JUNE BUGS ARE A'COMIN

What do you think of when you arrive on the doorstep of June. I think of June bugs. For the last month as I've been digging in my garden, I've turned up any number of hard shelled creatures called June bugs. And for the life of me, I don't know why they're called June bugs. I don't think that they begin hovering around the night lights until sometime in July which would make them July bugs. Maybe it's because they start coming out of the ground in June. No matter what they're called, they're harmless creatures. I have more fear of bumble bees and/or snakes than I do of June bugs.


Talking about snakes. I spotted a 10 inch green snake in my shop one day about a month ago. I tried to catch it (wearing my cloth gloves, of course) but it kept trying to bite me. Finally I was able to grab it close by it's head so that it could not swing around and nip me (would it?). I showed it to Karol and she just said, "Stay away from me. Kill it," which I couldn't do, of course, since I know that they are good. Later when I looked it up, I discovered that I had in my hand a "smooth green snake," common in Wisconsin.


One of the burdensome pests of the spring, summer and fall is the wood tick. Without your knowledge, they sneak up your pant leg or attach themselves to your shirt sleeve (I'll never know how). Later on, while sitting in a chair, you'll feel that characteristic crawling and immediately you set to look. Sometimes it's as embarassing as dropping your pants. And sometimes, there it is, that little round brown spot with it's nose under your skin. It's simply a matter of pulling it out and dropping it in the toilet, and flush......it's gone. But lately, Karol and I have been feeling that crawling, and there's nothing there. All the mighty power of the imagination.

The phoebe nest has been outside of our three season porch for more than five years. Most years, the parents come back and simply add to the previous year's nest. This nest looks like it is for a king and queen. Moss, decorative string and all kinds of dry grass make it a comfortable perch for the young that soon will be ready to fly. I think that there are three young in the nest although only two really stand out clearly.

And then there are those beautiful butterflies: swallowtails, monarchs, and all the rest that I have never taken the time to learn. So gracefully do they fly from flower to flower tasting the sweet nectar. I'm challenged to capture those butterflies on camera, but they don't sit still for long.

SWEET SUMMER HAS ARRIVED

Don't take this wrong, but once the In-Depth Bible Seminar, ISM, Inc. board meeting, and Equipping Conference were over, I felt that I had expended far too much energy and that I needed a summer break. Much like the university system. Summer is for re-creation.


ISM, Inc. board of directors met at Bethany Lutheran Church, Overland Park, KS. While at the church, we led the Wednesday chapel service for the day school children. Karol and Marcia (Austin, TX) share stories of children's ministries. Our board comes from far and wide: l to r:  Karol, Marcia (Round Rock, TX), Lee (Phoenix, AZ), Sherrie (Chicago, IL), Liz (Manhattan, KS), Linda (Apache Junction, AZ), Bill (Coralville, IA), Trisha (Hutto, TX), Carl, and Rob (Manhattan, KS).

The board of directors meeting was followed immediately by the Equipping Conference; a conference where we invite site directors and volunteers to come together for enrichment and encouragement as together we work to enthuse one another for outreach among our international student friends and families.

 After the sessions, Karl Lenser from Conway, AR, taught us how to play "Nertz." Lois Winter, wife of the Bible study presenter, called the game "Solitaire on Steroids." It produced a lot of fun tension and many laughs.

The conference proved to be great with a wonderful keynote speaker, Gretchen Jameson who spoke about branding (in the church we do not market). She had any wonderful ideas for us to take home. The sectionals proved to be helpful, and the meals were topnotch.

Once home, I noticed how much had grown and how beautiful our yard had become. Nathan was a huge blessing in that he mowed our whole lawn. What a marvelous treat.

 These iris remind me of Sibrerian iris (slthough they are blue). I'm not sure of the name of these, but I do know that they thrive at the waters edge of our pond. By the way, we've had one meal of fish from our pond this spring.

On a personal note, I've been hauling mulch to fill in the path down by the pond, weeding my garden, and planting more peppers where there holes from the radishes that are now eaten (lots were wormy this year). We've had our first cauliflower and broccoli, and last night we had the first of our swiss chard. Today I headed over to Iola once again to pick the asparagas - got a nice bunch for freezing. So if you come by this winter, ask for asparagas - it's good!

 

We now have about five different kinds of iris.

Honeysuckle on a trellis



IN-DEPTH, PART II

Retired campus pastor from ASU, Tempe, Arizona, Lee Meyer, leads in singing and prayer. Other staff this year are Pastor Paul Hoemann serving at Texas A&M in College Station, and Hannah McCulloh, ISM director at Memorial Lutheran, Ames, Iowa.
 Over the course of a day, approximately 7.5 hours are lecture sessions. Additionally, there are evening small groups, wonderful mealtime theological discussions, enjoyable breaks for soccer, walking, computer catch up, phone conversations with family back home, or paddleboats. Sojourn is an ideal place where nature is at our front door and where the Christian staff serves with willing joy. We have had the Seminar at this center since 2003.

On Saturday, after lunch at Sojourn, we drove to Concordia Seminary for a tour. First year student, Andy, a former ISM peer minister at Memorial, Ames, Iowa, gave us a very thorough tour (including the carrillon).

Our group poses on the steps of the Concordia Seminary chapel. Obviously, the weather was sunny and warm.

Asfaw Gudina is from Ethiopia and is in a master's program at Kent State University, Kent, Ohio. He has been a part of God's family already for many years, but this experience has refreshed his faith and better equipped him to share Jesus.

Jing Fang, and her good friend, Yiou Dai, from Madison, Wisconsin, are attending the seminar this year. Both women had been baptized during the past year. Their husbands are in PhD programs at the University of Wisconsin. Both women are dynamic in sharing the love of Jesus with others.

Jack Teng and his wife, Spring Wang are from China. Spring attended In-Depth two years ago, but felt that since her English was "not so good" at that time, she wanted to come again, and this time....with  her husband.

Pastor David Marth, serving at Historic Trinity, explains the hand etching and jewels on a historic chalice that is used for every worship service. The chalice maybe dates from the late 17th century and originated in Spain. It was used by the early German settlers. The only other chalice this old is housed at a museum in Perry County, but that chalice is too fragile to be in use. Pastor Marth let each seminar participant touch and hold the chalice.

After the sessions, participants relax. Wenyu is challenged in a new style game of Jenga. In the background, Jiwon feels the tension of pulling out the wood block. This game is different in that you need to roll a die to determine which color must be pulled from the stack and then placed on the top.

GIVE THANKS WITH US THAT THREE PARTICIPANTS OF THE CONFERENCE WERE BAPTIZED. WE STAND IN AWE OF THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WORKING IN THE LIVES OF OUR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDS.

KILLDEER

While I'm here at the In-Depth Bible study, I do most of the work (study, computer or conversation and planning) as I sit either in the dining area or outside on the veranda where there are tables and chairs for eating. The area loverlooks a large grassy meadow with a pond right in the middle. The Canadian geese are ever present along with one domestic goose who has seemingly adoped the "foreign" family.

Among the other birds that I have seen are the bluebirds, barn swallows, chipping sparrows, green heron, and the large great blue heron. It is a veritable paradise for the birds.

Yesterday as I sat outside, I noticed that the killdeer seemed to favor the area between me and the pond. A gravel road transects that stretch. And as I watched I suddenly spotted a killdeer who was not going anywhere. I thought "there must be a nest somewhere near." And so, with my eyes focused on the spot, I walked to the road and found the nest. I love the pictures that I was able to capture.

Several killdeer are regularly seen in the area where I study and work

The female sitting on the nest. After I got my binoculars, I was able to see the upper half of the killdeer sitting on what appeared to be a nest.  I had to remember carefully where the spot was located.


As I approached, my eyes were directed toward the male who was involved in all kinds of antics (flashing wing, broken body parts, etc) to distract me from the nesting site I was about to discover. But, I focused.

My focus was rewarded with a closeup view of the nest. The picture was taken in the afternoon when the sun was hot and bright. I did show the Sojourn staff where the nest was located so that they would not mow over the spot.

 


This picture was taken early this morning about 6:15. The eggs seem to be sitting in the exact place as the previous afternoon. If one goes to look at the eggs, the killdeer put on their "injured dance" but soon the female returns after one has come to look.

Not long after she has been disturbed from sitting on the nest, mother killdeer returns to warming the eggs. I probably won't be able to the little ones scampering around the grassy meadow.

IN-DEPTH BIBLE SEMINAR

The In-Depth Bible Seminar sponsored by International Student Ministry, Inc. is an annual weeklong event held in the St. Louis area. Baptized Christian and "serious seeker" international students from our campus ministries are invited to attend this conference.

The three goals are:
     1)  Equip individuals with a grasp of the whole of Scripture (using The Bibles Big Story)
     2)  To share teaching about some of the major theological themes (Baptism, prayer, the Church, etc)
     3)  To train in small group ministry using small groups for evening discussion and prayer

The desired outcomes are for these students to either return to their campuses or as they return home to be instrumental in Biblical and faith-enhancing studies. Each will eventually return home where they will be able to speak in their own language, relate to family and friends, and, really, go where we could never go or never send missionaries.

Sessions are held morning, afternoon, and evening with substantial breaks inbetween for conversation and questions. And, I am amazed at the questions and conversations that take place.

How wonderful it is to hear the group singing songs like "Lord, I lift Your name on high."  Devotion times are dedicated to prayer and song (most of the songs are new, but well learned as the seminar goes on).

Chiung-Hua is totally wrapped up in giving praise to God.

Computers and cell phones have found their place at the conference. Fifteen years ago, when we began these special conferences, no such technology was available.

Funds for this seminar come both from the participants and their ministry sites, but the primary gifts come from the prayer partners of ISM, Inc. Those prayer partners have been more than generous since the cost per participant runs about $900 - we also cover transportation.

Hannah Mcculloh, Ames, Iowa, poses with three of the Chinese participants.

Participants come from China, Egypt, Ethiopa, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan

SPRING GARDENING

I know that this is the picture that you have all been waiting for: my garden. It's early in the season and things are just beginning to grow. The garlic is to the left and the rhubard to the right.

I have most everything planted that will be growing for this year. Here's the scoop: garlic, onions (sets and plants, and multipliers that winter), chives, rhubarb and asparagus (perennials), kohlrabi, radishes, lettuce, rainbow swiss chard, summer squash, cucumbers, tomatos, eggplant, okra, peppers ( banana, green, gold, and salsa), cabbage (purple and green), cauliflower, broccoli, brussels sprouts, green beans, snap peas, parsnips, beets (golden and cylindrical), and carrots. I don't think I missed anything. Both the upper and the lower gardens are full, but perhaps when the radishes are done, I will be able to plant a bit more.

Some of the lower garden (closer to the house and fenced in with the nice wood rails). I've also planted herbs for Karol:  parsley (moss curled and Italian), cilantro, basil, and dill.

The lupine have just started blooming. They grow in soil that is fairly poor, and this patch has expanded each year so that now there is a substantial area where the lupine bloom.  I'm remembering them while I'm here in St. Louis

I love this time of the year when everything is "springing forth" from the earth, whether perennial or planted this year. It's fresh, clean, new and beautiful.

While I work and explore and enjoy during the daylight hours, there is also activity during the hours of dark. Check out this video, FROGS GALORE, to see what happens at night. http://youtu.be/R30zj4El7Bs

Presently, I'm in St. Louis serving at the In-Depth Bible Seminar. This year, we have 16 international students who are with us. The next blog will share some pics and news about the Seminar.

ODDS and ENDS

The ferns are most beautiful at this time of the year when you can almost watch as the fiddleheads unravel. Later, they will fill this area and cover all the logs that now you see so clearly. I've tried eating fiddleheads, but they weren't pleasant!

Matthew called today to remind us that it was Sarges fourth birthday. We are dog-sitting from now until July 20 when we return to Pittsburgh.

Kind of a goofy picture. The whole point of it is to thank son, Matthew, for his coaching in getting straight lines when you mow your lawn. Since he told me about that, I marvel at the mowed stripes on baseball fields. Simply beautiful.

Karol took this picture yesterday of some of the trillium that are growing in the woods on the east side of the house.

On the north side of the house is our perennial bed. Late blooming tulips have just opened. These are some of the prettiest that we have. Karol pics one or two and brings them in the house for our enjoyment.

What a beautiful day in Wisconsin. Temperatures in the low to mid 70's with a gentle breeze and a sky that varied between partly cloudy and full sunshine. The beautiful weather made my grapes get serious about beginning their growth.

Nathan and Megan, and Andrew and Suzanne and kids were here for the afternoon and supper (chicken on the grill and Karol's famous broccoli/craisin salad). How the kids love to ride hot cycles,bikes, or whatever kind of vehicle in the driveway. Chalk was popular today also.

I've wrapped up planting in the garden. The cucumbers and squash that I planted about a week ago broke ground today. The last planted veggies were green, yellow, banana, and salsa peppers; okra, and eggplant. Since the okra like "warm feet," I planted two of them in black gallon pots. Maybe that will encourage them to grow and set fruit earlier than normal. I'm anticipating that the last of the frosty mornings are past and that from here on, there will be no more damaging weather.

Before I leave on Tuesday for St. Louis, I'd like to get some good shots of the garden so you can get a picture of what I've got up and coming. So keep tuned in.

A SUNNY MORNING IN ROSHOLT

That's right! It's beautiful weather for mourning doves too. The warm sun and gentle breeze make you want to just sit around and "chill." Now isn't that an unusual way to use that word.

This was taken about 10 days ago. It's greener now, but the lure of the pond is still tugging. We thought earlier on that we had a pair of mallards that were going to next, but not to nest, but not to be.

If these guys could talk, they'd probably be saying, "Please pass the bread." Karol and I get down to the pond several times each week with a loaf of older bread so that we can sit in our big white wooden chairs to feed fish. Last year, we had bass that came to the bread, but this yuear, only bluegills come. It's time for me to get out my pole to catch a few to eat.

Yesterday continued our harvest of garden produce. "So early in the season," you say? We've already been eating asparagas for three weeks now. And there's been young garlic, radishes, multiplier onions, chives, and parsley (from last year's planting) that we've also enjoyed.

Now comes the rhubarb. Last night I cut up enough to fill three gallon bags for the freezer, 12 cups for Karol so that today she can bake four pans of rhubarb cream cheese bars, and some left over that I used to make rhubarb sauce. Yum!

I believe that last night was the FINAL frost of the season. It was 30 on our thermometer last night. So today will be planting day. I have tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant that I'm going to settle in, and then, other than okra and salsa peppers, my garden should be complete.

During the last part of the semester at Peace, four students worked on a project for a "food" class  - and chose "English Cafe" because it was a unique way to use homemade food for a special community purpose. You can see their video at English Caffe.

MY "NO SMOKING" ANNIVERSARY DAY

With a view like this, why would I ever want my office in a different place other than the "sun porch?" Not only can I "watch" the flowers bloom, I can also see birds outside of my windows. Check out the next picture for interest...

Mr. Wren spent lots of time traveling to and from the birdhouse carrying medium size sticks. But this time, he bit off more than he could chew. He could not figure out how to get one end of the stick to go inside of the hole. He finally gave up.

Each year, we see more and more trillium in our little woods. It is such a bright and showy flower - I love to see it.

I've been able to download a video once again to YouTube. For some reason, I couldn't do it at home, so I decided to try it at Peace. The upload speed is similar to home, so I don't know what the problem might have been. You can view it at:  http://youtu.be/_cvo6T0rg9I  It is found there along with other videos on the DrCarlSelle channel. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoy putting it online.

Ferns have now begun to spring up in our woods. I believe that about three years ago, I planted a few there and now they are spreading. This shot is taken in the little woods right to the east of the garage.

Virginia bluebells, started at the Iola property by Rob and Penny, are now flourishing at our home. It is amazing how they spread. They just don't stay in a little area. they spread far and wide. Beautiful in the spring.

And, finally, to close out this session of the blog, let me show you the "Treehuggers" natural sign for "Keep out of this woods." The birch do it all, don't they.

This shot was taken along Hwy. 66, halfway between Rosholt and Stevens Point.

BIRDS IN OUR YARD

The phoebe has a nest in the eaves on the south side of my office. Fun to watch them sit and latter feed the young.

I took this sitting in my office - down toward the rock garden.

These are the birds that I saw/heard yesterday when our electricity was out for 8 plus hours. A tree fell over wires just to the west of Rosholt. Karol and I were sitting in the garage overhang.

red-winged blackbird
rose-breasted grosbeak
brown thrasher
white crowned sparrow
chipping sparrow
English sparrow
flicker
red-bellied woodpecker
phoebe
white-throated sparrow
cardinal
mourning dove
house sparrow
robin
cowbird
downy woodpecker
sandhill crane
red-breasted nuthatch
goldfinch
yellow-rumped warbler
tree swallow
crow
black-capped chickadee
song sparrow
pine siskin

There may be others around, but at that moment we did not see or hear them (ie baltimore oriole, hairy woodpecker, etc.)

This morning as I work in my office, the rabbit is running back and forth - don't know where. Maybe they're migrating like the lemmings. The black squirrel and the gray squirrel are hopping from tree to tree. I'm hoping that there are no red squirrels left because they had entered the sacred space or our log home attic. Just spotted the rose-breasted grosbeak in the dead catalpa to the south of my office. We leave the dead tree because the birds love to sit in it. I've planted a new tree, but it doesn't look very alive at the moment.

It's so beautiful outside that I need to get in that sun and warm - and out of my office. I can always be here.

Our ferns are looking like this right now!