Filed under: Family time, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: 7 Days a Week, Best Wife Award, Garden Chores, Gardening, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Classroom, Gods Country, Love, Love and Meaning, Love Your Pets, Nursery, Nursery Work, Plant care, short handed, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Taking Care of Business, Together, watering
I got up with the sun, fixed coffee, put on my garden shoes on the porch and haven’t been back inside yet… Again, short handed at the nursery and so many chores to do… even on the sabbath 🙏🏻 But I feel good with it, (see Luke 14), when Jesus demonstrates to the Pharisees that some emergencies must be dealt with immediately, even if it means breaking the sabbath to do so… Ox in the ditch… Or in our case, watering to keep plant stock alive… And to beautify the landscape❤️
Even tho we are working 7 days a week right now, I know at the end of the day that I’m a very lucky and a very blessed man! 🙏🏻
“Come, fill the Cup, and in the Fire of Spring
The Winter Garment of Repentance fling:
The Bird of Time has but a little way
To fly–and Lo! the Bird is on the Wing.”
~ Omar Khayyám
Have a wonderful Sunday Afternoon!
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, God Bless America, Love, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises | Tags: Calvary, Christ, Christ is Risen, Cross, Easter, Easter Sunday, Easter Sunrise, Easter Weekend, Empty Tomb, God, God Bless, God Bless America, He is Risen, Jesus, Lamb of God, Love, Resurrection, Resurrection of Christ, Sunday, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Reflections, Sunday with Family, Sundays, The Presence of God, Tomb
🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Herbs, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Believe, Dogwood, Easter, Easter Sunday, Easter Sunrise, Easter Weekend, God, God Bless, God Bless America, I Love My Family, Jerusalem, Jerusalem Donkey, Jesus, Lamb of God, legend of the dogwood, Love, Love and Meaning, Love Thy Neighbor, Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself, Peace, Peace on Earth, Pray, Prayer Garden, Prayer in the Garden, Prayers, reflection, The Presence of God
I was thinking of the stories of the bible we learn from childhood and how they meld into real time in our lives… It’s Easter weekend and I wanted to share these two stories that I have always loved that tie into Easter.
‘All purebred donkeys are born with a cross on their back. A legend says it is the gift our Lord gave to the humble donkey that carried Him into Jerusalem. According to the legend, the little donkey so loved his Master that he followed Him to Calvary. Grief-stricken at the sight, he turned away but remained at his station at the foot of the cross. The shadow of the Cross fell upon him and from that day all purebred donkeys wear the Master’s Cross on their backs.’
Jesus rode in on a donkey… Then he walked and prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane during the last days of his life. He knew what was about to happen to him and I think he chose a Garden to spend his last days in to give him the Peace, Clarity & Strength that he needed leading up to his arrest and Crucifixion (on Good Friday).
The blooming plants and feeling of Spring in the Garden bring Peace & Calm to the mind & Spirit, and in turn aid in ones thoughts and reflection…
There is going to be a LOT of Reflection for me during this weekend, and I hope to do much of it in my garden. I truly find peace and a clear mind outside within the garden. I hope you do too.
Have a Blessed Easter Weekend,
Peace 🙏🏻
Mark Carter
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Hummingbirds, Koi, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Nursery, Outdoor Lifestyles, Pond Tips, Pondless Waterfalls, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, water garden, Waterfalls | Tags: Carter Country, Carters Nursery Pond and Patio, Charity Pond Tour, Fall Pond Tour, Full Harvest Moon, Full Moon, Fund raiser, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Harvest Moon, humane society, Jackson Animal Care Center, Jackson Tennessee, Koi, Koi Ponds, Magical, Moonlight Pond Tour, Moonlight Tour, Moonlighting effects, Night Sky, Nightscaping, Nighttime Pond, Nighttime World, Pets, Pond Lighting, Pond Tour, Pond Tour Tickets, Pondless Waterfall, Saturday Night, Streams, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Tiki, Underwater Lighting, Water Garden Tour, Waterfall at Night, Waterfalls
The morning after is real… 🤫 I was the only one up in the whole house most of the morning… I don’t know what it is, but i cant “sleep in”. I’m just drawn up and then outside in the morning 🌞 But truth be told, I am pretty worn out too… Last night we hosted our annual Moonlight Pond Tour for the 17th time. And it was such a beautiful night!
We didn’t get through talking with folks, closing up and blowing out all the Tiki Torches and candles till around 12:30 last night, which is pretty late for an old Pond Guy and Gal 😊 But then when we got inside the house, were wide awake… so we had coffee and cake… ☕️🍰 Whew, great day and what a great night! but then… The Morning After 😒 I may need a nap 🥱
Thank You! to everyone who came out to support the cause! And a BIG ’Thank You’ to the homeowners who hosted the tour! ❤️ Its an honor and a privilege to be surrounded by such Awesome and caring people 🙏🏻
Enjoy your day!
“Earth has not anything to show more fair:
Dull would he be of soul who could pass by
A sight so touching in its majesty:
This City now doth, like a garment, wear
The beauty of the morning …”
~ William Wordsworth
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, Sunrises, Sunsets | Tags: #neverforget, 9/11, America, American, American Hero’s, Americans, First Responders, Focus, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Never Forget, Pray, Prayers, Prayers for those affected, Proud American, Thank a Firefighter, United States of America
Its been 20 year since that horrific day!
• 2,977 Americans were Murdered!
• 343 Firefighters died saving others! Many that survived are dying from cancer now at an alarming rate! Thank a Firefighter today…
BUT – We survived! We united! We rebuilt!
#neverforget!
Its been 20 years now. My wife was pregnant with our son when it happened. He is 19 now, working and going to school. Many of his peers don’t know much about what happened on 9/11! Watch the memorials with them today, they will be on ALL day! Talk about what happened that day & how it made you feel! We owe it to kids and we owe it to our fallen brothers and sisters to Never Forget! Lets reflect on the bravery of our first responders and say prayers for all the lives lost 🙏🏻 #neverforget !
We need to pull together again! Like we pulled together on 9/12! We rallied together, and we were stronger than we could have imagined! Prayers for our country and our countrymen today! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
God Bless America! 🇺🇸
Mark Carter
Carter’s Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, Tn. 38305
Ph.# 731-424-2206
http://www.cartercountry.com
YouTube pg. –
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6dPkQiE04jcr385SOL0gkw
Facebook pg. – https://www.facebook.com/mark.carter.775
Pinterest pg. – https://www.pinterest.com/cartersnursery/
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Koi Ponds, Lake and Pond, Landscaping & Gardening, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Cookout, Cookout by the Pond, Day Off, Enjoy The Day, Family, Family Dinner, Family Fun, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Food, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Happy Labor Day, I ❤️ my Family, I Love My Family, I Work Hard For My Koi, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day is a national tribute to the contributions that American workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country. The American worker is the best in the world! 🇺🇸
God Bless America! 🇺🇸
Mark Carter
Carters Nursery, Pond & Patio
2846 Old Medina Rd.
Jackson, TN 38305
731-424-2206
https://www.cartercountry.com
Filed under: Family time, Food, Fountains, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Hummingbirds, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Beautiful Sunset, Boat, Closed for the Holiday, Coffee, Colorful Sky, Day Off, Family, Family Dinner, Family Fun, Family Pictures, Family time, Family Traditions, Food, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Happy Labor Day, I Love My Family, Jet Ski, Labor Day, Labor Day Weekend, Morning Coffee, Old Sayings, Pontoon Boat, River, River Life, Rivers, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Sunday Gardening, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday Naps, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, Sunrises, Sunsets, Tennessee River, Waverunner, Weekend Off
Late nights slow down an early morning 😊 but this morning was perfect! A slow easy rain 🌧 was falling until around 8:30 and now it’s clear and cool. Perfect for the last big dust up of Summer ⛅️ Every year we talk about doing something different for Labor Day Weekend , but we always end up at the river 🚤
“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.”
~ Ralph Marston
Have a Happy Labor Day! 🇺🇸
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, Food, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: Birdsong, Declaration of Independence, Fire and Water, Fireworks, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Happy Independence Day, independence day, July 4th., July 4th. 1776, July 4th. Weekend, Marina, Ragged Old Flag, Stars and Stripes Forever, Sunday, Sunday Brunch, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Songs, Sunday with Family, Sundays, The Presence of God
Happy Independence Day! Happy Birthday America! 🇺🇸 I am proud to be an American! And, I am Thankful for all the hard work and sacrifice that has been made by so many down through the years to keep us safe and FREE! There is not another country like ours in the world! & I still believe that the American people remain willing to give all to keep it 🇺🇸
“Freedom’s natal day is here.
Fire the guns and shout for freedom,
See the flag above unfurled!
Hail the stars and stripes forever,
Dearest flag in all the world.”
~Florence A. Jones
Stay safe out there! Happy July 4th.! 💥🇺🇸
GOD BLESS AMERICA! 🇺🇸
Mark Carter
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Lake and Pond, Love, Outdoor Lifestyles, Sunday Reflections, Sunrises, Sunsets, Waterfalls | Tags: #neverforget, American Hero’s, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Gods Country, Hero, Hero’s, Memorial Day, Memorial Weekend, Memories, Memory s, Never Forget, Remember, Sunday, Sunday Breakfast, Sunday in the Garden, Sunday Inspiration, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Sunday Mornings, Sunday on the River, Sunday Poem, Sunday Quote, Sunday Reflections, Sunday Sunrises, Sunday with Family, Sundays, USA
Last night was Cold 🥶 42 degrees with a brisk northerly wind 🌬 It sure didn’t feel like the official entry to Summer… But, this morning, the brilliant Sunrise helped mediate that feeling. Tomorrow is Memorial Day, a day to honor and remember all the men and women who gave all for this country. Maybe this unusual cold is a reminder of that? We were all huddled by the fire 🔥 last night. How many soldiers huddled by fires, dreaming of home, family and cool Summer nights that never returned… I can stand a cool night by a fire just fine when I think about that… God Bless America 🇺🇸
“Somewhere out there today,
In a land far, far away,
A soldier rides patrol,
Knowing not what may unfold.
He keeps watch as he rides
Over dangerous countryside.
Roadside bomb could be hit.
Scary, but this soldier doesn’t quit.
Think about Mom and Dad,
About the good times had,
State-side, how long here?
Back to watching, a little fear.
This was a good day
To think and to pray.
Strange that prayer is so right
When there could be a fire fight.
Wheel back into base.
Tomorrow, another ride to face.
Convoys done for the day.
Looks like rain’s on its way.
Nerve wracking job but boring too,
But that’s what soldiers do.
So many over here, none alike,
Who have gladly joined this fight.
Freedom has a high cost.
Lives given, the ultimate loss.
That cost they willingly give
So freedom can continue to live.
So, we remember today
All those who went away-
And gave their lives that we
Might live here and stay free.
God Bless America!”
~ Dr. Bill McDonald
Happy Memorial Day 🇺🇸
Mark C.
Filed under: Family time, General Blog Entry's, God Bless America, Love, music, Outdoor Lifestyles, Waterfalls | Tags: American Hero’s, Closed for the Holiday, Enjoy The Day, Family, Family time, Family Traditions, God, God Bless, God Bless America, Hero, Hero’s, Holiday, I ❤️ This Country, Lest we forget, Love, Memorial Day, Memorial Weekend, Memories, Never Forget, Sorry We’re Closed, Thankful, Truly Thankful, USA
I have received a few calls and messages asking if we are open today, we are not… We are closed today and Monday for Memorial Day. Have a great weekend! And remember, This weekend we honor the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country. “All gave some. Some gave all”.
Remember
Someone’s child, left long ago,
A strange land,
Someone’s foe.
An unmarked grave, fields of green,
Resting quiet,
Just eighteen.
Winds of freedom, wash us now,
Remember him,
This I vow
~ Victor C. Kleinschmit
Have a safe and Happy holiday!
God Bless America 🇺🇸
Mark Carter
Carter's Water Garden 