The Forests of my Childhood

The beautiful forests of my childhood, a pocket of green amidst the ever-encroaching city, is still there.

Here is the tree were we used to sit and swing.  It is still there--but it is much too tall and big to swing in these days.

Here is a view down into the canyon.  If you look closely, I believe you can see the creek peeking through the foliage.

Here's another view down into the canyon where we played as children.

I look at this photo, and I want to walk down into that cedar and moss forest...surely something magical lies beyond.

The sun comes out for a brief moment--filling the leaves with bright color.

Sometimes, standing at the edge of the canyon, looking down into the places we played as children, I can almost hear the echoes of those times--one moment from the past, superimposed upon the present.  For a few moments I am sure I can her children laughing. 

Yolk Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I was cooking breakfast--cracked the egg, plopped it into the cast iron skillet--and walah!  An egg yolk heart!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Blue Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

I'm a bit early for Guest Heart Thursday, but I couldn't resist posting this amazing photo today!  Yesterday I spotted this heart from my office window just over the fence on the alley.  I was SO glad it stuck around until I could run outside with my camera--which is always within arm's reach.

We are expecting a doozy of a rain storm tonight.  Where we are here in the valley, there will be 2-3 inches of rain and gusty winds.  But it will be worse at the coast--3-4 inches of rain with high winds, gusts hitting 60 and above!

It is always kind of fun when the power goes out--one can always hope and dream it will.  I guess I'm just a kid at heart.  

For those of you who see the storm clouds of life heading your way, watch for the heart of the storm.  God's heart of love for you resides there.  Look to Him for guidance, strength and comfort. You won't be disappointed.

Have a lovely rest of the week!

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.

Glad Foxgloves in the Forest

Last Spring, my darling husband Alan and I were on our way back from celebrating our 31st anniversary.  When I saw these growing near the forest, I had to stop to take a picture.

I love foxgloves.  When I was a child, my sisters and I would put them on the ends of our fingers and pretend we were grand ladies wearing beautiful pink gloves.  Of course, we were warned not to eat any part of the flower as it was poisonous. It is my understanding digitalis is made from foxgloves.  Used in the right way, digitalis saves lives. There is so much to learn about the dangerous beauty of nature.

My prayer for you today, dear friends is on the side of beauty.  That in the mist of danger and trials, you will find that incredible beauty, gladness and hope are yours.

To grant those who mourn in Zion, 

Giving them a garland instead of ashes, 

The oil of gladness instead of mourning, 

The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. 

So they will be called oaks of righteousness, 

The planting of the LORD, that He may be glorified.  

~Isaiah 61:3