Angels at Large

These wonderful clouds heralded some bad weather in our area a few days ago.  They are so lovely--they could be angels, gently wafting across the  brilliant blue summer skies.

Have a lovely day--keep looking up!

There's Always a Way

Mumsie and I were on our way to The Dalles when we stopped for something to eat.  What a surprise to see this little bird hopping in and out of these spindly spokes.  It appears they were placed there to keep the birds from nesting.  This little fellow is a fledgling.

What a sweet surprise to see this young bird hopping in and out of the nest, oblivious to man's endeavor to keep nature from doing what nature does.  The parents were kept busy feeding the little guy.

I think the lesson to be learned here, is--there's always a way. 

Have a lovely weekend all you wonderful people!

Like Something Out of a Sci-Fi Movie

On our way to Idaho, I took these photos of a processing facility of some kind.  It sits out in the middle of nowhere.  I think it almost looks like something out of a science fiction movie.  Star Trek perhaps?  This place would make a great movie set!

Have a great weekend!

A Heart in my Tea Cup

I was having a sad morning.  With the onset of the holiday, the waves of grief have been especially high.  My Beloved enjoyed the Fourth of July to the hilt.  I can still see him boisterously tending the BBQ, heartily greeting his friends and above all, his funny stories and the sound of his laughter.

This morning in the midst of one of those crushing waves of sadness, I found a heart in the bottom of my teacup.  If you look closely, you can see--it is broken, but somehow mended.

A little hug from the Creator, Who loves me and who sees Alan every day in heaven.

Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends. 

Daisies in Dew

If I were a flower, I think I would be a daisy.  This has changed from when I was younger and thought I would be a rose.  Daisies are so friendly and they make me smile...

I want to be a blessing to the world--a splash of smile and friendliness to everyone I meet.

Blessings to you, dear ones.  You know I am praying for you. 

Happy Pansy Smile

Isn't this an unusual picture?  I took it sometime last Summer.  I'm intrigued by the leaves of the pansy--they don't look like regular pansy leaves.  I don't remember staging this, so here you are.

It is summer now.  Today it will be 100 degrees.  I loved this pansy because of its bright smile.  Here the flower grows, thriving in the midst of fallen leaves and dried rose petals.

Hope amidst beautiful memories.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends.  You are in my prayers always. 

Unexected Mushroom Surprise

This delightful little mushroom is a little smaller than a pencil eraser.  I was so pleased to have captured this fragile beauty with my camera. 

Have a lovely day, dear friends.  The sun is shining and God is good.

Grammie's Orange Flowers

I was delighted to find these wonderful old fashioned flowers near my home.  They are so sweet.  The bees love them, too.  I have many good memories associated with these flowers.  They grew around Grammie's pond and were one of her favorites.

I can almost hear the voices of my siblings and me echoing back through time...

Have a lovely day.

Sun Sparkle

Though the day is beautiful and there is hardly a cloud in the skies.  I find my heart is sad.  Perhaps it is in response to the lull after all our Easter Activity.  I had the joy of working with a group of young people whom my husband and I had mentored in drama over the years.

This Easter, Dramatic Difference Ministries, and Scarlet Chord  Theater put Alan's drama, When I am Free onstage for the first time.  We performed it three times over the weekend and it was a great success.  I loved hearing the comments of those who saw the play.  I know Alan would have been so pleased.

My darling had talked about that drama--describing it, working on it, for over 20 years.  But unfortunately, he left this life too soon to see his dream come true. 

There is much to be done for other upcoming projects, but today I am sad at heart.  I miss Alan.  I wish he could have seen that drama--I would have loved to hear his comments and watch his face.  I even wonder if somehow he knows about the on-going impact he made in so many lives.

In the meantime, I'm looking for those sparkles God puts into the day.  I know they are there.

God bless you, sweet Friends.  You are always close to my heart and in my prayers.

Exquisite, yet So Small

I am constantly in awe at the detail I find in nature.  The small white flowers in this photograph are so tiny several would fit on the end of a pencil.  And yet, look at them--the closer one looks, the more their beauty can be seen.

Some of you have not been able to visit over the past few weeks.  I have noticed your absence and have been praying for you.  May God bless you this Easter weekend.  He will bring you hope in unexpected places, dear ones.

Here is God's promise for you today.  "I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth."  ~Isaiah 42:16

My Beloved

Here is a picture of my beloved husband, Alan, who flew away to heaven in October, 2014.  This Spring we will be performing Alan's drama When I am Free, for the first time.

When I am Free is a drama my husband dreamed of producing for over 20 years. He had built the sets, bought the equipment, made the props and wrote the music.  But before he could bring the play to the stage, he left this world for the next one.

This year, in honor of his memory, Dramatic Difference Ministries, Inc., and Scarlet Chord Theater (comprised of the young people he mentored), have come together to fulfill Alan's dream.  We are all so excited. As Alan wanted, we will be filming the performance!

Alan was a bigger than life guy, who filled the lives of all he knew.   I miss him with all my heart.

I adore the way he looks in this picture.  The above photo is of Alan and his good friend George.  It's from a photoshoot for Alan's play, So, You're Paul. As you can see, he was a VERY theatrical fellow.

Thank you for dropping by.  God is good.

The Light Shall Break Forth

I have not forgotten you, nor have all the people who are praying for you.  You are loved and the burden to pray has been heavy this week.  Here is the promise God sends for today, dear ones.

Then your light will break forth like the dawn, 

And your healing will quickly appear; 

Then your righteousness will go before you, 

And the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.  

Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; 

You will cry for help, 

And he will say: Here am I.   

~Isaiah 58: 8, 9

He is Able--and worthy of our total trust.  Do not despair.  He is walking with you every step of each day.  When you cry for help, He will say, "Here I am."  ((hugs)) You are His beloved.

Spring has arrived here--though it is cold and snowing in most of my country.  The daffodils are springing forth with shouts of color, the fruit trees are robed in pink and white, like brides and their bridesmaids.  I heard a robin singing today, and so many other spring bird songs.  

May God bless you, dear ones.  You are in my prayers.   

The Beauty of a Raindrop

The entire world can be reflected in a raindrop, only it is upside down! This is one of my favorite water drop photos.  I have always loved the way raindrops tremble like jewels on trees, grass and flowers.

When I see the beauty of nature, I am in awe of the God who made made it.  Space with its galaxies is huge and far flung--infinitely so.   I have pondered how a Creator, Who could make an entire universe, could possibly be interested in my life.

But then I look at the raindrop--and I am reminded of the equally endless microscopic world which we cannot see. 

We are between those two infinite worlds.  I am in awe as I realize the Creator knows every molecule of my being...He knows my thoughts, He walks with me through my life, and He loves me.

Of course He is interested in every aspect of my life--and of your life.  It is a thought worth considering.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me.
know when I sit down and when I rise up;
You understand my thought from afar.
You scrutinize my path and my lying down,
And are intimately acquainted with all my ways.
Even before there is a word on my tongue,

Behold, O Lord, You know it all.
You have enclosed me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

It is too high, I cannot attain to it.
Where can I go from Your Spirit?

Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend to heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in Sheol, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the dawn,

If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea,

Even there Your hand will lead me,

And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness will overwhelm me,

And the light around me will be night,"

Even the darkness is not dark to You,

And the night is as bright as the day.

Darkness and light are alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

When I awake, I am still with You.

~Psalm 139:1-18

God bless you, dear ones--you are close to my heart and always in my prayers. 

Don't Give Up Hope

Though sometimes the circumstances of life seem dark and hopeless, the darkness must always flee before the power of the Light.

I have experienced more dark days than I ever thought possible.  Yet even so, the Light of the Lord shines into that hard place--and I lift my hands and my face to the Light of Hope.

Here is a promise for all of us who have suffered great loss in our lives.  You know who you are--and so does the Mighty One Who loves you.

Arise, shine; for your light has come, 

And the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. 

For behold, darkness will cover the earth, 

And deep darkness the peoples; 

But the LORD will rise upon you, 

And His glory will appear upon you. 

And nations will come to your light, 

And kings to the brightness of your rising. 

Lift up your eyes round about, and see; 

They all gather together, they come to you. 

Your sons will come from afar, 

And your daughters will be carried in the arms.  

~Isaiah 60:1-4.

My treasured Friends.  Trust God.  There is always hope and the light of hope will overcome misery, darkness and despair.

I am praying for you, dear ones, as are countless others.

God bless you, Beloved Friends.

It is a Beautiful Day

I took this photo over the fence from my kitchen door yesterday morning.  Storms were predicted--which did come in the evening hours.  But what a lovely way to start the day.

I want you to know I am praying for you.  You know who you are--and God knows.  You are treasured and beloved by me and by the Almighty Creator, who sees you and knows your heart.  He knows what you face and He is with you right now.

You have searched me, Lord,

    and you know me.

You know when I sit and when I rise;

    you perceive my thoughts from afar.

 You discern my going out and my lying down;

    you are familiar with all my ways.

Before a word is on my tongue

    you, Lord, know it completely.

 You hem me in behind and before,

    and you lay your hand upon me.

 Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,

    too lofty for me to attain.

Where can I go from your Spirit?

    Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there;

    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.

 If I rise on the wings of the dawn,

    if I settle on the far side of the sea,

even there your hand will guide me,

    your right hand will hold me fast.

 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me

    and the light become night around me,”

even the darkness will not be dark to you;

    the night will shine like the day,

    for darkness is as light to you.

 For you created my inmost being;

    you knit me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

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.

How precious to me are your thoughts, Oh, God!

    How vast is the sum of them!

Were I to count them,

    they would outnumber the grains of sand—

    when I awake, I am still with you.

 ~ Psalm 139

Whatever you face today--please know the Creator God loves you--He is with you always. If you need strength--just ask Him.  He will answer those who seek for Him.

God bless you, dear Friends.  Our prayers are with you.  

In the Ancient Forests

In the ancient forests, beneath the magic of olden trees, where the moss hangs green.

One can find a door to where the wee folk dwell...

The place where the Elves tend white lichen lace for the Faery Queen.

Have a beautiful whimsical day, dear Friends!

Wreathed in Mist

This is the cedar tree which stands right outside my living room window.  I had never seen the mists so defined before.  It was beautiful and magical.

Keep looking up, my Friends.  One never knows what one might see next.  Life is a mist--a fleeting moment.  Rather like this lovely wraith of cloud.

The moments we have here on earth are priceless treasures. Since my husband flew away to heaven--this has become even more apparent.  Ah, dear friends--take time to tenderly love your family and friends--to show how much you love those who are precious and dear to your hearts.  You will be glad you did. 

And it only takes a moment to smile into the face of a stranger.  Who knows what one warm smile, or what  one small gesture of kindness might inspire?  It can become like the ripples in a pond--an ever-widening influence for good.  It is something to think about. 

Have a lovely week!

Grooming can be Awkward

Grooming can be awkward--especially when the human decides to take a picture in the middle of one's bath.

He's saying, "Whaaaah?!"  

I just had to share this--what a funny kitty Boots is!

Have a great day!

I Am Always With You

I Am Always With You

I am always with you.

When I am gone, release me, let me go.

I have so many things to see and do,

You mustn't tie yourself to me with too many tears.

But be thankful we had so many good years.

I gave you my love and you can only guess

How much you've given me in happiness.

I thank you for the love you have shown,

But now it is time I traveled on alone.

So grieve for me awhile, if grieve you must,

Then let your grief be comforted by trust...

That it is only for a while that we must part,

So treasure the memories within your heart.

I won't be far away for life goes on.

And if you need me, call and I will come.

Though you can't see or touch me, I will be near

And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear 

All my love around you, soft and clear.

And then, when you come this way alone,

I'll greet you with a smile and a "Welcome Home."

~Author Unknown

Puzzle Ice! -I Heart Macro

Yesterday I drove through the Great Columbia Gorge in a snow and ice storm.  The ice followed me all the way home.  This morning I awoke to a quiet world, crackling with ice.

My precious Grandfather would say this storm was a Silver Thaw.  What a pretty name.  When I was a child such storms were magical.  One could pull away an entire ice leaf, perfect in every detail, from the tree.  Of course, ice leaves taste wonderful!  Yes, I tasted one--and the magic of childhood is still there.

The ice is melting now, and as it does it begins to define each droplet where it first froze--making patterns which look like gorgeous puzzles.

This one was so pretty I wanted to share it with you.

Have a lovely week, dear Friends!

Happy New Year!

It has been a difficult year for so many of you, myself included.  How grateful I am for God who sees all and Who walks with us every moment of the day.  My prayer for you, beloved Friends, is that the Lord will give each of you sparkles of unexpected joy this coming year. Watch for them!

Happy New Year dear ones--you are close to my heart and in my prayers.