Corn and Apple Festival 2011

Sunday August 28,at 6PM,marked the close of the 45th annual Corn and Apple Festival in my home town,Morden,Manitoba.

This three day event is always busy,and the big thing is that it is free.

I again want to share some images of this year's festival.

These are taken with my iPhone and have not been edited in any way.

The events begin on Friday around noon.All the street vendors are ready for business and the rides are up and running.

Saturday starts with a big parade.I was not able to watch this year,as I needed to be at Steve's display.

As I was walking from my home to downtown I passed many people sitting and waiting for the parade to start.

This young woman caught my attention.She was not willing to waste precious moments,so was busy cross-stitching.This happens to be a relative of mine and also a missionary on furlough from Papua New Guinea.She is working with Wycliffe Bible translators.

 The Ferris Wheel is a popular ride.

I of course will not be seen on this or any of the rides,after all somebody has to stay on the ground and take pictures.

Along with the rides,come the popcorn and Candy apples.

They do know how to empty the pockets of willing parents.

A little further down the street are the many food booths.

This one is owned by a Christian family,and sell some of the best Pizza and burgers around.

The balloon man is a popular attraction for the younger children, He walks around on his stilts all day and can make some amazing balloon sculptures in only a few minutes.

I could not show the street displays and leave this one out.

This is my son,Steve's display.This is also the place where I spent most of my time,helping out when he couldn't be there.

Not all the vendors have large booths.This small hotdog and hamburger stand is just a few feet away from Steve's display.They do a fantastic business.I might add they are also very friendly people.

Here is another ride,I think it is called the Sky Master.All I know is that I hear a lot of screaming coming from it.I suppose it must be fun for some.

Bessie's Famous Shish-kabobs,has been at every festival I can remember.

She is always at this exact same spot and most often has long line-ups of people waiting to get their shish-kabob. 

I have been told they are very good.Maybe one of these years I will have to try one.

I end this with a picture of one of the many beautiful baskets of flowers which decorate my town.

Folks if you ever decide to visit Manitoba,I invite you to come during festival time.

You would be welcomed with free apple cider and free corn on the cob.

Oh and most important,I would love to see you and show you around.

English Gardens

Once again I am taking you back to the English Gardens.This place is almost 2 hours away from where I live,but the drive is so worth it.

Every time I visit this garden I am pleased with what I see.

On August 14,I took my cameras and headed off to Winnipeg and the English Gardens.

It was my lucky day,as you will see in a moment.

As I walked around,I saw this female Mallard,posing for me among the water lilies.

Of course the floral displays are wonderful and I keep on shooting,to capture their beauty.

This time my eyes were drawn to the pinks and purples,but one can see every colour of the rainbow on display.

I had gone,hoping to capture some Hummingbirds,which didn't

happen,but I found this little fella.

A Clearwing Moth.I had not seen one of these in over 20 years,so this was a thrill.

I was thrilled and captured many images.

This is such a unique creature,and he gave me great photo opportunities.

I left the gardens without the desired Hummingbird pictures,but didn't even miss them.I got the Clearwing Moth instead and that was perfect in my mind.

The Hummingbirds will be there another time.

Sometimes we think we know,what it is we are looking for,but instead God gives us something different,which gives a much greater joy than what we had wanted.

I know that seeing this Moth does not compare with the details of life,but I see a lesson in my experience on that day.

Let God decide what is best for me on any given day and I will end up being content and rejoicing.

Lady Slipper Lane

On this sunny Sunday afternoon,join me as we walk down Lady Slipper Lane.

Here is a look north along this road.

Jake and I had given it the name Lady Slipper Lane,because in spring there are many yellow Lady Slippers growing in the ditches.

The part with the Lady Slippers would be behind me here.

This road is not travelled a lot so it is quite an enjoyable place to photograph nature.

I found this broken down tree and thought it was quite photogenic.

The following picture is taken in the area where the Lady Slippers would have been.

I am not certain what this is,but I like the berries nestled in the leaf.

Of course I had to photograph the Thistle.

I love it's color,even though the farmers do not like this plant.

And for the horse lovers,here is a picture just for you.

I love animals of this size at a distance.I guess it's a good thing I am not a farmer.

Lady Slipper Lane changes with the seasons,but there is always something of interest here.

Thought for today:

All of nature is a canvas painted by the hand of God.

The Word Of Our God…….

It seems my posting is very sporadic these days.

I am still alive and well and am being kept busy with a variety of things.

Here are a few pictures from a recent photography outing with a friend.

All these pictures,and many more were taken in about a ¾ mile stretch of country road.This is a road that is not travelled a lot and so it is no problem to be wandering around on the road,getting pictures.

The first shot is Swamp Smartweed.

I have read that it is not well liked by the farmers,but I think the flowers are still pretty.

When I am out in the country-side,I am always drawn to the grasses.

The flowers on this grass stem look like a dangly necklace.

I believe this is a Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow.

If my ID is correct,then it is a lifer for me.

Should someone reading this post have a correct ID,I would appreciate hearing it.

Sparrows are difficult to identify,at least some of them.

I loved how this weed was back-lit.

Even a simple weed can be beautiful.

Did I mention that I love the grasses?

Here is another shot to prove that.I think they have such a delicate and almost lacy look.

Thought for today:

The grass withers and the flowers fall,

but the word of our God stands forever.

Isaiah 40:8  NIV

iPhone Pics

Since I got my iPhone,I have taken a lot more pictures with my phone than ever before.The quality of the pictures is much better.

I still prefer to use a regular camera,but since it is not always at my side and my phone is,it makes a decent substitute,at least for some subjects.

THis first picture was taken one morning at breakfast,with a friend.

We were sitting on the deck of of our local golf club,enjoying the conversation and breakfast.It was a hot muggy morning and this is what my water with lemon looked like,after only a minute or two outside.

At home,this butterfly sat long enough for me to get close and get one picture.

Coming home from my sister-in-laws's place the other day,I captured this image.

The building in the centre of the picture is prison. This is a well known place in Canada,and houses some of the hardest criminals around.

I feel kind of uneasy each time I drive by it.

On a brighter note.This Hollyhock was one of the brightest I had this year.

Of course they are all done blooming now,but I did enjoy this cheery color. 

Another bright flower,the Day Lily.

This was a new one for me this year and I sure enjoyed the blooms.

I am saddened to see that most of my flowers are done for this year,but such is life.

Seasons come and go and we must adapt to the changes.

Thought for today:

Life is an echo,what you send comes back.

Prayer Request

Once again,I am coming here to request prayer.

Please pray for my SIL,Helen,her husband,Wayne and son,Jared.

I have mentioned before that Helen has cancer.

They are planning to go for treatment this week,so please pray that all will go well.

I would ask that you pray for peace and strength for Helen,Wayne and Jared.

I thank-you in advance for the prayers which I know will be lifted up on their behalf.

I call on you,O God,for you will answer me;

give ear to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 17:6  NIV

Eastern Bluebirds

As promised here are some more Eastern Bluebird images.All of them were taken the same day at the same little park.

I had gone to this park hoping for a pair of Mockingbirds,but alas, none were seen.

These Bluebirds were a great substitute. 

They seems a little upset at my presence,so I knew they had to have a nest in the area.

In  perfect world the background on these picture would be different and that angled post would not be there,but we don't live in a perfect world.

I still like the shot,because of the sparkle in his eye.

Just another very similar shot.I just couldn't stop shooting,because they are so beautiful.

Here is a final parting shot,showing that lovely blue back.

Thought for Today:

The love of God has no limits.