Just a Yellow Flower

A long time...

It's been a very long time since I last posted but there's been much water flowing under life's bridge and just no time to blog. I hope that this will change in the coming days.

Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia

Just before I left Virginia to come back to Guelph this time, we took a wonderful drive on the Skyline Drive and what a view it was to see the wonderful "folds of colour" of the rolling mountains off into the distance and the sky even seemed to "match".

Blog not working

I've been trying to post a photo in here and it just doesn't want to work! :(

Geordie

GEORDIE My Wonderful Border Collie

Geordie has been my constant companion for almost 13 years. He usually goes with me everywhere and he knows just about everything I'm talking about.

Last week, I almost lost my buddy. He had a little "thing" on his lower eyelid that was scratching his eyeball every time he blinked causing his eye to bleed and so I decided to have it removed in order to take away this irritation. Due to his age, the vet tried to do it with a "local" anesthetic but Geordie sure didn't like to see those scissors so it was decided to use a very mild "general".

Geordie just had a very bad reaction to that and on Tuesday, I nearly lost him. The vet worked so very hard (over 3 1/2 hours) trying to revive him and so far his time spent with "Geordie, my lad" (as he called him) has been working albeit very, very slowly. Last night, I slept in my bed with him beside me in his bed on the floor. Up until last night, I've been just lying beside him on the floor and we've spent a lot of time staring into each other's eyes!

Here's Geordie the day before his surgery. As some of you know, he went downhill very quickly followiing the anesthetic and I nearly lost him. He so loves the snow and he was just sitting at the door staring and wishing I'd go out and play with him.

Geordie Today

Geordie loves his bed. Today he seems to be much more comfortable and I'm so happy. I'm still force feeding him though as he really has no interest in eating yet.

He's not out of the woods yet. Last year at this time, he was about 45 lb. On Boxing Day, he was 35 lb. and on Tues. he was 33 lb. So, he's been losing weight gradually and the vet suspects something "nasty" but we're going to try hard to get some weight back on him as he loves to run and explore and I just know that we're going to have many more fantastic days together.

What a long time!

...Since I've posted in here!

This is the reason!

On May 24, 2008, I was married to Paul! So thought I'd share a special photo of that day with you all.

IN THE PARK

This photo was taken by Carol ("Abelia" on the Photography Cafe). This was taken after the ceremony when we went to the park.

THE VOWS

My daughter, Janice, was Matron of Honour and Paul's son, Jim, was Best Man. Pastor Wayne Boadway officiated at the service held in Royal City Baptist Church, Guelph, Ontario

This photo was taken by Ross Blakey ("RBont" on the Photography Cafe).

He is Risen As He Said!

This photo of the Easter Lily was taken by Paul and I thank him for allowing me to put it in here today as we celebrate the wonderful Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour!

He Is Risen! Happy Easter!

CHRIST AROSE (Click to hear music)

Author: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899
Musician: Robert Lowry, 1826-1899

Low in the grave He lay,
Jesus, my Savior!
Waiting the coming day,
Jesus, my Lord!

Chorus:
Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o'er His foes;
He arose a victor
From the dark domain,
And He lives forever
With His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose!
Hallelujah! Christ arose!

Vainly they watch His bed,
Jesu, my Savior!
Vainly they seal the dead,
Jesus my Lord!

Chorus:

Death cannot keep his prey,
Jesus, my Savior!
He tore the bars away,
Jesus my Lord!

Chorus:

A Wedding is Planned!

I thought I'd let you all know that my presence on here might be a little haphazard for the next little while and I am planning a wedding for May!

Whose wedding? Mine!

I became a widow seven years ago and for me I thought that this is what life was going to be like from now on. But, my Lord and Saviour has had other plans for my life and He has brought into my life a wonderful man named Paul.

Paul arrived on Saturday night with roses and a lovely little white box! Then yesterday, he made this lovely collage of three photos--a photo of three of the roses from the dozen red roses he brought, the ring in the box and the ring on my finger!

I do hope that you enjoy the photo as much as I do and that you will be patient with me while I plan with Paul our future life together.

Red Roses and a Ring
A Special Day for Pat

Just the Black Notes!

This will AMAZE you! Just the black notes!

US Dream Academy

More of Geordie

Since I've been otherwise engaged for the past few days and unable to get out to get new photos, I thought I'd just share a few more photos of my good buddy. Actually, I just can't imagine life without him. He listens intently to everything I say as if he's wanting to join right in. Here he is again where he loves to be--in the snow!

"I'm sure she said we were going in the car..."

I had told Geordie that we were going in the car to the store and this is how he stayed at the door just waiting for me to keep my word. And in between times, he was busy chasing the black squirrels out of the back yard!

"Getting Old"

He's getting old but still loves to run and play...

"Pat! Rescue Me!"

Geordie takes a lot from my youngest grandson who insists on dressing him up! Here he is all ready to go out in the snow with his winter toque on!!

Geordie

Geordie is a tri-colour border collie and one of the most intelligent and obedient dogs that I've ever met. He knows left and right and he's just my good friend. He's 12 years old but is still full of life and just loves the snow.

So, this photo of him was taken one day at the back door after he had been playing in the snow and he was asking me to go outside to play! If you click on the picture, you'll see it larger and see that he's simply covered with snow!

GEORDIE

I Love You

A Rose That Says, "I Love You!"

This is the day when so many folks around the world tell their loved ones that they love them. Have you told him today that you love him? Have you told her? Or what about the little ones? They all need to hear those three words, "I love you!"

But what a wonderful thing if we did this every day! As you leave each day for your place of work, tell your wife that you love her. As he sets off on his journey to his place of work, give him a hug and whisper those words that he loves to hear, "I love you!" Maybe you could even leave a note with those words written on it in a snack for the children. And your Dad and Mother both need to know, too, that they are loved. Phone them or write them a wee note today and simply say, "Mum, I love you! Just wanted you to know!" or "Dad, feel like a coffee? Let's meet and I'll buy you a one today. Just wanted to let you know that I love you, Dad!"

We all need to know that we're loved. Go and tell someone that you love them now. It's so nice to hear those words.

The greatest gift ever was the gift of love that we're told about in John 3:16. "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life".

O the Deep, Deep Love of Jesus
(Click to hear music)

Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature,
shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:39

Author: S. Trevor Francis, 1834-1925 Musician: Thomas John Williams, 1869-1944

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!
Rolling as a mighty ocean
in its fullness over me!
Underneath me, all around me,
is the current of Thy love
Leading onward, leading homeward
to Thy glorious rest above!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
spread His praise from shore to shore!
How he loveth, ever loveth,
changeth never, nevermore!
How he watches o’er His loved ones,
died to call them all His own;
How for them intercedeth,
watcheth o’er them from the throne!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
love of every love the best!
’Tis an ocean full of blessing,
’tis a haven giving rest!
O the deep, deep love of Jesus,
’tis a heaven of heavens to me;
And it lifts me up to glory,
for it lifts me up to Thee!

New Life in Spring

I have a friend, Colin Moffett, in Northern Ireland who writes poetry! I've really been blessed by it. Well, now I can listen to him as he reads his own poems! How lovely is that!

He has a video camera and all of this photography is his own. I do hope that you enjoy it as much as I have.

NEW LIFE IN SPRING

Hear the whisper of the breeze
Sighing softly through the trees
Rays of sunshine kiss my face
Fleecy clouds above me race
Dancing in the soft blue sky
Where soar the singing birds on high

Fresh green leaves trees adorn
Cuckoo calls from early morn
Busy bees on the wing
Listen to the blackbird sing
See the beauty of the flowers
Watered from fresh April showers

Brightly glistens morning dew
Blades of grass a greener hue
Spring is here, cold days are gone
Each morning now a brighter dawn
Skipping lambs; just newborn
Pink small flowers on the thorn

Cherry trees are out in bloom
Also flowering gorse and broom
Rabbits frolic without a care
Fragrant smells are in the air
Hedgehog stirs from winter’s rest
Mother bird builds her nest

Sunny days are sure to bring
Life renewal in the Spring
I thank God that I can see
Nature’s beauty surrounding me
God in mercy and in love
Sends us blessings from above

Days of Spring bring life anew
God will give new life to you
Hope eternal it will spring
If to Jesus you will bring
And give to Him your heart today
He will wash your sin away

Colin Moffett

Glorious Sunset

Incredible Artwork of the Creator

I don't know if you all think about sunsets like I do--I just love them and find that they are so special. Our Creator has created such wonderful works of art with His paintbrush, hasn't He? As I was out last evening and the sun was almost set and there wasn't much light left, I just kep on snapping. All of the photos didn't turn out but I thought I'd share yet one more with you all of the beautiful sky.

As I stood there and stared at the beautiful sky that was changing by the minute and as I heard the honking of the geese, the less noisy quacking of the many mallards, and other wild things out there on the water, my mind kept on helping me to remember about the words of a song I had heard earlier in the day on the radio. It's entitled, "The Paintbrush" and I'm going to share the words with you...

THE PAINT BRUSH
Chuck Milhuff

Life started out like a canvas
And God started painting on me
But I took the paintbrush from Jesus
And painted what I wished to see.

The colors I painted kept running
And the objects were all out of size
I had made a mess of my painting
My way now seemed so unwise.

So I brought my painting to Jesus
All the colors, the pieces so wrong
In the markets of earth it was worthless
But His blood made my painting belong.

He worked with no condemnation
Never mentioned the mess I had made
Then He dipped His brush in the rainbow
And He signed it, the price has been paid.

When I gave the brush back to Jesus,
When I gave the brush back to Him
He started all over life’s canvas to fill
When I gave to Jesus the brush of my will.

He worked with no condemnation
Never mentioned the mess I had made
Then He dipped His brush in the rainbow
And He signed it, the price has been paid.

Yes, it was a lovely sunset the other night and even though I was standing in snow that was deeper than my knees and I didn't remember to bring my gloves from the car, I so enjoyed looking at the wonderful artwork created by my Father and I thank Him for bringing to my remembrance this wonderful poem.

The Bridge

BRIDGE AT HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA

As I travelled home from Virginia last Thursday, I came to this bridge over the Susquehanna River at Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

I was impressed by the reflections in the water and the colours in those reflections. I was stopped at a red light so I quickly picked up my camera and took this photo out of the car window before the light turned green!

Rolling Hills Along the Road

If you click on the photo and view it larger, you will see the rolling hills along this northern Ontario road. I was travelling from my sister's home near Powassan and on my way out to the highway, I was so impressed by the roller coaster effect on this road.

It felt like a roller coaster as well!

Thank you so much!

I would like to thank everyone for the outpouring of loving messages posted for our dear friend, Sue, wife of Mark Gurkin. I'm sure that when the funeral service is over today and she has time to relax and reflect in the coming days, she'll be happy to read them. I do hope that all of you reading this will continue to leave her a message as all will be important for her to read later. I speak from experience as when my dear husband of 40 years was Promoted to Glory, I so enjoyed reading the messages of condolence sent to me during the days immediately following his homecall. Truly, the death of a believer is a lovely event since it says in scripture, that "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." (Phil 1: 21). This is how Jack, my husband felt and I, too, will be happy to be in the presence of my Lord and Saviour when the time comes for Him to call me home to himself. Thank you once again and please continue to think of Sue and leave her messages here.

Farewell Mark!

All photos are Mark Gurkin's...

Farewell to a Good Online Friend

Mark Gurkin aka “ggraph”

Elder's Mill Bridge

It’s always difficult to say “Farewell” to anyone when that friend reaches the end of life’s journey but when it’s a good friend, this is so much more difficult.

Mark Gurkin aka ggraph was a good online friend who I have never met but have spoken to on the telephone and have communicated with for almost a year. Mark was unwell. He was patiently waiting for a kidney-pancreas transplant which never came in time for our Mark. He had problems with his eyesight due to difficulty while on the dialysis machine. What a time he had! But he always sounded upbeat and happy in his situation—even though he was going through such difficulties.

Our last telephone conversation was on January 9, 2008 when I shared some good news of mine and he was elated to hear that news. He was looking forward to the time when I’d be able to go to Georgia and meet both Sue, his wonderful wife and caregiver, and himself.

My last email to him was on January 13 and I was telling him of a wonderful online church service I had watched on TV that morning and here’s a bit of what I said to Mark:

“This morning, Mark, as I was getting ready for church, Paul phoned me from Virginia. He had just finished listening to Charles Stanley's son speak on TV (from 7 am to 8 am). Usually, it's Charles Stanley from Atlanta but today his son, Andy, was there from a church called "North Point". Paul was so excited as he knows the area down there and he said, "Pat, Andy is so close to your friend, Mark! If Mark is at exit “xx”, Andy is just down at exit 10 off 400! Can you phone him and tell him that this was a wonderful program today?" I told him I would write to you, Mark. I'm listening to Andy Stanley as I type this Mark and he's just so wonderful today.

Here's the URL: http://www.intouch.org/site/c.dhKHIXPKIuE/b.2287421/k.944D/This_Week_on_TV.htm

When you get to this URL, you can click on a wee icon on the screen to see it full screen, Mark. It's really good. Please let me know what you think. I wish I were closer to you and if I were, I'd drive you to his church. Apparently, it's massive and it's right off the highway near you.

I will call you later. I must go to my church service tonight as I'm playing the organ. I had an email from Natalya and she sends you her best wishes, Mark.”

And I added as well, “Hi Sue! I look forward to meeting you one day. Maybe Paul will drive me to Georgia someday. God bless you both and remember that my thoughts and prayers (and Paul's in Virginia) are being offered for you both every day. Sue, it's such a wonderful job you're doing caring for Mark. I loved every minute of my time caring for Jack and I realize now how important a job it was and only a spouse of a dialysis patient can even begin to realize what you are going through. No one else can. And only Mark can begin to know what you're going through as you care for him as Jack used to remind me all the time.

We'll chat soon. I just wanted you to know about Andy Stanley quickly as the video doesn't stay on the web site all that long. I hope you listen and watch.”

Old Homestead

So, folks, this is where I was with my friend Mark Gurkin. We shared much about my Heavenly Father and I told him how much Jack, my late husband, loved the Saviour. How I wish I had been able to make the trip down to Georgia to see both him and Sue. Mark so often said that Sue was his life and his wonderful soulmate. He lived for Sue. Jack was also on dialysis for 3 ½ years before he was promoted to glory and so I realize just how difficult it is to be the caregiver like Sue was to dear Mark.

Even though Mark could hardly see, he was still out there taking photographs as often as he possibly could. He loved covered bridges, birds and all kinds of wildlife. He displayed many of these lovely photographs in his blog entitled, Photo Life and on his website entitled, North Georgia Images

If you would like to post a comment also on the Photography Café where he loved to spend time during the past year, please do. His family will appreciate it. Here’s a link to a topic where the members of the Café are posting and you can simply register on the site to post your message of condolence as well. Farewell Mark aka ggraph and you might like to see the photos that he uploaded in the site. Here’s his Gallery on the Café.

I think it’s fitting to end this little memorial to our dear blogging friend and fellow photographer by using one of his own photos from his website.

From Mark:

“I often pass by this huge American flag. It's so large it takes a very windy day to get a full flag shot. While out one evening I decided to go by and see how it looked. When I got there the sun was beginning to set and the clouds were really great. Hence this image. A great image for the end of the day on the 4th of July”

SUNSET SALUTE

A great image, Mark for the end of the day on January 27^th, 2008

Our deepest sympathy to you, dear Sue, and the whole family circle of our dear friend Mark Gurkin.

In God We Trust

I'm Canadian but... ...I found this so true.

Ohhh, I've been naughty...

...I've neglected posting in here again!!!!

I call this photo...

Just a Drop of Water

Just a tiny bead of water is seen about to drip off the swan's beak! Do you see it?