Water, Water, Everywhere, March 6

Jez reminds us of the beauty and fun of the WWE challenge, and water usually has boats. There is something magical in watching a sailboat and when you have colorful sails, it draws you in even more.

I think the birds even enjoy watching them. Around San Francisco, birds were a staple around the boats and the marinas.

We were fortunate as those menacing clouds held they water until later in the evening after we got back in side. Remember water is like life. It can be a gentle flow or a menacing storm. When we see others going through a storm, let us be kind to show them a smoother stream. Kindness has a way of making hard times survivable.

Always find ways to be kind.

All photos at top of post are my own. ©Anita’s Hope
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.

Photos at end of post concerning being kind are downloads from Google

FOTD, March 6, Unknown

Cee’s fun challenge of Flower of the Day can always prove beautiful and interesting. While in San Francisco, I saw spring flowers already blooming and I took a picture of this one because I had no idea what it was but it was intriguing.

I recognize the holly behind it but don’t really know what this is, but isn’t it cool. The long bamboo like stems look similar to a larger plant I have in my house but mine doesn’t bloom. Then further down the pier, there was an awesome topiary of succulents in the shape of a seal. It was not quite ready for it’s spring bloom but it was still awesome.

The tulips and daffodils in the lower section of the flower bed were just getting started. In another week they will be really full and beautiful.

Reflect on the beauty that surrounds you as spring starts to show it’s warm face and remember to share that warmth with kindness.

SOCS, March 4, Wild Animals

Linda Hill challenges us on SOCS this week with Wild Animals. Well, technically these are wild but…they were too comical with how they had tied in with humans. The animals I am referring to…the California Sealions at San Francisco. They had commandeered the marina at Pier 39. My daughter and I spent 5 days in San Francisco and the seals were visited daily. Very entertaining.

They reminded me of my daughter’s basset hound where they would bellow and make lots of noise but would not bother sit up.

The wetter seal just came on the dock disturbing those already sleeping causing much bellowing but nobody really get up.

Occasionally you would have a faceoff of two males proving who was the “baddest”. There would be noise, huffing and puffing, and the occasional snapping about…

But then after sufficient noise, they would all lay back down and go to sleep, usually with a head laid across the other. Maybe man should take notice of how seals settle their arguments, ending in peaceful slumber.

The most comical wild animal at the pier was actually a seagull. I was kind of amazed of how much trash was around the area and in the water, especially when they speak of the damage the humans are making by throwing debris into the oceans. But back to the seagull…someone had thrown a small rubber ball in the water and the gull was having a blast. There were about 15 humans being fully entertained by this bird. He would take the ball, throw it in the air, watch it bounce, and then chase it to throw it again.

Sometimes he would throw it in the water and then go after it, bringing it back onto the dock.

It was all very entertaining watching the “wild animals” at Pier 39. But it gave me pause to see how easily animals and humans interacted with each other creating joy or sorrow at the same time. We all need to be more mindful of God’s creation.

I close with a reminder on the value of kindness and that it doesn’t always have to be towards humans. All of creation needs to be dealt with kindly in every way that makes sense. And in my mind, Kindness always makes sense.

Animals understand kindness as well. Always be kind

All photos at top of post are my own. ©Anita’s Hope
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.

Photos at end of post concerning being kind are downloads from Google

Good, Better, Best

This is a grading system we are all familiar with and we use it quite often for varying reasons. Since I recently went on vacation, and had to fly, I am grading our pilots, as we had 4 separate flights with 4 separate experiences. I am also slipping in a few pictures of the amazing views.

I think we can all agree that all pilots are good simply because they get us front point A to point B safely…relatively speaking. But some just have a little more finesse with the controls.

For instance, leaving home from a smallish midwest airport, the pilot seemed to think he was driving a sports car, throwing down the throttle for quick lift sending the passengers to the insides of their seats. Lift was easily obtained, passengers were safe but good giggly wiggly. We were told that weather ahead could be bumpy as the storm fronts were moving across the western US.

From the picture above we could see why it was a bumpy flight to Dallas but seriously, did the landing need to be that hard or sudden by slamming on the brakes. However, we did get to Dallas safely so we had a good pilot.

We board the connecting flight to San Francisco and smiled to ourselves as this was a much bigger plane, therefore possibly a smoother ride…hahaha. Again we have a race care driver throwing our g-force to the back of the seats. My daughter was with me and she said, “maybe this is how they train them now.” Maybe I though since it had been over 8 years since I had flown. The flight in the air was smoother, either from higher altitude or bigger plane – what ever, it was a better ride and the clouds below were beautiful. Coming into San Francisco at night, we waited to see how he would land. The initial touchdown was smooth like butter. I looked at my daughter and said “That’s a nice landing but before I got it out of my mouth, he slammed on the breaks like you could stop a plane of that size on a dime. And immediately we started fish tailing down the runway. He regained control quickly but it made for a questionable landing. Again we get the grade of a good pilot.

San Francisco and Bay at Night

On our return flight on Tuesday back to Dallas, we had the same size plane as from Dallas so we were hoping for smooth flight. The weather was better so hopefully not as bumpy. The pilot addressed the passengers in a manner I was used to, so my hopes were up as he was more friendly and informative. His takeoff – smooth as butter. Ah, a season pilot. And the flight was less bumpy but the weather had a lot to do with that. But out landing, almost smoother that our takeoff. I told the stewardess to please thank the pilot for a wonderful experience. He got a grade of best pilot.

We had a 3 hour layover in Dallas before coming back to the midwest. I knew again we would be in a smaller plane so maybe this last leg may not be as smooth. The plane seemed a little smaller that the one we left from the midwest in and it was an older plane. I was a touch concerned. The takeoff was a little bumpy but the flight was smooth. I had put up my camera thinking I had enough pictures from the plane but I missed an amazing sunset with bright reds and oranges streaked with a few purple clouds. The landing was smooth and the overall experience was good so we give this pilot a grade of better.

So our vacation travel was good and added to the wonderful vacation experience. I have many picture to share that I will post in the coming weeks. Have a wonderful weekend and remember to always be kind.

FOTD, March 3

With my recent trip to San Francesco, I was amazed of the flowers blooming there. I understand its California but a recent storm in the area brought snow to the upper regions and temps while we were there were in the 40s. No flower blooming weather…still…

This Calla lily was located in the garden area of Alcatraz. But Calla lilies were everywhere in San Francisco.

As we look at the beauty of flowers, let us always remember the beauty of kindness and share that as well.

If Interested…

Our Real Home is now available at Amazon in Kindle format and paperback.

This is fictional story of real life characters as they explain how they see Heaven. I made these book marks for a few of my friends.

The main purpose of this book is encouragement. Encouragement with how the Bible explains to us what Heaven is like and encouragement of just how much we are all loved by God. While the story may make you smile as these characters learn of the beauty that they were made for, it is a testament, according to scripture, of just how much God loves each of us and that he created each of us for a purpose, man and beast alike…so that he could spend eternity with those who love Him. My opening comments of the book…

Encouragement in God’s Love

The sole purpose of this book is showing the encouragement we all need by giving a visual perspective of God’s love for everything He creates. God has a special love and purpose for man, who is made in His image, and for animals who possess a special connection with God’s love. This story is written from the perspective of how I believe a dog is created and how a dog thinks. At the base of any dog’s heart, there is an inherent form of love and devotion, given as a gift from God. This gift is then given freely from the dog to his owner, even when that love or devotion is not deserved. The dog knows no different way to be. Hopefully, to anyone who is an animal lover, the love and devotion you have received from your past pet(s) can now be shared with people. Then in time, you may acquire another pet companion – not to replace one you have lost, but to strengthen you further still, and to expand that love you have been shown with others – animals and people. Life on this earth is hard on a good day and can be worse on hard days. It is my sincere hope that this book will be an encouragement for anyone reading it to realize the love, beauty, and patience of God for everything He creates. God’s identity never changes, but how we see Him changes as we follow His Word and grow closer to Him.

Do you believe in angels…real angels. I do. Scripture speaks of angels as messengers of God. I believe God uses all of creation to speak to our hearts non-verbally….and occasionally verbally of needed. This book takes on the light side of the “what ifs”. There have been many stories about angels…and we have all heard them. What if…

Regardless of your interest in this book, may you always be encouraged knowing God loves you more than you could ever imagine. Have a blessed day and don’t forget about the beauty of all of creation.

And remember to always be kind.

It’s February, It’s Winter!

Winter in the midwest usually means snow…and if not snowing, its freaking cold. The front that came through today was scheduled to dump a good 5-7 inches of snow. Fortunately for me, the front stayed more to the north, so we only got 2ish inches, however it is still snowing but it is winding down.

And the temps are tolerable at 28-31 degrees. Last week it was 5 degrees with wind chills below zero – too cold, just too cold. But my baby Christmas trees look cute covered in snow. Both trees are the same age, however the smaller tree was decapitated by the dog chasing that dangerous mailman as he came down the sidewalk. I will be curious to see how it shapes itself as it grows.

And Saturday it is going to be in the low 40s – not typical February temperatures. It makes me concerned for March. I just want it to stay decent weather through next week as we are flying out to San Francisco. Spending a week with my daughter as we sample the fabulous food, sour dough bread…and chocolate. The weather there is not supposed to be great but I don’t need sunshine to eat.

I leave you with one last shot that I just took that I call “Snow by Streetlight”, lol. But it does depict the quiet peace we can so often miss in the beauty of any moment.

Be watchful for those moments, they may amaze you. And as always, remember the value of kindness and the beauty it creates.

Always be kind!

A Day of Love?

Some parts of the world share their kindness and gentleness for one another as a symbol of their love on this day we call Valentines Day. But why only one day…and what does that love mean anyway?

Each year at this time I buy a small tea rose to remind me that spring is not far away. Hopefully this year I will be able to keep this one alive. Sometimes my thumb is a bit on the brown side. But roses have always been a sign of love, so I give you pictures of the beauty I bought with reminders of what true love is really like.

The most profound definition of Love comes from the strongest love story ever written for all of mankind. That love story is God’s love story written for man that we call the Bible. In 1st Corinthians, a true definition of love was written.

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

The last sentence – “Love never gives up” is a message for all of us from God. His love for us is so profound that we could never really understand its depth. And nothing can separate it from us.

No power in the sky above or in the earth below — indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:39)

Even the Old Testament with all of its amazing stories through its history, the trials, and sorrow, the theme was always the same…love.

I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. Jeremiah 31:3

And of course His ultimate sacrifice of giving His life for each of ours so we could spend eternity with Him surrounded forever in that abundant love…

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

So always believe in that love. Let its power reach deep into your heart where it grows strong roots to help you survive this time on Earth.

I pray that out of His glorious riches He may strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:16-19

Always be filled with the fullness of that love and share it with others by being kind. Kindness is a strong component of God’s love because it also comes from the heart.

Minus 1 Degree

This morning we woke to a dreary sky and bitter-cold minus 1 temperature. I am fully aware it is February but man it was cold. It stayed dreary most of the day with off-and-on clouds but late in the day the sky cleared and warmed all the up to 15 degrees. A proverbial heat wave.

But the evening sky is amazing. I do not have the best photography equipment, so you can’t really appreciate its full beauty but I promise it was an amazing hot pink purple – if that is such a color. Nature has a way of creating color that, as hard as we try to replicate, we usually fall a little short.

But I wanted to share what I saw so that you could at least smile at the possibility of its beauty.

Always remember the beauty we see in nature as gifts from God. They are given to us to remind us how much He loves nature and wants you to enjoy it as much as He does…for He loves you that much.

Have a safe and blessed weekend and remember always – Be kind, for someone is probably hurting more than you are.

Always Be kind

Grays of Winter

Now that I live in the mid-west, winter means no more sun for a few months. We do see it periodically but the gray of winter really settles in for the season. But even with the grayness, there is still beauty if you know how to look. Nature still holds the key to the beauty of creation – even in the gray of winter. Sunsets seem to be the most colorful…when you see it.

But when the snow starts to fall you see a purity that covers even the ugliest ground reminding you that even in the grayest season, beauty can still be found.

Aside for the beauty you see in the trees, small collections of snow are just as pretty, even on weeds.

So regardless of grayness or sun, winter can still be beautiful. You just have to look a different way. And sometimes in the still of night, the beauty is amazing, especially reflecting off of the snow.

So, look at the gray of winter as another way of seeing the beauty of creation taking in another side of gray. And remember whichever season you are in you can always find beauty and kindness. Share the kindness and watch the beauty grow.