Spring Flowers and Birds

We love the warmth of springtime and new life emerging everywhere. Spring is such a beautiful time of year.  It is so refreshing to see the brown plants turn green. We enjoy nature, being outside, and working in the yard.  Each year, we plant more flowers, bushes, and trees. It’s easy to take starts from old plants and make new plants.

We just planted over 100 lilacs. The children worked hard and did a fabulous job digging up starts and transplanting them. Dad and the older ones dug the holes while the younger children carefully planted the tender little plants. Watering them with a hose was the favorite job, so the children took turns. In a few years, the lilacs will fill in and completely take over this part of the hillside.

 

Dad really enjoys gardening and working with plants. Unbeknownst to the rest of the family, Dad has been nurturing a little tree that voluntarily came up in the rose bushes. He was planning to transplant it. Mom didn’t know about Dad’s plans and saw it as a weed.  Mom thought she was being helpful and had the tree pulled.  Dad was saddened to find his little tree lying on the grass in the hot sun. Luckily, he found it soon after it had been pulled out. He quickly planted it in a new safe spot and watered it well. He hopes his little tree will make it.

 

With so much shrubbery, vegetation, and foliage around, birds love the area. There are bird’s nests everywhere. We found nests in trees and bushes, under the eves, and on rain gutters. Young birds were chirping while mother birds searched out and found fresh worms to feed their young. It’s fascinating to watch. We welcome all of the birds with their singing, dancing, and delightful activity.

During the day, the chickens like to walk around the yard scratching and pecking.  Something started killing the chickens one by one, so we kept them in the chicken coop where they would be safe. But they didn’t want to be in the coop. They like the yard.

Nothing could get into the coop, but if the chickens pushed against the fence, they could slip under it. One by one the chickens found their way out of the coop and couldn’t get back in. In the morning, we found feathers and the scattered remains of chickens. Some predator apparently found a tasty dinner each night. I was disappointed and whispered to myself, “Oh, if you chickens would have just stayed in the safe coop that I offered you, but you would not.”

Jesus said something along these lines, “O, ye nations of the earth, how often would I have gathered you together as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, but ye would not!” D&C 43:24, 3 Nephi 10:4-6 

We bought some new little baby chicks. They are safe and sound in the chicken coop. They are cute little chicks. Everyone wants to see them, feed them, and play with them. They are growing, doing well, and getting big. We are excited to have fresh eggs again.