Be Thankful Everyday

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends. 

It is Thanksgiving weekend in Canada,but in my opinion,we ought to be thankful every day.

The pictures I am sharing go back to early September of this year.

I love to see the geese flocking like this in preparation of their flights south.

Usually,when one of them is spooked,the whole flock takes off.That is an amazing sight of wings in motion.

 Back in early September,the Hummingbirds were very active at the feeders.I do prefer pictures of them at flowers,but at the feeder is where they want to be,so I have to settle for those shots.

Of course the seed tray is also busy. I have Red-breasted Nuthatches around all year and I love them.

 This immature Ruby-throated Hummingbird seems to be contemplating if he should take a drink or not.

It doesn't take too long,until they find a favourite branch to land on before coming to the feeder.

Of course,where there are two or more Hummers,there is bound to be some fighting going on.These two blend into their surrounding swell.

The day draws to a close.Harvest time often brings beautiful sunsets.I think it could be in part because of the grain dust in the air.

The farmers work late into the evening to get the last of the crop in.

This is a 'for fun' picture. Riding off into the sunset.

It may be Thanksgiving for you or it may come a little later,but I challenge you,

every day find at least one thing for which to give thanks.

Let me start with a few of the things I'm thankful for:

The love of family and friends,

The freedom to worship God openly.

The beauty of nature all around me,————

I could go on and on.

Count Your Life With Smiles

This post has a few random pictures taken in late summer.

I share them here,for no other reason,but that I like them and hope you do to.

I have little or nothing to say about each photo,so once again,I am adding short quotes from a booklet called 'Little Whispers of Comfort for Busy Women'. I do believe that these quotes apply,not only to women,but to men as well.

Once you choose hope,anything is possible.

Christopher Reeve

Your worth and purpose in this life do not depend on who you are,on what you have done,or on what has been done to you…….Your worth and purpose depend on God and God alone.

Kay Arthur

Count the garden by the flowers,never by the leaves that fall.Count your life with smiles and not the tears that roll.

Unknown

Better to lose count while naming your blessings than to lose your blessings to counting troubles.

Maltbie Davenport Babcock

Yet, in the maddening maze of things,and tossed by storm and flood,to one fixed trust my spirit clings;I know that God is good.

John Greenleaf Whittier

Yes God is good and He is in control!

Harvest Time

Our harvest time in southern Manitoba is almost over for this year,but I have a few pictures about harvest that I wish to share.

I am not a farmer,but live in a rural community so scenes like these are very common.

When the crop has reached that perfect stage of ripeness it has to be swathed.

I am pretty sure this is a crop of canola.

I will not try to identify this crop,as I would most likely get it wrong. What I do know is that the day was a perfect one for getting these combines out on the field and taking the crop off.

When the hopper on a combine was full a large truck would pull up so the harvested grain could be transferred into the truck trailer and eventually taken to the farm and put into grain bins.

 Here is just another view of these large machines at work.

And one more,showing the sky and the lovely day it was.

This was another field,which had round bales on it. I love days like these,where the sky has just the right amount of puffy clouds in it.

Health update:
For those who asked for updates.It is now almost a week since I had emergency hernia surgery.For the most part I'm doing pretty good,but today is a bit of a low day. I am so tired and emotionally drained.I do praise God for little or no pain and am trying hard to stay positive.

Closing Thought:

I know the plans I have for you,

plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Of Friendships and Sunset

I dedicate this post to all my dear friends,both far and near.

Please know that each of you holds a special place in my heart.
I prepared this post a week ago,but didn't post it then.Little did I know at the time that the words I used would be so appropriate now.I REALLY do appreciate all my friends.Ft those who didn't already know,I had emergency surgery on Friday night and one of my dear friends,Betsy posted a prayer requite for me on Facebook.That meant so much to me.I needed those prayers and still do as I recover. Let's remember to pray for each other during the rough times as well as the good times.

Paired with each photo is a quote I found in a friendship booklet I have.

Because I have known you,my friend,I have known more of my God.

Only He who created the wonders of the world entwines hearts in an eternal way.

Friends are a special gift from God——

they always see the best.

Those who share this kind of friendship know that they are blessed.

Anything,everything,little or big becomes an adventure when the right person shares it.

Kathleen Norris

God has a purpose for your life and no one else can take your place.

How blessed is the heart that is touched by the love of a friend.

Fungi Ruffles,Butterfly and Birds

On some of my recent travels around southern Manitoba,I ended up on an old cemetery.I was looking for the burial sight of my mother-in-law,that I never got to know. She passed away long before I met Jake.I didn't find her grave but I did find some fungi ruffles.

To me this looked like a ruffled skirt,nestled up against the tree trunk.

Of course I had to get a closer look.

Here are the ruffles in a closer look.

I just never get tired of the sky when I look out of my back door in the morning.

I have not seriously pursued butterfly photography,but will try to capture one when I see it.

Sitting on my deck,enjoying the sunshine often gives me a chance to capture birds at the bird bath or on a nearby tree.I love the Black-capped Chickadee.

This Mourning Dove sees me and isn't quite sure about my presence.Look at those pretty pink feet.

Closing Thought:

Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful.

Sunset in Rural Manitoba

Come along with me to a favourite spot to view one of our fabulous sunsets.

This spot is not far from where I live and it has a nice place to park and enjoy the evening.

Before the sun gets too low,I have to capture the Tansy that is growing around the edge of this place.

One more picture before we lose too much light. A Canadian flags waves proudly in the Manitoba sky.

And now the sun has dipped low in the sky and the clouds are painted in light.

 As you all know,capturing a sunset is all about being at the right place at just the right moment.

The colors change when I move the camera over just a little.This is softer,yet just as pretty,in my mind.

As the colors deepen,I have to keep on getting more pictures. This particular sunset was gorgeous and the clouds looked so soft,like pillowy bands of gold.

Closing Thought:

Praise and thanksgiving have little to do with our circumstances

and everything to do with our inner attitude toward God.

The Wonder of Life

On a recent drive in rural Manitoba,I came across two Red-tailed Hawks that allowed me to get their picture. As is most often the case,I had time for only a couple of quick shots before they were out of range.

I liked they way they posed together in one tree.

Wings up and tail fanned out and away he goes.

These shore birds were much too far away for good pictures,but I do like the fanned tail and the wing pattern on the Killdeer.

The next two shots are poor quality,but the light was low and there was no time to adjust any settings on the camera. This doe sees me and will not wait around for long.

Tail goes up and away she bounds.

Closing Thought:

There's a wonder to life.

Pursue it. Hunt for it.

Your goal is not to live long;it is to live!

Belated Blog Anniversary

September 1,2008,I posted my first blog post right here.

Back then the title was 'Jake and Ruth's Photo Blog'.

Many changes have happened since then,but I still enjoy blogging and love the friends I have met here and the new ones that I still meet.

This is the first picture I posted,not much to look at but I loved watching the skies back then and I still do.

On September 8,2008,on my 8th post,I got my first two comments,after posting the following pictures.

Many of you have seen this and the following pictures more than once,but I still cherish them and the memories that go with them.

I got this picture from the car,as I had stayed there to wait while Jake tried to get a picture.

This is what Jake was seeing through his camera.

Moments later the coyote ran across the road and stopped just long enough for me to get this last shot of him.

These are precious memories and bring a smile even as I'm typing the words.

Thanks to each one who has,over the years,followed my blog,through the ups and downs of life.

You are all very special to me and I wish for you a life filled with blessings.

Yellow and Gold

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

We have all heard this saying and I know that it is very true. I sometimes see beauty where others would walk right on by.

I live in a farming community and so seeing endless fields of a variety of crops is not unusual.

What is unusual,or at least,has changed since I started pursuing photography,is that I see more beauty in these crops than I did before.

A field of sunflowers is an amazing sight. If one flower is pretty,more are better.

Getting a little closer to the flowers. The colors are rich and in time the resulting seeds will generate cooking oil or bird feed,depending on what variety of seeds were planted.

Goldenrod,you either love it or hate it. Some people have allergies which do not allow them to enjoy this pretty flower,but thankfully,I am not one of those people.

A field of ripening grain is gorgeous. I think this is wheat,but please correct me if I'm wrong. I am not a farmer,just live in a farming community.

A closer look at one of the heads of grain. In time this will be turned into food for our people.

Rolling hills all covered with grain which will in turn be turned into food of some sort.

I may not be a farmer.but I sure am thankful for the men and women who spend long hours on the fields so that I can purchase the foods I enjoy.

Closing Thought:

We are all a little broken,but the last time I checked

broken crayons still color.

Just Outside My Door

Oh how I wish I could have each of you come for a visit to my house.

We could sit and share our hearts,while enjoying the beauty of God's creation.

Your eyes might be drawn to the pink Geraniums which have bloomed non-stop from spring till today and are still loaded with buds.

Perhaps the soft yellows of the Wax Begonia would catch your attention. This is another plant that has been literally covered with blooms from spring on. It has so many of these small flowers that one can hardly see any leaves.

As we sit and chat,we are joined by a small visitor.The Black-capped Chickadee comes for a small seed,offered in the tray standing on the deck railing.

It's a warm sunny day,so a Dragonfly lands momentarily on a table leg.

The Chickadee has returned for yet another seed. He seems to be checking us out with a sideways look.

I hope you enjoyed your virtual visit at my house and please do come again.

I love sharing my humble home with my friends both near and far.

Closing Thought:

Friendship,like a garden in season,nourishes those who share in it's bounty.