A Funny Business, This

 Today's Poem-a-day challenge from Robert Lee Brewer @ Writer' Digest

'For today's prompt, write a funny poem.

Keep in mind that funny isn't always "ha-ha" funny.

For instance, your poem could include a funny smell

or talk about a funny (or weird) person or situation.

And if you've ever hit your funny bone,

that pain is not making anyone laugh.

So write a funny poem, whether it's for a laugh or not.'

The other evening it was man (woman) against nature

as the lawn rollers showed up before I was quite finished raking

up pine cones etc.! Nature won and woman got drenched

but lawn is raked and rolled! Happy dance!

There is something exhilarating about racing against a storm!

Akin to the exhilaration of being surprised by a kind of joy

we can only discover as we grow older!

The kind of joy only humble gratitude grants!

Gratitude for life's simple things.

Like...

Sunsets...(an hour after the storm)

Supper...

and so much more!

A funny business this;

The older that we get

The more we find joy in what is;

This, not forgotten yet 😂

A funny business this;

The sense that humour grants

Like nicknaming Father Time's kiss

Reliable Romance

Let's laugh; be young at heart

Let's refuse to bemoan

The canvas that showcases art

That rankles/wrinkles skin and bone

Let's not waste happiness

In worry or regret

For every day leaves one day less

Of reasons to forget  😶

Yes, there are pains and aches

Social life turns into 

Gatherings at funerals and wakes

As death collects its due

Honing humble surprise

A funny business this;

The best of life cut down to size

Is Gratitude's sweet bliss

© Janet Martin

Ps.90:12

Teach us to number our days, 

that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

I Like (or, So Much to Love)

A riot of snowflakes tumbling from welkin reservoirs... 

It feels SO good to get up and want to stay in the upright position 

after a few mornings of lying down again as soon as I was up...

thankfully the worst of the bug only lasted a few days! 

Still in slow motion, but at least I'm in motion!😅

There really is no end to a poem like this...

I began this poem after reading Brenda's post on Friday morning, HERE

before I was 'under the weather'.

The first line inspired by these little guys...

Thatch matted metamorphosis of finches turning gold...

Icicle-brickled eaves...

Because granddaughter is going to celebrate her birthday this year

 with her other set of Grandparents (in Nova Scotia!) 

we had an early celebration planned for Sunday but needed to cancel it. 😪

However, Granddaughter's/grandchildren's (well, everyone's)

 disappointment was cheered a little

 after being told she would still get her gift.

They did an outdoor 'deck drop-by'...

When they were ready to leave youngest Grandson came to me

 for his regular goodbye hug and kiss.

 When I told him gramma is sick, and better to skip hugs today 

he didn't move but just stood there with his arms held up 😂💗

gazing expectantly with his big blue eyes,

 so of course he got a big tried-not-to-breathe-on-him hug 

and a kiss on his hat 😂

Bird entertainment...

Robins.

Things I Like...

Thatch matted metamorphosis of finches turning gold

British accents; a patchwork quilt, laughter of young and old

The pleasure of an afternoon when to-do lists are tossed

Blush hush of dusk. Pale crescent moon. Babies. Dawn, dipped in frost

Old books that smell like years gone by; that stoke nostalgia’s kiss

Warm mug to wrap chilled hands around while lost in coffee-bliss

Nature's quieter pose, before spring flings ajar bud-doors

A riot of snowflakes tumbling from welkin reservoirs

Impromptu lunch date with dear mom and dad, while life allows

And cherishing them more and more as time its touch endows

Epiphanies while sipping tea with comrades, battle-scarred

(there is no ‘small talk’ when love trusts enough to low'r its guard)

An immense sense of gratitude no poem can curtail

A little lad, mud puddle glad where paper boats set sail

Flowers to give or to receive. April showers. Family

Enchanting lands of make-believe beneath the willow tree

A hand in hand stroll with a child. Icicle-brickled eaves

Worship hymns. Wisdom. Lilacs. Field full of hand-stooked sheaves

Autumn leaves. Winding backroads. Woodland trails. Old bridges. Trains

Thunderstorms. Horses running free with waving tails and manes

Gardens. Meadows. Babbling brooks. Bare feet and Butterflies

Spring peepers. Innocence. Lamplight. Old apple trees. Sunrise

Bible stories and Birthday cakes. Lakes, silver in the sun

Puppies. Long stretchy skirts. Winter rainbows. Workout done

Raindrop plip-plop. The humble joy of health after flu bug

Littlest grandson who won’t leave without a Gramma-hug

Bird entertainment. Robins. Rail fence. Tulips. Daffodils

A freshly cleaned or painted room. Vista of rolling hills

Window sills with flowers. Mother-in-law’s geraniums

Sea-song. Beach walks. Flip-flops. August. Crickets. Dahlias. Ripe plums

Poem-a-day-challenge, God’s glory that heavens declare

Grape arbors. Campfire cooking. Wisteria. Fix of fresh air

Lines filled with flapping laundry. 

Shadow-art on countryside

Scent of summer’s rain-tamed dust or fresh-mown hay. 

Bike ride

Music. 

Forget-me-nots. 

Mercies, too manifold to name

Sisters. 

Hot-cross buns. 

Easter. 

Hope through He from whence we came...

© Janet Martin

I wanted to mention more but the poem was getting too long;

little fists full of first dandelion bouquets

rosy faces framed in woolly hoods

a warm handshake

the meeting of eyes... no words needed

wild-flowered meadow

crisp apple (or, apple crisp!)

mellow, yellow pear

pussy willows

picnics

sap buckets brimming,

wood smoke curlicues,

neatly piled wood stacks,

cellar full of canning=thankful satisfaction

cookbooks,

supper soup,

weathered buildings,

front porches,

front doors,

and so much more

bee-butts, (their bodies  shamelessly burrowed in bloom-bells,)

zinnias, 

watering cans,

ivy,

wind-chimes,

snowmen,

okay, I will stop

Thank-you God, for filling this world with so much to delight us...

Ps.40:5

Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

If Skunks Could Fly...

A bit of silliness to start today...

Last night in the course of conversation I mentioned how 

I had a dream/nightmare that skunks could fly!

I didn't elaborate but it was quite traumatic which is likely why I remember it!

 I was bent over in the garden and one landed on my back

 and started turning round and round like some animals do, 

trying to find a comfy spot for a snooze...

and I couldn't move for fear it would spray!!! then I woke up😅😂😂)

One of the listeners kiddingly challenged me to turn it into a poem.

haha!! Of course, he (Glenn) should have known I can never resist a poem-challenge😁

***

Ps.118:24

This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it.

I didn't have a picture of skunks but I took a photo of these beauties on Sunday!

They cooperated nicely

unlike the loon, that disappeared every time I clicked...😅

(Thankfully no flying skunks landed on the lake!)

It could be worse; sin’s curse of few-and-full-of-trouble-days

Sometimes we fret, and forget mercy’s very caring ways

So, if you’re feeling down and out, with doubtful, poutful sigh

Remember that it would be worse if God made skunks that fly

Imagine, when you settle for a little outdoor nap

A flying skunk would flutter down, kerplunk, into your lap

And you would need to wait, stock-still until it flew away

For fear you startle it and be drenched with stench of skunk-spray

Imagine a day at the beach, if like sea-gulls, skunks flew

And hovered overhead waiting for a stray fry or two

Or if, while tending gardens we would need to watch our back

Against possible peril of a flying skunk attack

What chaos would ensue for me and you; oh, aren’t you glad

That heads are not in danger of being skunk’s landing pad

And we don't need to worry about skunks building a nest

In our favorite tree; my, my, but aren't we sweetly blessed?!!

This is the day the Lord has made, rejoice, be glad in it

So much could be much worse, we all humbly have to admit 

So, when we count God's mercies, among many mentioned things

I think that we should add, ‘that He did not make skunks with wings’

© Janet Martin

If you are familiar with Peter Santenello's videos HERE you will recognize Titus!

The guy in the hat! Singing

 Count Your Blessings

How To Replenish Love's Delight...

“Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord”

 (Romans 12:11).

Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart,

 for God has already approved what you do.

Ecclesiastes 9:7

Above, a few verses from a few Daily Bread devotionals I missed on the weekend

because we were away for a bit!

Great verses to contemplate as we begin a new week!

May your week be as sweet as a Krispy Kreme donut!

(One of our stops)

It's easy to be filled with delight while savoring donuts,

but life/love isn't always as soft and sweet as a fresh donut, is it?!

If it was we would become fat and foolish,

sluggish and selfish!

James 1:2-4 BSB

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, 

when you encounter trials of many kinds, 

3because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.

 4Allow perseverance to finish its work, 

so that you may be mature and complete, 

not lacking anything.

We walk by faith, not sight

To overcome despair

Is to replenish love's delight

Through faithful, thankful prayer

Is to fix our eyes

On He whose hope elates

Whose grace made possible the prize

That faith anticipates 

Is to count our joys

Rather than our woes

Is to seize what each morn deploys

And dusk draws to a close

Is to choose what is right

And forgive fellowman

And in each flight from morn to night

To do the best we can

Because God gave His best

Because He loves us so

To dwell on this renews the zest/quest

No care can overthrow

Because when we believe

We walk by faith, not sight

And as we trust we will receive

Love's replenished delight

Janet Martin

Jer.17:7

“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD,

 whose confidence is in him.

Psalm 40:4
Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, 

who has not turned to the proud, 

nor to those who lapse into falsehood.

New Month's Resolutions

 Happy, happy March! (already?!!)

This winter is flying by and hardly feeling like 'real' winter

with its milder temperatures and lack of snow!

Although last evening wasn't mild!

I almost froze my fingers to get these sunset poses!!!

I had to miss the magnificent, pink finale because I needed to go back inside to thaw my hands!

Note to self: never assume to be fine without mittens no matter how mild a few days earlier was!

May we make today more cheerful by being thankful and kind

And by keeping thought life gentle with fellowman's needs in mind

May we not be blind to beauty's wonder-thund'ring treasure trove

But embrace life's common duties with a glad and grateful love

Pray the Lord's goodness will fill us with joy bursting at the core

Rather than highlights that thrill us then leave us thirsting for more

Pray love’s meek and quiet spirit shields us from frontlines of strife

From lust of the flesh and eye, and dust to dust’s vain pride of life

Behold! each moment-memento brims with opportunity

May we delight in the tempo tuning Today’s symphony

For, sufficient for each hour is God’s glorious grace unfurled

Ah! Nothing can overpower He who overcame the world

May we make today more lovely by the way that we reply

To the Giver; not rude-grumbly, but with humble ‘here am I’

As creation spills our ears full, as dawn sets yon heights ablaze

May we make today more cheerful by joining its hymn of praise

For soon high's noon's full bloom flounders; soon plush petal-mettle yields

To the tug that always counters today with tomorrow's fields

So, before today is gathered into Bygone's works of art

May its moments as they scatter leave a smile in someone's heart

© Janet Martin

Ps.92:4-8

For You, O LORD, have made me glad by Your deeds;

I sing for joy at the works of Your hands.

5How great are Your works, O LORD,

how deep are Your thoughts!

6A senseless man does not know,

and a fool does not understand,

7that though the wicked sprout like grass,

and all evildoers flourish,

they will be forever destroyed.

8But You, O LORD, are exalted forever!

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

On Living In The Moment

Look! morning’s epic entrance thunders with moments we’ve never met...

Because God is without beginning or end,

there will be no end to goodness!

Sometimes I am guilty of forgetting this,

 falling prey to doleful dread, 

believing the good days are over for good 

rather than finding the good in each day,

and thanking God for it by honoring Him with it

 in every way I can!

Ps.31:19 

(click reference link to read the whole glorious Psalm)

How great is Your goodness

which You have laid up for those who fear You,

which You have bestowed before the sons of men

on those who take refuge in You!

I do not want to stare too long at sanguine scenes in Bygone’s glade

Nor covet echoes of a song, much softer now than when first played

Lord, give me ears to hear What Is before its music disappears

Open my eyes so I don’t miss the font that soon fills yesteryears

Beneath the hand of Time harsh sorrows and raw edges smooth, it seems

Washed by a tide, primed with tomorrows, rolling through a world of dreams

Darling, ere you and I awaken on the other side of This

Let’s be sweetly and humbly taken by the melody that is

For, far too soon Bygone’s infinite isle will claim tunes turned to mist

So, let’s not waste one precious minute while today's lyrics untwist  

Look! morning’s epic entrance thunders with moments we’ve never met

Oh, let’s not grow too old to wonder at mercies not tasted yet

© Janet Martin

Oh, let’s not grow too old to wonder at mercies not tasted yet...

Dawn's eyelids were heavy with snow-shadows!

It's been a while since Old Man Winter

 lugged out his white-wash bucket and tipped it over the earth...

I almost have First Snowfall thrills!

Goodness of God

This Life Is Full of Lovely Things (in a much-amiss world)

To sun-rise starved Southern Ontarion-ers this morning's stunner

was like a sweet elixir to the soul!

Beneath a rush of blushing wings

A fresh start is unfurled...

This life is filled with lovely things

The fresh start that each new day brings

As dawn unfolds translucent wings

Where God prolongs Time’s grace

Child’s laughter to set hearts aglow

Gardens asleep beneath the snow

Waiting for spring to steal the show

As bud-looms burst with lace

This life is filled with countless joys

Mischievous pups and little boys

The beauty each season deploys

To leave us humbly awed

With handiwork by God designed

Then etched, splashed, pearled, swirled and entwined

Like surprises we thrill to find

On sky and sea and sod

This life is filled with wondrous ways

God wills and grants to gladden days

And turn would-be lament to praise

And weight of want to love

Where learning’s tattered lesson-book

Is brightened by bird-song, a brook

And God-ness, everywhere we look

(If we look long enough)

…where life is full of you and me

And Today’s opportunity

A hand to hold, a friend to be

A tender word to cheer

Each other on, through ups and downs

To be part of the art that crowns

The heart and face with smiles, as frowns

That would-be, disappear

This life, filled with mercies renewed

As morning rends night’s tent, star-strewed

Kindles courage with gratitude

In a much-amiss world

Where life is full of lovely things

To counter cares it surely brings

Beneath dawn's rush of blushing wings

A fresh start is unfurled

© Janet Martin

It was impossible to capture the full scale of the magnitude of the sunrise with

a camera lens. Its colors ran north and south without bound!

I began today's poem yesterday morning before Duty prevailed...

I wonder what yesterday's poem would have been??😅

Yesterday afternoon I was treated to this 'bird-song'

from a treetop symphony!

Before I finished 'yesterday's' poem this morning,

the wonderful Psalm below from today's devotion

began Today with utter loveliness!!

Ps. 130

Out of the depths I have cried to You, O Lord;

2 Lord, hear my voice!

Let Your ears be attentive

To the voice of my supplications.

3 If You, Lord, should [a]mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

4 But there is forgiveness with You,

That You may be feared.

5 I wait for the Lord, my soul waits,

And in His word I do hope.

6 My soul waits for the Lord

More than those who watch for the morning—

Yes, more than those who watch for the morning.

7 O Israel, hope in the Lord;

For with the Lord there is mercy,

And with Him is abundant redemption.

8 And He shall redeem Israel

From all his iniquities.

Yesterday's poem-kindling...