Love and Kindness Brighten the Day

As one month ends and another begins, allow me to share some lovely, snowy scenes. Just for good measure,I have added a few pictures of my favourite bird, the Black-capped Chickadee.

I am also using the lyrics from a song that is so very uplifting.

Show a little bit of love and kindness, never go around with hatred's blindness

 Take a little time to reach for joy and wear a happy face.

Sing a little bit when the days are dreary,

give a little help to a friend thats weary. That's the way to make the world a happy place.

Sing a song Spread some cheer There are sad and lonely people everywhere Be a friend Show some love It will lift them from the dungeon of despair.

In Jesus Name,Amen!

Closing Thought:

Show a Little Bit of Love and Kindness

Wild Roses in February

I think it is time to enjoy some simple, yet lovely flowers. I am very thankful for all the snow we are getting, we can use the moisture it provides, but I am in need of some color.

I won't be seeing much color outside for a while, but that is the beauty of pictures. I can have all the color I want, at any time of year.

So if you feel like I do, sit back and enjoy some lovely 'wild' roses.

These are wild roses, or should I say they were.Years ago Jake dug up one plant at a roadside, just for me.Last summer I was finally able to enjoy a few blooms from this little plant.

Other cultivated roses are more luxurious and full, but in my mind these are some of the prettiest.

You can see this plant is not very large and it is growing in my lawn.

As I was trying to capture all the beauty in these flowers, look who came for a visit. 

And one more for good measure.The delicate blossom of the Wild Rose is so filled with detail and beauty.

Not just are the open flowers lovely, but those tiny buds are perfect in every way.

Closing Thought:

Reflect upon your present blessings,  of which every man has plenty;  not on your past misfortunes of which all men have some. 

 ~Charles Dickens

Snowscapes

Sometimes a person just has to forget about the cold, bundle up and get out into the snowy landscape and capture the beauty.

The following pictures are from just such a day. On February 6th, after finishing my morning school bus run,I bundled up and, together with my camera went out in search of photos.

Yes, it was cold. The high for that day was a cold -18 Celsius, but for at least 1 ½ hours I almost forgot about the temperatures.

I love the effect of the trees outlined with snow. This is at our local park, so I had to accept the lamppost in the picture.

I made my way over to Lake Minniwasta. Usually I am on the east side, but this day I was further west. It was a winter wonderland wherever I looked. I was enthralled with the way the snow clung to the links of this chain.

Stepping back a little, I could capture the beauty of the snow covered trees and shrubs as well.

One of the reasons I wanted to go to this place, was this particular fence. I thought it might look good in the snow and I was not disappointed.

Here is another short portion of the fence with Lake Minniwasta in the background.Of course, you can't see any lake, because it is all frozen and  snow covered.

When I had lost most of the feeling in my fingertips, which were safely in 'warm' gloves, I knew it was time to head for home.

Once I got home, it did. not take long to warm up and feel my fingers again.

In case anyone is wondering.No, I did not suffer any damage,just got really cold.

Maybe just a quick look at a 'warmer' picture will also help.

Closing Thought:

If you choose not to find joy in the snow,

You will have less joy in your life,

But still the same amount of snow.

10 Things To Remember

Sharing today 10 Things to Remember.

I trust you will find something in the words that encourages you or brings a smile.

1.Always remember that your present situation is not your final destination.The best is yet to come.

2.Sometimes bad things that happen in our lives put us directly on the path to the best thing that will ever happen.

3.If you don’t like where you are,move. You’re not a tree.

4.The can’t start the next chapter, if you keep rereading the last.

5.If it doesn’t open, it’s not your door. 

6.Sometimes you need to step outside, get some air and remind yourself of who you are and where you want to be.

7.Sometimes you need to talk to a three-year-old,just so you can understand life again.

8.Listen and Silent are spelled with the same letters.Think about it.

9.Sometimes,you have to stop thinking so much and just go where your heart takes you.

10.You don’t have to have it all figured out to move forward.

Capturing The Moment

A variety of photos from a while ago.

 I am always looking to get some good shots of the White-tailed Deer.This may be about as good as I can get, at least for now.

Sunsets are good times to get out and capture some of the beauty around.

The scenes vary, but I find them always to be fascinating and beautiful.

 The Bald Eagle is  a bird which never fails to excite. This one was much too far away, but that has never stopped me from trying.On my sidebar you will see a button for Luminar, a software I like to use for many of my edits. This photo is an example of the final look. I was able to enhance the sky, so it has some color.

Another sunset, another Luminar edit. The photo is as I saw it, but enhanced to bring out the clouds some more. All edits are quick and easy to make.

Closing Thought:

What I like about photographers is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever,impossible to reproduce.

Snow Sculptures

Continuing on with winter's beauty.

Yes, it is very cold some days and yes, I do get tired of the snow, but, the beauty that I see in winter simply cannot be found during any other season.

This first picture today is overlooking the Pembina Valley. I know I mention this place often, so I thought it was appropriate to show what I see as I approach this valley.

The remaining pictures show the work of the Master Sculpture. God directs the winds and that causes all kinds of beautiful shapes to be formed.

That little tree looks somewhat lost in a sea of snow.

No matter how often I see these snow sculptures,they always amaze me.

Mix in some fine dirt and the sculptures take on a whole new look.

For today's final thought I am sharing something a little different.

I would like to share with you some of the Photo editing programs I use.

One that I use very regularly is Luminar. This is an easy program to learn how to use and has very effective adjustments. At the top of this page on the right hand side you will see a button for this program. When you click on it it will take you to the site and allow you to see some of what this program is capable of doing. I encourage you to give this a try.

Winter At It's Best

Winter! Some folks love it and some are at the other end of the spectrum.

I can't say that I love the bitter cold, but whether I like it or not, it is what we get at this time of year.

So, in an effort to accentuate the positive,I am showing you some of the beauty of winter.

The wind whips the show around and with it creates some stunning patterns.

 I love seeing a field covered in varying patterns, all  created by the wind.

When the conditions are just right a fresh snowfall covers the trees and turns them into a photographers dream scene.

The wind is a powerful force, and it takes those tiny snowflakes and turns them into lovely sculptures.

Each of these sculptures is beautiful and yet each one so unique. These were found in a roadside ditch.

When the temperatures drop and hover around -34 Celsius, or -29 F. and the atmospheric conditions are just right, we get to witness this kind of phenomenon.

 This is a display of sundogs at their best.

Alright, we had better get back inside where it is toasty warm.Perhaps I could get you a cup of tea or coffee, or even hot chocolate.

Something to Think About as you enjoy that warm beverage:


You can’t light a candle to show others the way,without feeling the warmth of that bright little ray.

As Seen On A Winter Day

Today, January 29,2019, is a bitterly cold day so cold in fact, that schools are all closed in the area.

It was about -33 Celsius this morning, together with a light wind, that made it feel like -47 Celsius.

No matter how you look at that, it is just plain cold. 

Even during the harsh winter months there is beauty to be seen.

This first picture is often what I see in the morning, as the golden light of the rising sun filters through  the evergreen boughs. It makes me stop and take a second look every time.It is such a lovely sight.

An old tree, with each branch outlined by a layer of fresh white snow, is simply a thing of beauty.

When the conditions are right, the trees bear a beautiful layer of soft snow.This is better than any decorations seen on a Christmas tree.

Seeds that clung to the branches through the winter, now are adorned with caps of white snow.

The beauty and diversity of the sky never ceases to amaze me. On this particular evening the clouds put on a beautiful display of pattern.The setting sun added to the scene.

Closing Thought:

Today’s forecast

God Reigns

And the Son Shines.

Goodnight World

I have one more post of older pictures.

Today, I share with you a set of sunset pictures. These are from different days and different locations.

This first shot has some snow in it so it is a winter scene.

I realize that all of today's pictures are taken either in fall or early spring.

Each sunset has a unique beauty. I love how the colors can vary so much.

One evening as I was waiting for the sun to set,I saw this puddle in the ditch. There was no wind so the reflections were perfect.

It is not unusual at sunset, to have every cloud highlighted with that pink color. Sometimes this can happen after the sun is no longer visible, but it's rays still hit these clouds.

Lake Minniwasta is one of my favourite place to be at to watch the sunset. This was one of those evening when there were just the right amount of clouds to give a perfect scene.

Closing Thought:

Lord, I look out into the vastness of the heavens

 and I see the grandeur of Your infinite power,

 yet You look at me from heaven

 and see someone You know, love, 

and care about. 

Thank You that You find value in me.

Dreaming Of Warm Summer Days

Come with me as we find some summer warmth. I do like winter, but I also find that it is a good time to look back at the summer that is past, even as I look forward to the one that is coming. 

An old abandoned railroad track curves gently into the trees and out of sight. Hmm,I wonder what is just around the bend? A careful look will reveal a bird sitting on the right rail, just before the bend.I believe it was a Red-Tailed Hawk. This will have to wait for another day, because today I take you to Lake Minniwasta, located just a mile from my home.

 Green grass and trees in full leaf means that it is summertime. This lake may not be very large, but it does have some beautiful views.

A walk along the trail which goes to the far end of the lake gives some more lovely views over the lake. This is the kind of sky which adds beauty to almost any picture.

A short drive west of the lake, a totally different view can be seen.This was an evening of calm and beauty. That warm light that happens just before sunset, bathes the area in rich color.

The daylight fades as the sun sets in the west.This is yet another location not too far from my home. Each sunset is unique and each one has some special beauty about it.

Closing Thought:

There’s a wonder to life.Pursue it.

Hunt for it.Your goal is not to live long; it’s to live.