Silent Sundays 7-14-24

July 14, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

Skywatch 7-13-24

July 13, 2024July 13, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

The skies over the Vicarage were bright and sunny yesterday. Because my days have been so meeting heavy, I am trying to be intentional about taking in the beauty around me. Here is one of my attempts.

What’s Happening At the Vicarage This Week 6-26-24

June 26, 2024June 26, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

Today is my sabbath. I started the morning by drinking mint tea from my garden in the outdoor prayer chapel during Prime.

I have a pretty long to do list that I have compiled over the last week. I will probably get some of it done today, but it is Sabbath so a relaxed rhythm is in order.

Join me in my walk around the Vicarage gardens.

The day lilies are in full bloom now.

So is the giant hosta.

I love the delicate flowers of the lady’s mantle.

The fleabane is also in full bloom. These tiny white flowers on 3 foot stocks attract lots of pollinators to the garden. So many people pull these out of their gardens considering them weeds, but I love how they fill out space around the yard and bring in the bees.

The whole yard is filled with the scent of honeysuckle. It is really strong this year. I can smell it no matter where I am on the property.

This year the forest garden is attracting a large number of birds.

I have to pick up more suet for the feeders today. We have five or six hungry woodpeckers that are hanging around.

I have also set up an extra hummingbird feeder. I have a larger than average population of hummingbirds and they are constantly warring over the one feeder I usually put up. The second feeder seems to have solved the problem.

My Sabbath day is going to be filled with prayer and gardening and cleaning.

How are you going to spend your day?

What’s New At the Vicarage This Week June 19, 2024

June 19, 2024June 19, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

We are heading into peak blooming season here at the Vicarage.

The Lupine is going by, but still looks and smells beautiful

The tomatoes have started to flower and my herb garden has sprouted. I have cilantro, dill, parsley, chamomile, and thyme. I also have apple mint spearmint Greek and Italian oregano and lemon balm.

Of course, the Vicarage is a forest garden, a very old forest garden and as I walk about it this yearI am learning more about those who originally planted this small but very wild space.

The property is filled with liguster sometimes called Japansk. I’ve always called it honeysuckle because it smells so sweet, but it is actually a fragrant tree imported from Asia.

We also have Walters Dogwood growing wild all over the property. It is a native of Korea.

At some point, somebody had a lot of Asian plants put onto the property. I am thankful because these plants add a wonderful fragrance to the garden.

We are also getting ready to add chickens to the Vicarage. my daughter-in-law is just putting on the final coats of sealant to the coop

I have yet to clear space for the coop. We have decided that a stand of sumac is going to be taken down to make space for our new residents.

What’s happening in your world?

Silent Sundays Father’s Day 2024

June 16, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / 3 Comments

The Steeples Of the Vicarage

June 14, 2024June 14, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / Leave a comment

There are lots of difficulties with forest gardening, but there is such beauty in having a small forest on the property, I wouldn’t change it for the world. These are the steeples of the Vicarage.

SHARE MY WORLD 6-3-2024

June 3, 2024June 3, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / 6 Comments

THIS POST IS WRITTEN IN RESPONSE TO PENSITIVITY’S SHARE MY WORLD CHALLENGE.

1. Have you ever wanted to be famous?

I suppose everyone has had their moment of seeking fame and glory. When I was young and immature I think I wanted fame out of a lack of my own self worth. As I have grown more comfortable in my own skin, I have realized I don’t need the recognition of other men to validate who I am. At least most times that is true.

2. Have you met any celebrities?

Hmmm. I suppose if you count….No. No I haven’t.

3. Has anyone ever asked you for your autograph?

Only in a year book or in a high school play bill.

4. Is there a celebrity you wish to have met/meet?

Not really. I enjoy meeting people as people not as their mythology. If I were to meet someone famous I would hope I would be more concerned about their personhood than I would be about any notoriety I might gain from being in their presence.

MY WEEKLY GRATITUDE… Is that I got to go dinner with my cousins Karen and Mike yesterday.

Silent Sunday

May 26, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / 2 Comments

SHARE YOUR WORLD: FROM MARCH 3-9 2024

March 9, 2024March 9, 2024 / joseph elon lillie / 6 Comments

This week for my weekly community challenge I am participating in SHARE YOUR WORLD.

This week all of our weekly questions are regarding Spring. Here is what our hostess asked this week:

1. What to you is the first sign of Spring?

The bird calls change. The males start to sing their songs to the ladies.

2. Do you have a favourite flower at this time of year?

I love tulips in the Spring.

3. Does your country exercise the hour change?

Ugghh! Yes! It is this weekend! It makes church an hour earlier for me. Less sleep than usual. I will not be crabby! I will not be crabby! I will not be crabby!

4. Do you spring clean your home throughout, change furniture around or keep to a normal routine?

I don’t change inside furniture around much, but part of the Spring routine is uncovering the lawn furniture and getting it put back in place for the summer.

Gratitude: I am thankful for another week with my mother and my family gathered around her. Here is a picture of Mom and my daughter Melanie taken while Melanie was here taking a turn watching over Mom.