Wait for it.....Morning Glories at Last

I watch the progress of the vines all summer as they tangle with the undergrowth of less enchanting weeds in front of the barn. When it's hot, they grow. When it's too hot to live, they grow. In the dry, they grow, and when the rains keep coming, they thrive. It's clear that the vines will survive anything short of fire or the lines of a weed eater. 

I read that morning glories are sometimes considered "noxious weeds," but not so my morning glories. Most varieties are annual, but mine re-seed themselves and come back every year. I used try to assure their return by buying the seeds in colorful little seed packs. Not so any more. 

I just watch and wait. And wait. 

Even while I see evidence of other morning glories in bloom, not mine. Their cousins can bloom as early as May. Not so mine...I wait.

Just when I have decided that "This year may be the year they do not bloom," I step out to feed Tully the cat, and there they are! Not yet in abundance. Having to fight for space with the overgrowth. Still, they are there, their little blue and lavender heads finding the sun they so love.

Morning glories are my second-favorite flowers (right behind Queen Anne's Lace).  While another favorite, honeysuckle, Is Spring, Queen Anne's Lace Is Summer. Not so, my morning glories. They sneak in while summer is still officially here, but with no promise that it will last. In fact, they come so late, they may actually help usher in Fall. 

Patience is a virtue that, while important for a believer to have, is difficult to achieve. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control;
against such things there is no law. [Galatians 5:22-23]

Google defines the word as: "the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble, or suffering without getting angry or upset."

Bible Gateway defines it as: "The quality of forbearance and self-control which shows itself particularly in a willingness to wait upon God and his will."  

Not easy to do when we want what we want when we want it. At least I don't find it so. 

But we are called to have it...patience.

Wait for the Lord;
    be strong, and let your heart take courage;wait for the Lord! [Psalm 27:14]

And the rewards are worth it!
                   The Lord is good to those who wait for him,                  to the soul who seeks him. [Lamentations 3:25]

Granny's Pantry # 35: Granny's Writing on Peacocks

I was poking around in some miscellaneous papers when I came across what is, to me, a treasure...a little manuscript written in Granny's handwriting on five small (3" by 5" in.) pieces of paper. Why these were where I found them, I can only speculate, but they are mine now.    

Just looking at her writing brought her back to me---her notes on cards sent over the years. When she was with us, it was just Granny's writing. I had her in the flesh. Now that she is gone, it is gold.

There was no title, but it wasn't hard to figure out the subject matter. And there was a picture with the little papers, taken at the farm.  

And I quote (with just a few edits):
       Come with me to our farm and let me tell you all about Peafowls. If you have never lived in the country or visited a farm, you are missing one of nature's most beautiful creations. The Peacocks are a large, strong bird weighing 12 lbs or more with the most regal, perfectly simulated (?)& colored feathers you can imagine. The Peahens are not as large and do not have the lovely markings, the plumage and ornamental markings of the cock bird. They are not fully developed until the age of  sexual maturity is reached, which is 2 years of age.

       It is not to be assumed that the bird is less beautiful as a polt and in the   first 2 years of their lives. They spread their tail feathers and strut and are very intelligent. 

      They are often referred to as watch dogs because of their shrill cry as a car, stray dog or anything unusual arrives on the estate.

While there are still a number of male birds still living at the farm, there are no females. I was afraid the reign of the peacocks at High Rock was coming to an end. Maybe I was wrong. I have just heard a rumor that females may be on order. I hope it's true.

Pic from unknown location.
The peafowl at High Rock roam free except when needing special protection.

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?   [Matthew 6:25-27]