The Cherry Tree, Bewildered Birds and a Recipe

The cherry tree is in the center of my backyard. The blossoms in April bring hope and the joy of springtime. The tree draws the robins who march around it possessively and perch on its branches. When it produces red cherries, I pause in wonder, reminded to give thanks for God’s creation, the work of… Continue reading The Cherry Tree, Bewildered Birds and a Recipe

The Cherry Tree and Martin Luther: Life Lessons

My husband has offered to cut the cherry tree down. Several times. I was thrilled when the tree offered a bountiful harvest of cherries, sweet with a little tartness. Then came the year of brown rot and mold. We spent a week picking all the rotten fruit and cleaning up the mess.  Another year a… Continue reading The Cherry Tree and Martin Luther: Life Lessons

If you plant a cherry tree, you might want to know . . .

If you plant a cherry tree the birds will come. The robins love my cherry tree. One year a group of cedar waxwings came and perched on a branch passing cherries to each other. And little birds that I haven’t identified come. I don’t mind sharing some of the cherries—but not all. So I have… Continue reading If you plant a cherry tree, you might want to know . . .

Berries, Cherries and a Beetle Infestation

It is a good year for berries and cherries. I have been harvesting cherries, raspberries, currants and gooseberries. My cherry tree and berry bushes have been delightfully full of fruit. It is also a good year for the Japanese beetles. I have had some every year.   It has been my practice to check the… Continue reading Berries, Cherries and a Beetle Infestation