Snowbirds and Snowflakes Flutter in the Backyard

This morning brought an unusual sight as I peered through the window into the backyard. Snowflakes were fluttering about chaotically, trying to create a light white blanket over a still green grassy lawn. Snowbirds, usually visiting our feeder in abundance throughout the winter season have been scarce this year. Now they are back in abundance. It makes me wonder where they go when it doesn't snow and then so suddenly re-appear when it does?

Our backyard bears a somewhat confusing appearance this winter. Especially the water garden area. The heater has been afloat on the pond for the last couple of months, unneeded until the past week or so. Our friendly Koi fish, usually quite dormant and hiding on the bottom throughout January, have remained active. They still often swim near the top and sometimes even poke their heads out of the water playfully. Daffodils, sticking through the ground around the edges make me think of Spring, while snapdragons still standing from last summer remain green. Perhaps this will suddenly change as the forecast for the next few days are telling us that "unseasonably cold" temperatures are about to be replaced by "unseasonably warm" ones. Perhaps winter is finally ready to make its appearance. Meanwhile, the backyard scene this winter has been a uniquely strange looking one so far. That is for sure.

My Personal Paradise.

MY BACKYARD, MY PEACEFUL PLACE – A PLACE TO “SIMPLY BE”.

Fifty two years ago Bob and I began our journey together living in a tiny mobile home. Quickly we outgrew it and moved into an apartment. Eventually we came to own our own home and although our dwelling places changed much through the year, one thing has always remained the same. We’ve always had a yard. During our younger days we were blessed to spend some wonderful years living a sort of homesteading lifestyle. This allowed our children to experience a way of life that was fast disappearing. We had chickens and horses and goats and cats and dogs and some much less domesticated pets at times. We always had a garden and we’ve always gardened organically. Our backyard then was much more than mere lawn. A cleared woods with a fireplace and picnic area covered a portion of it. A volley ball court another.

When the children grew up and began leaving home we eventually moved to a smaller house with a much smaller backyard. Yet, here, during our retirement years, our backyard has become a greater joy than we could have ever imagined. This tiny piece of real estate situated within a very populated area has become a peaceful place to be. Bob has created a serene and beautiful water pond area. In it swim three gorgeous koi fish. It sits nestled among regal sea grass on one side and climbing clematis and morning glories on another. Myriads of birds visit daily during the summer months to splash about as they bathe in the shallow upper pond. Tall trees and boxes provide nesting sites. The deeper lower pond produces a steady array of pure white glistening water lilies. Tiny gardens overflow with plants and blooms wafting with fragrance and nectar and seed to feed an abundance of songbirds. Butterflies flutter among fragrant herb gardens, wildflowers and shrubs and bushes.

Our backyard garden is our personal creation and has become a paradise. It is our place to escape and find solace in the midst of chaos. It is a place for total relaxation and a place to play. It is a place for family and friends to come and enjoy. It is a place to just sit quietly and be; a place to meditate and ponder. The joy of watching squirrels play as colorful butterflies flit about from flower to flower while bird songs mingle with the sound of gently bubbling water is indescribable.

Because of the rich blessings our backyard has given to us I have opened this blog with the intention of sharing. It is my heartfelt desire to share with my readers things I believe will help enrich their lives. Walking in tune with nature has filled my life with humor, adventure, mystery, serenity, new artistic endeavors, moments of chaos, good food, beauty and always wonder. It is my sincere hope that you who visit my web site will find it helpful, informative, interesting, and most of all inspirational.

Each week I plan to write some new and interesting and hopefully helpful experience. Creating our backyard paradise has presented us with many challenges, much humor and lots of learning experience. It has spurred my creativity within and unexpectedly taught me how to use its bounty in some astoundingly beautiful artistic ways. It has enhanced my ever growing spiritual awakening.