Saturday, February 29, 2020


CONSIDER THE BLISTER BEETLE
by Julie Lavender



On my walk with God this week, I was captivated by some of the brave flowers that had burst forth, despite the fact that more cold weather was on the way. Taking a closer look at the early blooms, I also spotted a couple of blister beetles making their way about the foliage.

I quickly steered clear and kept walking. 

Sunday, February 23, 2020




My guest blogger today is my online friend, Jeanne Doyon. I've enjoyed reading her blog for quite some time, but her post about a woodpecker caught my attention, and I just knew I wanted to share it on my nature blog. Please enjoy her words below, and make sure to connect with her on social media. I know you'll love her work, too, just like me!!







(Picture from Pixabay)

Noisy Woodpeckers – And the Rat-a-tat-tat of the Enemy


I love the wildlife here. My house is nestled on the edge of a state forest so there is never an end to their visits. This summer was fun to watch a doe and twin fawns graze on the field. Butterflies flit from flower to flower. We see turkeys, foxes, hear the crooning of coyotes, and tell-tale signs of a possum that roots around under the porch looking for insects. There have been sightings nearby of black bear, fisher cats, bobcats, moose, and mountain lions. And, of course, there are noisy woodpeckers.

We have several species of birds visit. I especially enjoy it when a hummingbird greets me by hovering in front of the screen porch each morning while I sip my tea.

I also enjoy seeing the variety of woodpeckers that tap on the trees nearby. Except when they decide the clapboard siding is fair game. That’s when I put up a metal pie plate nearby to scare them off.

(Photo by Jeanne Doyon)


The other strange thing about woodpeckers is their springtime habit of pecking the metal state forest signs on nearby trees at the edge of the forest. Maybe to get the attention of potential mates – do drummers get all the girls?

The ongoing rat-a-tat-tat on the echoing metal can drive me crazy especially before the sun rises.

The woodpecker isn’t able to hurt the metal sign. It’s just annoying. Though I marvel at how God made woodpeckers able to peck with that kind of force.

Just Like Our Noisy Enemy

The noisy woodpecker reminds me of Satan who just loves to make a ruckus in our lives. He makes all kinds of noise trying to attract our attention elsewhere. He can’t do anything to harm us. He just likes to raise the noise levels a bit hoping to wear us down. In the meantime, we struggle with the excessive noise raging around us and long to put up a metal pie plate to scare him off.

Well, there is a proverbial pie plate we can hang nearby. His name is Jesus. He is the only thing that wards off Satan: His blood. His word. His victory. And when we keep our eyes and ears focused on His Truth, the enemy flees. So, that’s good news.

I Need This Message

As I write this message, my heart cries out because I NEED this message today. I have been struggling with fatigue, foggy brain, and been overwhelmed by all the confusing noise. It’s an ongoing battle. And the rat-a-tat of the enemy fire hopes to wear me down.

So, I am more aware of my need to put Jesus, my banner out in front of me as a reminder that He is the one who knows all things. He gives peace. He provides rest. And He sets the enemy, who simply delights in making a bit of noise, to flight.

Is there a woodpecker making noise in your ear today?


(Photo credits:
Metal State Forest Sign - Photo by Jeanne Doyon
Woodpecker Image by Larry Doucet from Pixabay)

Jeanne



BIO:
Jeanne Doyon writes what's on her heart, and speaks at women's events and retreats. She lives in the quiet corner of Connecticut with her husband, John. They have three grown children, a daughter-in-love, and three grandsons who call her Lao Lao. Connect with Jeanne at JeanneDoyon.com or by email at Jeanne@JeanneDoyon.com

Jeanne loves to cook, enjoys connecting with friends, sharing tea and scones, and relaxing on the porch.

Other ways to connect with Jeanne:


Twitter handle @jeannedoyon




Saturday, February 15, 2020

Heading to a conference this year?
By Julie Lavender




With writers conference season on the horizon, my monthly post on The Writers Conversation references my walk with God and journey to publication with Revell for my parenting book, 365 Ways to Love Your Child: Turning Little Moments into Lasting Memories. While writing my post on Groundhog Day, with the movie by the same name playing on a random television station in the background, I found some interesting correlations to my writing trek and meteorologist's Phil Connors', aka Bill Murray's, experiences during his day on repeat. I would be honored if you'd read the whole post here and add to the conversation on Edie Melson's site. 

Here's my bullet points for the post, "Writers on Repeat: Don't Give Up!" - my comparisons of the lessons learned by Connors to what I've learned at conferences in the past.   

Wednesday, February 12, 2020


CONSIDER THE STELLER'S JAY
by Julie Lavender


On our trip out west, my husband and I also encountered Steller’s jay birds on the same walk where we spotted magpies. 

Large songbirds, the Steller’s jay is a gorgeous shade of blue with a charcoal black head. Steller’s jays and blue jays are the only North American jays with crests atop their heads.