FOTD, July 23, Caladiums

Today’s Flower of the day really is no flower but its color is still bright and beautiful. Cee says leave and berries are acceptable so here we go.

Caladiums…of all the various varieties, I think this one is my favorite.

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They are beautiful by themselves or help highlight other plants….

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They help highlight the tiny flowers who fight to be noticed….

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And they hold onto raindrops to highlight their own beauty after a summer shower. All plants within the garden have their own beauty to share and highlight God’s love of creation.

As you enjoy the wonders of nature and your gardens, remember to share its kindness.

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Kind hearts are the gardens

Kind thoughts are the roots

Kind words are the flowers

Kind deeds are the fruits

Take care of your garden

and keep out the weeds

Fill it with sunshine,

kind words and great deeds.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Flower of the Day, July 22

Again we have more fun from my yard. Thanks to Cee for having such a fun prompt where we can all share the beauty of nature.

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Even on a drizzly day the sunflower smiles. Looks like one petal is trying to be a hat in keeping the rain from getting in its face.

And never under estimate the determination of nature as this sun flower, seed dropped from the feeder, grew under the fence to make sure it could show its happy face to the sun.

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Match the happiness of sunflowers where ever you go and always be kind.

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Flying Ace, Diminishing Poetry

A New Flying Ace

I came to the feeder but there was not even a trace

Between the bird and the chipmunks, it’s a hard race

Timing must be right, to win the fight, to be the new ace.

There’s no time for sitting in the soft lawn chair

Where you can sit, relax and grow long your hair

Time is wasted, food is gone, leaving you only air.

Donna Matthews of Go Dog Go Cafe has tossed out the challenge for diminishing poetry. Since I had never tried it before, I gave it a shot.

Today’s poetry form is called Diminishing Verse Poetry. From Brewer, “The main rule of diminishing verse poetry is to remove the first letter of end word in the previous line.”

Come join in on the fun to see what you can do. And as always in whatever you do, remember to be kind. Let others shine with you.

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Tuesday Writing Prompt, If I Never…

If I Never…

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If I never explored the garden, of it’s love and beauty that be

I would miss yellows and purples or other colors to see

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If I never felt the raindrops, as it gathered on leaves around

I would never hear the beauty in its quiet, gentle sound

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If I never saw the sunset and it breathed after the storm

I would never see the beauty in the clouds as they form

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If I never saw the snowfall as to clung to trees above

I would never hear its quietness like the cooing of a dove

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If I never loved another how profoundly sad to be

For missing all those gifts from God that He would give to me.

Anita Neal

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. The prompts are designed to be quick challenges that can be written in 10 to 15 minutes, inspire you creatively, are fun, and get everyone interacting.

Today’s prompt: Write a poem using the phrase “if we never”

Come join in and as always, remember to be kind, it shows you true heart regardless of who, or what you are kind to. Let your kindness ripples be released into the world.

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More Yard Fun

It’s Monday and I need some cheering up so I am posting fun from my yard this week. I don’t think Heaven’s Sunshine does the Macro Monday but I am listing it that way because it is a macro, plus it can be for Cee’s Flower of the day. Flowers make me smile so here is a big ole smile courtesy of google to go with the flower…

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image000000 (29) — A red Moss Rose, appox. size is about 2 inches

I could not get a good shot of his legs to show they were covered in pollen. As you enjoy the beauty of nature, I hope you smile. When you smile, people wonder what you are thinking. Keep them guessing…and remember to be kind.

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What do you see #39

WHAT DO I SEE??? What do you mean!! Look at these prices! How’s a mouse gonna survive? But look… they are buying P-nut butter for the DOG! I like P-nut butter. Why can’t they buy P-nut butter for the mouse. No, no. They expect me to grovel for mere crumbs for food. I already lost my home and having to live in this open basket. What if it rains…WHAT IF THEY HAVE A CAT!??! There is just no respect I tell you, just no respect!!

What a fun picture for “What do you see #39”. Tie in with Sadje and Keep It Alive and join the fun.

And remember as always, try to be kind.

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Fragility of Life

Today I was slapped in the face by the fragility of this life and my heart was broken. I borrowed some pictures from google to help express my thoughts for tonight.

This life we have is so very precious and we tend sometimes to take it for granted. But scripture reminds us that flowers of life fade. But it is our duty to nurture every flower as long as we can, to always shower it in love and to always be kind.

The word love is mentioned over 130 times in the bible, so it is very important to God. He gave His son to us because He loved us. And we must be aware of Him as we walk beside Him because He still loves us…warts and all.

It is our hearts that show us who we are and it is through our actions that we show who God is…for God is love.

I encourage everyone to fully understand how very valuable you are to God. He created you…as you…for a reason and purpose. He was faithful in love in your creation and will remain faithful in love as you walk by his side.

So gather your beautiful flowers of loved ones around you and make sure they know how sweet their loving aroma is to God’s and you…and never ever forget how wonderful your aroma is to God and how very much He loves you. Have a blessed evening and remember to be kind.

Flower of the Day, 7/19, Dahlia

Cee’s wonderful prompt for daily flower pictures is probably one of my favorites this year as my yard is exceptionally pretty this year. Nothing died, which is remarkable with my brown thumb, maybe a little greenage is starting to show.

I too chose Dahlias for today as I two different varieties.

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Flowers are as individual as people are with each having it own beauty and love to share. As you share yourself with others remember to share the beauty from within and pair it with kindness.

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Day is Over

Sunset Alltona

Day Is Over

The day is over and the night is near

Memories were made to hold so dear.

I think in earnest and reflect over this day

Of memories I made leaving nothing to say.

All memories made, some scary some fun

Will all be stored once this day is done.

Lift memories, thoughts and deep felt cares

To the Lord above who will always be there.

He watches with love as we close out each day

And promises to refill us with hope as we pray.

For the day is now over and night is near

So gather those thoughts and memories so dear.

Anita Neal

Photo Courtesy of Judi Beeler

There are times when God paints beauty in the sunset to remind us of His power and glory. When you day is over, take times to reflect on the gifts of that day and remember to always be kind.

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Tuesday Writing Prompt, July 14

Devereaux Frazier and Beth Amanda are currently hosting the Tuesday Writing Prompt Challenge which was started by our star writer Christine Ray. We hope to offer all of you something that will spark your creativity and willingness to participate.

Today’s prompt: Write a piece of prose or poetry around the phrase “nine years old, and she never had a chance”

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Nine Years Ago

It was nine years ago today, that faithless day, when life erupted with come what may.

The car she was in, offered no shelter within, as it hit the black ice and began to spin.

With injuries so grave, her leg they could not save, now at age nine she must be brave.

Her dreams of dance, was lost at first glance, knowing now she never had a chance.

Some dreams are alive, a determination to thrive, beyond expectation they too survive.

For others can see, the grace that can be, regardless of crutch, the beauty of she.

Now dreams of dance, where once was no chance, joyfully fill her with happenstance.

Anita Neal

As life can sometime throw you into a tailspin, try not to give up but continue to strive for your dreams. And always try to be kind even when it is hard.

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