. Friday, October 2, 2009 .
I know it has been a very long time since I have even thought of this blog...much less gotten an entry together and I hate that. Sees that live has just gotten in the way.

I was thinking the other day about how there is such a gradual transition between the seasons. One day we are hot and humid, then the next morning we are digging out the sweatshirts. Then I look at the yard that I should be getting in shape for the winter. The transitions of spring to fall flowers. Green to reds and golds. Green pliable leaves to brown crispy ones.Then I found this flower that show transitioning so well. One side is bright and cheery while the other is beginning to dry up and fade away. So many new transitions in our lives with jobs, schooling, friends moving away, babies growing, dogs getting older...all within the circle of life...just the way God planned for it to be.

Transitions

. Wednesday, July 1, 2009 .
I was looking thru one of the books from the library or a magazine we had and starting seeing all kinds of things with spots. Here are just a few of my favorites that I was able to find in our yard this week...This is just one of the many foxgloves that we were able to grow from seed this year. I love the spots.

When Ellis and Alaire and I were playing in the driveway this morning I found this shadow of the old green chair...the one that Alaire chalked all over...no problem the rain will wash it off.

Ellis found these water droplets on this spider web this morning while he was riding his bike before going home to Colorado.

I See Spots

. Tuesday, June 30, 2009 .


Here are some spots from our recent vacation. A cushion starfish, a peacock's tail and the tail of a JetBlue airplane.

Spots

. Sunday, April 26, 2009 .

I guess this is sort of Eye-spy-ish. I haven't been real creative with my photography lately but I've sure enjoyed taking the time to walk around and take pictures of alot of spring's arrival. There is a big difference between looking around at all of the blooms and changes in the hills and trees vs. actually squatting down beside a plant or bud and photographing it with your closest eye. For there is where we see the real beauty. Being still, taking the time to really look at the subtle changes all around us. Such a gift from God.








Green

. Wednesday, April 22, 2009 .
Today is Earth Day. And this is one of the jewels in our garden. This is a Lady's Mantle. I love the way the water droplets looks like diamonds. That is how I describe it to Mark when I can't remember the name. And he always knows what I am talking about.

Go out today and looks around you...soak everything in and think about ways that you can take care of the earth that God has created for us to enjoy.

Jewles of The Earth

. Sunday, April 12, 2009 .
An old beautiful legend says that, at the time of the crucifixion, the dogwoods was comparable in size to the oak tree and other monarchs of the forest. Because of its firmness and strength it was selected as the timber for the cross, but to put such a cruel use greatly distressed the tree. Sensing this, the crucified Jesus in His gentle pity for the sorrow and suffering of all said to it: "Because of your sorry and pity for My sufferings, never again will the dogwood tree grow large to be used as a cross. Henceforth it will be slender, bent and twisted and its blossoms will be int eh form of a cross-two long and two short petals. In the center of the outer edge of each petal there will be nail prints-brown with rust and stained with res-and in the center of the flower will be a crown of thorns, and all who see this will remember."

Legend of The Dogwood

. Friday, April 3, 2009 .
tulips staying warm
daffodil says Hi!

dogwood blooms facing up like little peeps in a choir!


a hosta unfolding



pear tree blooming on a spring day




weeping cherry tree blooms







dogwood bloom begins to open




The Starts of Spring

. Thursday, April 2, 2009 .

Lemon blossoms, smell so sweet.


Tiny Narcissus, bobbing in the wind.





These two shots are of the Jasmine, right outside my front door.






This wonderful geranium is also at the front door. This is an amazing plant. Eight years ago, I saw a geranium growing out of the asphalt in Cypress, CA, near my daughter's house. My climate is a little more challenging than hers, Chaparral vs. Coastal; so I figured if it'd grow out of asphalt, with no irrigation, it's grow here. I've given tons of cuttings away. It's really hardy.

Spring has sprung, in Murrieta

. Tuesday, March 31, 2009 .
Time has gotten away from me...and so has the yard all all the little jobs that keep sneaking up on me. But I am always amazed at what comes up in the spring. A lot of the things I forgot they were there. So this morning I walked right out the front door and took three pictures of the first things I saw.A few weekends ago I went to WV for a few days. While I was gone it must have been a little bit warm because Mark was able to get outside with the loppers. He loves trimming bushes in the spring. I always think he trims them way back way to much. When I left this burning bush was about 5 feet tall and 4 foot wide. Now it is about 12 inches tall and naked as the day it was born. But I think there might be hope...I see a few green shoots and some buds forming.We have been babying this clematis for two years...this is the year that it should take off. It has the largest and prettiest blooms I have ever seen. One day there was nothing there and the next time I looked it seems to have sprouted a hundred leaves. And if your yard doesn't already have some of these...you are King/Queen of the Garden. The closer I looked the more I find. This is the first 'bloom'. They are like a little army...sneaking around and jumping out at you from all sides when you least expect it. I know God has a sense of humor with that 'flower'.

Rebirth

. Saturday, February 28, 2009 .
The yard is a much right now. The air is cold and damp. But I am looking to the future..Spring iscoming, I know it is. We have little green things peeking out of the yuck. I want to share so color from last summer.



Looking Towards Spring

. .
Here are some shots from this week, walking around my neighborhood.  It's still cold here, for California.

 
I don't know the name of the first flowers; I usually spot them as I drive the freeways, so I call them Freeway Flowers.

 
Above is an Oriental Poppy, and below the humble dandelion.

 

 
Cloudy sky and bare trees.


Here are some shots from Spring, '08.

California Poppy and a fly.

Middle photo, another name unknown, and below  lupine.


Spring Remembered

. .
oh how i love spring. it is really my favorite season. time of rebirth, color and mild temperatures...and always welcome have a long dreary winter. :) we do not have much spring color right now....the few things that have bloomed have been stung by freezing temps...but we are closer each day to a world of beautiful colors. this is an old photo...i've not been out much with my camera lately...though no excuse for today...absolutely goregous! but i've been very lazy.

spring

. Friday, January 30, 2009 .
Seems like we are all running a little bit behind this month. That's okay. We will do better next month when thing have calm down a little(pssshhh...who am I kidding?)

Water, that's interesting. The only water that we have is in the house. Thank the Lord we have heat. But if I remember right, even when the electric goes off we still have hot water...because we have a gas hot water heater. Do you know which kind you have?

So back to water.Our trees have been coated with this frozen water for almost a week. Early in the mornings it is so peaceful, I think sometimes I can hear fairy wings...the snow has diamonds sprinkled in it and the trees shiver in the cold.We call these windowcicles. I found these out our bedroom window this morning when I was looking for the a yellow tailed flicker.
We have been checking each morning to see if they have grown over night. Looking out my window during the different seasons is something I look forward to each morning.

H2O

. .
I have been a real GAG blog slacker. I am struggling to keep up with life and my own blog but I think I'm going to make it over for the water entry. And not because I have some awesome water photography. Well I probably do...I know I have a library of beautiful photos of rivers and oceans and lakes that we have visited over the years scattered throughout my archives. But when I heard the topic of "water" these photos are what came to mind, strangely. I guess they are just special to me because they capture so much for my eyes...and good memories. We were at Hawks Nest and it was a hot September day.

Great family time roaming our beautiful West Virginia...but the kids were hot and thirsty
and so when we came up on this little rock made water fountain it was like buying a new toy at Toys R Us. I had just bought a new camera and was testing it out so I squatted by the fountain and watched them quench their thirst. They loved it and so did I watching them. And although theres no fanciness to these pictures I love moving water like this captured still. (you need to click on the photo in large form) It even looks enticing and thirst quenching. Which of course means yes I must tie in a lesson here.

Our thirst for Christ can be quenched if only we come to his waters. Sometimes I feel so guilty that I do not live up to or give God the time I need to be devoting but I do feel comforted that I still have that constant thirst...that need and desire is there. I just need to do better at drinking it all the time. Because I know the satisfaction and benefits I would reap are just like in these photos of my kids that hot September day when they found this fresh cold water for their dry throats.


As the deer panteth for the water
So my soul longeth after you
You alone are my heart's desire
And I long to worship you

Drinking from the Waters

. .
I haven't been a slacker, but I am late posting, today. Sorry, Jan, time just got away from me. What's my excuse, I have none. I've been really busy, just being retired.

Now for the subject WATER.   I love capturing photos of water,
 so I limited myself to recent captures.

This first one was taken in the Long Beach harbor. That's one of the Tall Ships that was visiting the port. It's an educational vessel and they give re-enactments.

This duck is hunting for his next meal, this is a pond on our golf course.
These rain drops are on a potted plant on my patio. I took it 11/27, when Carrie was visiting from North Carolina.

I love reflections, and this is another shot of a golf course pond with a duffer reflected in it.

Water isn't always calm, even on the golf course. Here the stream that meanders all through our community has overflown, and sent the footbridge free.

Below, I was leaving Mom's in Seal Beach on my way home when the
reflections of the CalTrans sawhorses, caught my eye.
I take a lot of photos while driving, if I can do so safely.

Water through my eyes.