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. 

Piles of Blue Snow

Two years ago over a foot of snow fell.  Here in the Independence "Vortex," deep snow is a rare phenomenon.  Memories of this lovely blue snowfall (in the right light, of course) are especially precious, because it was the last snowfall I shared with my Beloved.  It was such a beautiful time in our lives.  The snow actually lasted for a couple of weeks.

So far this winter, it has rained over 10 inches.  There is a flood watch currently covering the entire Willamette Valley of Oregon.  The river, which is only a few blocks from here, is very high.  I would not be surprised if we saw the water rise past the parking lot.

In the meantime, life is an adventure.  I only wish I could share it with my darling husband.  It is amazing that he has been gone a little over a year now.

I'm so grateful for Family and Friends who have surrounded me with love and care.

You, dear ones, are in my prayers. You know who you are.  Merry Christmas!

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.