The Rocky Mountains

Did I mention that I loved being in the Rockies,even if it was only for one day?

I know many of these pictures may be similar,but there was just so much beauty,I didn't know when to stop shooting.

I sure was glad I was not driving through here,or we might have hit the ditch or worse.I couldn't take my eyes off the scenery.

This is very similar to the previous picture,only zooming in more on just one mountain.

I have no words to describe this.

Can you see Steve and Kai in this picture. Both were busy getting their own shots.

The blue sky certainly added to the beauty of the mountains.

I never actually sang out loud,but in my heart and mind were the words to How Great Thou Art.

Oh Lord my God,when I in awesome wonder,

Consider all the worlds Thy hands have,

I see the stars,I hear the rolling thunder,Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Then sings my soul,my Saviour God to Thee,

How great Thou art,how great Thou art

HEADING WEST TO BANFF

August 1st,and I am up before the sun is,getting a few last minute things together for a quick trip west to Banff,Alberta.Before 6am,Steve and Kai pulled up at my house,loaded my stuff and away we were. 

The early morning light made these wind turbines look lovely.The moon in the western sky added to the beauty.

It was a long day of driving.Roughly 14 hours from Morden,to Calgary,Alberta and we were determined to do this in one day.We arrived in Calgary around 8:30pm,at the hotel Steve had reserved for us.By this time we were all ready to settle down and get some rest.

Sunday morning,it was a quick breakfast and then about an 1 ½ hours of driving to get to the mountains.I was so excited to finally be right there,it had been 27 years since I last was in the mountains.You can see by this picture that I was shooting through a dirty windshield,but I didn't mind,I could clearly see these majestic mountains.

As we got even closer,we pulled over to get some better pictures.I don't usually like pictures with hydro lines in them,but this was the best I could do from the roadside.

 The moon was still visible in the western sky,adding to the beauty of the scene.

We stopped at a small lake and Steve and Kai had to go check it out.Even Kai was getting her own photos with her iPod.

I had to get my two travel companions on a picture.This was going to be a full and fun day.

We spent only one day in the mountains,partly because of time restraints and costs,but we filled that day with lots of activity,beautiful scenery and time together,making memories.

Watch for more posts to come from this one day.

SUNFLOWERS and FRIENDS

I know that several blogging friends have indicated their love for sunflowers and one in particular who just celebrated a birthday.Betsy had a special day yesterday and I know she loves sunflowers so,this may be a day late but I hope you still enjoy these photos,Betsy.

I also hope that these bright blooms,which grow freely around here,will brighten the day for each one who reads this.

While trying to get a close-up shot,this bee decided to get in the picture.

 

Large fields of sunflowers can be seen around my area. The farmers grow them for bird feed and also for the sunflower oil which they produce.I actually like to use this oil in baking.

It doesn't matter how many I see,I still think this is a beautiful flower.

Trust me to get shots from the back side,just because.

The intricate details on these heads is amazing.

Closing Thought:

True friends are like bright sunflowers that never fade away, even over distance and time." ― Marie Williams Johnstone

July Skies

As we say good-bye to July and hello to August,I will share some skies from the month of July.

Looking to the sky will yield a never ending display of beauty and diversity.

This is a typical rural Manitoba scene.The round bales with a backdrop of green and towering thunder clouds,is always a pretty sight.

Just another rural scene.This looks peaceful to me.

A place I visit frequently,it is close to where I live and the scene changes almost as regularly as the weather.

I may have an unusual fascination with train tracks,but I can explain that. Jake loved trains and had a large model railroad layout in our basement,hence my interest in trains and tracks.

I love the clouds in this shot.Blue sky and white puffy clouds make for a perfect scene.

Closing Thought:

You will be known forever by the tracks you leave.

A Bouquet of Flowers For You

Looking through my pictures,I realize that it is time to share some flower shots from this summer.

So many beautiful flowers to choose from and yet I don't know which ones I want to share first.

I love the Peonies.They usually don't last very long,as they bloom during a time when we often get rains.Once these flowers get water-logged,they bow down and that is about it,but I still love their full blossoms.

What can I say about the Daisy? Even with a few petals missing it is still a pretty flower.

I think part of what draws me to the Daisy is it's simplicity,and it's strength. These flowers grow and bloom without much care.

Some of my extended family moved to a country property recently and during one of my visits there I found several lovely flowers growing among the gardens which had been allowed to grow wild.

This simple Peony was stunning,a few raindrops added to the beauty.

To me this is an old flower,one my Mom used to have in the garden. I did not know the name,so I had to look it up. I found that it is called Maltese Cross.

I  think it is beautiful and so bright.

Another old favourite is the stately Delphinium.We used to grow them in our gardens,but in recent years I have not had any.They are also a very pretty flower. No this one is not lying down,I held the camera at an angle.

Closing Thought:

Give yourself fully to the adventure of today.Walk boldly along the path of life,relying on your ever-present Companion,God.

Red Deer,Alberta and More

From July 9-11,Red Deer,Alberta hosts the Canadian Gospel Music Celebration.

This is a fabulous event for all Southern Gospel Music fans.

Today's post is self-explanatory. Each collage has an explanation,so enjoy.

Sorry for some of the errors in the text,but my collage program had a mind of it's own.

Once again,I had a wonderful time in Red Deer and am already looking forward to next year.

This Is My Father's World

Today I am sharing some flowers from my yard and some found nearby on my walks.Please enjoy them and let's remember that 'This is My Father's World'

The words that follow are taken from this song.

This is my Father's world, 

and to my listening ears 

all nature sings, 

and round me rings the music of the spheres. 

 This is my Father's world:  

I rest me in the thought 

of rocks and trees, of skies and seas; 

his hand the wonders wrought. 

This is my Father's world, 

the birds their carols raise, 

the morning light, the lily white, 

declare their maker's praise. 

 

This is my Father's world:  

he shines in all that's fair; 

in the rustling grass I hear him pass; 

he speaks to me everywhere.

 This is my Father's world.  

O let me ne'er forget 

that though the wrong seems oft so strong, 

God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world:  

why should my heart be sad?  

The Lord is King; let the heavens ring!  

God reigns; let the earth be glad! 

Memories

Well,I'm back from a short holiday and ready to share more photos with you.

Today I take you back to June 11,the day of my birthday.Join me as I wander around finding beauty in nature. Since this was my birthday,I figured I could spend it the way I wanted to and my choice was to visit the local lake.

This lake is small,as lakes go,but it is a place of ever changing beauty.

Tall billowy clouds in the sky are always a treat to watch.

Can you feel the warmth of this day? It was really quite hot,but I enjoyed my time of peace and solitude here.

More clouds and more time to be still and feel the love of God all around me.

Some of you may be wandering where I was during my time away from the blog. Well,I was in Red Deer,Alberta at a Gospel Music Celebration.Three days of Southern Gospel Music and blessings to fill my cup to overflowing. Sometimes blessings come from a quiet walk at the lake and other times it is the music that speaks to my heart and soul that fill my cup of blessing.

One last look at Lake Minniwasta. Thanks for joining me on this walk at the lake and for making my birthday special. At some point I may share some more pictures from my time at the music festival,but for now these pictures from a month ago will have to do.

Closing Thought:

Friends are beyond price,and there is no measuring their goodness.

Clouds and Stormy Weather

It has been a while since I have seen clouds around here. The sky has been filled with a smokey haze from forest fires in northern Saskatchewan. These pictures were taken a while ago.I love the sight of approaching storms. No more commentary today,so just enjoy the skies.

Have a wonderful week.I will be away from blogging for a week or a little more.Yes,I will be watching the skies and enjoying some special times.