treasures

i found this treasure of brilliance today on a walk...

and then i read about treasures that god lays before us each day... i thought it would be special to share that with you today.  it comes from a little book called "jesus calling" by sarah young... a daily devotional i've been using lately... today's message said this:

"approach each new day with desire to find Me.  before you get out of bed, i have already been working to prepare the path that will get you through this day.  there are hidden treasures strategically placed along the way.  some of the treasures are trials, designed to shake you free from earth-shackles.  others are blessings that reveal My Presence: sunshine, flowers, birds, friendships, answered prayer.  i have not abandoned this sin-wracked world; i am still richly present in it.

search for deep treasure as you go through this day.  you will find Me all along the way."  colossians 2:2-3;  isaiah 33:6

isn't that just the greatest reading after seeing the flower?  because it always amazes me, too, that there are such a vast number of flowers around... both discovered and yet to be discovered... rich in tones, rich in colors... a myriad of varieties even in the same class - like tulips or roses... it's astounding.  only an awesome, magnificent god could do that for us - leave us hidden treasures to find every day...

happy day.....

grass

do you think about grass?  we walk on it...  it's usually planted in our yards...  birds eat it or the seed we put out...  it can burn in the sun... it turns brown in the winter months...  it can feel like silk against bare feet...  it will collect rain water...

did you get that last one?  it collects rain water... well and just plain water, too.  the water clings to each blade of grass and hangs there - for quite some time until something - wind, a person, a bug, an animal comes along disturbing it - causing it to roll into the ground and be absorbed.

the last several days it has rained and i've taken pictures of water droplets on the bushes and some trees around the house.  last night, it was an absolute deluge of rain... with some hail mixed in and thunder for effect.  i woke up this morning, stepped outside and was greeted by glistening grass.  even though it was an overcast, gray day the yard was filled with a sprinkling of diamonds because of all the water.  i grabbed my camera thinking this was my opportunity.... i was going to capture blades of grass with water drops!  i was so excited.

little did i know that it would be a tough challenge.  my pants got wet, my shoes got wet, my legs hurt from the different positions i was trying, my hands were cold and my nose was running.  every picture i snapped was ending up in a blur... taking close-ups is difficult, especially of a blade of grass.  i was just about to give up, when the camera began to cooperate and my finger developed a rhythm in depressing the button.  whew...  results of some special shots...

i am thankful for grass.  for all that it provides for us, the hope it gives and the fun it presented to me today...  and that it is so much greener after the rain.

happy day.....

birds of a feather...

today was a day for birding...  not on purpose, mind you.  i really was on the hunt for ladybugs - and i did see one of those, too, but i had a special treat with a couple of birds.

first off i had a plump red robin fall practically at my feet in the grass.  one minute i'm standing at the edge of the patio staring into a somewhat gray, overcast day.... the next, plop - a robin... with a wide-eyed look has fluttered to my feet.

i think we were both startled to pieces... kind of jumping and squealing just a bit.  and then that quickly, off he flew...

within the next several minutes i saw a flash of yellow in an overhead tree.  now typically, the usual birds that are seen in the backyard are robins, a house finch or two and a black bird.  nothing exciting... but this yellow streak - i was internally doing the dance of joy knowing it was a real treasure and i needed to be quiet.  enjoy the moment, snap a couple shots... realize this treat would probably never come around again.  so i did...

it was a wonderful moment... and made for a

happy day.....

white ducks

i have not seen many white ducks in the area... yesterday i had a special treat in observing about 5 of them playing at the little lake i visit, along with a few that had gray and black spots.  what a treasure they were... frolicking about in the sand and water...

they were docile and sweet in being around me - listening to the sound of my voice and honking back to me.

what an absolute treasure to behold god's creatures in their element; yet providing me with pleasure and entertainment at the same time.

it sure made for a

happy day.....

virtual friends

do you have any "virtual" friends?  ones that you communicate with online but have never met?  friends are vitally important to us... and i've realized over the last few days that it doesn't really matter whether we've met them face-to-face or not; a friend is a friend is a friend... you share pieces of yourself with them and they with you... you give your heart and it's a wonderful thing...a precious thing that cannot be measured. 

i've met some incredible people from around the world via a photo journal online over the last 10 months.  more than i expected, i have become close to them through sharing bits of myself through my photographs every day.  one of these individuals died suddenly this past weekend causing a ripple of shock through the community.... we just didn't expect it and were caught off guard by how greatly she had affected all of us with her journal.  in recent weeks, she was developing an affinity towards flowers and was shooting quite a number of them.

i shot this one in her honor today...  it seemed fitting that the day was cold, rainy, windy and sometimes the skies cut loose with hail.  molly would've found that "spot on"...

so as i found this standing alone, strong and tall, resilient in the weather - i will remember molly... for she was strong, resilient and determined to live life to the fullest... in honoring her, there will be many memories, laughs and smiles for all she shared and in the end, that does make this a

happy day.....

happy mom's day...

to the best mom ever...

you have endured much...  yet it has not affected your ability to be a strong, caring, giving, compassionate, loving, determined woman... setting a wonderful example still for your children - your grandchildren and your great grandchildren.

such a stunning and beautiful life to watch; and grateful... so blessed to be able to call you mother every day.  so proud to be your daughter...

thank you for all you have done... everything you've given - the sacrifices made - and all you continue to do for your children even now... 

much love to you for it is clearly a

happy day.....

tulips...

...are in bloom everywhere you turn these days... spring has come a bit late due to odd weather patterns.  i think it's been that way all around the country, though.

i've seen vibrant color and some unusual variety so had to share; any reason to stop, stare, take in the wonder and of course, snap a shot...

happy day.....