Bethany Lutheran Hymnal - The Public Domain Hymn List Is Complete

 This will be the sticky post on Ichabod and on the other blogs to link the hymn list.

Mrs. Gardener's Grandchildren - Cardinals

Giant aliums have giant prices, but the small ones are almost given away. One iris bulb can cost as much as a rose bush, but there are plenty for sale at reasonable prices.

The cardinals enjoy plenty of food and water around here. I left the seeds on nine Crepe Myrtle bushes because cardinals love them. They also receive daily portions of sunflower seeds.

Mrs. Gardener came over with a new type of meal from her daughter. We have all kinds of things swapped around here - paper products, food, etc. She found a cardinal nest within easy viewing. She was so excited about it that I said, "You have new grandchildren." She said, "Yes I do!"

We had two inches of rain after the crew dug in 50 bulbs and helped me with weeding. They knew where they planted earlier bulbs so they were tasked with planting them. I remember planting some aliums (garlic family) last year - and saw they are ready to bloom now. Now I am calculating where we can fit more bulbs into the rose garden.

The garbage barrel lids are ideal feeders. They keep the birds close by at window level and clean themselves in the rain. Stepping outside near them is like pressing a button on a sound device - all kinds of birds start rejoicing. Likewise, the front garden gets some bread treats, so they watch and sing too.

Cynical readers will conclude that the clever birds have trained me, but that is fine. When a bird boldly perches nearby, on the Chaste Tree or the maturing Crepe Myrtle, I am rewarded. I planted the Crepe Mytle by the window so they would feel secure within a few feet of the kitchen sink and become used to kitchen noises.

Tiny birds like slender branches too light to support a cat, so they perch and preen with confidence.

The Chinese virus panic has made people wonder where their paycheck will come from. Luther pointed out that birds wake up every morning, singing praises to God, without knowing where their next meal might be.

Those - who are charmed by the birds - provide only 20% of the food they need.

Chaste Tree is loved by bees and easy to prune.