aspiring player

He watches

and dreams

clump of snow

berries

planets of blue

dripping a miniscule world

turned upside down

red squirrel

happy go lucky little fellow

who frets not

about the trivial

manger's straw

Clinging to the cross

the manger's straw

Godchild of ironic humble birth,

through his death

my saviour

and yet my brother.

It is Christmas.

Lord born,

Lord crucified,

Lord rethroned.

Threefold divine plan.

sunbeam

morning frost on window

snow

When I was leery of the onset of winter

I had forgotten that white

is the loveliest of backdrops.

portal of light

Slight warmth causes drips

drips create spectacular sculpture

sculpture presents portal for light

light instigates admiration

admiration demands praise!

chick-a-dee-dee-dee

With the sub-zero temperatures

and snow covered ground

our bird feeders are a-whirr with activity.

woodpecker

The "Tweep-tweep" of the woodpecker sends me grabbing for my camera and tripod.

He is friendly enough that he doesn't fly off when he sees me.

Perhaps he senses that posing is necessary for being fed at this home.

first snow

skies have greyed

holly berries brightened....

snow pals

trees

Mere months ago they stood

clad in youthful gowns of pink.

Changed into frocks of green

hiding blemishes and signs of wear.

Buffeted by test and time

they dropped now shabby garments

and today stand naked

exposing all,

waiting for merciful mantles of white

to fall from above.

Sometimes we need to be reminded of how full of blemish we are, hearts that become petty, minds that become selfish. We drop the guise of beauty, we drop the pretense of productivity, we let go the notion of self sufficiency. We stand, naked, before our maker and wait for redemption.

perfume

Mary, friend of Jesus anointed Him with expensive perfume to show her love for him,

even so should we show our love for our Saviour.

"Because," said Norah, "the perfume of His love flows over us."

Fragrant gifts of thankfulness, obedience, humility, gentleness, diligence.

How often isn't it the stench of discontent, disobedience, pride, arrogance, laziness?

We try to mask it with pleasant scents forgetting that the real perfume comes from a faithful heart.

different music

The selling of an old piano with a familiar sound reminds us of different places, different people.

Kind of... all that was left of another place.

Now there is different music, a better piano, violins and guitar

and constant vocals...

..but I still feel sad about selling it.

rain

When we focus on the rain

vision becomes blurred

and subjects indistinguishable.

holly berries

The wonderful words that drop from the mouths of babes....

How is it that we who are to guide these little ones

are humbled by their understanding.

You know mom,

when we get to heaven

we can just step out our door

and ask God anything that we want to know!

You know what's really great mom?

We can do that NOW

ask Him anything we want

and talk to Him

whenever we need to...

and later...

That is Really Beautiful mom

but it is nothing

like what we are going to see

when we are with God!

Norah

Gather ye rosebuds while ye may...

Old Time is still a-flying

and this same rose that blooms today

tomorrow may be dying.

Robert Herrick,

17th century

Sunday sunshine

The weather,

still unseasonably warm,

entices us outdoors,

without our

jackets

and with

sleeves shoved up.

sunday afternoon walk

faces

an afternoon

around the table,

drawing,

talking,

laughing,

grumbling,

encouraging,

erasing,

redrawing,

more talking

and laughing

and praising.

drops

Many people I know are at a funeral today

a mother, youngish, my age.

Children the ages of mine.

Husband the age of mine.

And, although I hardly know this family

my thoughts are full of them today,

and this woman-wife-mom

who knows no more grief,

the tears left for those left behind.

And I listen to the laughter and the chatter

and sit at the table drawing pictures with my children.

evening light on hydrangea

same design, different subjects

Monday morning quiet.

A homeschool veteran spent a morning with me and I feel blessed.

Blessed by reassurance.

Blessed by the beauty of being able to teach our children.

Blessed by letting them play and learn through play.

Blessed,

Simply blessed.

Same design, different subjects.

Solomon asked for wisdom.

So should we pray first for our children's wisdom

after which more may be added unto them.

hairy woodpecker

The Hairy woodpecker is a regular at our feeder, along with its smaller cousin the Downy. These two look very much alike except that the Hairy is larger and has a longer beak. The longer beak enables it to drum holes into live wood, whereas the Downy with a shorter beak prefers the softer, dead limbs. They coexist happily because they do not compete for feeding spots.

still mild, still blooming

The weather is still pleasant.

Even after frequent frost

the roses and the 2nd chance pansies

are still blooming.

remembrance day at the war memorial museum

There is something huge about looking into the eyes of an elderly veteran, chest pinned full of medals,a now frail man deserving of our thanks.

Dressed up for the occasion, my little boys, oblivious to the moment, are scuffling under an army jeep, bored and eager to go away. They've had enough and are disappointed in not seeing the planes as they thunder overhead. Their big sister was singing with the choir but we couldn't spot her. Speeches are long and difficult to hear. I feel myself getting frazzled and wonder why this isn't having the impact I thought it should. Admittedly disappointed that I didn't get some photos of the Lancaster in the air.

I've had enough and will try instead to hold the thanks in my heart.

As we drive home Norah wonders, "why don't we have remembrance day every day?"

Freedom, one of those blessings to give thanks for every day!

adventurers

They never stay on the path

preferring to clamber up hills,

wade through streams,

and cross fallen logs.

And I applaud..

and smile,

at Opa and Uncle

who do the same.

19 degrees

Little girl said, giddy with excitement,

"I think that God is giving us something wonderful today,

a nice warm day to enjoy"!

milk weed

The monarchs have long flown

and the plants have dulled,

but the seeds are lifted on an autumn wind

carrying the promise

of more spring,

more plants,

more butterflies.

sunday afternoon walk

Sunday worship can be continued along a trail,

talking, reflecting and sharing.

After having heard and read the Word

letting nature speak of God's glory.

hint of snow

The rain drops belong to yesterday,

today temperatures dictates a hint of snow.

The air is crisp and clear

and even I can relish the promise of white.

rain drops

morning

A setting full moon is worthy of pursuit

on a crisp autumn morning.

Eager children climb into the van

to catch a glimpse before it sinks.

When horizon clouds hid it from sight

we decided on an early morning walk,

residual frost nipping at toes and fingers

and the early morning sunshine warming our spirits.