335. Here are the sweet peas, on tip-toe for a flight: with wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white, and taper fingers catching at all things, to bind them all about. ~John Keats

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By helpful fingers taught to twine
Around its trellis, grew
A delicate and dainty vine;
The bursting bud, its blossom sign,
Inlaid with honeyed-dew.
~Hattie Howard

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Between each row of houses in Belmont Shore, California, where I grew up ran an alley which was the way to get in and out of the rear facing garages; it was also a favorite place to ride my bike or skates as well as being a frequented path to the homes of neighboring friends. Besides the garages the alley skirted the back yards of the houses and on many of the fences grew Sweet Pea vines. Not only were the flowers of these vines lovely and fragrant, but for a curious and imaginative child born in and of and wedded to one of the few remaining years of innocence the world would ever know they were the home of enchanted and magical fairy creatures.

Hauntingly unforgettable indeed have been the gardens in my childhood, but it was more than just the colors, the beautiful flowers and the lovely fragrances. Along with being mesmerized by all that splendor, I was courted by the Holy One, Yahweh, whose sole intent was to capture my heart and reveal His own. Though the world and its deceptions fought long and hard to turn me away from Jesus, He would not and did not give up on what had always been His.

The world is very old;
But every Spring
It groweth young again,
And fairies sing.
~Author Unknown

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With their richly colored, yet small, delicate flowers, the sweet pea’s history can be traced back to 17th century Italy when a Sicilian monk, Franciscus Cupani, sent its seeds to England. Then Henry Eckford, a Scottish nurseryman, cross-bred the original flower and created the colorful and intensely sweet scented blossom that became the floral sensation of the late Victorian era.

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The Song of the “Sweet Pea Fairies”

Here Sweet Peas are climbing,
(Here’s the Sweet Pea rhyme!)
Here are little tendrils,
Helping them to climb.

Here are sweetest colours,
Fragrance very sweet;
Here are silky pods of peas,
None for us to eat!

Here’s a fairy sister,
Trying on with care.
Such a grand new bonnet
For the baby there.

Does it suit you Baby?
Yes, I really think
Nothing’s more becoming
Than this pretty pink!

~Cicely Mary Barker

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My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:15-16 ✝

Thank you, Lord Jesus, that you save, you heal, you restore, and you reveal Your Father’s heart to us! You have captured me with grace and I’m caught in Your infinite embrace!

**My sweet pea vines are climbing but not blooming yet so I’m using images here that I found on Pinterest.

24 thoughts on “335. Here are the sweet peas, on tip-toe for a flight: with wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white, and taper fingers catching at all things, to bind them all about. ~John Keats”

  2. Pingback: 335. Here are the sweet peas, on tip-toe for a flight: with wings of gentle flush o’er delicate white, and taper fingers catching at all things, to bind them all about. ~John Keats | Sacred Touches

  8. Are there words to describe what I feel after reading your sweet post ? Mesmerised by your descriptive childhood memories,the charming collages,the romance,the nostalgia,the story behind the sweet peas and the glorious Psalm !!!
    A multi-sided post that you gave it a very particular dimension …
    Can’t thank you enough for what you made me feel,dear Natalie !!!
    Big hugs and kind thoughts to you, Doda xxx 🙂

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    • You are so kind with your appreciative words, Doda. I’m thrilled that the post gave you a good feeling. It did the same for me when I wrote it. My childhood was an idyllic time for me in so many ways and it included a host of unforgettable places and people. I can’t help but share it with others from time to time. I pray you have a wonderful day tomorrow. You always make mine better. Huge hugs and blessings to you. Natalie 🙂

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  11. Beautiful account of some of your childhood memories, Natalie. Brought back some memories of my own, and leaving me with a massive smile lighting up my face!

    Thank you

    ML
    x

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  12. This and so many of your post leave my heart longing to grow magical gardens and adopt a handful of children to bring up gently…sharing this perspective as much as possible. I am delighted by the way you remind us just how loving and mindful of us the Lord truly is.

    Blessings,
    Theresa

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    • Why thank you, Theresa, what a lovely thought! This is why I’m so delighted that many schools are creating habitat gardens to be tended by the children. Much of mankind has moved too far away from the garden and so has forgotten
      the lessons it teaches about how loving and mindful the Lord truly is. I’m 71 and there are still moments when what I see and hear in my yard move me to tears and make me throw my arms up in the air in gratitude for the glory and gifts in front of me. May your heart’s longing come to pass one day. Blessings and hugs, Natalie 🙂

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