Blog to End World Hunger Day!

Today bloggers unite to post entries to draw attention to ending world hunger. My heart goes out to the more than 500 million people who are starving and emaciated because they have no nourishment and are losing hope. In this day of famine, flooding, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes and floods, and poor economic times, we must join together to help those in need.

You can make a difference today by providing a bowl of rice by clicking on a graphic at the World Hunger site. For free you feed someone who is struggling to live each day. Let's make a difference!!! Let's unite for Hunger and Hope and start making this universe turn the way it should. We can make a difference as drops of rain make the vegetables grow.


God bless you :D Life is a miracle.

Hugs, JJ

The Call of the Lakeshore

"Come to me!" the Lake Huron lakeshore beckons after an icy winter. "Come and see what the last storm brought you. I lay my driftwood at your feet."

Jeff loves to find artistic driftwood strewn along the shoreline that he can use for his bird carvings. This one didn't interest him, but I loved the wood texture and vibrant colors of the surrounding rocks enough for a snapshot.

Where did this saturated chunk of wood begin its journey on the lake? What was it part of? Someone's dock that bit the dust? A support beam for a rock wall? A wooden scrap a kid named Danny threw into the water so he could pretend it was a boat while he watched the bobbing wood drifting away, rising to the swell of each wave and pushing forward so that Danny had to squint in the sun to see it.

And in my head, a story begins to take shape. I looove writing fiction and hope to become novel published one day. :D

It's great to let the muse run wild. Have you tried it? Look at a scenic photo and let your imagination take you on a journey. :D

Have a super weekend, dear friends.

Hugs, JJ

Blooming Purple Crocus

After a long winter the sight of a crocus in bloom makes one jump for joy! YAY! Life begins again. Crocus flowers don't like wind and rain and they only last a week or so before they fall over, but I had fun snapping photos of them while they kissed the sun.

The yellow daffodils have swollen buds so they will pop open soon to nod their beautiful heads and glow in the moonlight. Then the wild cherry trees will blossom, looking like white brides in the forest.

My heart pumps faster with the excitement of enjoying every day that isn't a blanket of snow. Spring, thank you for finally showing up!

Life begins again.

I also have updated my inspirational blog. The June 1st book release comes closer! I'm soooo excited and hope that cancer patients will smile when they look at my nature photos and that they will have a moment to relax while they read the inspirational text written by two authors. You can find the book information on that blog.

Have a super day! I will catch up with my blog visits soon. :D

Hugs, JJ

Soft Landing

As autumn progressed last year, I discovered this fallen sea gull feather among the blanket of leaves, and more finds like this are waiting for discovery after the spring thaw. I love shots like this. It satisfies my creativity since I am not a drawer or a painter. I can see this feather staying behind in a strong gust of wind as a sea gull takes flight and soars above the waters. A soft touch added to a challenging day.

Photos like this remind me of the gentle side of nature. Yesterday I was watching red polls and chickadees fluttering about on a frosty spring morning and praising God how amazing it was that the tiny fowl weathered one more harsh winter. Most of the sea gulls migrate.

How blessed we are to have such beautiful scenes before our eyes. I hope you have time for nature walks, meditating, and for a times of discovery. :D

Hugs, JJ

Mackinaw Bridge, Straits Area, Michigan

As the spring weather melts the last of the ice and snow, Jeff and I are beginning to dream of taking another trip to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The last time we traveled over the Mackinaw Bridge, I snapped this shot and am happy with the depth of field I was able to give the photo. The bridge spans five miles long and has a great view of Lake Huron on the right and Lake Michigan on the left hand side of the photo. On the right, you can see the pathway through the ice that the Coast Guard Cutter Mackinaw carved to keep the shipping lanes open for longer during the winter season.

I was delighted to see a blue sky that day with tiny tufts of windblown clouds that gave the photo more interest. Sometimes the days are steel gray in the winter and I avoid washed out sky photos then.

The beautiful Mackinaw Bridge has a web cam where you can enjoy Internet views of the bridge morning, noon and night. The bridge symbolizes freedom to me. How lucky we are to have the opportunities to travel over it to sight see.

On another note, we have our first purple crocus in bloom! I had a photo shoot this afternoon with the blossom and was thrilled to start snapping spring shots. :D Life begins again after a six month winter's rest.

Have a super day!


Hugs, JJ

Reflections

Reflections always fascinate me! Often I will stand transfixed when I see nature mirroring back from water or from glass and think, how cool! I snapped this photo of Jeff from outside the workshop. The lush forest greeted his coffee pouring while he carved a hairy woodpecker from white pine. I stood there and wondered if Jeff was reflecting his life while he sat there quietly sipping his coffee, creating something beautiful with his hands, enjoying the woods.

The picture window I snapped the photo through is the one I grew up looking through. My parents gave it to me so Jeff could use it in his shop. I had my own reflections to muse over while I stood there too. :D

Ah, life has its great moments. I hope we all find time to relish the quiet times. :D

Hugs, JJ