Words on being wordless

I often post a picture with no words for Wordless Wednesday, 

a "linky party" of images that need no words.  

It might be a picture like this one of a bluebird perched in a tree in my garden. 

He speaks of happiness and Spring and hope.

Or this one of the dandelion in my garden this morning, reminding me of 

childhood days, blowing dandelion puffs and making wishes.

Or this one of rose buds, shedding tears of morning dew -  

mixing messages of beauty, joy, and sorrow.

I might post this photo of the Adirondack chairs in their new location, calling to me to sit 

with a cool drink while I watch the birds at the feeders.

Or the photo of the pentstemon dancing by the birdbath, suggesting I join them in

stretching out my arms and twirling through the grass.

But there are times when I am wordless, not because no words are 

necessary but because I am bereft of them.

There are times when I am hungry for words and have none.  

When I long to speak my heart but don't know how.  

God, there are moments when we do not know what to say, so we come to just sit with you. 

Stay with us and hold us close. Amen.

A prayer by Michele Thomas-Bush from the Myers Park Presbyterian Church (Charlotte, NC) 

daily devotional   

April 11, 2011

Whiteflies, blackspot, aphids. . .

Everything is not perfect in my garden.  Whiteflies have infested the shrubs by the side porch.  Black spot and aphids are on the roses.  My little swamp milkweed seedling doesn't seem to have survived. Only two of my irises have bloomed.  I sprayed the rose bush with neem oil and sprayed the shrubs with insecticidal soap.  And then I made myself feel better by taking these pictures.

The Rhododendron in all its glory.

Evening Primrose  - I love it when it's blooming even if it is the most invasive plant I have.

The snaps and penstemon are at their best.

The coreopsis is in full bud and the dianthus is the healthiest I've ever seen it.

The lilac lullaby skullcap - a rescue from the bargain table at Lowe's last fall - is blooming for the first time.  

And the goldflame spirea is beginning to flower.

After the rain

It rained all day yesterday - much needed rain for the plants and to wash away the pollen.  This morning the sun was shining and the garden was beautiful.  I would have liked to have spent the entire day working outside, but staying home from work wasn't an option, so I made myself feel a little better by taking a couple of pictures before I left.

Wordless Wednesday