Mystery in the Front Yard

I stayed with my Mom for a few days and caught this amazing picture of her front yard.  Once there was a circle lawn there, where my cousins, neighbors and siblings and I played games like Statue and Red Rover.

Over the years, the forest has encroached and its mystery often slides into the front lawn where I once played as a child.  I rather love the idea.

In fact, one never knows what treasures  one may find beneath the oak and maple trees.  It is so beautiful.  I love my childhood home and the forests where we once played.

Have a lovely day, dear ones.  Some of you have been absent for quite awhile--I want you to know I noticed and I have been praying for you.

Merry Christmas!

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.  

Blood Moon, Harvest Moon

To see this event was amazing.  I will be in my 70's the next time around.  My good camera needs a new screen, so I was using a different camera than one I am used to.  This is the best photo I could get.  I was down by the river--so many people were there with their children, watching the moon as it glowed red in the skies.  

 I don't know why the camera saw two moons, but it looks kind of neat!  So I'm including it here. 

I was at the Oregon beach when I clicked this picture of the bright harvest moon.  I love the way the light clings to the branches of the trees.

Have a lovely weekend dear Friends!

Sap Flow

When I walk the forests of my childhood, I often see where the sap has run out of the tree.  We call it pitch.  The sap can trap insects, bubbles and reflect the colors of the forest.  It is often beautiful, as you can see.

Here is a photo of how the sap trails down trunk of this old fir.  It usually means the tree has been damaged in some way and the sap comes to the surface to heal the place which is damaged.

Ethereal Visitor

This is a photo I took one early morning at the Shulke Farm Conference.  Though I've seen sun reflections before, this one was astonishing.

Absolutely beautiful...

It is a Lazy Morning...

Being a kitten is exhausting.  Mr. Snowboots has been a delightful addition to our little family.  He keeps both Toez and I on our, er, toes.  Tiring work for the little fellow--as you can see.  (grin)  He sure is getting big!

Have a lovely week, sweet Friends. 

Mama's Love

I attended the Shulke Farm Conference last weekend.  It was a wonderful time and I shot some great pictures.  This one of a sweet Mother and her baby boy is my favorite.  There's something so sweet in the relationship between these two.  It reminds me of when my own precious son was that age, which was a long while back.  He's a grown man and 6'5 these days.  (grin)

Have a great rest of the week! 

The Definition of Cute!

We had a big shindig here over the Fourth of July.  Our friends brought one of those mist hoses--which is what this tiny darlin' is holding in her hand.  It was a hot day, so she really enjoyed the fine spray drifting down.

This little one has the most wonderful grin.  Seeing her makes me smile--and, I hope you will smile, too.

Have a lovely day.

Beautiful Iris

I have just a few Iris in my garden.  Last April the Iris flowered, then it rained.  I was able to capture the incredible color of this wonderful purple flower.  

Oddly enough, here in my little valley, it hasn't rained since April, except for over a month ago, when it rained few big drops over 15 minutes.  The ground is so dry it is hard, like a rock.  I'm glad to be able to water my garden every so often.

In the meantime, I am praying for rain.  They say it may rain this weekend!

Have a lovely day, dear Friends.

Meet Mr. Snowboots!

This little fellow has been living here for a little over a month.  He has brought happiness and laughter into my home--not just for me, but for Toez the Polydactyl Cat.  She thinks he is the best cat toy ever. 

At first I thought Toez would never forgive me for bringing Snowboots into the house.  But now they are good buddies and it is the best thing I could have done for both Toez and for me. 

They play together, give one another baths, and even eat together!  And how they make me laugh.

This morning I awoke with one kitty behind my knees and another against my cheek.  My dear husband would have gotten such a kick out of Mr. Snowboots!  lol  I call him Booters for short.

A friend of mine suggested I get a third cat so I could have Toez, Boots and SOCKS living here! 

Have a beautiful day, sweet Friends.

Little Boy Blue

Last weekend was Memorial Day Weekend in the USA.  It has become our tradition to visit Dad at Willamette National Cemetery on Memorial Day.

My family and I visited the wall where Dad's ashes are kept.  The trip to the top of the hill was poignant and moving.  There are acres and acres of flags...all of them on the graves of men and women who fought for country, home and family.  Seeing them deeply touched my heart.

As my family and I sat along the edge of the sidewalk looking out over a sea of flags, I noticed a sweet little boy in blue.  First he sat pensively in the midst of the flags, then he walked up and down between the graves, looking at the flags, flowers and balloons.  He seemed sad, yet the irrepressible joy of childhood still colored  his steps.  Every now and then he would stand still and smile.  And then he would take off running.  He was a delight to watch.

We met many people honoring their loved ones.  There was a feeling of brotherhood and camaraderie between everyone.  It was a beautiful experience.

Have a lovely weekend, dear ones.  May peace and love be yours.

Bridge Over Bridge Over Water

I took a whirlwind trip to Southern California last weekend.  This was an intriguing bridge combo we passed over and under on our way to our destination.  It is a railroad bridge over a bridge, over water!

I've never seen anything quite like it before.  What a fun place to take a picture!

Have a lovely day, dear Friends.

Winter Sunset on the Oregon Coast

Mumsie and I spent a week at the beach with friends in January.  The sunsets over the Pacific Ocean were spectacular.  This evening photo is a wonderful example of the moments of beauty one can experience on the Oregon Coast.

Have a lovely day, dear Friends. 

The Time of the May Flower is Here

It is Spring in the forests of my childhood.  The delicate purple May Flower carpets the forest floor, along with the yellow violets we call Johnny Jump Ups.  I look forward to their arrival every year. 

There has been so much rain of late, thick moss covers the trees with green and the licorice fern thrives.  I love walking through these woodlands, where the creek runs swiftly through the canyon.  Remembering the days of my childhood--I believe I was blessed to have grown up roaming with such freedom in a place of so much beauty.

The Eye of the Cat

Toez the Polydactyl Cat was sitting in the window seat.  I was experimenting with the super macro setting on my camera.  She became so curious, she stuck her nose into the lens, creating this unforgettable photo.

Daffy Down Dilly Greetings

These lovely daffodils look astonished to be out so soon.  Our unseasonably warm weather has brought them springing from the earth in all their happy splendor. 

I have been watching the news and my heart is filled with an urgency to pray.  This Psalm of David from the Old Testament of the Bible is for you this morning. 

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
My God, in whom I trust.”

Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare
And from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
And under his wings you will find refuge;
His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
Nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
Nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand,
But it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
And see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”
And you make the Most High your dwelling,
No harm will overtake you,
No disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
To guard you in all your ways;
They will lift you up in their hands,
So that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
You will trample the great lion and the serpent. 

 “Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
And show him my salvation.”

~Psalm 91
A Song of David
The Old Testament of the Bible

Take heart, Beloved  Friends, you are not alone.  God is with you, as are our prayers. Call upon Him and He will answer.  He will not fail you. 

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