Farewell to August,Hello to September

We are at the point where we say goodbye to August 2016 and welcome to September 2016.

Before we leave the summer behind I want to share a few more flowers and then end this post with some sunsets.

The small,brightly coloured flowers of the Lantana are always a bright spot on my deck.

I used to not care for Geraniums,but in recent years I have come to really like them.They are easy to grow and bloom for a long time.

Be it pink ones,like the previous picture or these red ones,nestled in among the blue Lobelia.

I treated myself to a new Iris this past spring.This is a type of Siberian Iris.I was pleasantly surprised by this flower.

 Now for some sunset pictures and a few quotes to go with them.

Where God does not rule,He overrules.

There are times in life when the only place we can find hope or joy or peace is in the presence of God.

When we do what is right,we have contentment,peace and happiness.

Earth is crammed with heaven.

People see God every day,they just don't recognize Him.

Just a personal word:

Thank you to each one who is following my blog.I truly appreciate all of you.

I may not reply to each comment,but I love to read them and they do encourage me.

I look forward to hearing from you and also to visiting your blogs,as I can.

Peace In The Storm

Southern Manitoba has had numerous stormy skies this year.Thankfully,most of these storms have only brought rain,although we have had severe wind and even some damage from some storms.

I will choose to focus on the beauty of a stormy sky.

Sometimes storms can disrupt our peace,but God is the Author of peace so that is where we need to place our trust.

The skies are constantly changing.I love the evening light.It gives a richness to each scene.

Our local lake is a favourite spot for me to get pictures.It looks like perhaps the storms are over for one day.

The dark sky makes this rather ominous. As long as I am in a safe place I enjoy watching the storms approach.

The lack of color adds to the drama of a picture like this.

Of course we know that no storms last forever.The sunshine comes again and the birds,like this Bobolink show up.

Clouds bring storms and sometimes damaging winds.Roses have thorns,but sill they are so delicate a flower and so pretty.

Try to find the good in each situation and the beauty in every day.

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On The Road To Red Deer

On July 5th,I left for Red Deer,Alberta together with three friends.Those who know me,know that I love Southern Gospel Music and the reason for this trip was to attend Canada's Gospel Music Celebration.

We took very little time to stop,except for fuel,meals and short breaks,so most of my pictures were taken through the window of the van and with my iPhone.No,I was not driving while taking pictures.

Warning: This post has more than my usual number of photos,so bear with me.

These pictures are in no particular order.I got a brief look at the Rocky Mountains.

One thing is certain,the ride was not boring.We had good conversation,great music to listen to and amazing views of the ever changing sky.

On our way home,at one point we even spotted this funnel cloud.It was a safe distance away,so all was well.

At one of our quick stops,I even got to capture a few photos of the Tumbleweeds in bloom.

The tinted windows of our vehicle give the skies a different color,but I still like the look.

The next four pictures show some of the interesting and varied skies we saw.

Now,just to prove that I was actually there,here are a few pictures of some of the groups we were blessed to hear and meet.

This first one is Triumphant Quartet.

Here are the Tribute Quartet.

Finally,Ernie Haase and Signature Sound.

It was a wonderful weekend and over too soon.I did miss some of the guys we have seen there before,but perhaps next year they will be there again.Yes the plans are already being made to go again in 2017.

A Day at A Rocha

On a beautiful day in the middle of June,I had the privilege of taking a bus load of students and some parents to A Rocha in the Pembina Valley.This was a trip I was excited about.

I got to spend the day wandering around the premises by myself and enjoy the beauty there,and I got paid to do so.I figured that was a pretty good deal.

Of course my cameras came with me,so today I invite you to join me as we check out this place.

I will not even attempt to name the different flowers.I enjoyed them even though I didn't know the names,so I hope you can do the same.

     

As I have mentioned before,the gardens are mostly left to look very natural so sometimes the weeds/wildflowers are growing right alongside the cultivated plants.

On the spacious deck are several Hummingbird feeders.Seeing I was on the deck by myself,the birds came more readily.I took MANY pictures that day,but not all turned out right.I like this one,showing that brilliant gorget.

This flower has a very delicate look,which caught my attention.

I do believe this is in the Butterfly weed family,but I could be wrong.I liked the color and the tiny flowers as well.

The unfolding of a flower is as interesting as the fully opened blossom.

Even the delicate flowers of the grass are pretty.

This Yellow-tiger Swallowtail has lost one tail,but still looked healthy and was very active.

Every time I go to this place,I love to see this winding road through the trees.I don't know what it is,but it looks good to me.

The time came to leave this charming place and this is how I felt about it. Ha! Ha!

I hope you enjoyed your time at A Rocha as much as I did. Let's do it again.

Check out the following link to find out more about A Rocha,both in Canada and around the world.

A Rocha

Quiet Beauty

There is beauty all around and sometimes it is in the unexpected,often in the quiet moments surrounding sunset.

The underside of an Oak leaf is as pretty as the top side.

The simple beauty of a Daisy often goes unappreciated. 

We admire the beauty of a rose or other brightly coloured flower,but what about the understated beauty of grasses in bloom?

 The setting sun highlights the massive Bison and makes them look almost gentle.All the little specks in the air are insects,you can also faintly see the marks of the strong fence keeping me safe from these animals.

I love taking pictures at sunset.Every blade of grass and each tiny grass flower is glowing in the calm of the setting sun.

As the sun sets,it paints the wispy clouds in beautiful colors. The earth hushes as the day comes to a close.

Closing Thought:

God sees you through the eyes of love.

It's Time to Visit the Gardens

Time to visit the gardens,the English Gardens,that is.

I have not been to these gardens as often as I would have liked to go,but on a visit in June I was able to capture abundant beauty.

Let's walk through the gardens and as we do I will share a few verses from a calendar called,Two Voices One Song,The Harmony of Friends.

Sometimes it is a slender thread,sometimes a strong,stout rope;

She/he clings to one end,I to the other;

She/he calls it friendship;I call it hope.

Lois Wyse

We all hold one another's dreams.

We all hold each other's fragile hopes in our hands.

We all touch each other's hearts.

Good company on a journey makes the way seem all the shorter.

Izaac Walton

Today well-lived makes every yesterday a dream of happiness and every tomorrow a vision of hope.

Friendship,like a garden in season,nourishes those who share in its bounty.

Happiness is being at peace;being with loved ones;being comfortable…..

But most of all,it's having those loved ones.

Johnny Cash

The Lord longs to be gracious to you;He rises to show you compassion.

Isaiah 30:18

You are valuable just because you exist.

Not because of what you do or what you have done,but simply because you are.

Max Lucado

Other things may change us,but we start and end  with family.

Anthony Brandt

True friendship is a comfortable place of quiet understanding,laughter and grace.

GOD IS SO GOOD….HIS LOVE KNOWS NO END…AND WHAT SHOWS IT MORE THAN THE GIFT OF A FRIEND?