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.

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.