History and haiku poem — The Purpose of a Garden To give us delight refreshment of mind and a heart of gratitude. I grew up as a mid-century West Yorkshire lass of working-class parents. We didn’t have the vast manicured gardens and manor house that you see on popular tv shows. Although, I love to watch those shows and remember…

We can be sure of His leadership when God calls us — In her book, “The Crime of Living Cautiously,” Luci Shaw tells deliciously poetic and humorous stories about her life and her walk with God. At the end of each chapter, she asks questions to draw the reader into a reflection of their lives and how they recognize God’s hand in…

A poem and some garden tips about Iris — She Wore Vivid Purples I had a friend called Iris when I was a young girl who also wore vivid purples of silky garments perfumed sweetly as from a grapevine with notes of violet spicy and woody and would wave enthusiastically when she saw me over the fence as you waved when you greeted a spring…

if everything around her stays the same? — The title of this piece is a quote from Kim Gowdy, who I’ll reference throughout the study. Journalling through the Psalms “What if the Creator of Heaven and Earth showed up in your life?” — Kim Gowdy A few years ago, I read this influential book by Kim Gowdy, Freedom…

After all the years of abuse — Forgiving the Old Man You look so old lying there tucked under the pristine white sheets. What am I doing here after all these years and after all the pain? The pain that lingers in mind, body and spirit long after the bruises are gone. You have pain now, too, they say. One that…

Free verse poetic prose of self-awareness — I see myself faintly I look out of my window, and my image is reflected in the gardens. I appear to be standing among the lush life there but only as a faint apparition. I see through the manifestation of my presence to the gardens where my heart sings. The sunny bed of Lilies…