Winter is Coming, yet There is Hope

Today is the fourth anniversary of my sweet husband's heaven day.  Since last January I have made great strides in my healing.  I am so grateful for GriefShare and my wonderful church, Morning Star.

I don't know how I would have made it through the past ten months without them.  I have learned SO much truth--and now, instead of hiding from my grief, I am walking through the pain and I'm almost to the other side.

I will always miss my Beloved.  We were married for 31 years and shared a wonderful adventure together.

But it is time to move forward now.

Blessings and peace to you, dear ones.  God is good--He is near--He is always near to the brokenhearted.   And there is always Hope in Him. 

Colors of Fall

Fall is here!  It has been what my Grandfather called an "Indian Summer."  I love that name--it brings back so many wonderful memories.

I remember collecting beautiful fall leaves and pressing them flat in old phone books.  Nowdays people don't use phone books because they have everything on computer and in their phones. 

It is silly--but I still have some of those old phone books--and the leaves are still there as colorful and bright as the day I pressed them.

Despite our warm Fall, it is beginning to get crispy cold at night and the colors are beginning to show in the leaves of the trees around my home.

Have a wonderful Fall season, sweet Friends. 

Winter's Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

As the leaves of Fall slip into the earth, they leave behind winter's heart.  As you can see, there are two or three hearts to be found here.

Have a blessed day!

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

Heart of Fall -Guest Heart Thursday

Mums and I were having a "Pond Moment," taking a break from working in the yard, when I noticed this beautiful heart hanging in the midst of these glowing Fall leaves.  It was breathtaking!

Of course, I thought of Clytie right away!  This heart is for you, Sissy!

 
And then I saw the light--and lookie who it likes--Mumsie!  Isn't she beautiful?  I think she has the most lovely smile.  

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

Glowing Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Yesterday on our drive to the chapel to make arrangements for Dad's memorial, there were thunderstorms everywhere.  We noticed a little sunbeam following us all the way into town.  Even when it was raining, the sun shone.  I just happened to catch this glowing heart in the skies.  I'm sure it must have been Dad blowing my sisters and me, his granddaughter and sweet Mumsie a kiss.

 
I could not resist putting up this picture of my beautiful sister and niece.  Yes, there was this electronic chair lift which went from the bottom of the stairs to the top.  I was lying in wait at the top.  Isn't this just the sweetest, most lovely picture of them?  They are both QUITE photogenic.

I took this picture last Friday.  It was so bright and beautiful--it reminded me of heaven and of joy.

Have a lovely Thanksgiving everyone.

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

Happy Snap Apple Day

I could hardly take my eyes from this bevy of brilliant leaves.

There is nothing so gloriously red as blackberry vine leaves in Fall.  The color just fills my eyes.

Happy Snap Apple Day!  As you can see here--even the spiders are decorating for the holiday.

Necklace for a Faery Queen

When the sun came out for a millisecond this morning, I saw this glowing webbed beauty.  An unlikely necklace of glowing raindrop jewels which will no doubt grace the lovely frock of the faery queen who frequently visits my garden.

Such loveliness on this dreary, drab, rainy day!

Green and Gold - shadow Shot Sunday

 

I went for a walk one sunny Autumn evening.  I chanced to look up into a sun dappled maple tree.  What I saw took my breath away and filled my eyes.  Tangy greens and shiny golds tangled in sun and shadow to make a feast for the eyes.

For more wonderful pictures featuring shadow and light, visit Shadow Shot Sunday!

Golden

Last fall, just as the sun was coming up, I caught this lovely light showering morning gold over the weeping willow tree next door.

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I dearly love the vivid colorings of Autumn.

Morning's Glory

I don't usually put up more than one photo on this blog. But this morning's splendor caught me by surprise . . . as did the news that our dear old friend Henry flew away to heaven last night.

He wasn't feeling too well--so to be free of the pain and weakness he had, must have been a revelation of glorious freedom.

His flight from this world into the next...

Must have been breathtaking.

Good bye, dear Henry. I will see you on the day I fly away to join you and so many others I love.
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In the meantime, oh, I will miss you. And I will smile when I remember you.

Hearts for my Sister

This photo is dedicated to my darling Sissy. I clicked this photo as we walked together beneath the gold-clad trees. Even then, I knew these hearts were especially meant for her.

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They are golden and brave. Just like my sister. They are filled with the promise of change to come, yet gorgeous in the beauty that is. That is my sister, beautiful and brave of heart.

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"We have been friends together, in both Sunshine and Shade." --Caroline Norton

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Daddy Update: The surgeons gave the wound on Dad's head (which exposed quite a bit of bone) a one percent chance of healing without surgery. At present, the bone is completely covered and the skin around the wound only has about one and a half inches to go--if that! Dad is a walking miracle! Early next month, Dad will be going in for a neck check up--we are praying for the same miraculous healing in his broken neck bones.
.My siblings and I cleared and cleaned our parents home and property enough that they were able to return home last Sunday morning! They seem so happy. Next weekend we are tearing down a rotten section of their home--down to the floorboards, so I would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers for safety for everyone who will be coming over to help.
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THANK YOU for your thoughts and prayers--they have meant more to me and my family than you will ever know.

'Tis Fall Today

I have not been feeling very well the past two days. In my fragile state this morning it seems a bit of color would be appropriate. Hence this photo of last Fall's leaves. I found them near the Independence Bridge.

I love every season. Spring with it's tender green leaves and blooms, Summer with its warmth and brilliance, Winter with its stark beauty, and then Fall. Fall is harvest, nostalgia and gorgeous color--a last hurrah before the cold.

I came upon this photo today, and it's colorful aspect charmed my eyes, and so I share it with you.

Autumn Mushrooms

Last Fall I snapped this photo of two mushrooms peeking from a bevy of fallen leaves. I am sure they must be Mother and daughter, and they're laughing because both have a leaf on their noses.

Orange on Yellow

This is Elvis DeBoomba, sitting atop a bevy of leaves. This giant Main Coon loved the Fall. Leaves twirling down through the air were endlessly fascinating to him. He would chase them, play with them, toss them into the air--and sleep on them whenever he could.

Happy Shroom

This plucky little fellow seems VERY happy with the world. He appears to be giggling over something. See that cheeky smile? Hmmmm....

Oh, I forgot to say--this photo is dedicated to my sweet sis Clytie, who takes the most amazing mushroom pictures I've ever seen.