The Red Birdhouse

There was an empty old birdhouse

kicking around, out behind the shed.

One sunny spring day

I dragged it out and painted it bright red.

I wedged it tight,

inside the branches

on the Rose of Sharon tree.

And then I waited patiently

for a bird to come and see.

to be continued... IF a bird comes.

Happy Easter

Rejoice in the Risen Lord in every present moment
( Rallegrarsi nel Signore Risorto in ogni attimo presente)

Holy Saturday

Hope for everything from the will of God of the present moment
( Sperare tutto dalla volontà di Dio dell’attimo presente)

Good Friday

Jesus dies on the Cross

Do the will of God of the present moment completely
( Compiere totalmente la volontà di Dio dell’attimo presente)

Holy Thursday

Jesus' supreme humility

Love the will of God of the present moment all the way to the end
( Amare sino alla fine la volontà di Dio dell’attimo presente)

Nightstand by Day

You will not Croak-Us

We have one of those driveways that come right up alongside the house,

all the way to the back door.
There's a narrow strip of earth in between the house and drive that I dare to call a garden.

Once there was a nice stand of Periwinkle,

but large patches have died off leaving it dusty and patchy.

Blame a too hot sun from last summer,

or sporadic urinations from a passing pet.

Or maybe the careless footsteps that stomp as they jump out of a car.

Beside my driveway can be a dangerous place.

Where oil slicks roll off in fingers when it rains.

Where shovels heap their heavy snow during wintry blizzards.

Where we dump the sand from our shoes after beach jaunts.

Where bicycle tires travel too close.

Where bouncing balls finally land.

It can be a treacherous place!

But the will to live is strong for a Crocus.

These tough little troopers have survived more than 20 years here.

But they're not so tough that a fly won't land on them!