July Gems

Gardening Updates ...  On May 27th, in a narrow 7' x 17' spot on the sunny, south side of our garage, I planted 30 potato sprouts from saved potatoes we harvested last September.  I also planted 40 sweet corn seeds (of which only 15 plants sprouted days later).  Two weeks later, I planted an additional 100 sweet corn seeds (after soaking them for 8 hours in water, per internet research, for better sprouting success). Nearly all 100 seeds sprouted much to my surprise and unplanned thinning dilemma. 

May 27, 2022 ~ Planting potatoes and sweet corn.

As of July 31st, the sweet corn crop has surpassed the "knee high by the Fourth of July" marker.  The first 15 seeds/plants in the back have already tasseled and corn ears with silk have begun forming.  The second planting two weeks later are just starting to tassel.  

The potatoes in front are doing very well too as are the 30 additional potato plants in Chris's garden in the back yard.  I accidently uprooted a cute, little potato while weeding yesterday and quickly covered it back up with plenty of dirt till it's time to harvest later this fall when the green growth dies down and turns brown.

July 31, 2022 ~ Sweet corn and potatoes in a new, sunny, little garden plot.

Check out our first ears of home-grown sweet corn.  I'm learning so much!

Bird House Update...  After installing Chris's custom bird houses on our rustic fence (see last month's post), a wren family was real estate shopping this month.   Mrs. Wren seemed particularly fond of both the yellow and blue houses by singing her approval to the Mister.   After settling on the yellow one, they soon began decorating the interior with sticks and nature treasures.

Today, July 31st, we have enjoyed watching Mr. and Mrs. Wren teach their youngsters to fly.  

Speaking of youngsters, we have some exciting news to share this month... our Ram Fam is growing!

Boy Taylor and Girl Taylor are thrilled to announce this long-awaited and prayed for news of a precious rainbow baby.  Our 6th grandchild!   We are beyond excited and grateful to the Lord for this sweet blessing on a couple who have remained hopeful after Girl Taylor's two strokes in recent years.  We are also extremely grateful for the wisdom and assurances from a team of doctors currently monitoring her pre-natal and future delivery care.

A Peek from the Past...   It doesn't feel that long ago, when it was Chris and I expecting Boy Taylor during the summer of 1991.  However, 31 years, sounds like a long, long time ago. My, how quickly time flies...

The summer of 1991 - Chris imitating Cheryl (expecting Taylor) along with Ryan, age 6.  Holly, age 8, was taking the picture.

1991 ~ Cheryl and a napping baby Taylor

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.  Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.  Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them."  ~  Psalm 127:3-5

For Him,