The Ever-changing Sky

The ever changing sky seems to be in my view finder a lot these days. I find such variety and beauty in the sky.I have challenged many folks to make it a habit to look at the sky and take note of the beauty there.

As I scrolled through my photos from the last few months,I found many sky scenes.

A looming thunderstorm is sure to bring good photo opportunities.

Looking to the west at Lake Minniwasta,those clouds looks both amazing and threatening.

While I tend to watch the sky,I am also keenly aware of the beauty at ground level.A head of grass flowers, is so delicate and also easily missed.

 Some time ago,I got a text from Steve.He suggested that it would be a good idea to grab my camera and get out of town, to watch the skies.I was very thankful that I followed his advice.

The skies were amazing.

The evening light gave some amazing colors and contrasts.

The beauty didn't end with the clouds. God put out the most  beautiful double rainbow, for us to enjoy. I had failed to mention that when I went out on Steve's advice,I drove out of town and down a country road.I had seen a car on this road, but as I got closer I realized that Steve and I had picked the same spot from which to photograph the scene.The photos in this post are all ones I have taken.

Friends,please do yourself the favour and watch for the beauty in the skies. We don't have to travel far to see that. Now,if you'll excuse me,I will have to get out of town and see what scenes await me in the sky today.

The Storms Around Us

The problems that we face each day

Can seem too much to bear

Until we turn our eyes to Christ

And trust His tender care.

 Sometimes words fail.It is during times like this that I will allow the words that others have written to speak for me.

I had picked these pictures a long time ago, but as I looked at them today,I somehow thought they were fitting.

I know that some of you are going through dark times.It seems that the storms of life are almost overwhelming.One of my dear friends and a friend to many of you is right now facing a difficult loss.

Betsy,this post was made with you on my mind.

 There comes into every person's life a time when the dark clouds of despair and sorrow are on the horizon and even almost on top of us.

God is the One who makes it well with your soul,

even when it is not well with your circumstances.

 I have often seen so much beauty in the sky and even a dark and stormy sky can have beauty.

Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it.

When the storm clouds of life gather we can't see the beauty, but I can say from experience that God can turn a dark experience into a  time of drawing closer to Him and that in itself becomes a blessing. 

One thing is certain, dark skies and dark times in our life do not last forever.

When the storm clouds have passed and the rain has fallen, the beauty is all around us.

As we remember the ones who left us much too soon, tears fall.Let's just remember that,

both tears and smiles bring God praise.

To Betsy and any others who are going through storms of any kind, it is my prayer that God will give you the strength you need for every day.May He hold you in His loving arms and give you the needed peace.

Closing Thought:

I was thinking of you today and prayed for you today…

I asked that whatever you need will be answered in God’s time,

and that you have the strength and endurance to keep going.

Dramatic Skies

Every time we encourage someone, we give them an infusion of courage.

I trust that you will find at least a small measure of encouragement in this blog.

All photos are taken by me,Ruth,unless otherwise noted.

Most of you know that I love watching the sky and here are a few scenes that I have been privileged to see and capture with my camera. I will add some quotes which I have found and enjoyed.

"May God give you eyes to see beauty only the heart can understand."

"When God opens the door of opportunity, we can be sure He will give us the strength to walk through it."

"God still speaks— we just have to open our Bibles and listen."

"Give what you have.

To someone it may be better than you dare to think.'

Be Kind Today

"Rather than argue, agree to disagree."

Closing Thought:

No matter how far apart we are,

I'll always be thinking of you, my friend,

because you mean the world to me.

Babies to Baths

August is upon us and that means we have about one more month of summer heat before we move into the cooler days of fall.Before we rush ahead into this last full month of summer, let's take a step back and enjoy some early summer scenes.

Back,near the end of June,baby ducklings are to be seen in many places. This Mama Wood Duck and her little family were contentedly swimming in the pond at St. Vital Park.

The male Mallard looks as proud as ever.

Sometimes you just have to give those wings a good workout.

The Canada Goose is making sure every little inch of him is getting washed.They really get into this bathing ,churning up the water with their wings.

Give those wings a few more flaps, just to make sure all is clean.

At the end of a vigorous bath the wings are given a workout, shaking some of that water off the feathers.I find it quite amusing to watch this whole process.

Closing Thought:

Don’t think about what can happen in a month.

Don’t think about what can happen in a year.

Just focus on the 24 hours in front of you and do what you can to get closer to where you want to be.

Things That Caught My Attention

So many things catch my attention as I drive along, some are worthy of a picture, others,on closer inspection, are best passed by.

Today I am sharing a collection of random photos that caught my attention and ones I hope you will enjoy as much as I did and still do.

A Thistle is so beautiful. The intricate details are clearly visible from bud to open flower and everywhere in between.

Sometimes it's a flower, sometimes a bird and sometimes it may be some clumps of shale on the side of the road. It is said that beauty is in the eye of the beholder.I don't claim that this is so beautiful, but it is at least interesting.Reminds me of a loaf of bread, sliced and ready to serve.

I know I have shown pictures like this before. I seem to be drawn to those plants which the farmers don't like. Foxtail grass is one such plant. I am not a farmer, but I can see that this grass would not be good for the cattle to eat, but it still has beauty.Those plumes of gently waving grass just look lovely to me

Yes, I still do love birds and also try to get pictures of them whenever I can.The Black Tern is most often seen in flight and they move fast so any picture I get makes me happy.

Those of you that follow me on FaceBook already know that I love cloud scenes.I am pretty sure I have also mentioned that a time or two here on the blog. Clouds don't fly away and most often I don't have to travel far to get pictures of them.

The unique structure of this cloud filled sky really caught my eye.

As the sun begins to set the sky changes yet again.This may not be the most spectacular sunset scene, ever,but I still like it

Thanks for once again joining me on my travels down southern Manitoba back roads.I hope we can do it again soon.

Closing Thought:

Oh Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder,

consider all the works Thy hands have made….

Then sings my soul….How great Thou art!

Canada's Gospel Music Celebration 2017

Ok,this is a just for fun post. I usually don't like featuring me ,but I happen to be on most of the pictures in this post, so feel free to move on to something else, if you wish to.

As many of you know,I love Southern Gospel Music and travel to Red Deer,Alberta every year to attend Canada's Gospel Music Celebration.Usually I would be taking pictures of the scenery as we travel, but this year I did all the driving so that was not an option, except for  a few times when we stopped.Those pictures are still waiting to be edited.

So for some shots of the fun variety

Matt Fouch of Legacy Five was in fine style the first night, even wearing his Canada socks.

I had to pose with him for a decent picture.I enjoy his bass singing and appreciate his friendliness.

 Can't leave out the rest of the Legacy Five guys.The fella in the checked jacket is relatively new to the groups is the one in the pink tie.

L-R,they are Scott Howard,baritone,Josh Feemster,tenor,Matt Fouch,bass,Josh Townsend,pianist and Scott Fowler,lead.

A finer group of guys would be hard to find.

My new buddy,Josh Townsend.This young man is only 19 years old but has experienced more in those 19 years than many people do in a lifetime.When the group releases the video of his testimony,I will share it, until then, just know that he was a blessing to all.

Couldn't find the other guys so we got a picture of the ones who were around at that moment.

I decided that I would get my picture taken with the bass singers, so here we go.

Pat Barker,has  a solo ministry and helps other groups as needed.

Eric Bennett,sings with Triumphant Quartet.

A great quartet and one I really enjoy.

Randy Byrd sings with the Mark Trammell Quartet.

Another good bunch of fellas and super talented, serving God with those talents.

You see four guys in this picture, but they are not a quartet. I do enjoy their singing, very much. This is Greater Vision and the man on the left,Gerald Wolfe,is their leader and pianist. Other members are L-R Chris Allman,Jon Epley and Rodney Griffin.

I had such an enjoyable week.We left home on Tuesday morning and took two days to get to Red Deer,than Thursday evening,Friday and Saturday all day we were at the festival.It was busy but so worth it. Great blessing from the music and the chapel services.I am ready to go back next year.

My travel companions were my friends Gwen and Susan.

Red Deer,Alberta,Here We Come

Canada's Gospel Music Celebration happens in early July of every year.

2017 will mark the 5th year that I will be attending.I look forward to the music, the morning Chapel services with Leon Throness,and meeting old and new friends.

Today,I share with you a few pictures taken last year on our way to and from Red Deer,Alberta. I wonder what scenes await me this year.

On our travels last year, the sky yielded a never ending display of beauty.

Many,if not all of these pictures were taken from the passenger seat of a moving vehicle. We didn't want to take time to stop all the time, but the beauty needed to be captured on camera as best I could.

While driving along, my friends and I enjoy the uplifting music of many of the artists we are going to hear.The music helps to shorten the many miles of driving.

At a few places, wind turbines dot the landscape. I was lucky enough to capture this scene as we sped on down the highway.

It is 1,487 km or 924 miles, from Morden to Red Deer,so we have lots of time to enjoy the scenery.Last year we went from sunny skies to rain clouds and even some torrential downpours.

Looks like that sky will deliver some more rain. It has already rained as can be seen on the road.

Beautiful rolling hills and farm yards dotting the scene. I used to think that this stretch of road between Manitoba and the mountains in Alberta,was boring, but I have not found that to be the case in these recent years.

So,until I return from the music festival, there will be no more posts to this blog.
For those that follow me on Facebook,I will likely be posting some updates there.
I will also not be commenting on any blogs until I return.


Closing Thought:
Keep calm and listen to Southern Gospel - the music with an eternal difference.

Happy Independence Day

Happy Independence Day to all my friends in the USA.
Hope you have a great day and get to celebrate with family and friends.

Today I am sharing some flowers from my garden, and of course some sunset scenes.
I have only one Lupin plant, but it did well this year.

The bees seemed to like it as well. Some persistence paid off and I finally got an in-flight shot that is acceptable.

Of course it's a lot easier to focus when the bee actually lands on the flower.

Evening often finds me at Lake Minniwasta,partly because it's close to where I live and mostly because I get some good sunset views there.

I have to remind myself, while watching the color of the setting sun, to look to the east as well. That warm evening light makes even a few old trees look great.

The sky is constantly changing as the sun is setting.
What a wonderful way to close the day!

Closing Thought:
Never let the things you want make you forget the things you have.