some desert regions. Using a humidifier provides great help in combating excessive shedding during the winter months.
An unhealthy coat can have negative impacts on pet parents, too – most commonly in the form of allergies. Contrary to popular belief, hair is not the main cause of allergies in humans. We are primarily allergic to dander (dead skin cells, like dandruff) and proteins (FEL d 1 in cats and CAN d 1 in dogs) in the oil produced by the sebaceous glands.
A study by the Cornell Veterinary University found that by simply washing a dog or cat, many of the allergens are eliminated. The frequency of bathing depends upon the severity of the allergies, from every two to three weeks or two to three months. If you are experiencing pet allergies, we also recommend brushing or combing daily – preferably outdoors. This will help to remove the allergens from your pet’s coat.
For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. The body delivers these nutrients to the primary organs (heart, lungs, liver) first, and the remainder is sent to the sebaceous glands. Additionally, a healthy coat requires protein – and lots of it! In fact, at optimum nutrition levels, almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to support hair production and maintenance.
Just as it is important to feed a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional support necessary to achieve the utmost in a healthy coat and skin.
Liquid oils are not recommended because they can turn rancid quickly. Many find that capsules are difficult to give to their pets. Along with the necessary oils, the supplement should contain a spectrum of vitamins for proper nutrition. Lastly, but equally important, the supplement must taste good to your pets.
HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so your pet receives the full nutritional benefit.
Skin & Coat Formula contains Vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat. Skin & Coat Formula is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant to ensure the highest product quality, and it has a delicious roast beef flavor that both cats and dogs love.
Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter, a free monthly email newsletter
The amount of shedding varies widely from breed to breed. For example, German Shepherds are prolific year-round shedders, while poodles seem to lose little fur at all. While hair cycles are affected by mental state, hormones, and nutrition, changes primarily occur due to fluctuations in temperature and the amount of daylight.
The length of daylight hours is thought to have more impact on the shedding cycle than temperature, which is why all pets shed during particular times of the year, whether they are in Montana or Florida.
Pets that are kept primarily indoors experience fluctuations in both temperature (going in and out of the house) and light (including the artificial light in our homes) all year long. Because they are in a constant state of change, these pets tend to shed their hair, sometimes profusely, throughout the year. Most pets will shed excessively during the winter due to the dry heat in the home. The average humidity of a heated home in the winter is similar to that found in some desert regions. Using a humidifier provides great help in combating excessive shedding during the winter months.
An unhealthy coat can have negative impacts on pet parents, too – most commonly in the form of allergies. Contrary to popular belief, hair is not the main cause of allergies in humans. We are primarily allergic to dander (dead skin cells, like dandruff) and proteins (FEL d 1 in cats and CAN d 1 in dogs) in the oil produced by the sebaceous glands.
A study by the Cornell Veterinary University found that by simply washing a dog or cat, many of the allergens are eliminated. The frequency of bathing depends upon the severity of the allergies, from every two to three weeks or two to three months. If you are experiencing pet allergies, we also recommend brushing or combing daily – preferably outdoors. This will help to remove the allergens from your pet’s coat.
For all of the hair support systems to function properly, they require a variety of nutrients, including fatty acids, minerals and vitamins. The body delivers these nutrients to the primary organs (heart, lungs, liver) first, and the remainder is sent to the sebaceous glands. Additionally, a healthy coat requires protein – and lots of it! In fact, at optimum nutrition levels, almost 95% of the protein that’s ingested is used by the body to support hair production and maintenance.
Just as it is important to feed a high-quality, nutrient-dense food, it is also advisable to give your companion animals a balanced supplement that provides the additional nutritional support necessary to achieve the utmost in a healthy coat and skin.
Liquid oils are not recommended because they can turn rancid quickly. Many find that capsules are difficult to give to their pets. Along with the necessary oils, the supplement should contain a spectrum of vitamins for proper nutrition. Lastly, but equally important, the supplement must taste good to your pets.
HealthyPetNet’s Skin & Coat Formula is a unique formula that provides a perfect balance of Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids. These oils are certified-free of contaminants and are microencapsulated to increase absorption, so your pet receives the full nutritional benefit.
Skin & Coat Formula contains Vitamins A, D, and E, all of which are necessary for the maintenance of healthy skin and a glossy coat. Skin & Coat Formula is manufactured in a human pharmaceutical plant to ensure the highest product quality, and it has a delicious roast beef flavor that both cats and dogs love.
Source: Healthy Pet Newsletter, a free monthly email newsletter
Friday, April 27, 2007
Fear, Stress and Health
Today's Featured Article
by Donna L. Watkins
It's everywhere online, in the news, on the television. Research is linking our thoughts and emotions to disease. How we react to our environment and the boundaries we do or do not set on ourselves affect the outcome of our health. In many ways, we are a sum total of what we think because every action is preceded by a thought.
Many of us have based our belief systems on what we learned in childhood. Some of that is good since many good character qualities are learned in childhood, such as sharing, giving, honesty, respect for authority, etc.
What about beliefs that were formed because of an assumption and not a life lesson taught like a character quality would be. As children we do not understand the big picture and we make assumptions in our minds that are mostly untrue. We have belief systems that determine our behavior and stress levels based on one event in childhood. Those are the things that need to be reevaluated in the light of adulthood and true wisdom and knowledge.
Maybe you had a teacher that told you your science project was awful, and you determined then that you wouldn't stretch your imagination and creativity to share with the world because what you assumed was a bright idea was evaluated as lousy. Unknowingly, you've allowed that one event, in a moment of time, to change the course of your life. You may have been created to invent many things. It may be a gift inside of you that God gave you when you were born. Do you want to leave all of that behind just because a teacher was maybe having a bad day, or expected a higher grade level of expertise than the grade she/he was teaching.
What are your fears? Trace them back to the events in your life that planted the seed for them. Evaluate the situation as an adult with an ability to see more of the big picture. You have hidden talents and gifts to offer the world. The devil begins early to destroy the special you inside. God gave you specific gifts that will bring you and others joy. They may be hidden inside you in a cellar, but with the Holy Spirit's help and insight you can search for and seek them and claim them as yours.
Much of the stressful lifestyles of today are created from bad situations in childhood. Families that were scattered here and there without enough time for nurturing. Advertising that tells you that beauty comes from a product, not from within. Those people you see in ads that look so perfect do not look that way in the morning when they get up. You can do many things with camera and film, so you are not seeing the real thing. Nobody was made perfect other than Jesus Christ and that wasn't based on His outward appearance.
We can be healthier by filling our lives with joy and laughter that God has promised in His Word. Our world is much too focused on performance, deadlines and a drive to over-compete. The only thing that will matter in the end is whether or not you have pleased our Father. All other works will burn up.
If you don't think it's important to take time to laugh, research is proving it's very important. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have shown that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow.
This study was done using laughter-producing movies to gauge the affect of emotions on cardiovascular health. When the same group of volunteers was shown a movie that produced mental stress, the blood vessel linings developed a response called vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow. That finding confirms previous studies, which suggested there was a link between mental stress and the narrowing of blood vessels.
Our attitude about life really does matter! Our thoughts control hormone release and digestive juices and enzymes. It matters what we think about and whether we can laugh at life's continual challenges. What can you do different to make yourself more at peace with the world and life. What fears from childhood can you leave behind by shedding the light of today on them? Seek God on it and renew your mind!
by Donna L. Watkins
It's everywhere online, in the news, on the television. Research is linking our thoughts and emotions to disease. How we react to our environment and the boundaries we do or do not set on ourselves affect the outcome of our health. In many ways, we are a sum total of what we think because every action is preceded by a thought.
Many of us have based our belief systems on what we learned in childhood. Some of that is good since many good character qualities are learned in childhood, such as sharing, giving, honesty, respect for authority, etc.
What about beliefs that were formed because of an assumption and not a life lesson taught like a character quality would be. As children we do not understand the big picture and we make assumptions in our minds that are mostly untrue. We have belief systems that determine our behavior and stress levels based on one event in childhood. Those are the things that need to be reevaluated in the light of adulthood and true wisdom and knowledge.
Maybe you had a teacher that told you your science project was awful, and you determined then that you wouldn't stretch your imagination and creativity to share with the world because what you assumed was a bright idea was evaluated as lousy. Unknowingly, you've allowed that one event, in a moment of time, to change the course of your life. You may have been created to invent many things. It may be a gift inside of you that God gave you when you were born. Do you want to leave all of that behind just because a teacher was maybe having a bad day, or expected a higher grade level of expertise than the grade she/he was teaching.
What are your fears? Trace them back to the events in your life that planted the seed for them. Evaluate the situation as an adult with an ability to see more of the big picture. You have hidden talents and gifts to offer the world. The devil begins early to destroy the special you inside. God gave you specific gifts that will bring you and others joy. They may be hidden inside you in a cellar, but with the Holy Spirit's help and insight you can search for and seek them and claim them as yours.
Much of the stressful lifestyles of today are created from bad situations in childhood. Families that were scattered here and there without enough time for nurturing. Advertising that tells you that beauty comes from a product, not from within. Those people you see in ads that look so perfect do not look that way in the morning when they get up. You can do many things with camera and film, so you are not seeing the real thing. Nobody was made perfect other than Jesus Christ and that wasn't based on His outward appearance.
We can be healthier by filling our lives with joy and laughter that God has promised in His Word. Our world is much too focused on performance, deadlines and a drive to over-compete. The only thing that will matter in the end is whether or not you have pleased our Father. All other works will burn up.
If you don't think it's important to take time to laugh, research is proving it's very important. Researchers at the University of Maryland School of Medicine in Baltimore have shown that laughter is linked to healthy function of blood vessels. Laughter appears to cause the tissue that forms the inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, to dilate or expand in order to increase blood flow.
This study was done using laughter-producing movies to gauge the affect of emotions on cardiovascular health. When the same group of volunteers was shown a movie that produced mental stress, the blood vessel linings developed a response called vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow. That finding confirms previous studies, which suggested there was a link between mental stress and the narrowing of blood vessels.
Our attitude about life really does matter! Our thoughts control hormone release and digestive juices and enzymes. It matters what we think about and whether we can laugh at life's continual challenges. What can you do different to make yourself more at peace with the world and life. What fears from childhood can you leave behind by shedding the light of today on them? Seek God on it and renew your mind!
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Morven Estate, Albemarle County, Virginia
Garden Week in Virginia provides opportunities to visit places that are closed to the public the rest of the year. Morven is a place I've driven by in the countryside of Virginia, surrounded by black board fencing with views that are without words. How my heart would long to step inside it's boundaries and absorb the peace and tranquility of absolute silence and beauty.
This place has been one of the estates open for Garden Week annually and this year we finally drove through those gates.
View Morven Estate and Gardens with me. I've noted some historical information on the photos.
Although lifestyles can't be changed in a day, you can choose to take moments to close your eyes for 3 full minutes and visualize what brings peace to your soul. A special place you've been, the sounds of relaxing music and a bubbling creek, or maybe just the visual image of a bird who appears to have not a care in the world. Those 3 minutes can make a difference in your health and the more often you do them ... the better you will feel.
This place has been one of the estates open for Garden Week annually and this year we finally drove through those gates.
View Morven Estate and Gardens with me. I've noted some historical information on the photos.
Although lifestyles can't be changed in a day, you can choose to take moments to close your eyes for 3 full minutes and visualize what brings peace to your soul. A special place you've been, the sounds of relaxing music and a bubbling creek, or maybe just the visual image of a bird who appears to have not a care in the world. Those 3 minutes can make a difference in your health and the more often you do them ... the better you will feel.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Garden Week - Charlottesville, VA - April 2007
Each year the state of Virginia has a magnificent garden week in Spring with various areas of the state participating. There's so many estates in this area, we take it as an opportunity to see places that are not open at other times of the year. For some estates it may be a one time showing of their gardens, so it's always a real treat to venture into these hidden gardens.
This year we visited Morven Estate and later in the week took some time to visit property owned by the University of Virginia:
Carr's Hill, Home of the President of UVA and Morea House, built by John Patten Emmet, one of the first professors chosen by Mr. Thomas Jefferson for The University.
University of Virginia Properties During Garden Week
This year we visited Morven Estate and later in the week took some time to visit property owned by the University of Virginia:
Carr's Hill, Home of the President of UVA and Morea House, built by John Patten Emmet, one of the first professors chosen by Mr. Thomas Jefferson for The University.
University of Virginia Properties During Garden Week
Tuesday, April 17, 2007
Awful Circumstances
by Donna L. Watkins
"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts." -- James Allen, Author of As A Man Thinketh. Is that a sobering statement?
Is that a sobering statement? The rest of the story is that you are where you are today because of the thoughts you've maintained up to this time in your life.
Proverbs 23 talks of what we think in our heart being who we are. Jesus continually talked about believing, telling us that we could have anything if we only believed. He also said, "your faith has made you whole." We were made in the image of God and when Christ lives within us we have access to an incredible amount of power and strength that can overcome all circumstances of life. We are told we can be victorious in all things.
1 John 5:4 tells us how this works: "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." Our faith, our belief is what overcomes. What do we believe? Your thoughts determine and portray what you believe.
Every day we are given choices to be an optimist or a pessimist (or as some pessimists would call themselves, realists). Would you rather be a pessimistic realist or an optimistic dreamer with rose-tinted glasses? Research shows healthy thinkers distort reality in a positive direction and most times their rosy dreams benefit them and others. It's a different way of seeing things and it opens up a whole new world of opportunities to change circumstances.
You cannot change your thoughts without changing your life. The Law of Sowing and Reaping is evident in what we produce with the thoughts we sow. We often believe that events and circumstances cause our moods and health symptoms.
How you feel about the bad events in your life is determined by what you think of them and what you tell yourself and others about them. We all know people who wake up every day with a story to tell about what's awfulin their world. From weather to health to the neighbors and the government, they've got a long list of gripes. Have you noticed those people have no joy in their lives? Certainly no peace or purpose.
What type of people and circumstances do you think those people attract? Do they have a long list of friends and people who want to spend time with them? Do they seem to be "the ones" who have everything go wrong in life? Could it be they are a magnet for bad circumstances? What we think in our heart we become? If we see the world as evil and ugly it is that way for us.
There were many laws in the Old Testament and it was very complex and difficult to be holy. When Jesus came He simplified it greatly. Have you noticed how simple Jesus made life? How He saw the good in everything? Did He wear rose-colored glasses? He brought the whole law into two commandments in Matthew 22:36:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
Keep it simple. If you focus on love in all circumstances, awful or great, you'll be seeing victory through the eyes of Him who gave His life so that we might be victorious.
What seeds are you sowing into your life and the lives of those around you? Roses are like life. This flower has an aroma that is treasured throughout the world. It makes people smile and feel loved and it reflects the love of our Father who is its Creator. These roses are attached to a thorny stem and are surrounded by a bush of thorns.
Life holds plenty of thorns and sometimes we are surrounded by them in awful circumstances, but we can choose to be a rose that blooms above the thorny circumstances and spreads the aroma of God to those around us.
Which will you be? A rose or a thorn?
"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts." -- James Allen, Author of As A Man Thinketh. Is that a sobering statement?
Is that a sobering statement? The rest of the story is that you are where you are today because of the thoughts you've maintained up to this time in your life.
© 2006 Donna L. Watkins - White-throated Sparrow |
Proverbs 23 talks of what we think in our heart being who we are. Jesus continually talked about believing, telling us that we could have anything if we only believed. He also said, "your faith has made you whole." We were made in the image of God and when Christ lives within us we have access to an incredible amount of power and strength that can overcome all circumstances of life. We are told we can be victorious in all things.
1 John 5:4 tells us how this works: "For whatsoever is born of God overcomes the world: and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith." Our faith, our belief is what overcomes. What do we believe? Your thoughts determine and portray what you believe.
Every day we are given choices to be an optimist or a pessimist (or as some pessimists would call themselves, realists). Would you rather be a pessimistic realist or an optimistic dreamer with rose-tinted glasses? Research shows healthy thinkers distort reality in a positive direction and most times their rosy dreams benefit them and others. It's a different way of seeing things and it opens up a whole new world of opportunities to change circumstances.
You cannot change your thoughts without changing your life. The Law of Sowing and Reaping is evident in what we produce with the thoughts we sow. We often believe that events and circumstances cause our moods and health symptoms.
How you feel about the bad events in your life is determined by what you think of them and what you tell yourself and others about them. We all know people who wake up every day with a story to tell about what's awfulin their world. From weather to health to the neighbors and the government, they've got a long list of gripes. Have you noticed those people have no joy in their lives? Certainly no peace or purpose.
What type of people and circumstances do you think those people attract? Do they have a long list of friends and people who want to spend time with them? Do they seem to be "the ones" who have everything go wrong in life? Could it be they are a magnet for bad circumstances? What we think in our heart we become? If we see the world as evil and ugly it is that way for us.
There were many laws in the Old Testament and it was very complex and difficult to be holy. When Jesus came He simplified it greatly. Have you noticed how simple Jesus made life? How He saw the good in everything? Did He wear rose-colored glasses? He brought the whole law into two commandments in Matthew 22:36:
"You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the law and the prophets.”
Keep it simple. If you focus on love in all circumstances, awful or great, you'll be seeing victory through the eyes of Him who gave His life so that we might be victorious.
What seeds are you sowing into your life and the lives of those around you? Roses are like life. This flower has an aroma that is treasured throughout the world. It makes people smile and feel loved and it reflects the love of our Father who is its Creator. These roses are attached to a thorny stem and are surrounded by a bush of thorns.
Life holds plenty of thorns and sometimes we are surrounded by them in awful circumstances, but we can choose to be a rose that blooms above the thorny circumstances and spreads the aroma of God to those around us.
Which will you be? A rose or a thorn?
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Thief! Eastern Gray Squirrel
We're in a community where deer eat a lot of the landscaping until you learn what they will leave alone. But we are discovering that the deer aren't the only nibblers. I'm sure they get blamed for the damage that the squirrels inflect.
This year we've seen squirrels eating our holly leaves and took almost all of the leaves from our viburnums. A neighbor has had them eat magnolia flower buds and they will compete for any type of food you put out for the birds also.
I took a few funny photos last week of a squirrel on our front porch that had removed a rather large ceramic snail from a large pot. He got it to the ground and continued to try to keep it in his mouth so he could carry it away. Now where do you think he was going to take that snail?
They are comical little things, but they've been chewing up our plastic pots for years and that's one annoying habit I wish we could get stopped. I've thought about putting out calcium for them to eat since that works for dogs that chew and babies who teeth. We've used it for our son while teething and to stop my dad's German Shepherd from chewing.
This year we've seen squirrels eating our holly leaves and took almost all of the leaves from our viburnums. A neighbor has had them eat magnolia flower buds and they will compete for any type of food you put out for the birds also.
I took a few funny photos last week of a squirrel on our front porch that had removed a rather large ceramic snail from a large pot. He got it to the ground and continued to try to keep it in his mouth so he could carry it away. Now where do you think he was going to take that snail?
They are comical little things, but they've been chewing up our plastic pots for years and that's one annoying habit I wish we could get stopped. I've thought about putting out calcium for them to eat since that works for dogs that chew and babies who teeth. We've used it for our son while teething and to stop my dad's German Shepherd from chewing.
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Earthworm Petticoats
My friend, subscriber and kindred spirit, Holly Dilatush, wrote me a bit over a week ago and shared a delightful visual image with me. I asked if I could share it with the rest of our kindred spirits and she thought it silly of me for even asking. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did:
"A week or two ago as I was walking from my parked car toward the Learning Center, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom -- it had rained the night before and was a bit breezy -- from the corner of my eye I saw something moving on the sidewalk.
When I glanced down it apperared to be a moving rosette/bloom. Upon closer inspection, it was an earthworm dressed in "petticoats" of cherry blossom petals -- almost completely covered -- 'stuck' to its moist body at all odd angles. "Petticoats" is what came instantly to mind. An earthworm out for a walk with its finest attire and parading across the sidewalk. It brought a smile and is an image I'll cherish for some time to come!"
"A week or two ago as I was walking from my parked car toward the Learning Center, with the cherry blossoms in full bloom -- it had rained the night before and was a bit breezy -- from the corner of my eye I saw something moving on the sidewalk.
When I glanced down it apperared to be a moving rosette/bloom. Upon closer inspection, it was an earthworm dressed in "petticoats" of cherry blossom petals -- almost completely covered -- 'stuck' to its moist body at all odd angles. "Petticoats" is what came instantly to mind. An earthworm out for a walk with its finest attire and parading across the sidewalk. It brought a smile and is an image I'll cherish for some time to come!"
Monarchs - Do You Know The Incredible Story?
The first warm days of late March trigger their northward flight from Mexico. It will be the great great grandchildren that we see heading back to the exact same location in the Fall.
That's so amazing!
Get the whole wonderous story.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Wildlife Habitat - Rock Piles
The more types of habitat your yard has, the more types of wildlife you will discover. A rock pile is very important if you want to attract toads, salamanders, lizards, and even birds if you've got large rocks. It gives them a hiding, nesting and feeding place with protection.
As you find rocks in your area or visit other areas that allow you to take rocks, keep the rock critters in mind and build them a place to reside.
You can add one feature at a time to your yard and build gradually. Any thing you do will benefit some form of wildlife which will make you and them really happy. Get more ideas on creating a backyard habitat.
As you find rocks in your area or visit other areas that allow you to take rocks, keep the rock critters in mind and build them a place to reside.
You can add one feature at a time to your yard and build gradually. Any thing you do will benefit some form of wildlife which will make you and them really happy. Get more ideas on creating a backyard habitat.
This Is My Doing
by Donna L. Watkins
My belief is that we Christians struggle against ourselves more than the devil himself. We hold a high standard, which is good, but it can be produce a lot of self-condemnation.
© Donna L. Watkins - Great-crested Flycatcher Building Nest
In I Kings 12:24 God directs the King of Judah not to go against the Israelites in battle, and He says, "This is my doing."
We have to realize that every day's events are allowed by God. For whatever reason, God is allowing the circumstances of today. That will make some angry and many would disagree with me that God doesn't allow any evil, it's all the devil. But then I have to ask, "So the devil is more powerful than God?"
He had to ask permission to torment Job. I believe he still has to ask permission. So we are back to God allowing things into our lives because He loves us. That's where we have the problem. We don't see bad circumstances as being love. We've seen too many movies and commercials and have come to believe too much in the American Dream ... that we can truly have it all.
Parents know that children don't need it "all" in any avenue of life. Our Heavenly Father is all-knowing, so He does know what's best for us. We are human and finite so we do not see the whole picture and honestly do not know what is best for us.
It comes back to trusting God, doesn't it? Are we willing to do that?
God knows what you are dealing with and in His love He is there for you. When you are surrounded by people who don't seem to care, This Is His Doing. Have you prayed for compassion? How will you gain it if you don't know loneliness and sorrow?
Have you asked for humility? He knows the school you need to acquire it.
Have you asked to get out of debt? It's usually not an issue of having more money, but of learning how to live with what you earn. If what you earn truly does not cover the needs you have, then you will have a powerful motivation to pray and seek direction on where God's provision lies. Credit cards and debt does not motivate. It provides a hopeless feeling like being in a pit that you cannot climb out of.
When death separates us from somebody we love we think it is not fair, but if we have lived much time on this earth, we would certainly not wish them to give up Heaven just for us. We must grieve and move on knowing they are watching over us. We are "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" and that in itself should motivate us to lift our chin up and begin each day renewed with the hope that is within us.
Trust! It's the basis of any relationship and it must be the basis of our Christian walk. If we look at every circumstance as His doing, then we can ask (or cry out) to know what we are to learn from it.
If we just whine and cry and complain, we never move through the lesson ... and sadly, there are many that live that way most of their life. One tragedy that God could have used for good in their lives has turned them away. They have basically forfeited life to live in a state that God never intended.
Jesus died that we might have hope, and peace, and joy in any situation. It is there for us. Our response to our circumstances determines what we get out of bad situations. There are plenty of evidences of God's good coming out of horrible circumstances. We have that choice!
Do we see the glass half empty or half full? When we see it half empty, our lives evaporate until we are a totally empty vessel without hope, peace or joy.
I love the story of Helen Keller. It seems there was no good for her parents or Helen, but God meant it for good! Some take the opportunity -- some do not! Which group do you want to be included in?
Let God fill you up today! Trust in Him. Go back to His side. Know that ALL of it was FOR you! You do not see the whole picture! Life on this earth is but a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. We are not living just for our time on earth! Think long-term!
Copyright and Reprint Information
All photos remain the property of Donna L. Watkins and may not be republished without written permission. You may forward or use this copyrighted article on a website if you include the following credit and an active link back to this site:
© 2000-2007 Donna L. Watkins - This article was reprinted with permission. Visit the author's website, TheNatureInUs.com for more articles and free email subscription. Link URL: http://www.TheNatureInUs.com
My belief is that we Christians struggle against ourselves more than the devil himself. We hold a high standard, which is good, but it can be produce a lot of self-condemnation.
© Donna L. Watkins - Great-crested Flycatcher Building Nest
In I Kings 12:24 God directs the King of Judah not to go against the Israelites in battle, and He says, "This is my doing."
We have to realize that every day's events are allowed by God. For whatever reason, God is allowing the circumstances of today. That will make some angry and many would disagree with me that God doesn't allow any evil, it's all the devil. But then I have to ask, "So the devil is more powerful than God?"
He had to ask permission to torment Job. I believe he still has to ask permission. So we are back to God allowing things into our lives because He loves us. That's where we have the problem. We don't see bad circumstances as being love. We've seen too many movies and commercials and have come to believe too much in the American Dream ... that we can truly have it all.
Parents know that children don't need it "all" in any avenue of life. Our Heavenly Father is all-knowing, so He does know what's best for us. We are human and finite so we do not see the whole picture and honestly do not know what is best for us.
It comes back to trusting God, doesn't it? Are we willing to do that?
God knows what you are dealing with and in His love He is there for you. When you are surrounded by people who don't seem to care, This Is His Doing. Have you prayed for compassion? How will you gain it if you don't know loneliness and sorrow?
Have you asked for humility? He knows the school you need to acquire it.
Have you asked to get out of debt? It's usually not an issue of having more money, but of learning how to live with what you earn. If what you earn truly does not cover the needs you have, then you will have a powerful motivation to pray and seek direction on where God's provision lies. Credit cards and debt does not motivate. It provides a hopeless feeling like being in a pit that you cannot climb out of.
When death separates us from somebody we love we think it is not fair, but if we have lived much time on this earth, we would certainly not wish them to give up Heaven just for us. We must grieve and move on knowing they are watching over us. We are "surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses" and that in itself should motivate us to lift our chin up and begin each day renewed with the hope that is within us.
Trust! It's the basis of any relationship and it must be the basis of our Christian walk. If we look at every circumstance as His doing, then we can ask (or cry out) to know what we are to learn from it.
If we just whine and cry and complain, we never move through the lesson ... and sadly, there are many that live that way most of their life. One tragedy that God could have used for good in their lives has turned them away. They have basically forfeited life to live in a state that God never intended.
Jesus died that we might have hope, and peace, and joy in any situation. It is there for us. Our response to our circumstances determines what we get out of bad situations. There are plenty of evidences of God's good coming out of horrible circumstances. We have that choice!
Do we see the glass half empty or half full? When we see it half empty, our lives evaporate until we are a totally empty vessel without hope, peace or joy.
I love the story of Helen Keller. It seems there was no good for her parents or Helen, but God meant it for good! Some take the opportunity -- some do not! Which group do you want to be included in?
Let God fill you up today! Trust in Him. Go back to His side. Know that ALL of it was FOR you! You do not see the whole picture! Life on this earth is but a drop in the bucket compared to eternity. We are not living just for our time on earth! Think long-term!
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Saturday, April 7, 2007
Rosy or Black
by Donna L. Watkins
Do you know somebody that sees life through rose-colored glasses? Realists use that term negatively as if to say that "those people" live life in denial. At least that's how I thought at one time. I have always considered myself a realist and fortunately I've realized that's not necessarily a good thing.
Reality isn't always what it seems. A long time ago, reality was that birds flew and man didn't. The Wright brothers changed that reality. There was a time when people talked to somebody nearby them and reality was that you couldn't talk to somebody across town or across the world, but Alexander Graham Bell changed that. Being a realist sounds pretty limiting to me.
How do you see bad events in life?
Optimist: I had an argument with my son because he was in a bad mood.
Pessimist: I never get along with my son. We are totally different and never understand each other.
Optimist: I've never taken any computer classes because the subject doesn't interest me.
Pessimist: I'm stupid when it comes to computers and am too old to learn that stuff.
Optimist: Others have been healed of this life-threatening disease, so I will redesign my life for healing also.
Pessimist: My life is over. I'll never get to do what I wanted to do.
How do you see good events in life?
Optimist: I wake up looking for the good in my day and always get it.
Pessimist: I just got lucky. Nothing good ever happens to me, so something bad is on the way now.
Optimist: Getting that raise will help to make things a bit better at home with the finances.
Pessimist: That raise won't change the situation at home. My family is a mess and nothing will help.
Optimist: My vacation is going to be such a grand time of enjoyment and refreshment.
Pessimist: Things begin going wrong on the first day of every vacation we take. That's my life!
What we think determines where we are. The Bible said that "we will always have the poor." I have read that those who think poorly will be poor. Those who have hope for the future and dreams of their purpose cannot be held back no matter what financial environment they were born into. We've all read enough of those amazing stories. Are they really amazing? It's all about choosing thoughts and what we believe about ourselves and the world around us.
What are you believing about today and the circumstances in your life right now? Write down five statements about the circumstances in your life right now. Then turn those statements around to an optimistic viewpoint. How does it make you feel to think and speak differently about your negative circumstances? What kind of person would you be ... and what kind of world would you build for yourself ... if you were to think those positive thoughts until you actually believed them? Would you like to become that person? The process begins with one healing thought at a time.
The Bible tells us how to do this in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Rosy is so much prettier, peaceful and joyful than black.
Do you know somebody that sees life through rose-colored glasses? Realists use that term negatively as if to say that "those people" live life in denial. At least that's how I thought at one time. I have always considered myself a realist and fortunately I've realized that's not necessarily a good thing.
Reality isn't always what it seems. A long time ago, reality was that birds flew and man didn't. The Wright brothers changed that reality. There was a time when people talked to somebody nearby them and reality was that you couldn't talk to somebody across town or across the world, but Alexander Graham Bell changed that. Being a realist sounds pretty limiting to me.
How do you see bad events in life?
Optimist: I had an argument with my son because he was in a bad mood.
Pessimist: I never get along with my son. We are totally different and never understand each other.
Optimist: I've never taken any computer classes because the subject doesn't interest me.
Pessimist: I'm stupid when it comes to computers and am too old to learn that stuff.
Optimist: Others have been healed of this life-threatening disease, so I will redesign my life for healing also.
Pessimist: My life is over. I'll never get to do what I wanted to do.
How do you see good events in life?
Optimist: I wake up looking for the good in my day and always get it.
Pessimist: I just got lucky. Nothing good ever happens to me, so something bad is on the way now.
Optimist: Getting that raise will help to make things a bit better at home with the finances.
Pessimist: That raise won't change the situation at home. My family is a mess and nothing will help.
Optimist: My vacation is going to be such a grand time of enjoyment and refreshment.
Pessimist: Things begin going wrong on the first day of every vacation we take. That's my life!
What we think determines where we are. The Bible said that "we will always have the poor." I have read that those who think poorly will be poor. Those who have hope for the future and dreams of their purpose cannot be held back no matter what financial environment they were born into. We've all read enough of those amazing stories. Are they really amazing? It's all about choosing thoughts and what we believe about ourselves and the world around us.
What are you believing about today and the circumstances in your life right now? Write down five statements about the circumstances in your life right now. Then turn those statements around to an optimistic viewpoint. How does it make you feel to think and speak differently about your negative circumstances? What kind of person would you be ... and what kind of world would you build for yourself ... if you were to think those positive thoughts until you actually believed them? Would you like to become that person? The process begins with one healing thought at a time.
The Bible tells us how to do this in Philippians 4:8: "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honorable, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Rosy is so much prettier, peaceful and joyful than black.
Snow in April
"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." Matthew 21:22
I'm looking at snow in our backyard right now. Just an inch covering the trees. Pretty as you can see from the photo, but just two days ago I was photographing butterflies.
I woke up this morning and grumbled about the snow ... the cold chill on my joints ... the birds having a challenge at this time of the year to find enough food and now to have snow and freezing temperatures to deal with. I could've grumbled all day. It's very easy to do once you let yourself begin the torrent of thoughts ... but I went to my "quiet room" chair to be with the Lord and the Word lifted me up. It wasn't long before the sun broke through the clouds and made it all look so beautiful.
Seeing the sun was a reminder that regardless of the darkness, there's always light behind a cloud. There's always sunshine in our lives if we choose to focus on it. I looked at the same birds scrambling about and realized that they weren't grumbling this morning. They were busy gathering their daily bread like they did every day. Praising the Lord for His provision and getting on with life. Not a one sat in the tree with head raised to the sky complaining that it was too difficult to dig for the seeds they knew were there. Not one complained about the cold. I smiled as I heard the same Springtime courting songs being sung. Nothing seemed to be any different in their day - cold and dark or bright and sunny. They obviously lived in Truth, not circumstances.
"Faith is the bird that senses the light and sings while dawn is still dark." -- Unknown
I'm looking at snow in our backyard right now. Just an inch covering the trees. Pretty as you can see from the photo, but just two days ago I was photographing butterflies.
I woke up this morning and grumbled about the snow ... the cold chill on my joints ... the birds having a challenge at this time of the year to find enough food and now to have snow and freezing temperatures to deal with. I could've grumbled all day. It's very easy to do once you let yourself begin the torrent of thoughts ... but I went to my "quiet room" chair to be with the Lord and the Word lifted me up. It wasn't long before the sun broke through the clouds and made it all look so beautiful.
Seeing the sun was a reminder that regardless of the darkness, there's always light behind a cloud. There's always sunshine in our lives if we choose to focus on it. I looked at the same birds scrambling about and realized that they weren't grumbling this morning. They were busy gathering their daily bread like they did every day. Praising the Lord for His provision and getting on with life. Not a one sat in the tree with head raised to the sky complaining that it was too difficult to dig for the seeds they knew were there. Not one complained about the cold. I smiled as I heard the same Springtime courting songs being sung. Nothing seemed to be any different in their day - cold and dark or bright and sunny. They obviously lived in Truth, not circumstances.
"Faith is the bird that senses the light and sings while dawn is still dark." -- Unknown
Gardening With Allergies
Airborne pollen triggers allergic reactions in millions of Americans. These sufferers can reduce their exposure by making changes to their gardening practices. There are steps you can take to reduce your exposure.
One oft-mentioned solution is to minimize pollen by eradicating male plants of so-called dioecious species from the landscape. (Although most plants have both male and female flowers, or even male and female parts in each flower, dioecious species have separate male and female plants.) But “you can’t tell people ‘don’t plant male plants’ if you want plants to be able to perpetuate themselves,” says NWF Chief Naturalist Craig Tufts. And without male plants and their pollen to fertilize flowers, he adds, there would be far fewer berries and other food for wildlife.
Indeed, it is possible to have a healthy garden that pleases not only you but also the birds, bees and other animals that are the primary pollinators of many plants.
Read the entire article.
One oft-mentioned solution is to minimize pollen by eradicating male plants of so-called dioecious species from the landscape. (Although most plants have both male and female flowers, or even male and female parts in each flower, dioecious species have separate male and female plants.) But “you can’t tell people ‘don’t plant male plants’ if you want plants to be able to perpetuate themselves,” says NWF Chief Naturalist Craig Tufts. And without male plants and their pollen to fertilize flowers, he adds, there would be far fewer berries and other food for wildlife.
Indeed, it is possible to have a healthy garden that pleases not only you but also the birds, bees and other animals that are the primary pollinators of many plants.
Read the entire article.
Tuesday, April 3, 2007
Grackle Rescue - Bird Gets A Second Chance
by Donna L. Watkins
The window on the deck door has been a quick and brutal stopping point for a few birds. Although we have decals and a hanging crocheted decoration on it, when the hawk chooses our backyard for lunch, the bird they are chasing only seems to look at the empty spaces between the decals. The south sun hits that door causing deep reflections of the woods.
Last week, while in another room I heard the dreaded sound of something hitting that window, but this was much louder than any I'd heard before. I actually wondered if the hawk had hit the window this time.
Running to through the screened porch and onto the deck to see if there was any hope of saving the bird, I discovered a Common Grackle on its back still breathing heavily with its beak open.
I quickly got an old pillowcase from the porch tub where such things are kept for cats and critters. I didn't want to get scratched from the claws and I knew he'd feel safer with a firm grip and the ability to wrap the fabric around him. Birds feel safer if the world goes dark.
The Common Grackle is from 11-13 inches long, so it was a large bird. The Grackles had arrived in early March, three weeks earlier, as they do during migration. We see them in the Fall and Spring. They raid the feeders and chase away most of the other birds since they come in groups and are quite gregarious and not very friendly. They will even attack other grackles at times.
We can enjoy them since they do not remain here. Their iridescent coloring makes me want to call them Rainbow Birds. Their preferred habitat is open areas and we are forested. They prefer coniferous trees and ours are hardwoods. They don't mind sharing space with humans, and are quite common in suburban areas, farmlands, orchards, and city parks.
The clearing of forests for agriculture has resulted in an expansion of the range of the Common Grackle which has also increased their numbers. They are one of the most successful and wide-spread species in North America.
They are known to help control pests in crops, but are generally not liked in corn fields. We enjoy them being around at this time of year since they dig in the dirt with their bills for food and will happily consume Japanese Beetle grubs. To encourage them finding the grubs, we scatter cracked corn in the areas where we have problems with Japanese Beetles.
Predators of this bird that eat the eggs and/or nestlings are squirrels, snakes, raccoons, chipmunks, and cats. The adults are food for a variety of hawks and owls.
During migration and in winter, Common Grackles like to eat grains and seeds from farm fields, such as corn and acorns. They will eat fruit if available. While breeding, their diet mostly consists of insects, frogs, salamanders, crayfish, minnows, earthworms, mice, and even small bats they catch in the air. They are very opportunistic foragers and will follow a plow in search of grubs.
Feeding in groups they make themselves known as they sit in trees or feed on the ground. They use a lot of vocalizations to communicate and produce a harsh song that sounds much like a squeaky, rusty gate.
Our visitor was totally alone which is another reason to believe it was the result of a hawk chase. There were no birds to be heard or seen when I arrived on deck. I held the grackle on my lap while I gave it Distress Remedy that helps greatly when an animal is in shock or trauma or very stressed.
The grackle responded well to the few drops which I placed on the tongue. The beak was hanging open. I didn't want to put anything down its throat since I didn't know if it could swallow. I'm so glad I was there to help.
When it seemed to be improving, I put it in a box and closed the flaps. Birds feel very secure in the dark and in an enclosed area. This seemed to finish off the brief rehabilitation process since it was scratching around in 5 minutes. I took it to the front porch hoping to see a group of friends that might call.
It seemed I had a female since the tail was shorter than most and that's one indication of a female. They are not as vocal as the males and they weigh a bit less also.
As I began to turn the box so I could open the flap on the end providing the bird a platform to look around from and depart, a few birds came back into the yard. It seemed only a moment longer that I could see the head appear near the end of the box. Once she saw the open pathway to freedom, she took off with such a strong flight pattern turning after maneuvering through a couple of trees. She was definitely okay. I was so delighted that she did so well so quickly.
View Enlarged Image © Donna L. Watkins - Common Grackle View All Rescue Photos Begin with this photo & click arrows below photos. |
Last week, while in another room I heard the dreaded sound of something hitting that window, but this was much louder than any I'd heard before. I actually wondered if the hawk had hit the window this time.
Running to through the screened porch and onto the deck to see if there was any hope of saving the bird, I discovered a Common Grackle on its back still breathing heavily with its beak open.
I quickly got an old pillowcase from the porch tub where such things are kept for cats and critters. I didn't want to get scratched from the claws and I knew he'd feel safer with a firm grip and the ability to wrap the fabric around him. Birds feel safer if the world goes dark.
The Common Grackle is from 11-13 inches long, so it was a large bird. The Grackles had arrived in early March, three weeks earlier, as they do during migration. We see them in the Fall and Spring. They raid the feeders and chase away most of the other birds since they come in groups and are quite gregarious and not very friendly. They will even attack other grackles at times.
We can enjoy them since they do not remain here. Their iridescent coloring makes me want to call them Rainbow Birds. Their preferred habitat is open areas and we are forested. They prefer coniferous trees and ours are hardwoods. They don't mind sharing space with humans, and are quite common in suburban areas, farmlands, orchards, and city parks.
The clearing of forests for agriculture has resulted in an expansion of the range of the Common Grackle which has also increased their numbers. They are one of the most successful and wide-spread species in North America.
They are known to help control pests in crops, but are generally not liked in corn fields. We enjoy them being around at this time of year since they dig in the dirt with their bills for food and will happily consume Japanese Beetle grubs. To encourage them finding the grubs, we scatter cracked corn in the areas where we have problems with Japanese Beetles.
Predators of this bird that eat the eggs and/or nestlings are squirrels, snakes, raccoons, chipmunks, and cats. The adults are food for a variety of hawks and owls.
During migration and in winter, Common Grackles like to eat grains and seeds from farm fields, such as corn and acorns. They will eat fruit if available. While breeding, their diet mostly consists of insects, frogs, salamanders, crayfish, minnows, earthworms, mice, and even small bats they catch in the air. They are very opportunistic foragers and will follow a plow in search of grubs.
Feeding in groups they make themselves known as they sit in trees or feed on the ground. They use a lot of vocalizations to communicate and produce a harsh song that sounds much like a squeaky, rusty gate.
Our visitor was totally alone which is another reason to believe it was the result of a hawk chase. There were no birds to be heard or seen when I arrived on deck. I held the grackle on my lap while I gave it Distress Remedy that helps greatly when an animal is in shock or trauma or very stressed.
The grackle responded well to the few drops which I placed on the tongue. The beak was hanging open. I didn't want to put anything down its throat since I didn't know if it could swallow. I'm so glad I was there to help.
When it seemed to be improving, I put it in a box and closed the flaps. Birds feel very secure in the dark and in an enclosed area. This seemed to finish off the brief rehabilitation process since it was scratching around in 5 minutes. I took it to the front porch hoping to see a group of friends that might call.
It seemed I had a female since the tail was shorter than most and that's one indication of a female. They are not as vocal as the males and they weigh a bit less also.
As I began to turn the box so I could open the flap on the end providing the bird a platform to look around from and depart, a few birds came back into the yard. It seemed only a moment longer that I could see the head appear near the end of the box. Once she saw the open pathway to freedom, she took off with such a strong flight pattern turning after maneuvering through a couple of trees. She was definitely okay. I was so delighted that she did so well so quickly.
What To Do With A Turtle In The Road
Have you ever been driving down the road when that tire fragment in the distance begins to move? As you get closer, you realize that the tire fragment is actually a turtle, slowly attempting to cross the highway.
Turtles often make this perilous journey to get to a good, sunny location with loose soil in which to lay eggs, and to return back to familiar territory - be it a woodland, pond or desert burrow.
It is in just this situation that so many turtles lose their status as wild animals and are consigned to an unnatural, and unnaturally short, life in a back yard. By all means, help that turtle cross the road in the direction she (or he) was heading, if you can do so safely. But then leave her in the wild where she belongs.
The collection of turtles by passersby seriously contributes to the ongoing population declines in many species. Turtles and tortoises are particularly vulnerable to collecting, since they are slow-moving and generally non-aggressive.
Find out more about turtles and tortoises.
Turtles often make this perilous journey to get to a good, sunny location with loose soil in which to lay eggs, and to return back to familiar territory - be it a woodland, pond or desert burrow.
It is in just this situation that so many turtles lose their status as wild animals and are consigned to an unnatural, and unnaturally short, life in a back yard. By all means, help that turtle cross the road in the direction she (or he) was heading, if you can do so safely. But then leave her in the wild where she belongs.
The collection of turtles by passersby seriously contributes to the ongoing population declines in many species. Turtles and tortoises are particularly vulnerable to collecting, since they are slow-moving and generally non-aggressive.
Find out more about turtles and tortoises.
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