Happy Mother's Day

For the mother is and must be, whether she knows it or not,
the greatest, strongest and most lasting
teacher her children have.

Hannah W. Smith

I have all three daughters home today which is a rare and special treat. I have received flowers and chocolate and will be served lunch later. Here is the card my loving offspring felt was most suitable for their mother. Happy Mother's Day to mothers everywhere!

End of the War! Peace on Earth?

Mom emailed this to me the evening of Thursday May 8, 2008. I am posting it in its entirety. The pictures are of my father's cousins who lived in Europe during the war. I will have to ask Oma Lois more about them and their life during the war. This page on the BBC website gives more information about this day.

A note from history:

One advantage of growing a little older is that our long term memories seem to come forward and events in the past can become very clear. I was praying this morning and remembering this day 63 years ago. I felt to send this on to all of you although I had not even met your Dad or heard about the wonderful life serving Jesus at that time.

In those days the small towns like Aurora (population 2500) were very different in their culture and their patterns of life than the cities. Life was simple. We knew all of our neighbours and they knew us. Although there were a few outsiders, the community spirit was high and when one suffered all suffered and helped out if necessary.

I was sitting in my Grade 8 classroom in Aurora Public School (now a town museum) about 10 AM when all of a sudden the church bells in the town began to ring frantically. There was only one answer – joy. It meant that after many rumours, prayers and striving the war in Europe was finally ended. Percentage wise Aurora suffered the highest casualty rate in all of Canada. Almost every week someone would come to a classroom in the school and a child was called out into the hall and taken home because a father, a brother, an uncle or someone close to the family had been reported killed. A Wing Commander, Lloyd Chadburn, the only son of a fine family in the town was leading several squadrons in the disastrous battle of Dieppe. He was killed shortly after this battle.

Because my father was a respected family doctor in the area, each time a telegram arrived citing a death or injury, it was delivered to our home. He then took the sad news personally to each family.

In less than an hour all of the students from Grade 1 and up were formed into a parade and joined the students from Aurora High and their cadet band to march to the United Church. The church was packed with people of all faiths and standing room only. Prayers of thanksgiving were offered for the victory and also the names of those who had given their lives for our freedom were read. After the service we formed our lines again and marched a mile and a half to the monument at the south side of the town where the mayor gave a brief address and then families of the dead laid a wreath in memory of those fathers, sons, uncles and friends who had paid the supreme sacrifice. It was a memorial time amid the rejoicing and even the smallest children seemed to sense the solemnity of the services. By the time we returned to the town there were flags flying from almost all of the public buildings and from many of the homes.

It has been 63 long years since that final day of the European conflict, the war to end all wars. The goal has not been accomplished even though in August of the same year the war in the Pacific ended. The peace hoped and prayed for has not come. Only when the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, comes to rule and reign will that be accomplished. In the meantime we can say with the prophet Isaiah – “For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,” says the Lord, who has mercy on you. (Isaiah 54:10 NKJ)

Friday Flowers: The first week of May

April showers bring May flowers....

We didn't get many April showers but the May flowers are appearing in rapid succession even as birds are arriving daily. I took these four pictures last weekend. Marsh Marigolds have carpeted the boggy sections of the woods in gold. Wild and cultivated fruit trees are coming into bloom. Jack in the Pulpits are poking up through the dead leaves in moist areas of the bush. I bought one at the local market last year and planted it in my garden. But I do not see it coming up in our dry sandy soil this spring.

At the east entrance to our city is a formal garden that is favourite site for wedding pictures and a lovely place to walk during the day. Rockway Gardens was constructed in 1933 by the Kitchener Horticultural Society. Many local citizens have volunteered time and money over the years to maintain and improve the grounds. The flower at the bottom right is Crown Imperial (fritillaria imperialis). The blooms are very spectacular.

There is beauty everywhere, from the wild flowers on the forest floor to the gardens and orchards that are tended by local cultivators .

Evening Glow

Softly the evening came. The sun from the western horizon

Like a magician extended his golden want o'er the landscape;
Trinkling vapors arose; and sky and water and forest
Seemed all on fire at the touch, and melted and mingled together.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Evangeline

There is no light more beautiful than evening light in my estimation. Sunrises are lovely but lack the deep warmth of the setting sun.

We have many local walking and biking trails and when the girls were young, we used to ride our bikes after supper to a certain pond to see "the ducks and geese". These familiar trails with the most common wildlife and vegetation are still enjoyable and peaceful to follow at sunset.


Evening reflections and shadows are dramatic on the water. Birds finish feeding and bathing and prepare to roost as frogs and toads start their chorus. Light is a photographer's inspiration and best friend. Our evenings will continue to lengthen into the summer solstice and their magical gold will be savoured as we forget the short, grey days of winter past.

New Spring Arrivals

Palm Warbler

Spring's procession continues with new birds arriving almost daily. I have mentioned our local birding forum several times and it continues to be an excellent source of information about new arrivals. Today I read that a group of warblers were in a small bush five minutes from our home. I went there at lunch time and was not disappointed. Usually I have trouble finding warblers but these ones literally landed right in front of me. They moved about very quickly around the swamp but were not hard to identify.

Yellow-rumped Warbler

I stood for twenty minutes in one area and saw several Palm Warblers, Yellow-rumped Warblers, two Solitary Sandpipers, a Belted Kingfisher, one Sora, a Spotted Sandpiper, a Great Blue Heron, a Caspian Tern and the usual collection of ducks, geese and songbirds. I am surprised I made it to work on time!

White-crowned Sparrow

We had a new visitor under the lilac bush where I place a small water dish and scatter seed on the ground. This White-crowned Sparrow joined the White-throated Sparrows that have been around for the past couple of weeks. According to our local bird watchers, these birds have arrived since Saturday.

Hermit Thrush (left upper and lower) Cowbird and Catbird

Other recent sightings include a Catbird, a group of Hermit Thrushes, and of course the Brown-headed Cowbirds. I found a new trail along the Grand River that goes through woodland, swamp, meadows, cedar stands and the river itself. I must say our city planners have done a wonderful job of preserving natural areas within the city limits that are fully accessible to the public. My local bird count for this year is almost up to my total for the entire year of 2007.

Networking is great. I am grateful to the many enthusiastic bloggers and bird forum members who share their observations and knowledge with others.

Happy Birthday Mom

Today is my mother's birthday and while we are 3000 miles apart, I am thinking of her and what she has meant in my life. The words that describe her include diligent, eternally optimistic, energetic, disciplined and loving. She is a teacher by training and gifting. She continues to travel long distances and teaches in schools in Mexico and at seminars, conferences and retreats at an age when most people are fully retired. When she moved to Mexico with my dad and younger brothers, she was in her mid forties. But she tackled the Spanish language and now speaks and reads it fluently.

Proverbs 31 is quoted frequently in reference to remarkable women. and there really is no better description of mom. I have pulled a few verses from the chapter that are especially fitting.

17She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

20She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

22She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

25She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29“Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Happy Birthday Mom! I Love You!

Sunday Song

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee,
Opening to their sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day

All Thy works with joy surround Thee,
Earth and heaven reflect Thy rays,
Stars and angels sing around Thee, Center of unbroken praise:
Field and forest, vale and mountain,
Blooming meadow, flashing sea,
Chanting bird and flowing fountain, Call us to rejoice in Thee

Thou art giving and forgiving, ever blessing, ever blest,
Well-spring of the joy of living,
Ocean-depth of happy rest!
Thou our Father, Christ our Brother,
All who live in love are Thine:
Teach us how to love each other, Lift us to the Joy Divine.

Mortals join the mighty chorus, which the morning stars began;
Father-love is reigning o'er us,
Brother-love binds man to man.
Ever singing marching onward, Victors in the midst of strife;
Joyful music lifts us sunward In the triumph song of life.

Henry van Dyke (1907)

Friday Flowers: Spring Ground Covers

Trillium grandiflorum

This week has been cool and plant growth has slowed down a little. Spring bulbs are at their peak now and the flowering shrubs like Forsythia and Saucer Magnolia are providing colour. By next week the blossoms on the apple trees and other fruit trees should be spectacular in their display.

There are a number of more modest flowers that are beginning to provide patches of colour on the ground. Our soil is sandy and dry and does not support many of the more glamorous plants. We have planted a number of Sedums over the years and they never fail to flower even during the driest seasons.

Rock Cress

Rock Cress belongs to the mustard family. It does best in an infertile, gravelly, well-drained soil high in limestone, likes full sun and has scented white flowers that bloom in April. The plant above is blooming in my garden right now. My niece posted the picture below this week in her blog and asked for an ID.

False Rock Cress (Jaspenelle's picture)

I immediately thought it was Creeping Phlox, another spring blooming ground plant. But the Creeping Phlox flower has five petals, and when I looked closely at the picture, it was apparent that these blooms had four petals. This is False Rock Cress and it is also a member of the mustard family. It prefers moist soils and some shade and also blooms early in the spring.

Periwinkle (Vinca minor)

This is another purple flower that is blooming in my garden right now. Periwinkle, also known as Myrtle is an evergreen ground cover with five petalled purple flowers. It tolerates partial to full shade, normal, sandy or clay soils, average, dry or moist soils. I don't think there are many plants that versatile.

The first photograph is of a trillium in the bush at the end of our street. It is the ground cover of the woodlands this week. Last year I posted a picture of them as they carpeted the ground last May. The green in this flower is caused by a bacteria that affects some of the plants.

White-throated Sparrow in the mulch

Some areas of our yard, particularly under shrubs and trees support very little in the way of plant growth. Each year we cover the bare ground with more cedar mulch. I often throw some bird seed on top of the mulch and this year it has attracted a group of White-throated Sparrows who scratch the surface looking for seeds. It is so nice to hear their sweet song in the morning.

These spreading plants are so much easier to care for than annual flowers and their blooms and foliage can add interest to flowerbeds for the entire season.