Nature

 [caption id=“attachment_321” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Lilies”][/caption] This collage was inspired by my neighbour’s garden. I looked across there and was mesmerized and thrilled by what I saw. I couldn’t resist the urge to go there and admire all the beautiful flowers, especially the lilies. This was late yesterday afternoon. We have some lilies in our garden but hers are truly splendid. What a beautiful gift a garden is! I realized that I don’t have to go very far to see beauty - and that I didn’t have to spend any money. All I needed were the eyes to see. ...

 [caption id=“attachment_304” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Summer Roses”][/caption] Branches laden with roses, Nature’s bouquet! A feast for the eyes For all to see, Morning, noon, and night. The roses have been abundant beyond belief this summer. It didn’t matter whether one looked through the back window into the back garden or through the front window or door into the front garden. I enjoyed sitting out and enjoying them with their profusion of colour. Colour makes our world and our lives bright and brightens our spirit as humans. ...

[caption id=“attachment_266” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Little hands and feet”][/caption] It’s a long time since I was a child but there’s still a child within me who wants to laugh, dance, sing, and be free. The photos in this collage depict both the innocence and the potential of children as seen in their tiny hands and feet. Some of the children are personally known to me and they were having a good time playing freely and enjoying themselves with careful abandon. ...

[caption id=“attachment_221” align=“aligncenter” width=“584” caption=“Spirea Cantoniensis (Bridal Wreath)”][/caption] If you’ve never been thrilled to the very edges of your soul by a flower in spring bloom, maybe your soul has never been in bloom. ~Audra Foveo A few weeks ago, Spirea Cantoniensis (Bridal Wreath) was in full bloom. My soul, spirit, and every other part of me, was glad to receive this wonderful gift from Mother Nature. This shrub blooms for a short time in Spring and then fades to green foliage. As you can see from this collage, cascades of white blossoms hang on the branches and distill a feeling of purity, simplicity, and sheer beauty. ...

[caption id=“attachment_96” align=“aligncenter” width=“584”] Everyone irregardless of age loves surprises. Last Sunday night I received the most wonderful surprise - a carved watermelon. This lovely lady had done some beautiful fruit carvings for my 60th Birthday. She acquired this special skill in Thailand where she attended a month-long course.[/caption] We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures. ~Thornton Wilder ...

Spring comes to us bringing its own magic every year. Nowhere is this more evident than in the earth coming to life and producing a spectacular showcase of colorful, fresh blooms to make our hearts joyful. Spring is truly the Earth’s Birthday. [caption id=“attachment_59” align=“alignleft” width=“300”] To everything there is a Season[/caption] As I went about the garden and neighborhood taking the photos that are in this collage, I was mindful of the seasons that have passed in my own life and of the old verse, “To everything there is a season.” These kinds of thoughts were remote to me when I was in the springtime of my own life as I’m sure they don’t come to many people at that time of life. We tend to take life for granted. ...

If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies. (Author Unknown) The photos in these collages were taken at the Butterfly Conservatory in Niagara Falls on a recent visit. A beautiful glass-enclosed, tropical setting, heightens the experience of being with these “lovely critters.” Butterflies are weird little critters. They have taste buds in their feet, which they use to decide if the leaves they land on would make a good home for their children. They have eyes that see in the ultraviolet and infrared, so what we see as a white pansy is actually a multicolored neon “Eat Here!” sign to them. And they have noses on the end of their antennae, which they use to sniff out flowers that are full of nectar. ...