Sunset Beauty

I was driving on I-5 when this beautiful sunset blew through the windshield.  I had to pull over to take a picture of it.  My photo does not do this wonderful moment justice.

Have a lovely weekend, my Friends. 

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.

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.   

Exquisite Sunset

I was visiting my best buddy's new home in Lincoln City a little over a month ago.  There was an incredibly low tide that evening, so we walked for hours along the beach--picked up wonderful agates and shells--and then came the sunset.  As you can see, it was incredibly beautiful.

Here the sun's rays were captured in a molten glow along the edges of the sea.

Such beauty.  When I see a scene like this, I am SO grateful to the creativity of our Creator.

Have a lovely week dear friends.  

A Sparkling Christmas

This photo is from last year's tremendous snowstorm. The sun came peeking through the clouds to  illuminate the world wearing its snowy coat. 

This Christmas will be so different without my darling husband who flew away to heaven just under two months ago.  Our children and I are heartbroken--but we know we will see him again someday, along with my Dad, brother, grandparents and many precious friends.

Some of you have experienced even greater grief, sadness and loss--my prayers are with you.  Dear friends, may God bless your Christmas with unexpected sparkles of joy and gladness.

Here is a promise from the Prophet Isaiah, who speaks of God's anointed.  He is the One Who has been sent to bring comfort, hope and gladness to those who are brokenhearted.

The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,

Because the Lord has anointed me

To bring good news to the afflicted;

He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,

To proclaim liberty to captives,

And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of the Lord,

And the day of vengeance of our God;

To comfort all who mourn,

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.

~The Prophet Isaiah

The Old Testament of the Bible

Isaiah 61:1-3

Sun Star -SkyWatch Friday

I took this wonderful photo of the sun sparkling through the clouds.  Do you see the jet?  I think back over the centuries, and wonder what Native Americans would have thought of such a sky.  

I also think of all the people who watch the skies as I do.  

I watch the news, and my heart is sad for simple folk like me around the world who see things in the skies I have never experienced.  Our prayers are with you.

Happy sky watching!  If you love clouds as much as I do--join SkyWatch Friday to see all the amazing things to be found by looking up.  Happy SkyWatch Friday and have a lovely weekend.

Gleaming -SkyWatch Friday

It was a lovely surprise to emerge from the kitchen door on the alley, to see this extraordinary sun and cloud over the back fence.  I was filled with awe, and was so grateful I had my camera in hand.  

Happy sky watching!  If you love clouds as much as I do--join SkyWatch Friday to see all the amazing things to be found by looking up.  Happy SkyWatch Friday and have a lovely weekend.

Rainbow Sun

I took this spectacular photo several years ago.  With all the disturbing and terrifying news we're hearing all across the world--including our own nation...I had to remind myself that there is hope.

There will always be hope.  Hope is my heart's cry for every person who feels helpless and afraid.  You may live worlds away, or you might be my next door neighbor.   Wherever you are, know you are not alone.  The God of Hope walks with you. 

I don't know what it is like to walk in your world, to savor life from your viewpoint.  But God knows.  He is with you. 

"He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High

Will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say to the Lord, "My refuge and my fortress, 

My God, in whom I trust."  

A Psalm of David.  

(Psalm 91)

Heart of Sun -Guest Heart Thursday

I caught this rainbow sunspot heart last week as a fleet of hard working ladies came in to clean our house from the effects of the chimney fire we had two weeks ago.  I thought this was such an amazing photo.  Just beautiful--and not surprisingly, in the shape of a heart!

Have a lovely day and Happy Guest Heart Thursday!

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

Rainbow Around the Sun -SkyWatch Friday

I took this picture last Fall.  I have never seen so many rainbow sun circles in my entire life, as I have in recent years.  They are amazing to my eyes.  I just can't get over how beautiful they are.

Have a wonderful weekend!

If you love clouds as much as I do--join Skywatch Friday to see all the amazing things to be found by looking up.  Have a lovely day and Happy Skywatch Friday!

Sparkle Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Monday, my husband and I took Mumsie to visit Daddy's place on Memorial Day.  Unexpectedly, the sun came out and I was able to capture the sun's rays as they burst over the top of the wall where Dad is.

Then of all things, the sunshine touched the cut glass cross necklace Dad gave to Mom--sending sparkles next to his name.  Daddy--forever in our hearts.  And did you notice?  The sparkle is in the shape of a heart. 

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

Ethereal Heart -Guest Heart Thursday

Wednesday I was outside taking pictures.  I happened to catch this amazing heart bathed in ethereal rays from the afternoon sun.  Just perfect for my darling Sissy and for Guest Heart Thursday!

Happy Birthday, Sissy!

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

Whimsical Wizard

Our weather has been so rainy and moist over the past three years, many trees are covered with trailing grey beard moss.  In my vivid imagination, this tree could be a whimsical wizard!  Grey beard moss usually grows near water and can look creepily mystical as it blows in the gentle breeze. 

Have a lovely day, everyone!

I Believe in Faeries

This is the enchanted wood where Sissy and I stopped on our way back from the beach last September.

I was only recently going through those photographs, when I noticed there is what looks like a faery in this picture.  I have not done anything with this photograph, other than to crop it, copyright it, and level the colors.  I had uploaded it to facebook before I realized there's a real faery in the photo!!!

Can you see her?  Wings and all, to the left of the sun sparkle, in front of the smaller tree.  This is a stand of old growth trees--so the tree behind the faery is over a foot thick--the child of the humongous trees further back.  So, to put it into perspective, that faery was at least five inches from head to toe.  Why I didn't notice it until after I looked at the photos is anyone's guess!

I took Mumsie there last week on our way home from the Coast--no faeries this time, but the magic of that place steeps the air with mystery.

I hope to visit there often.  I would like to explore a little further.  Want to come, Sissy? 

It is Well With My Soul

Daddy is getting ready to slip into heaven any time.  When I was there a few days ago he was having a hard time breathing, before the nurse came in with his medications.  So I sang his favorite song to him, holding his hand.  As I sang It is Well With My Soul, Daddy squeezed my hand.

I want to share this song with you--the words are so beautiful.  It was written by Philip P. Bliss in the mid-1800's.  This man had just lost his entire family at sea.  Philip Bliss knew terrible, unrelenting grief.  Yet he penned these wonderful words:

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,

When sorrows like sea billows roll

What ever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come, 

Let this blest assurance control,

That Christ hath regarded my helpless estate,

And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

My sin, oh the bliss of this glorious thought

My sin, not in part, but the whole,

Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more'

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Oh, my soul.

And Lord, hast the day, when my faith shall be sight

The clouds be rolled back as a scroll: 

The trump shall resound and the Lord shall descend,

Even so, it is well with my soul.

It is well...with my soul

It is well...with my soul

It is well!  It is well!

With my soul.

God bless you all.  Please be praying for my family at this time.

UPDATE:  Daddy flew away to heaven this evening.  He took a piece of my heart with me.

Magic in the Ancient Forest -Guest Heart Thursday

Sissy and I were on our way back from meeting our buddy Cheryl, when we stopped for a break in the forests of the Coast Range.  The area is amazing--there are old growth cedars and firs there which are as big as some houses.  The picture above was amazing to me.  I've never seen a green ring of light around the sun before.  Such an unexpectedly beautiful picture in that magical place.

Here is another shot of that beautiful ancient forest.

The waters were full of hearts, when you enlarge this picture, you'll see quite a few hiding in the reflection of the ancient trees.

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

Here Comes the Sun

I was helping a friend move on Thursday, when the clouds began to fluff and stretch in a spectacular show of beauty.  There was a storm moving in from the coast.   As always the clouds heralding such a storm were incredible.

I was in awe at the breathtaking display.

Clown Face Heart Cloud - Guest Heart Thursday

I was fortunate to capture this gloriously brooding heart, as our first Fall storm clouds began to boil across the skies.  I didn't expect to capture such beautiful colors--or to see the face of a clown smiling down at me.

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