Hummingbird Says Thanks

 What we normally see is more like a fluttering leaf, but it zigs left and right, up and down in the window to say, "Thanks for the food!"

Going to the clinic, I described the aerial acrobatics I saw through the kitchen window.

Mrs. Ichabod said, "Why would he do that?"

I said, "He was thanking me for the food in the hummingbird feeder. Hummers always do that for humans. They are the bravest of all the birds. Or the most commercial."

In Phoenix they would hum around me to get my attention - and fly through the garden hose spray for an in-flight bath."

They have established a big industry just by rewarding us for filling plastic feeders with diluted sugar water. Unfortunately, I poured myself a glass from the fridge, thinking it was cold cranberry juice. But the magic solution was more like watered-down cherry Kool-Aid. Come to think of it, I started humming a lot that day.

 Ann Geddes photo

We are now at the apex of the summer garden. The late bloomers opened up:

• Joe Pye
• Clethra
• Crepe Myrtle

adding their attraction to

1. Cat Mint
2. Mountain Mint
3. Bee Balm
4. Borage
5. Comfrey
6. Yarrow
7. Buckwheat
8. Roses
9. Hosta
10. Daisies
11. Blackberries
12. Poke Berries
13. Wild Strawberries 
14. Beauty Berries
15. Trumpet vine
16. Butterfly Weed
17. Swamp Milkweed
18. Balloon flowers

Notice that, apart from some wild berries, the food was planted, tended, and watered to generate this supermarket for birds and bees.

I wonder how all the insects keep up with the bounty. I see three sizes of bees at once on the same Joe Pye bloom - big bumble bees, honey bees, and hover flies that look like bees. I think Ichneumon tiny wasps are there, but I do not put my nose on the flower just to verify the insect. 

Do they have time for the Borage?

My guess is that we draw from a larger area now. Almost Eden has many types of plants, but a lot of grassy field. The woods harbor a lot more insects than food, so we are the cafeteria for all creatures great and small. Our neighbor's daughter said, "The rabbits don't even budge when I get near!"

Our front porch is the best theater in the area for flying and walking animals. When the Military Gardening Group convenes, everyone is looking at the wildlife. The Milkweed plants crowd the picket fence at our feet, so the bees are inches away. Watching a bee work and ignore us is more tranquilizing than any medicine - and much less expensive.

Our friend, the late Pastor Newman, was always complaining about the beavers on his property. They were creating dams where he did not want them. They were persistent and good at it. 

Meanwhile, for decades we listened to China praise itself for the glorious Three Gorges Dam, 12 years in the building, a million people displaced. It would tame the Yangtze River! The dam was a money maker and now is falling apart, according to live feed observations and a blanket of secrecy hiding the facts.

Sowing the Living Seed of the Word

This is Norma Boeckler's garden, and she designed the cover of Creation Gardening.

Ranger Bob was looking at the graphics that repeat on the Bethany video website. He wanted to see the one above.

Later, I had four copies arrive for distribution. One went to a neighbor on the next block. I saved another for PFC, a member of the Military-Gardening Group. Various items pass back and forth, such as the 3D book on the HMS Hood.

"Bob, what do you think of a 3D book on a WWII Japanese sub?" He made a face and said he only liked the Japanese subs that carried airplanes. I said, "OK. I won't let you read my copy I ordered - about a Japanese sub."

Bob said, "You have one coming?" The Hood copy was brand new, very inexpensive, and has exquisite graphics, close ups of every detail on the famous battle cruiser, lost during the battle with the Bismarck.

PFC has a big interest in gardening, so I gave Creation Gardening: By Him Were All Things Made to Bob to give to PFC. They work at the newspaper printing plant.

Bob had his hands on the book for a couple of days. He said before our latest confab on the porch, "Could I borrow a copy for a while? I picked up your gardening book and could not put it down."
Bob got the next book.

Mrs. Ichabod joined us last night as we sipped various drinks on the porch - Brazilian coffee and Diet Pepsi. Veterans Honor rose is often the favorite, but new blooms are opening all the time.

• Bee Balm is just starting.
• Butterfly Weed is in full bloom.
• Joe Pye and Clethra are read to bloom.
• Daisies are mostly in flower.
• Oriental Lilies have emerged to bloom.
• Borage, easily overlooked,is blooming white and blue.
• Balloon flowers are showing off.
• Hosta flowers attract the hummingbirds.

Bees work over the Butterfly Weed, close to our chairs on the narrow porch. Everyone enjoys watching them work over the blooms.

"Every time is different in this garden," PFC observed.

Tis.

For Easter Giving - Norma Boeckler's Religious Art . Bethany Lutheran Church Artist Has an Enormous Following

Linked here are many of Norma Boeckler's art projects.
Her Religious Art can be found here.

I have the honor of working with Norma Boeckler all the time. She is always ready to design my book covers and the interior art as well.

I use her artwork in this blog, on Facebook, and in our worship posts. I know she takes great pleasure in providing religious art, which she shares across the Internet via Facebook. She has so many fans that one person wrote me, "You KNOW Norma Boeckler???"

 Norma Boeckler has won many awards for her artistic work.

This book is a wonderful example of how Norma uses her talent to communicate the Gospel. I am convinced that today's religious art is essential, the equivalent of the stained glass windows of European cathedrals.

Nothing connects the message better than uniting that with a picture. We know that from the teaching of Jesus. He always used picture language rather than abstract terms, not just in the parables, but also in His sermons and shorter messages.

I collected quotations on a database, Megatron, for a long time. I reached 3,000 and had trouble remembering them all when I wanted to call them up. Once I began pairing them with graphics, I remembered them better and so did others. One woman wrote me, "Could you post the roses quotation from Luther again?" Using the pictures folder, I found it immediately.

Those who know Norma Boeckler also enjoy her company. Her garden is a masterpiece (adorning my Creation Gardening book). Her home is filled with beautiful artwork and furniture. Best of all, she is a delight to be with, an example of the fruits of the Spirit.

 This is Norma Boeckler's garden and cover design.

The Creation Gardening Book Is Done. Artwork Is Next. Then The Lost Dutchman's Goldmine: Luther's Theology of the Word

 We interrupt this grading session for a refreshing nap.

The Creation Gardening book is proofed and soon to be sent to the art division of Bethany Lutheran Church - Norma Boeckler.

This is a scene from Norma Boeckler's garden!

The Lost Dutchman's Goldmine is already started and will be finished next - much faster, I think.

Thank you for all the encouraging messages about both books. I have two more in the works, one from Lulu and one from ancient times, but they will both have to wait a bit.

Luther's Theology of the Word

Meanwhile, in the general area of spreading around good books, I have a new list coming out. Look for that. Someone donated a trunk full of books that are valued by Lutherans.

Keil-Delitsch was requested right away - one title, many books. The rest take a little time to list. One is Leupold's Genesis.

 Norma Boeckler offers daily contributions of Biblical art
 to Facebook.