Pink and Yellow - Pink Saturday

The colors in this photo are startling.  These bright flowers are so beautiful--the colors just fill my eyes.  I adore the burst of yellow star in the center...and this is one of my favorite colors of pink.

For more fabulous pink stuff, join Bev at How Sweet the Sound!

Weathered - Weekend Reflections

This weathered old door is located downtown Independence, Oregon--also known as the official end of the Oregon trail.  Ah, the stories this place could tell.  The town's beautiful park is reflected in the wavy glass.  The historic area of downtown Independence, along with its fine restaurants, theater and beautiful parks, is a wonderful place to visit.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Unexpectedly Blue - Guest Heart Thursday

My tiny five-year old niece and I were on a heart hunt, when she spotted this unexpectedly blue leaf heart.  She skipped and pointed, danced on her toes as I took the picture.  We both exclaimed in wonder over the photo of this perfectly unusual heart she'd discovered for her Auntie Honey.  Ah, how wonderful the world is through the eyes of a little child.

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

Receeding Waters - Weekend Reflections

The flood waters have receded -- only pools of diminishing reflection mark its passing.

The pinkish mud drying on the trees will soon give way to spring rains and new growth.

One wonders where the tree ends and the reflection begins.  Such unexpected beauty from chaos.

For more wonderful reflections from around the world, be sure to visit James at Weekend Reflections.

Barrier Barrel Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

I was almost to my parent's house, when I pulled to a stop at the exit.  Construction has been going on for over a year now, with lanes changing from time to time.

As my eye wandered, I was elated to discover a heart bashed into the side of one of the barrier barrels.  If one is going to accidentally hit a barrier barrel--nice to have a heart show up, don't you think?  Anyhow, to my delight, I had enough time to take its picture through the windshield before the light changed. I could hardly wait to show Sissy!

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

Life is good

Spring is here--the sun is shining and the flowers are bursting forth.  Lovely scents layer the air and life is good.

The tests are back!  All blood tests are normal.  There is a cyst which will be closely monitored for awhile--I will be having a mammogram every six months for awhile.  All that's left is to see a skin specialist and I will be home free.  Life is so beautiful!  Thank you for your prayers.  They have meant the world to me.

Leaf Heart Surprise - Guest Heart Thursday

On our way out of town, there were some wonderful clouds.  I caught this leaf heart quite by accident!  A little reminder of Spring to come, Summer to stay, Fall to follow, then winter.  Each season  has a bit of wonder about it.

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

Playground Reflections - Weekend Reflections

After the rainiest record in written history, March has turned into April.  Once again there is flooding--though not as bad as the flood earlier this year.  The waters nip the edges of the parking lot...

...seeping across the lawns and into the play area.  These stepping stairs look rather like plump mushrooms.

There is something unexpectedly beautiful about this flood--the standing waters seem to reflect both past and present.

Soon the river will recede and children will play here again.  Until that time, we reflect upon warmer days to come.

To see more wonderful reflections from around the world, visit James at Weekend Reflections!

Hearts of Comfort - Guest Heart Thursday

Yesterday before I drove to the doctor's office, I washed the dishes.  What did I see?  A near perfect heart floating in the bubbles.  What a sweet reminder of God's tender care.

As I stepped out the back door to get into my car to make my anxious 45 minute drive into town, I saw this heart wisping overhead.  I felt a hug from my Creator--the One who loves me.

The news I heard was frightening--swollen lymph nodes, lumps on each side and an ugly mole where it shouldn't be.  The specter of Breast Cancer haunted me all the way home.  I know it might be nothing at all, but I felt scared.  Tears blurred my vision as I drove home to deliver the uncertain news to my dear husband.

Later that afternoon, after talking with my darling Sissy, a good cry and a nap, I stepped outside with my camera.  There it was.  A sparkling heart, halted for a moment in the embrace of the trees.  Another hug from Him who loves me.  I can rest in His arms, take refuge in His tender love.

Next Monday early morning, I go for a diagnostic mammogram at the hospital.  It's the best cancer hospital in the entire Pacific Northwest, I'm told. This may be just a false alarm.  I pray that is what it is.  Sweet friends, I would appreciate your prayers for a good outcome. 

Bewhiskered

Such a pretty kitty.  He is a little beauty--I love his white whiskers and tentative trust.

Vine Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

This lovely vine heart floated for weeks over the pocket park in our little town.  Such an unexpected spot of joy to be seen--and for so long.  It lasted almost the entire winter!

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

Hearts in a Snowstorm - Guest Heart Thursday

We were all disbelieving when they said snow would fall and stick.  Especially here.  It snowed all day long, but beyond a smattering of white on the daffodils and blossoming plums, it didn't stay for long.  Winter, so deeply in love with Spring--rarely gets to hold her hand.

Then under cover of darkness, Winter came bearing gifts, leaving Spring a graceful coat of white, softly draped around her shoulders.

It was a gift of love, you see--Spring stole Winter's heart away, as he declared his love, sprinkling love's sweet tokens into her arms...

...snow hearts embellished with sparkling ice diamonds.

Of course a spring snowstorm isn't complete without leaving bare foot and hand prints in the snow!

Trees bowed to the beauty of winter's gift.  Can you see the hidden blue hearts?  They're snowflakes, of course.

This morning, when I arose to investigate, of course I found a heart waiting for me to take its picture.

In the Spring sunshine, I found a droplet in the cedar tree--yes, there's a heart there, too.

The fragrant blossoms of fruit trees were laced in white.  Do you see the snow heart?  This one is for you, sweet SissyBoo!  It is unexpected and beautiful--just like you.

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

Boiling Noodle Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

Wilst cooking lunch for my darling little niece, I happened to chance upon a heart boiling in the basking noodles.  Of course, I ran for my camera.  I caught it--but it took some doing, as the steam wanted to cloud my lens.  (grin)

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

Toez Goez Nutz

It has been eight months since Toez the Polydactyl Kitten came to live in our home.  What an unusual cat.  Our days are filled with laughter at her antics.

Just yesterday Toez the Polydactyl Cat dashed madly from across the room--leaped up onto my lap, biffed my nose, sprang down to sit calmly beside the woodstove washing her paws.

I said, "What was THAT all about?"

She looked at me with a snooty brow and seemed to say, "Whaaaat ARE you talking about?" Then with queenly mein, she stalked gracefully from the room on her fat mitten toes.

Such is life with our funny furry friend.

Itty Bitty Birdies - Guest Heart Thursday

Through out the year, flocks of these Itty Bitty Birdies sweep through the air, to flit and hang, romp and play in the cedar trees.  They are no bigger than my thumb and are delightsome to the eye.  Sometimes they hang upside down on the ends of the branches like tiny fluttering Christmas ornaments.

A few days ago, I noticed a small flurry of activity in the cedarlings outside my office window.  I did not want to frighten them away, so I took pictures through the mesh.

Capturing these birds with a camera is a little bit like trying to catch quicksilver in one's fingers.  But this time I did it!  Can you see the hearts?

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

Going on a Heart Hunt - Guest Heart Thursday

It all started with breakfast.  Said I, to my darling four-year old niece, "Look!  It's a heart!"  She got the step stool so she could see.  Together we marveled over the lovely heart shape before plopping the sizzling eggs onto our plates.

Later, snuggled up into my side, my tiny girl announced, "We need to go on a heart hunt for Auntie Honey."

And so we did.

The first heart we found, was a golden stone set into the ancient sidewalk.  "Auntie Honey will really like this one," said she.

Our next heart had fallen from the tree, where it lay a'waiting.  Dropping to her knees, she marveled over it's beautiful color as it lay in the rain speckled grass.  "Take a picture of this one," she commanded.  "This one is the best yet."

We walked a bit further and discovered some wild chives and sour grass growing lush and green.  Plucking a few leaves and popping them into her mouth, she exclaimed, "Oh, this is delicious!"  Gathering a few handfuls of each, we stuffed our pockets full.  Munching a well-earned snack, we were once again off on our hunt for hearts.

She stopped suddenly.  "Well," said my tiny niece. "This isn't a heart--but it IS a Kitty face!"  She was right--and since Auntie Honey loves cats, we thought it quite perfect to add it to our collection.

Our very last heart was in the center of a beautiful pink flower.  

"This," she announced.  "Is especially for Auntie Honey, from her Honey Heart."

Then we walked home and ate fragrant bowls of hot tomato soup with stretchy yellow cheese.  

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

Lichen That Heart - Guest Heart Thursday

I often go on heart hunts with my darling little nice.  On our way back from a small park near our home, she spotted this one on the sidewalk.

"Auntie Bee!" She shouted, pointing merrily to the soaked sidewalk, while dancing on the tips of her toes.  "It's a heart for Auntie Honey!"

Indeed--this bit of grey green lichen is a perfectly shaped heart!  And just in time for Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day everyone!

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