bountiful

Bountiful as is the hand of Providence, its gifts are not so bestowed as to seduce us into indolence, but to rouse us to exertion.   ~William Wilberforce

 We earnestly and faithfully pray for His provision of rain and when the Lord graciously sends it we are sincerely thankful, we then respond with appropriate praise and thanksgiving.

No more daily watering which at its best only keeps the plants alive, but not necessarily flourishing. 

Because of this weather system of rain and clouds of late in our area, we do not have to presently water. But boy! We must diligently weed and cut back! We joyfully remain thankful.

I had to cut back this tall sunflower plant that volunteered in my garden with loppers due to the stalk's strength. You can see it was hanging over my prosperous cucumber plant. It immediately bounced straight back up like a spring.

And look at the height of this sunflowers plant.

My gardening buddies, Myrtle and Louie.

 Just let me grab my harvesting basket, open the garden gate and these two companiable  felines are right behind me.

And there is always reading and knitting continuing on in the summer months. When the afternoons are too hot or the rains are too strong, I have an opportunity to read and knit.

The daylight hours are becoming noticeably shorter. Do you see it right before your eyes as I do? The Fourth of July seems to bring it home to me every year, watch for the shortening of daylight hours goes my brain. But I still indulge in the capturing of the sunrise in the old green andiron back chair, that is in sad need of a proper paint job I might add. This morning I was reading over a Bible study I'd been doing with my daughter and her friend on Friday afternoons. These young mothers with their busy schedules can inhibit time for Bible study. That is why I've discovered these 40 minute studies by Kay Arthur can actually work for some and it does encourage and teach the consistent going to the Scripture...what does the Word say?  

The hymn, He Will Hold Me Fast, was first published on a broadsheet in 1907. Here is a bit of fascinating information about the history of this hymn.  I found the words in an old hymnal and I have been singing it throughout my gardening and home tending pursuits.

she gardens in the morning hours

“I love my garden, and I love working in it. To potter with green growing things, watching each day to see the dear, new sprouts come up, is like taking a hand in creation, I think. Just now my garden is like faith - the substance of things hoped for". 

House of Dreams, L.M.Montgomery

Summer days are undeniably magical in essence, and summer days spur potential with more things to do than there are hours  in a day to manage and complete. The light hours on a summer day are longer sometimes tricking my thinking. Do you find this the case too, tricking you into thinking you have more time in a day due to the light? 

Most mornings I garden. The heat and humidity will drive me back into the house for a cold glass of lemon balm tea and a quick cool shower soon enough as the temperatures climb and I find myself glistening like a workhorse. 

One of my most favorite vines is the sweet pea. Sweet peas grow along the roadside and fence lines here where I live. They are what some would call "weeds". But not to this gardener. 

 Three years ago we gathered one small plant outside by the road. This plant blooms all summer enjoying the hot sun, I have  provided a trellis for it to grow on and I control its growth making it a lovely happy plant for my summer garden. 

Lathryus latfolius

Alas, the Japanese beetles love it as much as I do and they do their share of damage to the delicate pink blooms.  But I continue to pick off those pesty beetles throughout the day and cut back the dead blooms. It is hardy.