Ice Flowers

I have always been fascinated by the beautiful ice pictures which form on glass in the freezing temperatures of a winter night.

There is something mysterious about their beauty.  What force tells them how to grow--what picture to create?

I think it is not only the laws of nature, but the hand of God.

Merry Christmas dear Friends.

Face in the Clouds -SkyWatch Friday

I was only a little stunned when I looked up to see this gentle giant smiling at me from the sky.  It reminds me of the stone face on Mars which looks so human.  Maybe they're related?

Have a great weekend and keep looking up this Skywatch Friday.

Creepy Eyes in the Sky -SkyWatch Friday

I don't know about you, but this cloud formation kinda creeps me out. What caught my attention first was the squarish opening set into the cloud.  But then I saw the eyes.  Can you see them?

Have a lovely weekend and Happy Skywatch Friday. Keep looking up, you never know what you might see! 

Cat Face in the Clouds -Outdoor Wednesday

I often see various shapes in the skies and sometimes they are amazing--take for instance this shining cat face in the clouds.  At least that's what it looks like to me.  What do you think?

Have a lovely Wednesday, all you wonderful people!

Columns of Clouds -SkyWatch Friday

This is a photo of some clouds which appeared over the back fence a few years ago.  Such beautiful clouds--one can imagine all kinds of things in these columns.  

"Do you know the balancings of the clouds, the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge..."  Job 37:16  

 

 Have a lovely weekend and Happy Skywatch Friday--it is nice to be back. 

Cloud Hand -Skywatch Friday

This isn't geometric, for sure.  However the shape of this cloud is intriguing.  To me it looks like a giant hand in the sky.

It has been awhile since I have joined in with Skywatch Friday--I haven't been much for posting here since my husband passed away.  It is nice to be back. 

Have a lovely weekend dear Friends, and Happy SkyWatch Friday!  

A is for Alan

This month it will be three years since my Beloved flew away to heaven.  I am in the grips of  depression as the date he left us grows nearer. 

Fall once was my favorite time of year...now I find Spring and Summer are the delight of my heart.

Still--I am not alone.  My husband loved God and I know Alan is safe in His arms.  I am comforted by that.  And someday I will see him again, I will hear his laughter, see his smile.  And I have a feeling he will have a LOT of stories to tell me once I get up there.

God bless you all, dear ones.  You are in my prayers--you know who you are. 

Perfect Spheres

I am always amazed when I see perfectly rounded drops on a leaf.  And that the entire world is reflected upside down in a drop of rain is equally intriguing. 

So small, yet so beautiful.

Good by dear Grandma Gladys

Two nights ago, my precious 91-year old Grandma Gladys flew home to heaven.  She can see, move--she is no longer in pain and is in a better place.  She was more than ready to go and see her Beloved Vic--and to see Jesus.  Though we are happy she is in heaven--we are filled with sorrow because we miss her.

I see her in my home everywhere.  Pictures she painted, baking pans and funny old cutlery, the beautiful four-poster bed in the guest room, and most of the things I have in the craft room...  I think of her every day and will always think of her every day.

I can hear her laughter, I see her merry old eyes twinkling at me.  She loved my family deeply--Dear little Grandma Gladys brought joy into our lives with her wisdom, bubbles, crafts and I smile over many hilarious memories.  She was one of the most creative people I've ever met.  I am grateful to have spent time with Grandma while her daughter was out of town a number of months ago.   What a privilege to hear her stories, share her laughter and tend to her as she slept in her big easy chair. I am going to miss her--she was my friend.

Take a moment to cherish the people you love, my Friends.  Life is short and each moment is a gift.

Dot in Cloud

Sometimes I marvel over what currents in the skies would place a dot in the middle of a cloud like this.  It almost appears to sit inside of a square.  I am ever amazed at the things I see in the sky.

Tracks Across the Skies

I have never seen the clouds do this before.  It is likely a contrail from a jet airplane.

It seems to sparkle as it twists across the sky--like a beautiful twinkling necklace.

Have a lovely weekend, dear Friends. 

Total Eclipse of the Sun

Monday, August 21st, we experienced the total eclipse of the Sun here in Oregon.  I was fortunate to live exactly along the line in which totality took place.  It was an incredible experience. For a full description visit my blog Expect the Unexpected.

Just before the eclipse, the shadows of the leaves were upside down crescents.

After the total eclipse took place, the crescent shadows reversed direction.

Here is an explanation from David Bell, aerospace test engineer:   "Small openings between objects such as tree leaves act like pinhole camera apertures. These allow light rays from different parts of the partially obscured Sun to create an enlarged image of the Sun on the ground. The same shadows occur all the time, but the images created are circular, showing the entire solar disk. Under very good conditions, the image can include large sunspots, as well."

The Eclipse is Coming....

This is a photo of a "Moon bow."  It was in the wintertime.  I had not seen one before, though I'd heard of them.  It was extraordinary to see! 

In 10 days, there will be another extraordinary event--the Great American Eclipse.  I have the great blessing of living in that small band of totality--Here in Oregon it will happen around 10:15 a.m.

Our town and the surrounding area expect up to 500,000 people from all over the world to visit for the event.  There may be shortages of gas, food, restrooms--and of course, traffic gridlock. 

Still, this is the last time such an event will happen in my life time! I am looking forward to it.

Have a wonderful weekend and Happy Eclipse week! 

Heart of Leaves

I am often taken aback at how many heart shapes one can find in nature.  They are seen in flowers, clouds, rocks, trees--just about everywhere.

I was in Spokane, Washington, with a friend of mine when I spotted the leafy heart in this picture.  Can you see it?

I have not posted to this blog for about a year.  My camera broke and I really don't like my new one.  Also, it has been a year of dealing with the loss of my Beloved husband.  Suddenly my mind comprehends he will not be back.  I have stopped listening for his step, or expecting him to burst in the back door full of humor and stories.  I miss him dreadfully--but the darkness of loss is beginning to lift.

That's not to say it won't be back.  Grief is like the ocean.  It is always there--and sometimes there are dreadful storms.

God bless you, dear ones.  Look for those hearts--they're everywhere.