Dear Sandra,
 
Don't think you are "dim" for not realizing Chicago was right on the shore of such a large body of water, Lake Michigan. I still remember the chilly January morning I came to Chicago. As the plane approached the city I had the clearest view ever and saw the immense stretch of water reaching to the horizon. For a moment I wondered if I had travelled in the wrong direction and was seeing the ocean!
 
Love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

it was an unrealistic fear that something would happen if I stood on it

 
Dear Betty,
I agree with this. I had an unrealistic fear of crossing my little bridge over the river when I first came here to live. (My twin fears....heights and water) It wasn't helped by being blown by the strong wind in front of a car, but slowly the feelings of fear retreated and now I can cross it without problems. I avoid it in very high winds though!
I've had a poorly functioning balance mechanism since I was 14 and that doesn't help things. I remember how I couldn't balance in a puddle (honestly) because the sky was reflected in it. That still happens.
Common sense doesn't come into these irrational fears does it? They must be very deep rooted instincts.
Well done you for mastering that fear!
 
Now on to your pictures....
 
Love,
Jude

Love is the only way

Chicago was right on the shore of such a large body of water, Lake Michigan.

 
We learn something every day! thank you Edda.
 
Love,
Jude

Love is the only way

Wonderful snaps Betty the first one is full of hope and the last two speak out to me so much..
 
I guess I was never meant to be on mastermind but I see I am not alone!

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Dear Betty,
Thank you for the lovely 'calming' pictures today! Love the 'mums and also the sunset?
 
Jude

Love is the only way

Dear Marie, I like your evergreens picture,and I am glad that you joined us to this thread
Keep snapping and posting here!
 
Dear Betty, I stil think that YOU ARE
 one very brave ...
Thank you for today's pictures.Beautiful and wonderful pictures for my soul...

 Sandra,it's been a while since I saw pictures from you----HHHHHHmmmmmmm.

Yes SANDRA - YOUR TURN
Do not hide,we can see you

I am slow in replying today . . .
the pictures are all so beautiful.
I am amazed that you still have flowers,
dear Buba.
All so very pretty,
and I like the little black cap the cat is wearing!
She must be a neighbor?
And the little pidgies . . . 
now dear Bright Spirit,
I don't mind that they ate the bread
and the dogs . . .
all enjoying their day.
 
Thank you for nabbing one of the pandas,
dear Jude.
I tried, but it didn't work . . .
even doing it the way you did.
 
Oh my, Betty . . .
your city pictures are fabulous!
I am very fond of Frank Lloyd Wright architecture.
You have captured the beauty of the windy city so well,
even looking down from that high place.
Beautiful sunset and autumn blooms as well.
 
Your evergreens look very sturdy,
for being five years old, Marie.
I too, am glad to see you posting some pictures.
Love the little bridge!
 
I am grateful today
for being reminded
of the many different kinds of beauty
there are in the world
with love . . .
sparrow
     ♥

everything counts... ♥

sandra and all,

i just got to watch the glorious video you put together!

wow!

thanks for a super job!

i loved the photos and also your sweet song choices. i will play the soundtrack while working on the computer late at night.

i am honored by your dedication, but more honored by your friendship and the opportunity to get to know you some by your heartfelt posts.

this weekend i got out to a state park and got to take a long soft tender drink of the beauty in that place.

it was nourishing to my soul and helped me find me.

it was comforting like god was wrapping a soft blanket on my heart.

the beauty of the creeks, sky, leaves and trees reminded me of other times i have shared similar beauty with loved ones now gone.

i came back to this spot in my heart where i realized that these precious memories were like some food in my freezer that i could take out at any time, and that these memories would always gently and patiently revive my spirits.

life is good and my heart is finding the courage to heal.

i realized that it really is a courageous act to go to the hurt places and feel the pain.

it's a more life giving process than to just ignore the sadness and wish the hurts away.



as far as the beauty of the skunk i had a small encounter with, i'm still working on finding the beauty in that experience.

p.s. there was a time when people would ask me for technical help loading photos, now i am in awe of all that you ladies do with your photos and how good you are getting with your snapping.

keep on being you, as the greatest compliment you can give someone is to be comfortable in their presence.

Dear Thankful one,
 
It is so good to hear from you! You sound as if you were feeling rather well!
 
You have a lot of catching up to do, if time allows you to do so.
Our photographers are really doing well.
I am slow in appreciating all the pictures since they take time to "grow to full size".
 
I keep a candle burning for you (group "thank")
 
With much love,
Edda

Peace and joy!

Dear T.O.
It's good to hear from you. Glad you like the video. I've watched it 3 times now and always feel better for it, so it just goes to show how valuable this thread (which you began) is.
 
Love,
Jude

Love is the only way

Dear Thankful One

life is good and my heart is finding the courage to heal.

 
I am so pleased to read this I really am you are in my thoughts daily.You are very courageous and I am sure God does wrap a soft blanket on and around your heart.
 
 

i came back to this spot in my heart where i realized that these precious memories were like some food in my freezer that i could take out at any time, and that these memories would always gently and patiently revive my spirits

 
It's always good to have 'food in the freezer' to revive ones spirits.I am delighted you were able to watch the video . I know just how much you enjoyed it because I think we all feel the same way about it.
   
 
You have given many people a chance to find peace within them as they snap. 
 
Through you people are able to 'be free' from heart ache and see and capture such  beauty in this world.   
Like Jude says this thread is valuable and a 'life- line' to so many people.
 
Take care of yourself and keep drinking those long soft tender drinks .. 
  
 

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

betty, jude and sandra,

thanks for all your thoughts, prayers and good intentions towards me

i feel them and they feel yummy to my tummy

although my bank account might disagree, i do feel quite rich in my heart, my soul, my spirit and in the special friendships many of you have been so kind to share with me here

may you feel god's blessings and be aware of the many small moments of beauty that occur constantly if only we are aware

"people see god every day, but they don't recognize him (her)" - pearl bailey

A few of my pictures from Saturday
 

 

 

 

 
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Love is the only way

Dear, dear Thankful one . . .
so good to 'see' you!

as far as the beauty of the skunk i had a small encounter with, i'm still working on finding the beauty in that experience.

Plugging the nose might help . . .
 
Dear Jude . . .
Your maple leaves look just like the maple leaves
that coat my garden . . .
lovely as mulch you know,
but they don't crumble in like oak leaves,
and must be pulled out as a flat, wet carpet in the spring!
ugh!
Your berries are so very beautiful  . . .
I have berries here,
but for some reason
I cannot get onto the page where photobucket invites me to upload pictures!
Help!
  ♥

everything counts... ♥

Hi lilsparrow. When I upload from photobuc., the upload bar is on my album page, to the right top is a wide blue bar that says upload images and videos.

Thankful One

i feel them and they feel yummy to my tummy

I also use the expression .
 
 
Jude thank you for your Autumn snaps I really like the one with the moo cow in..
 
 

I cannot get onto the page where photobucket invites me to upload pictures! Help!

I have noticted they have changed photobucket slightly.You have to scroll down a small bit to login.
Hopefully you will be able to dispaly your snaps after a goodnights sleep..

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Last flower found in the yard today
 

Thank you Marie for this little flower.It's kind of sad to think it's the last one .

Last flower found in the yard today

The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love~and be loved in return♥♥  


 

Dear Jude . . . Your maple leaves look just like the maple leaves that coat my garden . . .

 
Yes, they are of the European Sycamore, which is usually the first to drop its leaves, and they turn all colours from pale yellow to bright orange to shades of rich brown with bits of green.
My favourite Acer is this one...Japanese I think. Not mine sadly, as they need acid soil and ours is as limey as it gets.
 

 

Love is the only way

Beautiful  autumn pictures dr.Jude !The same we have here:
 

 some leaves are still green,some yellow,some red,some trees are without leaves (strong wind helped them to fly away) and YES SPARROW some flowers are blooming until winter comes.
 
Lovely flower Marie !
 
         
~with regards to all~