September 5th was the anniversary of my mother's death - or as she would have said her entry into larger life, on the brighter side of death. She died in 2020, just a few weeks shy of her 98th birthday. A long-time choir director, she knew The Hymnal 1940 backwards and forwards and had an excellent grasp as well of The Hymnal 1982 . And so, this morning, when the radio program With Heart and Voice played this hymn, I immediately thought of her, because when she was quite old and often feeling weak, she told me that its third verse was a comfort and encouragement! The hymn is #541 in The Hymnal 1982 , but in case you don't have that book at hand, here are the words, written by Jane Borthwick (1813-1897): Come, labor on. Who dares stand idle on the harvest plain, while all around us waves the golden grain? And to each servant does the Master say, "Go work today." Come, labor on. The enemy is watching night and day, to sow the tares, to snatch the seed away; while we...
No doubt, when people mention Fall colors they are usually thinking of yellow, red, orange, and even brown. But here on the Eastern shore we might also think white! Sweet Autumn Clematis often takes over everything. Non-native and invasive, it grows everywhere - yes, it is beautiful . . . and you can spend hours cutting and pulling it down (I do that every Autumn) only to have it return the following Spring. It has totally taken over in my wildflower area, so we'll probably mow that area next year. In the meantime, as I said, it is beautiful!