FEATHERS, FUR & BLOSSOMS OF HOPE

A little feathered friend.

 I thought I would share a little of what's happening in my world this cold and dreary winter.

I keep birdseed in an old cookie sheet on the back deck and as you can see I have many visitors. Here a Dark Eyed Junco stands on the rail waiting for her turn.

I sat very still in front of the slider and took pictures through the glass. Any fast movement and the birds were gone in a flash of feathers and little bird poopies. This Stellar's Jay was especially nervous and no wonder. I have had a huge bald eagle hanging around.

 Song Sparrows are such sweet little birds. Not the show off type but their song brings Spring to life in this lady's heart! I am fascinated at how birds can get a seed in their beak, open it to eat the inside and discard the hull. How can they do that? If I put a whole peanut in my mouth and try that, I have to spit out the whole thing! Yes I did try. LOL

 The Rufus Sided Towhee is another shy little creature. It's brick red sides in contrast with the black and white coloring make this little fellow really stand out in the snow. His eyes are the same color as it's red sides. Enlarge the photo and see.

 Ok, now for the fur. This doe (in the back) had these twin fawns last summer. She kept them quite well hidden most of the summer but now with the freezing winter upon us and so little for them to forage they are coming to my front yard to eat the grass and whatever else they can find. There is very Little nutrition in it this time of year, but it's something to fill their tummy's. The babies still have most of their fuzzy winter coat although some is gone.

 Here are the kids, looking to see if I have apples for them. I can't believe I am feeding them. They will grow up and destroy more of my flowers and shrubs.

But for now, they are hungry babies and I have a mother's heart.

 Believe me, it's awfully hard to resist these hungry brown eyes. They don't come  close enough for me to touch them but do come within 4-5 feet, I think If I held out an apple they would take it from my hand. I will try that next time they come. A few days ago while sitting at my computer I saw something out of the corner of my eye and was very surprised to find mama deer walking up the stairs to my front deck. Patty said one day she will be knocking at my door.

LOL!

 Mama and her babies have finished the apples and are wandering up to the old apple tree where several large patches of English Violets grow. I love the way Violets smell. Deer love the way they taste! I will put blood meal around them after the deer have other things to eat. That will discourage them so I will have a few violets to enjoy.

 Another kind of fur

Sir Tudie says, "I want winter to go away!! It's too cold." Here he is burrowed down into my blankets, head on my pillow too. I bathe him and Matilda often because I won't want to wake up smelling like a dog. Isn't he cute though?

It has been quite cold here, in the teens with snow and ice all over. It's snowing again now as I type. A light dancing sort of snow, softly drifting whichever way the breeze carries it. It's a lazy day. I think I will do what Tudie is doing.

As I look out at the snow and feel the chill of winter, I remind myself that in about two months, just 8 short weeks, my Gravenstein apple tree will be blooming once again, just as it has for about seventy-five years. Blossoms give me hope. Hope for another beautiful spring, hope for my country, hope for all those I love.

THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER. I CAN HAVE HOPE IN ALL THINGS BECAUSE OF YOU.

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Please remember to hold my friend John up in prayer. He sees his doctor on the 4th.

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My friend John had a scan that shows areas on four or five bones that were diagnosed as cancer. He see's his doctor on March 4th, and I believe they will set a date for biopsy's then. Sometimes spots on bones look like cancer but are actually calcium deposits. They look the same on the scans. We are praying this is the case.
Thank you for your continued prayers.

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IT'S THAT DAY AGAIN!

 I love the old Victorian valentines, and those I sent as a little girl. Today's offerings are foreign to me with pictures of characters I don't recognize.

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 Did you ever wonder what your friends would see if they could look into your heart?

If they looked into mine they would see my children and their offspring, my sisters, my friends, my puppies, pretty shoes, flower gardens and Chocolate to name a few. I hope they would see Jesus there too.

What would people see if they could look into your heart?

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 Sweet valentines like this make me smile. I remember how exciting it was to make valentines to put the big valentine box the teachers made at school. I also remember the long wait until the afternoon Valentine's party where students were chosen to pass out all the cards and we got Kool*Aid and cupcakes and cookies. YUM! These were wonderful treats. Most of us didn't get sweets very often.

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Those days are long past and most of the children who gave me cards are forgotten but I am blessed to still have the very best Valentine of all. I will never forget Him, and He will never forget me.


HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

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A FEW OF MY FAVORITE PHOTO'S

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 This picture fascinated me because the snow seemed to skip over the trees in the center.

 Clouds over the sun gave this shot a surreal look.

It's sort of odd but I like it.

 I love driving in the country. There are thousands of photography moments just waiting for me.

 Reed filled Lake Padden on a misty day.

 Another country scene, a golden field under a blue sky.

 Majestic Mt. Baker looms over a farm in the valley.

 A lovely grass covered lane at Lake Terrell in Washington State.

 Another glorious sunset over Bellingham Bay.

 Snow on the property across the street from my place. This was taken several years ago. There are houses there now. I far prefer the trees and brush.

 This cloud dragon made me run for my camera. Maybe its Puff!

 When this is enlarged it makes me feel as if I am in the clouds. The lonely little tree top in the lower center wasn't planned. It just popped into the picture unannounced!

I love capturing the sun coming through the trees like this. The light just brightened everything in it's path including the grass.

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John's tests on Friday were difficult but thank the Lord he managed to get through them. We hope to learn the results this coming week and that they are favorable . I will keep you informed. Thanks for your faithful prayers.

God Bless

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PRAYER NEEDED

TOMORROW  FRIDAY FEBRUARY 4TH MY FRIEND JOHN WILL UNDERGO FIVE HOURS OF TESTING TO LEARN IF THE PROSTATE CANCER HAS SPREAD. PLEASE PRAY WITH US THAT IT HASN'T. THANK YOU!

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