Day is Done

This was taken last summer on a peaceful summer’s night with a beautiful moonrise over the plains of Colorado.

Looking at it now, I’m reminded that for so many people in the world, the world may not be so beautiful.

Bless all the struggling and displaced refugees in all the war-torn areas of our world.

Day is Done

Taps
from Wikepedia

Day is done, gone the sun

From the lakes, from the hills, from the sky
All is well, safely rest
God is nigh.

Fading light dims the sight
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright
From afar, drawing near
Falls the night.

Thanks and praise for our days
Neath the sun, neath the stars, neath the sky
As we go, this we know

God is nigh.

Clouds

Clouds ???

Apparently, Mother Nature has a sense of humor.

I took this picture last summer on the way to Castle Rock, Colorado.  It made me laugh.

So, what does this cloud look like to you?

Clouds do not really look like  camels or sailing ships or castles in the sky. They are simply a natural process  at work. So too, perhaps, are our lives.
Roger  Ebert

Gold in Those Colorado Skies

There’s gold in the hills of Colorado – and sometimes there’s gold in our skies, too. 

(Unedited photos)

Gold Colorado Skies

Gold Colorado Skies 2

Weekly Photo Challenge – 3’s

Lilies and a story of 3’s.

For me this Weekly Photo Challenge of 3’s was more about editing the pictures I’ve taken than taking more.

While learning to crop, sharpen, and highlight, my intention was to focus on the story I want to tell with these pictures.  In the end, I’m not sure these pictures actually tell a story at all, unless it’s to say “Bloom where you’re planted!”

While a whole bouquet of lilies is gorgeous (in my opinion), it is no prettier than one single bloom.  When it comes right down to it, a bouquet of flowers is simply a bunch of single blooms all together in one holder.

So it is with people.  We each stand alone beautifully on this planet of ours – yet joined with others in a common cause, we’re not only beautiful, we’re powerful!

So, what did I learn from this challenge?  To pick my “blooms” (friends) carefully!

Lilies Galore

Three is Fun

One is Where It Starts

Winter

Her color is gray and wind is her accessory.  It’s a cold, gray, windy day in Colorado.

Blow, blow, thou Winter Wind,
Thou art not so unkind, as Man’s Ingratitude…
~William Shakespeare, As You Like It

Gray Winter Day

Gray Skies

Recycling

We took in this little stray kitty and loved her no-end as long as she lived.    All of our many pets have been shelter pets.  We are the ultimate pet “recyclers” who take in the cast-offs of others.

One day, when packing up boxes to take to shredding/recycling, one box was a little heavier than the others and this is why.

Recycling

No way did she go anywhere but into my arms for some kitty purrs and ear scratches.

Shelter pets have blessed our lives in so many ways.  Please consider adopting a shelter cat or dog and save a life.  The rewards are huge – especially if you like doggie kisses, kitty purrs, and unconditional love.

Cascades

Water … beautiful to see and lovely to hear – in moderation, of course.   🙂

Rock Wall Waterfall

Waterfall from the inside.

Waterfall View

Light and Shadows

The most stunning photographs I’ve seen are the ones that capture the striking contrast between shadows and light.  And so it is with life, too.

Good and evil.  Hero and villain.  Sinner and saint. Life is full of shadows and light.

So who can judge what is good or bad when both darkness and light are partners in weaving the beauty of life?

Light Play

Reflection

Reflections can be crystal clear, as in the picture below, or wavy and chaotic, but they always reflect their source.

I think the same is true of us.  Our lives are a reflection of us – the hidden, inner us.

How would you describe your reflection in the world?  Distorted, chaotic, clear, beautiful?

If you don’t like the reflection you see,  you’re the source, and you alone can change your reflection.

Reflections

Taken in June 2013 at Denver Botanic Gardens.

Up-Close

…and glad to meet you, Beautiful Butterfly.

Glad to Meet You

I was quite a distance away from this butterfly when I took this picture last summer using my Panasonic 42x zoom.  I decided not to do any editing on this photo in order to keep the moment “real.”

This is the closest I’ve ever been to a butterfly and appreciated the fact that he stopped just long enough for me to get this picture before he had to be on his way again.