Beauty In Pink

We've lived here for nine years now and every spring this lovely tree blooms.  It's kind of funny.  Before it blooms it looks half dead and I wonder (every Spring) if, indeed, it is dead.  And then near the end of April she blooms.  The thing is, I have no idea what the name of the this tree/bush is and would love to know that.  Please help me.  

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I do love this beauty.  I just wish she had a name.

 ~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me for image-in-ing  and Mosaic Monday  It's great fun!

Clouds On the River

 When the sun rises and the clouds are walking on water.

The Sun

by Annette Wynne

Long before the postman comes

The sun begins to rise,

Far in the East if you should look

You'd find it in the skies.

At first it's just a streak of light

Then all at once the world get bright.

As I walked today I saw how beauiful it is to witness the presents of clouds come to earth.  Fog is often gloomy, so gray and thick.  But this morning the glory of the sun allowed me to witness the beauty of the cloud come to earth.

It's early in October and one doesn't expect the trees to change right away, but it does a body good to see that thay have begun to share their beauty with us.

Autumn offers us the opportunity to witness the beauty of the changes in the life of a year.  There is a glow from the trees that is just breathtaking.  And yet this is just the beginning.  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing,  Our World Tuesday. and  My Corner of the World.

A Field of Flowers

Early morning walks allow me to see some wonderful sights.  The only thing is I often have no idea what the names of the "beauties" are.  Maybe some of my friends can help me with the name of this "beauty."

Isn't she gorgeous?

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

Chatannooga on the Tennesee River

A couple of years ago we spent some time with a friend in the city of Chattanooga, Tennesee.  I was reminded of the day we spent there when we stopped by to see her again a couple of weeks ago on our way home from visiting our son and family in Geogia.  Acturally, being in Chattanooga can be a challenge as it is a city that sits on the borders of 3 state, Tennesee, Georgia and Alabama.  Just when you think  you are in one you are in another.  That's the way the highway system works. 

View of Chattanooga across the Tennesee River

Walnut Street Bridge

The Walnut Street Bridge was built in 1890 and was the first to connect downtown Chattanooga to North Chattanooga.  The Brige is historicallry significant as an extremely long and examply of its type.  According to the Historic American Engineering Record:  "the Bridge was apparently the first non-military highway bridge across the Tennesee River. [Wikipedia]

Bridges across the Tennesee River

And so it is that I have have grand memories of a time well spent in this beautiful city.  It is to our friend, Chica, that I am grateful for that delightful day!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

White Violet Center and Equine Studies

I  have a warm spot in my heart for Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.  I graduated from The Woods in 1994 with a degree in gerontology.  (As my husband said at the time, "You'll be in the forefront of your field."--I was 48 at the time.)  That being said I'd like to share with you some of the wonders of the Woods. 

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One of them is the Sisters of Providence White Violet Center for Eco-Justice.  It's a non-profit education center focusing on oranic agriculture, spiritual ecology and social advocacy.  It was founded in 1996 abay Sister of Providence Ann Sullivan.

The White Violet Farm Alpacas herd was started with six donated alpacas in 1998.  All the fiber from theherd is processed and utilized.  Staff members and volunteers spin, knit and weave handmade products and the center offers fiber workshops to teach these skills.

The Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies 

Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is the only college in Indiana to offer a degree in equine studies. The Mari Hulman George School of Equine Studies offers a well-rounded  education in equine study and business management.  It's great to walk the campus and see these beautiful horses grazing, running and playing.  

Oh, but it's just wonderful to walk the grounds of The Woods anytime!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

Ramblings

I love walking in the early morning.  It is generally quiet and it's much cooler.  I'm get impatient for it to cool off in the evening for a walk so I just walk in the morning.  

Last week one of my early morning walks was foggy and just the right temperature for an energizing walk.  It was so foggy you couldn't see the opposite bank of the Ohio.

This morning was different.  The sun was trying to rise through the clouds and it was gloriously cool.  The humidity was low for this time of the year and I was in heaven.  

The sun's trying to peek through the clouds.

The flora was flaunting its beauty!

 

And even on the best of days there are those who just cannot help but defy ther rules.  Right now it has just begun to rain.  It looks like my heavenly walk ended just in time.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please join me for Mosaic Monday, image-in-ing, and Our World Tuesday.

Sunday Walk By the River

After Mass this morning Ron and I decided to a walk to the river.  Here in Newburgh is a lock and dam where the barges move up and down the river carrying coal, grain and oil.  

This morning we hit the jackpot.  There were barges coming and going.

Farther along on our walk we encountered some very lovely blossoms.  

We met this handsome Gentleman along the way, watching to make sure he safely crossed the road.

No walk is complete on a Sunday morning with out a stop at Ben and Pennys.  And this morning was no different.  Ron had a warm carmel apple cookie and I had maple walnut scone, both topped with a 

small scoop of vanilla ice cream

Then these flower pots reminded me that this is the last weekend in August and the door is now opening onto the an autumn porch. It has been a summer of saddness and joy for us but all in all God has been gracious.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please visit Judith at Lavender Cottage for Mosaic Monday and share in the beauty offered there.

I will also be joining Laura at I Heart Macro to day too.  Why not stop by and enjoy!

As an aside, I've been invited to  join Monday WRites by Gillena Cox.  Since I'm not prepared for that today I thought others of you might join her in this adventure.

Mosaic Monday...Hoping for Spring

Enough Said!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Please visit Mosaic Monday at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.

Mosaic Monday~~Cats

Cats seem to be the popular this weekend in my blog travels.  So I thought I'd share some photos of my cats, Simba and Nala (aka Sissy).  They are brother and sister and oh what fun they offer me each day! 

Simba is the once that leaps and flies and climbs.  Nala on the other hand is the pensive one.  No matter!  They are real treasures!

 I particularly like this quote by Garrison Keillor:

“Cats are intended to teach us that not everything in nature has a purpose.” 

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Then visit Mosaic Monday at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.  You'll enjoy that, too!!!

  

  Today's link to Provident God.

Wisdom of the Fathers

Sunrise and sunset
Mother of beauty and grace
Warms the hearts of all

~~~~~

Great Spirit, Great Spirit, my Grandfather, all over the earth the faces of living things are all alike...Look upon these faces of children without number and with children in their arms, that they may face the winds and walk the good road to the day of quiet

Black Elk (1863-1950)

Oglala Sioux holy man 

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Pleases stop by and visit Karen at Sunlit Sunday and offer your bit of sunshine today.  Then visit Mosaic Monday at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.  You'll enjoy that, too!!!
  

  Today's link to Provident God.

Sunlight and Desert Shadows

What makes the desert beautiful is that somewhere it hides a well.

Antoine de Saint-Exupery 

~~~^j^~~~
Thanks be to God!!

Cathy

Pleases stop by and visit Karen at Sunlit Sunday and offer your bit of sunshine today.  Then visit Mosaic Monday at The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.  You'll enjoy that, too!!!
  

  Today's link to Provident God.

Still Spring

It's still Spring. . .

Spring

Spring is life
Spring is hope
So is love and
happiness.
Spring renews.
Without spring,
life is forlorn.
Spring is nostalgia
after bitter storm.
Put spring in your heart 

Archie Greenidge

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy
Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Bird Nest Anthology, 2013

This was a journey. I discovered this bird nest last Fall. It was in a tree outside one of the windows where I work.  I so enjoyed watching the changes as they took place.  I could hardly wait until Spring when I just knew Mama would arrive to set up housekeeping.  Much to my chagrin Mother Nature takes care of her own and so I discovered that She decorated and camouflaged the wee nest so that I could not photograph Mama and her brood.  I've seen her nesting, but only in the shadows.  It's been quite an adventure!

It's true Spring is for the Birds!!!!

~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Visit  Macro Monday  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Mosaic Monday

Santa's Helpers

The fairies and elves on last Christmas-tide
Decided to open their hearts very wide,
And spend extra time, throughout the whole year,
In helping their grandfather—Santa Claus dear.

"Our fingers are nimble. We'll quickly make toys
Enough to supply all the girls and the boys,
And Santa may watch us to see if it's right,
So all will be ready before Christmas night."

Then bravely they all went to work with a will,
And soon all was quiet in workshop and mill;
For old Santa said, "Enough, and well done,
We've toys enough now to make all kinds of fun."

We thank you, old Santa, and your helpers, too,
For all of the many kind things that you do;
And should you need more help in making your toys,
Just call on your small friends, the girls and the boys.

by M. Nora Boylan

It's been so very busy here at the Keller's that I've not had a chance to visit all my friends in the "neighborhood."  Hoping to be able to spend for time during this glorious season.  Wishing you all the very best!!!  And here's hoping that, you all are bein' the best helpers to Santa you can be.

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Thanks be to God!

Cathy

 The Little Red House and offer words of encouragement to Mary.  Mosaic Monday is postponed this week due to the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Mosaic/Macro Monday

Tis the season for anticipation and reasons for giving thanks.  The family gatherings, harvest moon, and the glory in God's creation!

On the Wednesdays during the preparations for these wonderful holidays please join me for Once Upon A Recipe.  Share your recipes and tradition stories behind them from Grandmas sugar cookies to Mom's best stuffing recipe!!!  All are welcome and what fun we'll all have sharing these memories!!!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

Stop by  The Little Red House and offer words of encouragement to Mary.  Mosaic Monday is postponed this week due to the devastation in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Autumn Leaves

It's been a long three weeks and I've not had a hiatus like this since I started blogging 5 years ago.  Just let it be said that this has been a three weeks of challenges and inspiration, love and miracles.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

(Editing error...It should read, "Autumn is a second spring when every LEAF is a flower.)

Mosaic Monday

'Tis the last rose of summer, left blooming alone;

 all her lovely companions are faded and gone."

Thomas Moore

It's been a glorious weekend!!!  How lovely the work of the Creator's hands.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   Visit Macro Monday,  too.  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Mosaic Monday

I always feel at home at The Woods.  I'm greeted with hugs and smiles.  The sisters and my friends are alway happy to see me.  Walks and treasured time the Associates allow me to become centered again in my faith.  I become renewed and refreshed.  

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!!!

Cathy

The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   And though I have nothing to offer at  Macro Monday  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Mosaic Monday

Grandpa and I get to babysit for Xavier today.  Yep, we still have it in us.  First, we all went for a walk after breakfast and Coco met her friend Potato.  The we all came back to play. . . He even helped Grandpa with his coin search.  Napping?  Yes, he's doing that now!!!  Success.  What fun we had!  And a great feeling of accomplishment for Grandma!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   And though I have nothing to offer at  Macro Monday  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!

Mosaic/Macro Monday~~Air Plant

I was introduced to Air Plants by a dear friend and coworker a couple of months ago.  The one she gave to me then is cute and small and I have named him Simon.  She went to visit family in Tennessee a week ago and I asked her to bring me two more when she went to Gatlinburg.  This is one of the two she brought to me.  Isn't she lovely.  Sarah told me that this variety of of air plant may only bloom once every ten years.  But she also said it might also keep its bloom for up to a year.  Well, here's hoping for I think Miriam is just beautiful!

Tillandsia is a genus of around 540 species in the Bromeliad family (Bromeliaceae), found in the forests, mountains, and deserts, of Central and South America, and Mexico and the southern United States in North America. Tillandsia recurvata and another Bromeliaceae species on electric wires near San Juan de los Morros, Venezuela Flowering Tillandsia and daughter plant The thinner-leafed varieties grow in rainy areas and the thick-leafed varieties in areas more subject to drought. Moisture and nutrients are gathered from the air (dust, decaying leaves and insect matter) through structures on the leaves called trichomes. Tillandsia species are epiphytes (also called aerophytes or air plants) – i.e. they normally grow without soil while attached to other plants. Epiphytes are not parasitic, depending on the host only for support. The genus Tillandsia was named by Carolus Linnaeus after the Swedish physician and botanist Dr. Elias Tillandz (originally Tillander) (1640-1693).
Wikipedia 

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy 

The Little Red House and share in the beauty offered there.   And though I have nothing to offer at  Macro Monday  Lisa has a wonderful time planned for you.  The pictures all are an inspiration!