Farewell 2019, Welcome 2020

We are at the doorstep of a new year. Not only that, it will be a new decade.

What does the year ahead hold for us? 

I don't know and I am very thankful for that.

The one thing I do know is that, even in a brand new year, God is in full control.

I am sharing some fairly recent Bald Eagle shots that I got the same day I was out looking for Snowy Owls. These eagles, yes there were two, were a nice bonus.

But those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

As we 'fly' into the new year, let us remember the promise of this verse. 

but those who hope in the Lord

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Snow-laden Branches

Snowy scenes from late November.

Here in southern Manitoba, we have not had a good snowfall for a while. The fields are beginning to look really bare, so I hope we get snow cover soon.

These pictures were all taken on my yard, which just shows that you don't have to travel far to see beauty.

I love seeing that layer of pure white snow on every little branch and twig.

The evergreens which border my property catch a good amount of snow on them.

A few leaves still cling to the branches and now were topped with a little cap of snow.

Here is a wider view of the snow laden trees.

As the sun was about to set, it shone through the snow on this this branch, causing it to light up.

Something To Think About:

Know who you are 

Accept who you are 

Be who you are

Joy To The World

More Snowy Owls.

These are all from that one day and the ones I'm sharing today are two different owls.

Enjoy the owls and the words to an old familiar Christmas carol,Joy To The World.

Joy to the world

Joy to the world

Joy to the world, the Lord is come

Let earth receive her King

Let every heart prepare Him room

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven and nature sing

And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sin. 

Joy to the world

Joy to the world

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!

Let men their songs employ

While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat the sounding joy

Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy

No more let sins and sorrows grow

Nor thorns infest the ground

He comes to make His blessings flow

Far as the curse is found

Far as the curse is found

Far as, far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace

And makes the nations prove

The light of His righteousness

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders of His love

And wonders, wonders, of His love

Here is my Christmas greeting to all my friends in Blogland.

The White Ghosts Of Winter

A few weeks ago I decided to go looking for Snowy Owls. I must have picked the right day and the right places, because I saw no less than nine Snowy Owls and some of them were quite cooperative to allow me to get pictures.

Of course they usually sit on top of a hydro pole, so there are power lines, which I do not like.

In this case it shows reality, and I have to take what I can get.

I tried different angles. I might add that all pictures were taken from my car, which was stopped at the time of the shot.

I will capture photos of any Snowy Owl, but the ones I really like are the almost pure white ones.

These ghosts of winter just have a special charm to them.

They are fine when sitting, but I also love the in flight shots.

This final picture today's post shows why I call them White Ghosts of winter.

Something To Think About:

A smile is a curve that can straighten a lot of things.

Snowy Flakes Are Falling Softly

These are not very recent pictures, but snowy scenes are lovely, no matter when they were captured.

I am adding the lyrics to an old Christmas song, I like, 

Snowy Flakes are Softly Falling.

Snowy flakes are falling softly,
Clothing all the world in white,

High above the stars are shining,
Twinkling through the winter night.

Was it just like this we wonder,
Starry bright and crisp and cold,
On that Christmas night of old?

Angels spread their wondrous story:
Jesus Christ is born today
"Peace on earth," they sang, "and glory
Be to God on High alway"

So we sing the sweetest carols
Telling how the King of love
Came to save from heaven above.

Just a note:

I couldn't find a version that I have heard before and liked, so I didn't add a link.

Just Because Photos

This post has some of those pictures that were taken 'just because'. 

The snowy scenes are not recent, as we have had very little snow since the dump we got early in October.

I like the look of the small twigs loaded with snow.

It's fun to experiment with the lens ball. Sometimes the results are different than expected. Because this was done in the evening, it has turned the scene into gold.

 More snow laden branches, even as the snow keeps on falling.

Sometimes Kai picks up the camera and plays around. This photo is one she took of her Daddy, my son Steve. He is most often the one taking the pictures, so once in a while he has to be featured as well.

I love seeing the Blue Jay sitting among the snowy branches. I'm not sure he liked it so much, but I did have peanuts out for him, as a reward.

Something To Think About:

If you choose not to find joy in the snow,

You will have less joy in your life,

But still the same amount of snow.

The Blue Jay

Blue Jays! Some folks love them and some don't like them at all. 

I am one who enjoys having them around. They are colourful, sometimes noisy and mostly dependable, especially when I put out peanuts.

These pictures are all taken through a less than clean window, therefore the light isn't perfect and there are some visible spots.

Like I said, put out the peanuts and they are sure to show up.

It seems that these guys have a hard time deciding which peanut is the best one. I don't mind as that gives me more chances for pictures.

This one stopped for a moment and allowed me one picture without a peanut in it's mouth.

I think he has decided on this one and is about to take off.

Sometimes in a picture, we get to notice things that often go unnoticed. I had no idea that the Blue Jay had such distinct eyebrows. I think they need a little attention.

Something To Think About:

Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

Matthew 6:26

A SCHOOL BUS DRIVER ? ME? Chapter 7

Time for another Bus driver episode.

Once again the pictures have nothing to do with the story.

On The Job Training

 A call comes from the office and the transportation supervisor calls all regular and spare drivers to the office for a morning of in-service. In order to keep a school bus drivers license up to date we need to have at least eight hours of  in-service each year. 

    In-service— what does that mean? It means a time of training and a refresher course of previously learned material. 

       

Much of our in-service time is spent in learning about safe driving. Many times the training is done through the use of videos and at other times special speakers are brought in. We have had people like the police, railroad personal, firemen and others come to speak to us. Sometimes safety is taught through hands on experience, such as  under the hood inspections or driving a predetermined route while other drivers are the passengers. They observe carefully and later discussions are held about this. 

      Some of this training seems repetitious, but it is hoped that these skills, when well learned, may in an emergency save lives. 

 First Aid training is a very important part of the bus drivers training. A comment that is often heard during the first aid courses is, “: No one one wants to be involved in an accident.” It must be a driver’s worst nightmare to either be involved in an accident or even come upon an accident scene. 

     All the  bus drivers have been trained in doing C.P.R. This does not stand for Canadian Pacific Railway but rather for Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. We also hold valid First Aid Certificates. All the courses are taught by certified instructors and are meant to be serious in nature. Yet, when a room full amateurs tries to resuscitate “Annie” or bandage up imaginary broken limbs, the scene can at times be quite hilarious. 

 Amongst all the laughter and silliness there is still a serious nature about it. Each driver knows the importance of being able to help others in case of an accident.We are responsible for the lives of many precious children and we take this responsibility very seriously. 

    Yes, bus driving can be a lot of fun, but it is also a great responsibility. 

And so the story continues.