On the way to church each Sunday evening, we pass this "Gingerbread-looking" House! It's on Paisley Street, west of Edinburgh. Don't you like it? I sure do.

Almost Nightfall in Guelph

It was almost dark. The white snow was almost unseen. It was almost night. But the sky was so pretty, I decided to take a photo anyway. There were some birds chirping as they were settling down in their nests for the night but for the most part, the world was silent.

Nutty Chocolatier

I love the name of this little store that is in the Old Quebec Street Mall.

Stormy Day

What a lot of snow!

It didn't stop all night and this morning in order to go to church, I had to do a fast back up run out of the drive making sure no cars were coming along the road as the snow was so deep.

When I got home from church, the car had to be parked on the road as the drive was so full of snow from both falling and from the strong winds.

It's dug out now and I'm now warming my fingers and toes!

What's your weather like where you live? I'd be so very interested.

Want to make a phone call?

If you'd like to make a phone call in St. George's Square in the City Centre, you'll be standing beside a very cold ice sculpture!

This was the scene last evening in the freezing rain!

It's Beginning to Look Like Christmas!

It's Beginning To Look

A Lot Like Christmas!

This is a lovely old home in Arkell,

just south of the city.

My Apologies For Being Absent

Life just got so busy and hectic for me with lots of surprises and new adventures. Along the journey of life, I've had a big "right turn" and now am waiting for God's will in some major life matters.

My blogs were put on the back burner and now here I am posting once more.

I appreciate so very much the emails I've received from some of you and I just wanted to say how happy I am after hearing from you all.

AWAY IN A MANGER

Gyp

(Click on photos to see larger)

"But, Pat..."

"...I'm sorry for digging out your new plants, and I'm sorry for getting up onto the patio table and knocking everything off, and I'm sorry for chewing up all your plastic potting pots and I'm sorry for..."

"Forgive me, Pat?

"I really AM sorry..."

Gyp is really getting into stuff and here he is after digging in some really wet earth due to my watering the garden.

On Eagles Wings

It's so very, very hot here today and I have a new washing machine coming on Friday and have been in my basement most of the day trying to get the space prepared for the new machine. At least it's cooler down in the basement.

I've been humming this lovely song and thought I'd just share it here until I can get out and take more photos!

Unfolding More

The sunflower is so much taller and my position to take the photograph is very difficult but this is the flower head now.

Unfolding

UNFOLDING

I watched for a few days at this sunflower beside my front door. I was amazed at how gently it looked to be unfolding before my eyes.

What a wonderful Creator we have to make such a beautiful creation!

His name is Gyp

GYP

It's almost impossible right now to take a good photo of Gyp but I snapped these this evening just to let all of our friends know what his name is. I think I've tried every name in the book and all that have been suggested to me but each time I'd say, "Hi Gyp!", his eyes sparkled and he'd come running so I think that Gyp has chosen his own name.

I always enjoyed the James Herriot story about the little border collie named "Gyp".

When we go for walks, he knows where he lives and turns into his house on the way home. Geordie is tolerating him but loves to herd Gyp. So, just wanted to update you all and I'll get some better photos in the coming days.

My friend has been very ill and my time has been spent taking her to appointments, etc. and so photo-taking has taken a back seat for me for a little while.

On and on...

On and on they go across the countryside, cutting a swath as they go.

I'm hoping that I have a less busy week ahead but my calendar book is kind of filled up with so many appointments again. Will do my best though.

Two days of travelling around

Forget-me-not

Yesterday was filled with errands around Guelph and today I was off to London. I didn't get home till later this evening but it was nice to meet up with another member of Photography Cafe after my Dental appointment at the Dental College.

So, my message today is "Please forget-me-not" LOL I hope life is not so busy in the coming days.

A Whale Thanks Her Rescuers

I received this email today:

If you read the front page story of the SF Chronicle of December 13, 2005, you would have read about a female humpback whale who had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines.

She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Farralone Islands (outside the Golden Gate ) and radioed an environmental group for help.

Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so bad off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her ..

This was a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer. They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, and nudged them, pushed gently around --- she thanked them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same. (There is something special about a whale looking right at you; they will never forget you.)

May you, and all those you love, be so blessed and fortunate ... to be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.

Belated Happy Canada Day Greetings!

My goodness, life for me has become hectic and so busy!

Puppy needs a new name. I will take all suggestions and consider them. All of the grandchildren and neighbours and some close friends suggested the name at various times and I was a bit wary but thought, "OK, I'll go along with it!"

Now, two of my kids have second thoughts!

So a new name must be found!

Geordie and Jack

Warming up to each other

Here they are both together on my swing on the deck. Both are fast asleep. We had gone for a little walk up the road and I carried Jack and put him down sometimes and he had so much fun trying to keep up.

Both were keen to just have a sleep when we got home.

Julie, it would be nice if you did that! ;) Maybe some time!

New Member of the Family

I was away all day yesterday to the village of Formosa, Ontario.

I was on a serious mission! This little border collie was chosen by me last week and now he was ready to come home to live in Guelph. Hopefully, he will be a good friend of Geordie. So far, Lauren has totally disowned him but maybe she'll come around as well.

MEET JACK

I will probably be calling him Jackie. But this name could change. You just never know!

On the Credit River

Just outside of Guelph (well, a little bit further than "just outside") is a village of Terra Cotta and I went down to the river and was taken aback by this poor willow tree.

I suppose through many storms and windy days over the years, more and more of its branches had broken off and all are in the river but still this tree breaks out in new leaf each year.

If you enlarge the photo, you'll see the detailed tangled mess.

Reminds me a bit of our lives if we allow the tangles to stay without unravelling them.

Through the Farm Fence

Please click to see images larger

THROUGH THE FARM FENCE

I was on my way home from my daughter's last evening and the sunset was beautiful. The smaller photo isn't the greatest as you can't see the fence but I think if you click on the photo you'll see it better.

HAY PATTERNS

A little before the sunset photo was taken, I was really taken aback by the interesting patterns made by the tractor cutting the "first cut" in his fields.

Do you like seeing patterns like this?

Yellow Flower

Today has been a very busy day for me. A friend has been in the hospital and today she was sent home and so I picked her up. I usually give her an injection every Thursday but since she was in the hospital, I assumed that she'd have it there. They sent her home and asked that I give it to her.

I also had some not so nice news of my dear brother who had his bladder removed due to cancer last November and they've decided that they must now start chemo (started yesterday) as they've found "something" in the lymph gland near to his aorta and another "something" on one of his ureters.

So, those of you who check out both of my blogs, will see the same photo. I'm sorry!

I don't know the name of this little yellow flower but I'm sure that Ruth will know. It's in a lot of hanging baskets and window boxes and it's in one of mine.

The Prayer for a Baby Girl

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. Philippians 4:6

It's been a very traumatic few months on the Photography Cafe for a family with a new baby girl. This little girl has had a very rocky ride for her entire life of six months and we've all be riding this roller coaster with her and her family.

Two days ago, her father telephoned me from England requesting prayer as she had to have one of her kidney's removed but none of the surgeons and anesthetists thought that her poor little heart could withstand the surgery. It all looked very, very grim yesterday.

I posted on Christian Photographers about this last minute request and the folks really rallied around. Surgery was at 2 pm British time yesterday and there were people all over the world praying at that time for this wee tyke. Some of the members of CP were setting their alarm clocks in order to be able to pray when surgery was starting over in England.

We've heard today from Daddy who says that she's come through the surgery! She was on a ventilator for awhile after the surgery to help her breathe but then later, she was playing with a toy! You can read about some of this family's journey with this dear little girl's health here.

I thought it would be special if we could listen to this song by Celine Dion and Josh Groban...

THE PRAYER

"The Prayer"

I pray you'll be our eyes, and watch us where we go.
And help us to be wise in times when we don't know
Let this be our prayer, when we lose our way
Lead us to the place, guide us with your grace
To a place where we'll be safe

La luce che tu hai
I pray we'll find your light
nel cuore restera
and hold it in our hearts.
a ricordarci che
When stars go out each night,
eterna stella sei

The light you have
I pray we'll find your light
will be in the heart
and hold it in our hearts.
to remember us that
When stars go out each night,
you are eternal star
Nella mia preghiera
Let this be our prayer
quanta fede c'e
when shadows fill our day

How much faith there's
Let this be our prayer
in my prayer
when shadows fill our day
Lead us to a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

Sognamo un mondo senza piu violenza
un mondo di giustizia e di speranza
Ognuno dia la mano al suo vicino
Simbolo di pace, di fraternita

We dream a world without violence
a world of justice and faith.
Everyone gives the hand to his neighbours
Symbol of peace, of fraternity
La forza che ci da
We ask that life be kind
e il desiderio che
and watch us from above
ognuno trovi amor
We hope each soul will find
intorno e dentro se
another soul to love

The force his gives us
We ask that life be kind
is wish that
and watch us from above
everyone finds love
We hope each soul will find
around and inside
another soul to love
Let this be our prayer
Let this be our prayer, just like every child

Need to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe
Need to find a place, guide us with your grace
Give us faith so we'll be safe

E la fede che
hai acceso in noi,
sento che ci salvera

It's the faith
you light in us
I feel it will save us

Twelve Days Old

(Click on the photo to see larger)

Such a sweet little chick!

Up at my sister's, a shipment of little chicks had arrived a week ago and with over 100 chicks in the rather large enclosure that they are living in, it was difficult to isolate only one chick to capture a shot!

What city do you belong in?

I found this fun quiz on CG's blog:

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

What European City Do You Belong In?

It's funny too as I just took a loaf of Irish Wheaten Bread out of the oven!!!

Indian Paintbrush

Here's a photo of a lovely flower that is everywhere up north. I really like the colours of it.

Indian Paintbrush

(Click to see larger if you wish)

Reeds & Waterlilies on a Northern Lake

I had a lovely time away on the weekend. It was really good to be with family and friends in the far north where the towns are very small and far apart.

This photo was taken at late dusk on a lake near to my sister's home and the bull frogs were so noisey. The waterlilies were lovely and I saw birds I don't often see down here in Southern Ontario.

I haven't looked at all my photos yet as I arrived home after midnight.

Away for the Weekend

I'm heading out early in the morning for North Bay, Ontario (about 5 hours drive) and won't be back till maybe about midnight Sunday night. I need some R&R so I'm going to my sister's to see if I can get some! :)

Sparrows

My friend, Kevin, is living in Japan and is a pastor over there. He's originally from Louisiana in the USA.

On his blog, he's posted some lovely photos of sparrows. I'd appreciate it if you went to see them and left a comment.

Crystal Pitcher on an Old Picnic Table

I was out the other day looking for some things to capture and at an old run down farmhouse, I found the most beautiful crystal pitcher sitting on a very old wooden picnic table.

The time was just about 12 noon so the absolutely incorrect time to try to take photos with the bright overhead sunshine but I think it turned out ok.

Do you?

I'd love to know why this gorgeous pitcher was sitting on this old disused table.

I'm chickened out!

Oops! Sorry, same post as in my Guelph Blog tonight due to it being my birthday and I still have company.

SWISS CHALET

Just a very quick post as I still have company here. Last Wednesday evening I took my granddaughter to this Swiss Chalet for her 19th birthday treat.

Saturday, my daughter and her family came and took me to the Swiss Chalet for my birthday supper.

Today is my birthday and my youngest son and his wife and daughter telephoned and said, "We're on our way over, Mum! We're taking you to the Swiss Chalet for your birthday!"

So, here I sit completely chickened out! I love the Swiss Chalet though. I'm not one bit sad that I went three times in four days!!!

Last Year's Blossom

Click photo to see larger

I'm still trying out various settings on this camera and I came across this "last year's blossom" and thought I'd try a capture of it.

I sort of like it. Do you?

Muddy Sneakers' Blog

What a great blog is being created on Muddy_Sneakers' blog. I can't stand snakes but she's getting me to at least look at them.

Hope you all have a look at her blog here.

A little day trip to Bramalea, Ontario

Please forgive but today, this blog entry is the same as for the Guelph Daily Photo as I thought you might like to read it as well.

Please click on the photos to see them larger!

Now, who do you think is the owner of these lovely legs?

And why in the world would I be taking photos of men's legs???

Over in Bramalea on Kennedy Road just north of Steeles Avenue, I stopped in at Tim Horton's to get a much needed coffee for my journey home to Guelph and there were balloons everywhere--both inside and outside!!

Inside? What a special view!

Today was Camp Day at Tim Horton's right across Canada and all the proceeds from coffee sold today went toward helping to send an underprivileged child to camp this summer.

The legs?

It was so special to see three Peel Regional Police constables smiling and asking folks to donate just a $1.00 toward helping underprivileged children to go to summer camp. They had brought T-shirts with them to sell as the sign says but by the time I had arrived, all were sold out.

Each person donating only $1.00 or more received a beautifully decorated cupcake. It was so lovely to see this gesture.

But who made those cupcakes?

They didn't look like anything from Tim Horton's showcase!

So I asked and the two officers with their caps on pointed at the fellow with no cap and unanimously said, "He did!" Well, that cupcake guys was so tasty. I pulled over in Terra Cotta to admire the river there on the way home to Guelph and decided that I'd eat it there.

And their vehicles?

I know that there's something special about a police cruiser, isn't there? Especially driven by one of these burly young men.

I know that I always enjoyed seeing my husband in his police uniform behind the wheel of his cruiser back many years ago when he was on Vaughan Township Police Department (pre York Regional).

Well...

I'm sure that these fellows would look just as good but...

They parked their vehicles outside the Tim Horton's Donut Shop on the sidewalk!!! I parked my car in a proper parking spot!

Imagine that!

And it's because they drove these...

So, let's hear it for the Peel Regional Police Force!!!

Great work guys! Hope you leave a message on here. Hope you enjoyed it and thanks for all your work volunteering today to help underprivileged children go to camp this summer!

You sure make good cupcakes! Hope you didn't miss your calling.

See you on the road and I hope you don't have your lights flashing telling me to pull over cuz I'm speeding or something. Grandmas don't speed!

And oh, the legs? They belong to the tallest fellow--the one with no cap!

More of the chickadee

(Click to see larger) After I shot the little bird in the tree with the big grub, she flew to this little birdhouse. The really funny thing is that this isn't meant to be a real birdhouse. It's just a decorative one that my friend has been hanging in the tree by her deck year after year. The round hole is too small for the sparrows to enter but the chickadee manages just fine.

(Click to see larger)

A Yummy Supper

Sorry for being away but I had some difficulty with my program I use for viewing my photos and had to reload it again and had some problems there as well.

You can click on the photo and see it larger if you like. It's not the greatest shot but I was amazed at being able to get this little chickadee with supper in it's mouth for it's little babies. The background of the photo is much too busy so I'll get out and do more practicing with this camera!

Technical Problems

Tonight, I had some technical problems with my computer so couldn't post any photos. Thanks for all the comments lately and hopefully, I will get caught up with your blogs.

Darts

On my walk last night in the woods, I saw many dandelions where the winds had blown most of the seeds away.

This one reminded me so much of a dart game. It was almost dark but I took it anyway. I sort of like the sparkle too of the remaining seed still clinging.

I went for a walk in the woods

Tonight was my granddaughter's 10th birthday! My goodness, time does fly! So, grandmas and grandpas were invited over for roast beef dinner and it was lovely. She had her party with her friends yesterday.

She and I took a walk into the woods behind their house and I found some flowers. I have no idea what this one is called but I left some leaves on it for easy identification. The flowers to tiny, tiny mauve ones.

Andrew bought this variegated leaf clover to put into their little wildflower garden. He's done a wonderful job this year.

Where there's a will...

...there's a way!

As our children were growing up many years ago, Jack and I would often caution them about the friends that they would keep. We'd try to explain to them that it's so easy for "friends" to bring you down but it's difficult to lift up your friends to the way that you think and believe.

I used to teach piano and as a result, I'd use my piano as an example to the little ones as they were learning about life. I would ask them if it would be easy if you were standing on top of the piano to lift another person up on to the piano. Of course, they would say, "No, Mum!"

But how easy it would be for the "friend" to pull you down from that piano to live the life of the not so good lifestyle! I think that the little "parable" got through to them.

Well, out of my archives of photos, I found these three that brought back to me the lessons I tried to teach the children when they were young.

Geordie had just got out of the river from having a swim and he saw Rebecca climbing up onto this massive rock in the park.

He loves Rebecca and I know he just wanted to climb up there so badly to be with Rebecca. She tried to help him but it was an impossible task to drag him up so finally, she just encouraged and encouraged him and he tried and tried....

Finally, he made it and was so happy to be with her on top of that rock!

Happy to be Together!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

Waiting for the Wind

I liked seeing the seeds on this dandelion down in my garden. Seemed as if they were waiting for the wind to come and blow them all away.

Yellow Jacket in the Apple Tree

Our bees are scarce this year so happy to see any flying insect helping to pollinate the apple trees.

Periwinkle Glory

I really enjoy clematis. This one has very large blossoms.

It's apple blossom time!

My trees are in full blossom now. Hopefully, the bees will come and pollinate the blossoms but we have a shortage this year.