No End to Thankfulness

I believe there's only two courses in life.  One is a path

This path is God created for us.  The other is a highway many use that leads to destruction.  The countryside on the path we've chosen is sometimes beautiful

Sometimes season's end surrounds us on our path

The scenery isn't as important as the route.  Not all fruit on this trail is safe to indulge in

Some fruit is beautiful and enjoyable

Not all places are best to inhabit though they may look inviting

Our dwelling is on the road though difficulties may make us want to stop

Take heed of the flower's lesson

Though it is here today and gone tomorrow it makes the most of today glorying in the Creator's blessing.  Most true joy in life is child-like

Complexity seldom has such joy and beauty

Thank God for today's simple joy

It's custom made for you

Today is God's gift...contemplate that

If today feels like fertilizer remember today's fertilizer brings tomorrow's bloom

Last Gasps of Fall?

Terrible wind brought much cooler temperatures and the promise of snow.  Hard to believe it was so much warmer not long ago

Now it's anything but pretty with most leaves gone, dead grass and chilly temperatures.  Quite the contrast from just a few days ago

There's  a fish filled pond in our zoo

I don't believe in wishing ponds but I wish I was there on a nicer day now

My flash failed to fire when I took this...reminds me of "Water Ship Down"

I've picked up leaves several times...I won't miss that job

Our ditch is now drained...I miss it

This is Montana beyond the fence post

We likely won't walk this path until next year

Only dry leaves sit on this bench now

Soon all will be white and snow covered...the leaves reign is ending

Trying Times

Lately I've honestly wondered when the recent dark times will pass.  Lately I've nearly fallen off social media entirely.  I know dark times can't last forever

and I know there's grace for every situation

Faith is made for times like this

Holding onto faith when there's really nothing else is not a thing for the faint of heart

I'm thankful for the bright spots in life lately that helps lighten an otherwise dark outlook

Others have not only walked this road but they've walked roads far darker.  There's always hope

Hope and faith are lights in the darkness

Rain can't dampen it

Seasonal change doesn't upset it

Difficulty may come

but faith and hope provides fruit in every season

Fertilizer can seem nasty but it brings growth

Have you seen livestock brave the cold?

Having done all they stand...nature's lessons make me smile sometimes

Look beyond the current circumstance...there's brighter days out there

Peace is out there, in fact it may be closer than it appears

A Warm Spark

Late season blooms are so awesome

I like them because they're a pleasant surprise

November entered in a very soggy cold sleigh but right now I'm warming myself with these photos

Sometimes these flowers bring their friend

A nice water fall provided some nice ambience

Some of these flowers are so yellow they should provide actual warmth

This one is like a sunset on a warm summer day

This bloom is reaching greater heights

Some have more subtle colors

Others are part of  a larger bouquet

Talk about orange

Here's looking at you kid

Vividly alive