Flowers For A Rainy Day,Or Any Day

It is a rainy day here today, but that is good. It was getting very dry, so the rain is welcome and for me, at least, so are the cooler temperatures.

With these things in mind,I thought that some of the flowers from my garden this past summer would be in order. I will let the flowers speak for themselves and will add some quotes that I have found.

True wisdom begins and ends with God.

Be an encourager.The world has plenty of critics already.

Friends are God’s way of taking care of us.

A flower doesn’t think of competing with the flower next to it. 

It just blooms

This pot of Pansies was blooming on my neighbours yard.

I also found this beautiful dark lily on the same neighbours yard. 

I must say that I have some of the most wonderful neighbours, not just because they allow me to photograph their flowers, but just because of who they are.

Closing Thought:

Life is Like a Camera

Just focus on what’s important,

capture the good times.

Develop from the negatives 

and if things don’t turn out - 

just take another shot.

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Views Along The Way

Back in early July,I made my annual trip to Red deer,Alberta,for Canada's Gospel Music Celebration.

As expected the event was wonderful, the music uplifting and meeting old and new friends was a thrill. Today,I want to show you a few scenes that I was able to capture along the way.

We,I went with two other friends, spent a night in Swift Current,Sasketchewan,I won't go into the details of that, just to say that I have noted the hotel and will never stay there again. You know that I like to find the positive if I can and the next morning I was out of my room early and noticed a good sized patch of Tumbleweed near the hotel. The next two pictures show you what I saw.It was a patch of beauty in a less than desirable location.

I think this is so pretty.

Upon looking around,I noticed a couple of other flowers and took a moment to capture their beauty as well.

After breakfast it was time to head down the road again.This is what I saw for mile after mile.It may look boring, but I find it peaceful and also beautiful.Yes,we did see some animals, mostly domestic cattle, but that too has some beauty. I spotted several Antelope,but had no chance for a photo.

Stopping at the side of a busy highway may not be the best idea, but when a scene like this presents itself,I had to do what I had to do. I love the layers of color in this scene. The yellow in the background is a field of blooming Canola.

On the way home a few days later, we were treated to this scene. The setting sun was painting these storm clouds with such beautiful colours. Once again,I had to stop to get a few pictures.

After being away from home for one week,I was happy to go home.I love going away, but home is still the best place to be.

Closing Thought:

We can’t always choose the music life plays for us but WE CAN choose how we dance to it.

On a Day In June

I keep showing pictures that are from a couple of months ago, but I guess that's OK. 

We all enjoy reliving good days and these pictures are from just such a day.Let me explain.

A friend and fellow bus driver and I were asked to transport most of the children from one school to a nearby rural park.The children love this day, it means they get to roam around and explore.

I of course knew that there would be several hours of waiting, so my trusty camera came with me.

All the following pictures were taken from the grounds of the park we were at.

Our Manitoba people will recognize it as Stanley Park.

Often times I find myself looking for that spectacular flower, but this single head of grain shows that beauty is seen even in the simple things.

While relaxing in my lawn chair,I noticed these flowers. The clover makes a nice backdrop for the lone Dandelion.

The park has several picnic shelters and a pair of Barn Swallows felt that this was a good place for a home.Since they had a nest there, they allowed me to get fairly close and capture these images.

This picture is taken with a flash, because it was not very well lit in there.

Isn't he cute?

Mama was faithfully doing her duty, sitting on that nest, keeping the eggs warm.

This is a well treed park so we could not look to the west from where we were.One of the teachers drew my attention to the fact that there were weather warnings out.I took a short walk and looked west, only to see these clouds bubbling up.We knew that it was time to get those children rounded up and into the buses and home to a safe building.

The weather was not severe, but it did rain so they might have gotten a little wet.

Closing Thought:

{I may have used this before, but it's still a good reminder.}

Every day may not be good,but there is something good in every day.

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The Beauty of the Canada Thistle

It's no secret that I love the flower of the Canada Thistle.

In this, my first post of September,I will share several photos of this flower.

This image gives a wider view and shows the plant.Yes,it is very prickly and not one you want to accidentally run into.

A close-up view of the flower, shows the details.I can't really explain why I love them, and perhaps I don't need to.

The bud starts out mostly green and, again,very prickly.

As the flower slowly opens it begins to reveal more of that beautiful purple center.

Another look at this beautiful flower, which is disliked by so many.

Closing Thought:

The beauty of creation, reflects the beauty of the Creator.

Cloud Filled Skies

I am pretty sure that all my friends know that I love watching clouds.

Today's post proves that, once again. The following pictures would not be as good without the clouds in the sky.

All the pictures in this post were taken around southern Manitoba about the middle of June.

I am adding random quotes that I have found.

Sunshine and fresh air are blessings much too grand to take for granted. 

We’re all a little broken, but last time I checked, broken crayons still color.

Be happy, not because everything is good,

But because you can see good in everything.

It’s up to us to see the beauty in everyday things. 

Today is a beautiful day simple because God made it.

These are wild Saskatoons. When ripe, they can be turned into tasty pies or jams.

My prayers are with the many who are feeling the effects of Hurricane Harvey and it's aftermath.

Closing Thought:

Instead of focusing on a to do list,why not start a to be list? 

Things I want to be: 

Happy

 Calm 

Loving 

 Healthy 

Awesome  

Caring

The Wonder Of It All

Heading out to watch the setting sun,I am never sure of what I'll see. The sky may be spectacular, or not.There may be other sights that need to be photographed,or not.

Recently,while waiting for the sun to set,I was busy capturing beauty all around me.

A small bird,I won't even guess at the identification, was sitting on top of this rather large rock.The setting sun was already painting the sky a lovely soft gold,so it made a great backdrop.

OK,most of you know that I love thistles.Even an unopened thistle bud has amazing beauty. The low angle of the sun was creating a beautiful golden glow around this plant.

The grasses along the roadside were not to be ignored. Once again, they had a golden glow in the light of the setting sun.

Sometimes the beauty is not in the west, but in the storm clouds that have passed and are in the eastern sky.

The setting sun paints the storm clouds these lovely shades of peach and blue and purple.The colors defy description.

Just a few clouds on the western horizon, make for a stunning sight as the sun sets.

I enjoy watching the sun sets, each one is different,yet each one has some beauty.

Closing thought today is from the song "The Wonder Of It All"

There's the wonder of sunset at evening,

The wonder as sunrise I see;

But the wonder of wonders that thrills my soul

Is the wonder that God loves me.

Refrain

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!

Just to think that God loves me.

O, the wonder of it all! The wonder of it all!

Just to think that God loves me.

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.