YARD ART A 15' BY 25' CANVAS

Artistic expression can take many forms. This one fascinates me. On our way to the mall, we take a shortcut through a neighborhood of modest homes. I have watched this particular home evolve with the seasons. A picture is worth a thousand words,  said by someone who either had many pictures or few words. Those of you who know me will attest to the fact that I have plenty of both.

With that in mind, let us begin.

This shot was taken a month ago. As you can see the trees are in bud, but not yet in full spring mode.

Flowers in Ohio are not yet in bloom. What then are the bright spots of color we see? Silk and plastic !

Walmart flowers are not expensive, and are available year round.

Here is another similar shot :

As you can see from a slightly different angle, there are more flowers in brighter colors.

The beauty of these flowers lies in the fact that they can be " planted " without worry of them being nipped by a late frost. No expense to water or feed. They are drought proof. Last but certainly not least, 

not likely to be filched by "plantnappers". Sorry the year round Christmas tree in the front window does not show. 

A few weeks later,Mother Nature fills in and defies Walmart imitations  ( with a vengeance I might add )

Here we have the next to the last photograph. I point out that I am still way short of 4,000 words. That is if you go with  1,000 per picture.

You will note with this one a couch has been placed to maximize the " canvas " as well as to provide  comfortable seating for those who wish to " set a spell ". A cold beer or a tall frosty glass of sweet tea is all else one could ask for! The artificial weeds at the curb lend just that casual touch to an otherwise formal tableau.

I can however attest that ANY landscape, real or not beats the heck out of our Ohio winters.

I am not a professional yard art critic. We have a gnome in the back yard. OK also a hillbilly ball (otherwise known as a gazing globe ). Let she who is without yard art cast the first GNOME.

Earlier, I spoke of seasonal decorations. I have a few thoughts to add here.

     What could bring a smile quicker than a year round Christmas tree  ?

     You will note that an American flag is flying.

      If you click to enlarge, you can see a small banner with 2 blue stars on it in a couple of the pictures
          ( 2 members of the family serving in the military )  

      If you double click on the third picture, on the stone on the right you will see it says "God Loves
      Us All ".
          

     Easter season saw the addition of plastic lilies and a small lath wooden cross draped with purple silk.

     Year round there is a concrete shape of the state of Ohio.

     Football season sports an Ohio State Buckeyes flag and all manner of scarlet and gray.

The porch light is always on from dusk until dawn.

God / Country / and Football.

Maybe I should knock on the door some balmy evening and invite myself in for a glass of sweet tea...

Somehow I feel I would find a warm welcome.

NAMASTE- Kristi

        

GODSPEED BONNIE

Bonnie was a heck of a lot of fun !
Bonnie was a very caring person. She was always the party organizer. Decorations, flowers, food cake entertainment. Bonnie did it all.

Her laugh was contagious. Her love of family knew no bounds. She was a loving daughter, a devoted sister, the aunt every kid wishes he had. Bonnie spoiled her niece and nephew every chance she got.

I was a late addition to the Zehring /  Fornshell clan and Bonnie welcomed me with open arms as she did everyone whose life touched hers. She just had a great love for family and friends.

Bonnie particularly loved the mountains near her Virginia home after she moved from Miamisburg, Ohio.
Bonnie took a small part of each of those she loved with her. She also left a part of herself here with all of us who were graced by her love and her laughter.

Bonnie wrote some beautiful poetry and shared many of her poems with others through her e-mails. Her cousin Pam Sparks printed and saved more than 100 of them. I asked her to send me a selection from which to choose for the service today. This is the one I chose.

                                  TODAY AN ANGEL CAME

Written by  and now offered in memory of Bonnie Zehring...

Today an Angel came and took you home with her.
She said " it's time to see your family and your Heavenly Father ".
She took your hand and led you away from all your pain,
And said your life will now be seen in the flowers and in the rain.

She held your hand so gently as she led you up above.
And said she'd see the ones you left were protected by God's love.
That they too would have Angels for comfort and for care,
Because our Father loves them all, with them His love He'll share.

So even though you have left us with your Angel as your guide,
Don't ever doubt we will miss you, we'll miss you deep inside.
We will remember all the good times and even the bad ones too.
For they are all the things which made the one and only you.

And since we missed the chance to say a last goodbye,
We send it now with love as you ascend on high.
And whenever we see a falling star shoot across the sky,
We will look up and smile...for that's you saying hi.

                               GODSPEED BONNIE !