Garden Stories

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"Miss Daisy and the Side Yard Ducks"

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Above, A yellow Swallowtail Butterfly visiting petunias.

Once Upon Real Time Stories

The Japanese White Pine

Once upon real time,

a lovely Japanese White Pine Tree

planted along the river was dying.

No one could say why, it just was.

A friendly bird living nearby thought that perhaps the tree was lonely. So one day it flew over the tree and dropped a few seeds near the trunk of the sad White Pine.

But the Japanese White Pine continued to decline. Maybe it just wasn't in the right location. Unknown to others, a seed had sprouted from the bird's gift and began to grow.

After awhile the White Pine lost all it's needles and branches drooped lower too. The older gardeners finally decided to let go of the White Pine. They asked the nice garden helper to remove it.

Much to everyone's surprise, the little tree that had been been hidden within Pine trees dying branches was finally seen! Rapidly it began to grow, although it's trunk was crooked from growing within the branches of another. That was okay. It thrived growing up along a river and the gardeners were thankful to see new life there.

The bird's gift tree soon began reaching up into the sky. Lo and behold, as it grew, its trunk straightened out! Trees valued for straight and true trunks were the seeds from which the little tree grew.

It's leaves were a delight to many as well. They were big and glossy, shaped like the silhouette of many folks' favorite Spring flower. The tree's seed was also that of the same type as the tallest tree in all the USA. After a year or two it became big enough to offer shade to anyone sitting on a cement bench right below it.

The tree's leaves became a favorite spot for other creatures that lived along the river's shore as well. Swallowtail butterflies began their life's journey within its leaves. The bigger the tree grew, the more butterflies flitted across the yard, making anyone willing to see, smile.

In less than 10 years, the hidden sapling that came from the bird's gift is now about 30' high. It grows butterflies, houses birds and provides shade to the old people who had once mourned the death of their Japanese White Pine. The seeds were dropped at just the right time. All things really did work together for good.

You don't have to live by a river or tend a Scripture Rocks Garden to witness such everyday wonders. Although it often takes quite a bit of time. He has something good for you too, in His perfect timing- if you love & let Him. Don't be surprised by what it is or when. Just be delighted

"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." Romans 8:28

Above, The failing Japanese White Pine, Fall, 2015

Above, A Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly flitting atop garden phlox that's growing behind a bench between river and the Tulip Tree, 2026.

Above, The caterpillar of a Spicebush Swallowtail Butterfly.