God's Backyard Pets and the Changing Seasons: Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn

By Jennifer Smiley

In 2007, the author took over the complete care and feeding of the birds, squirrels, and chipmunks. In about 2004, she had inherited the care and feeding from her mother who had broken her hip and then became sick with heart problems. When her mother passed away in 2007, there was not much there in the way of backyard pets, but over the years, it became built up and quite nice.

The author bought a digital camera in 2010, which made the possibility of winter, spring, summer, and autumn photographs possible.

Over the years, the number of pets has gone up and down, and the decorations have gone up and down, but the author's love and devotion has remained the same.

The author already owned the rabbit, mice, and hamsters back in 2004, and they are always included in her writings of God's backyard pets. Occasionally, we go out and about the neighborhood for it is quite scenic and describe other places such as Mary's Pond, Leonard's Pond, and the scenic trail at Fairhaven for Budgie, the author's bunny always came along for walks or bicycle rides or kayak rafting and so too the mice and the hamsters.

The seasons play a large part in the lives of the pets, and we have faithfully marked every winter, spring, summer, and autumn. Being so close to the land and to the water and what's going on with the pets, it's only natural to feel the joys and woes of every season. See the wonder of the squirrels, chipmunks, birds, mice, hamsters, and bunnies though the miracle of each season. Follow the joy of Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving through the eyes of God and the author.

These writings are specifically from 2015 to 2019. The author did not start with the intention of marking every season and holiday. It just evolved naturally from wanting to further document the backyard lives of their pets. And to do so, in a way that would make a difference.

This book is dedicated to Budgie, the author's number one pet, and for whom she took on the project of the backyard pets in the first place. She always did believe. Whether a dozen pets or one pet, we have enjoyed every minute of it!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Aug 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685170837

Book preview

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God's Backyard Pets and the Changing Seasons

Winter, Spring, Summer, Autumn

Jennifer Smiley

ISBN 978-1-68517-082-0 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-68517-083-7 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Jennifer Smiley

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Christmas 2014–2015

A Mouse in the House

The Magic of Christmas

Merry Christmas

Away in a Manager

If You Could Come

I've Been Good

Snowflakes

Christmas Hats

The Doves at Christmas

The Christmas Garden

Easter 2015

Hooray for Jesus

Rejoice

Flowers in the Woods

Easter

Easter Bunnies for Jesus

Spring

God's World

The Advent of Christianity

Crime and Punishment

The Resurrection and the Life

Almighty God

Summer 2015

Chipmunk Time

The Green Leaves of Summer

The Cottontails

The Pretty Lady Hummingbird

The Blue Jay Youngsters

The Phoebe's Nest

Musical Chairs

God's Creatures

Two Roses

Some Days

Summer Sunflowers

My Sweet Summertime Friend

Autumn 2015

The Start of Autumn

Pretty Pumpkins

Beautiful Trees and Beautiful Leaves

The Swans on Leonard's Pond

The Raccoons and Cookies

A Halloween Boo

Early November

Audubon New England

As the Wind Blows

Let Us Give Thanks

The End of Autumn

Christmas 2015–2016

Almighty God, the Great Creator

The Evergreens

What Is a Miracle?

The Love of God

The Heavens Celebrate

The Christmas Star

The Christmas Angels

Sing Out with Joy

The Spirit of Christmas

Jesus Christ, the Gift of Miracles

Easter 2016

It's Easter Time Again, Celebrate Part 1

It's Easter Time Again, Celebrate Part 2

It's Easter Time Again, Celebrate Part 3

A Springtime Snow

Pretty Easter Eggs

Spring and Easter Flowers

The Holy Bible and Scripture

Happy Easter, It's May

The Chipmunks Return

Life and Land

Summer 2016

The Battle of the Gypsy Moths

Summer Flowers

A Summer Shower

The Five Mice (Meces)

Birds of a Feather

The Black Grackles

Mary's Pond

Comings and Goings

Sweetheart

Leonard's Pond

The End of Summer

Autumn 2016

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

Rainy Days

Bunny Rabbits Are My Favorite People

The Changing Season

Glow Time

The Autumn Leaves

Swans on a Pond

On an Autumn's Breeze

God Bless You

The Season of Christmas

Christmas and Winter 2016–2017

Softly, It Snows

The Wee Little Ones

The Baby Jesus

The Birth of Christ

Christmas

Not of This World

The Story of Christmas

Believe

Winter Comes

A Winter's Storm

My Rabbit Goes Sledding

Hearts of Love

Spring, Easter 2017

Early Spring

Spring and Easter

Easter

Jesus Christ at Easter

Jesus Christ, Servant of God

God Bless Christ

Easter Bunnies for Jesus

The Growing Greenery

The Easter Flowers

The Lord God Almighty

The Days of June

Summer 2017

Summer Thunder

A Season of Chipmunks

Splish-Splash

Middle March

Zoom Zoom

The Lord Is My Shepherd

August

A Bicycle for Two

Birds of a Feather

Oh, Look at the Deer

Autumn 2017

Autumn Football

God and Country

Swans on a Pond

Golden Pine Needles

Oh, My Gosh, What Weather

A Halloween Tale, Whooooo's Scared?

November

The Harvest Moon Rises

The Wareham Estuary

Preparing for Christmas

The Mysteries of the First Nativity 2017–2018

The Christmas Star

God's Angels

The Shepherds, the Lambs, and the Sheep

The Wee Little Ones

Mary and Joseph

The Three Wise Men

The Three Oriental Kings

Jesus Christ, Son of God

Jesus Christ, Servant of God

Jesus Christ, Messenger of God

The World of Christmas 2017–2018

The World of Christmas

The Spirit of Christmas

A Christmas Carol

The Songs and Music of Christmas

Snow and Winter

Christmas Lights, Christmas Decorations, Arts and Crafts Projects, and Baking

Lovable, Huggable Pets

A Day of Love

Christmas Red

Christ, Easter, Spring 2018

You Are Beautiful

Christ, Easter, Spring

The Life of Christ

Dear Pet of Mine

April, May

Spring has Sprung

Birdhouses

Buttons the Mouse

Faith, Hope, and Love

Shades of Summer

Summertime 2018

Buttons and the Weather

Budgie, Budgie, Budgie

The Summer Hummers

Groundhog or Woodchuck

Big Red

The Chipmunks

The Long-Legged Beauty

The Flock of Grackles

The PokumBerry

Summertime Photos

Autumn 2018

Early Autumn

Early October

Pumpkins

The Blue Jays

A Perfect Autumn Day

Ghosts and Monsters

Autumn Trees

Thanksgiving

Christmas in November

Christmas in December

Christmas and Winter 2018–2019

The Art of Giving

Santa Bunny

In the Woods

A Stormy Day in January

The Red-Winged Blackbirds

Merry Christmas

Sleet, Snow, and Rain

Love Every Moment

Fuzzy Wuzzy

Hearts

Easter, Spring 2019

Jesus Christ, Man of Compassion

Jesus Christ, Man of Virtues

Jesus Christ, Man of Authority

Hosanna

Easter

Happy Easter

Some Flowers

More Flowers

More and More Flowers

Life and Death

Summer 2019

Summer Begins

Close Encounters

Star Light, Star Bright

Summertime Fun

Outside My Window

Butterflies

The Woodpeckers

Weeds and Wildflowers

The Grackles Say Goodbye

Summer Spiders

Autumn 2019

Beautiful Autumn

What's Up with the Chipmunks?

Pine Needles, Pine Cones, Acorns, and Autumn Leaves

Twelve Squirrels, Three Squirrels, Five Squirrels, Eight Squirrels

October

November

December

How Great Thou Art

Giving

God Bless You, Buttons

About the Author

Christmas 2014–2015

A Mouse in the House

Those cute little white mice that you see in the pet store—about the size of a small bird, a chickadee, or a finch—how easy it is to love something so small.

I have to make an effort to count the number of nativities that we have up at Christmas, and for that matter all year long. Some are elaborate and cover a table, and some are small and fit in the palm of your hand. But in all cases, the figurines are small and sometimes tiny. Not many people put together a life-size nativity. In any event, how easy it is to love something so small.

If I was a mouse in a house, I might think that all these nativity pieces were just for me. Hey, they're just about my size.

Some of the nativity scenes are cards or posters. I began to count my way around the house.

There are two outside for the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and God's other pets.

There are a few on the shelves not currently in use. And there are a few boxed up in storage.

By the way, did we say that we collect nativity scenes?

Yes, there is a mouse house; one of these cute little white ones from the pet store. I suspect that there are some others running around in the basement, the garage, the car, the birdhouses, and the outdoors. They seem to get along one way or another.

Some people count down the shopping days; we count down our shopping days and our dusting days. You must make sure that everyone's stocking is hung with care.

There is, at Christmastime, a kind of collective craziness that takes over the country. Frankly, it makes me want to hop and down and squeak with joy, just like one of those cute little white mice.

How nice it is to be loved.

The Magic of Christmas

The magic of Christmas is plain to see to anyone who does believe.

God and heaven have come to earth, and the glory of the Lord is great upon the land. Miracle, upon miracle, upon miracle—like a rock thrown into a lake, the circles ripple out and away from this great Christmas night. Christ is born.

Oh, starry, starry night of angels and songs, of shepherds and sheep, of magical lights, of God's pets great and small upon the land, of wise men traveled from afar, of those in prayer, and those who dare to love, behold the greatness of God our Creator and believe.

Christmas is a great night because God and heaven have come to earth. Remember and believe. The circles of wonder and miracles travel across the land. Oh, wonderful, wonderful night. Oh, night divine.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas, merry Christmas to you.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas, merry Christmas to you.

Although the days of calendar Christmas are few, the lessons that we learn are forever good and true.

Great is God in heaven and on earth, and great is Jesus Christ from the moment of his birth.

Merry Christmas, merry Christmas, merry Christmas to you.

Life is a mystery of incredible wonders. Have faith, hope, and love in the great and the good. God's miracles, like the stars, cannot be numbered.

Merry, merry, merry Christmas to you as life and creation begin anew. Jesus Christ is born.

Away in a Manager

All of God's pets were welcomed at Christ's great birth.

Heavenly, holy, a miracle—the little ones, the tender ones, the sheep grazing in the fields, and the birds in the trees who carried the news around the world.

Perhaps, no one is so attuned to the wonders of the earth as God's special pets.

The stars, the wind, the dark, the light, the warmth, the cold, the growing of plants, the coming of snow—the earth is living and breathing and ever changing, and God's pets listen to its every wonders.

Oh, holy and heavenly night, God's pets came to Christ's birth.

Sweet pets of God who carried the news around the world.

Sweet pets of God who are a part of the glory of their creator.

A miracle, a wonder, a birth—all were welcomed to celebrate the Lord's Christ. All of God's pets were welcomed.

If You Could Come

If you could come to the nativity scene.

If you could come and bring love, you'd be as rich as any man in the world.

If you could come and bring love, you'd be as wise as any man in the world.

If you could come and bring love, you'd be as good as any man in the world.

If you could come and bring love.

If you could come.

I've Been Good

The night was cold, clear, and full of stars. A fresh coating of snow had sparkled down and covered all tracks that had previously appeared. The landscape was new and fresh and not yet written upon.

With a certain amount of purpose, S. Claus had landed with his reindeer and sleigh in the clearing near the woods. He knew this place, and the jingle bells from his reindeer and sleigh rang out cold, and clear, and true through the midnight air.

He had not waited long before the little ones began to appear. Squirrels, rabbits, mice, different kinds of birds, the raccoons, and the sleepy chipmunks—here and there in the snow. He greeted each one with a pat on the head, a chuck under the chin, or a stroke of the fur coat.

He was fairly tall, and they looked up at him with their big, bright, beautiful glowing eyes. I've been good, I've been good, I've been good, Santa, I've been good.

And after he had walked around, he stopped again by his sleigh and said to one all, You've been more than good. You've also been sweet and beautiful.

From his large red sack, he unloaded fruits and nuts and sweets and cookies and peanuts and Christmas stockings and tinsels and bows and bulbs. And he made sure that each pet or group of pets was loaded up with food and gifts.

The great and the small would share in the joy of the Christmas night. The great and the small would celebrate in the joy of the Christmas night.

Yes, God's pets, good, sweet, and beautiful who lived in these beautiful woods. As much as anyone else, they were welcome to Christ's birth. Share the joy of Christmas night. Celebrate the joy of Christmas night. Hug those you love.

S. Claus stayed and talked with these little pets. He had one of the nicest jobs in the world.

Snowflakes

Alittle bit of snow goes a long way—frosty, sparkly, glittery, tinsel, and glass; intricate, delicate, lacy patterns; etched, cut, and drawn; wood, paper, and plastic; and then the light and fluffy stuff that falls down from the sky, all beautiful stuff it cannot be denied.

Snowflakes, a little bit of snow goes a long way—one of the great wonders of winter and a beautiful creation from the hand of God. Snow showers to go Christmas shopping in, frosting on the trees, a dusting on the ground to cover the autumn leaves, a glittery sparkle over the Christmas decorations; it all provides a host of lovely Christmas memories.

Beautiful snow, a little bit of snow goes a long way—and oh, how the stuff can pile up. Snowballs and snowman; sledding and skiing; hiking and walking; and birds hiding in trees. Unfortunately, you have to shovel it away, but be sure to see it when it is sweet and pure and white and newly fallen to the ground, the beautiful scenery that you see is winter that you've found.

Christmas Hats

Any knitted red hat is festive enough for a Christmas hat. But if you wanted to make it even more special, you could add some fancy Nordic design in black, or white, or green; or you could add some fancy pattern of snowflakes, or Christmas trees, or snowmen, or holly. It is a festive time of the year, and dressing up so lifts the spirits and cheers the mind.

Of course, the ultimate Christmas hat is a red Santa hat. They too come in different patterns and designs, and some are glittery, and some have fabrics soft, and plush, and furry, and fuzzy. To wear just a Santa hat says, I believe in miracles, and I believe in Santa. It is the way some people wear various sports hats, it says, I support this team.

A lot of our Christmas bears and Christmas bunnies wear festive Santa hats.

I must confess that for Christmas, I got red Christmas hats, and scarfs, and gloves. They were not wrapped in boxes or stuffed in stockings. I was so happy that I just wore them over the holidays. And they came with a big gift card and lots of love. Thank you, my friends, for my Christmas surprise. Merry Christmas.

The Doves at Christmas

They are beautiful birds, and they have pretty good camouflage with their shades of brown, black patters, white markings, and pink feet.

They like to do a lot of walking around, and if you can find one, then there is probably two or three.

If they will stretch out their wings for you and fluff out their feathers, then you will get a good and true sense of just how beautiful they are.

If you can find two or three, then you might be treated to the flock. One by one, they will come. They will fly in one by one. Sometimes they will land on the tree limbs above first, and their numbers add up. And they like to cozy together. And sooner than you think possible, you have twelve beautiful birds together.

Their wings are musical in flight, and their outstretched wings are majestic and beautiful. They convey tenderness and strength at the same time.

Often, they will all leave together in one great whoosh of wings. A beautiful sight and sound of wings, up and off, away they sing.

The Christmas Garden

When the water's frozen white, and the faucets are frozen solid, and the blue jays are fluffed out like fuzzy wuzzies, then you know, oh baby, it's cold outside.

Cold during the day and cold at night—there were sixteen water dishes frozen and two water dishes open for a couple of hours during the day, and the blocks of ice were piling up.

Water is always a problem. In the heat of the summer, you spend a lot of time filling water dishes and watering plants. In the late spring, you have to keep brushing out pollen dust. In the autumn, you have pine needles and leaves.

In the cold days of winter, when there is no thaw, and you hear the tap, tap, tapping of the blue jays on the frozen ice, then you know that the birds and the squirrels have to have water and that they can't wait for warmer days.

In late November, the birds and the squirrels were looking particularly furry; so we thought that it would probably be a cold winter. The last of the chipmunks have disappeared for the season, so we don't have to worry about them for a while.

The squirrels are with us through all four seasons, but a number of birds come back to us specifically for the winter.

Christmas wreaths, candy canes, stockings, Santa, large red bulbs, silver snowflakes, and other Christmas decorations are a part of the Christmas garden. And there are two nativities with the baby Jesus, with the smaller one lit by colorful lights. The many different kinds of birds that come here and the squirrels, who are always playful, play here and eat here during the winter.

Regardless of the season, they need an environment in which they can live and work and play and eat. Through ice, and cold, and snow, it is a Christmas garden.

The winter is just starting, and we all enjoy our Christmas cookies and Christmas sweets. The blue jays can pop down the peanuts one right after the other. I am drinking extra cups of coffee. By the grace of God, we shall together, all of us, celebrate Christ and the season, the cold and snowy season, all of us together once again.

Easter 2015

Hooray for Jesus

Hip hop, hip hop

Hooray for Jesus.

Let us celebrate the wonder of God's ways

Let us celebrate the wonder of Easter days.

Hip hop, hip hop

Hooray for Jesus.

What do all of God's pets say?

The birds are singing joyfully in trees,

The chipmunks are tying Easter bows,

The squirrels are hiding Easter eggs,

The rabbits are wrapping foil on chocolates,

The lambs are dancing in the fields.

Hip hop, hip hop

Hooray for Jesus.

Surely there is no delay,

The sun grows stronger,

The green flower stems appear,

The winter snows are melting,

There are toys for children everywhere.

Oh, great creator—

The season is abound with your

Goodness and love.

It is always Christ who leads the way.

Hip hop, hip hop

Hooray for Jesus.

Rejoice

Rejoice with the angels in heaven,

Love is eternal and cannot die,

Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice.

Like a tree planted,

Love will change and grow

Over the days and years

And reach up to the sky.

And if the goodness of love

Is in our heart, and mind, and thoughts

From day to day then we have

Reached up to the clouds

And know that the stars of heaven are nigh.

Rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus Christ

Gone home to God and sigh.

Rejoice, and again I say, rejoice.

The promised comforter is here, today

And here, right now; we live it in

The moments of each day.

Love is eternal and a gift from God;

It comforts like a lullaby.

Love is eternal and a gift from God;

You never say, goodbye.

Flowers in the Woods

The transition into spring is slow and painful. I have a recurring dream that it keeps snowing to cover up all the pollution from cars. I have as many autumn leaves to rake now as in the autumn. The trees are bare; the grass is worn; and it is a traumatic time for change.

Spring into summer, summer into autumn, and autumn into winter transition smoothly, but winter into spring is a transition of great upheaval. I was sleeping; I was resting; but now I must awake and be young again and grow.

There must be time to hear the songs of birds. There must be time to watch the chipmunks running through the woods.

The birds are returning to build nests.

The squirrels search for every little crumb to eat and do not rest.

I am looking around everywhere for flowers in the woods. The bright purple of crocus, the bright yellow of daffodil, and the bright green leaves of flowers to come. A sure sign of spring is the flowers in the woods.

Slowly, slowly, slowly, I look around everywhere. And I pause to think on the changes I see.

Do I have time for the wonders of God? Do I have time for God? If you love, then it is a question that you will ask day in and day out of every day. Am I kind and caring to those I love? Do I live for the wonders of each day?

If God needed my time to walk and talk, would I say, Here I am?

Easter

Our Easter is similar to our Christmas; we do not celebrate the day and the date, but we celebrate the events and the season. There are the activities that we do before Christmas—dusting, decorating, gift buying, eating food, listening to music, watching movies, and taking photographs. And there are the activities that we do after Christmas, are just the same. There are the events of Christmas past, what we know as scripture; and there are the events of Christmas present, what we know as current events. And of course, it doesn't seem like Christmas until it snows, any amount of snow.

Mostly, Easter occurs on the calendar in April, but we think of the actual date of Easter as being sometime in the middle of May, or late May. Mostly, it has to do with geography and the appearance of spring. It should look like spring—green grass, an abundance of flowers, warmer temperatures, butterflies, bees, birds nesting and singing, and the debris of winter cleared up and gone.

I feel sorry for people who don't live in and enjoy the seasons. I feel sorry for people who live in opposite seasons—our winter is their summer. And I wish we had Easter music the way we have Christmas music. Why do we not have an abundance of beautiful Easter music?

Easter Bunnies for Jesus

Every Christian understands the parable of the shepherd and his sheep. This is a literal story and also a figurative story, and it presents a beautiful picture to the mind. The shepherd who watches over his flock in the fields, and the pastor, or person, who watches over his flock, the church, a household, or a group of people or animals. Love, devotion, care, and protection—something that every one of us desires and needs, from the greatest to the least. Christ was born in a stable—both literally and figuratively, he is the lamb of God and the shepherd of the sheep.

Easter bunnies for Jesus is also a literal and a figurative parable. The Easter bunnies and other small animals rising with the dawn to greet Christ on Easter morning. And those persons who believe in the resurrection and the greatness of Christ, and the love of God for his son. Rabbits always remain a soft, cuddly, and huggable size—something that most of us lose once we seize to be a baby. What a nice way to be greeted in the morning—hugs, kisses, and the songs of birds. Also, rabbits with their satellite ears make sensitive and good listeners. As a rabbit, I am always a child of God—soft, cuddly, and huggable.

I believe in the greatness of Christ, but more importantly, I believe in the greatness of God.

Spring

In May, it looks and feels like spring.

There are a variety of flowers blooming.

There are a variety of shrubs and bushes blooming.

There are a variety of trees blooming. And dozens of different kinds of leaves are sprouting from the ground and trees every day. The land is greener and more colorful.

The nights are cool, and the days are warm.

The birds are off and about singing and nesting.

The chipmunks are gathering seeds. The squirrels are stretched out beneath the shade.

As omnipotent creator, God has at his fingertips many wonders, amazements, and miracles. The weather, the seasons, the plants, the animals, the sun, the moon, and the stars—all of these respond to his every command.

At the time of Christ's crucifixion and resurrection,