What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?

What Do You See Outside YOUR Open Window Today?
Remember: "When God closes a door, He always opens a window!" You never know what might be out there waiting for you!

Friday, March 15, 2019

Friday Foto Friends Birds, Bees, Blooms, and Reflections

Spring is definitely busting out all over here in Florida! Even though the official arrival of the Vernal Equinox is not until next Wednesday, March 20th, someone forgot to tell the flowers, birds, and bees that they needed to wait!


This fat bumblebee was making his rounds around the wild blackberry bushes blooming along the road.  I had to be careful while taking his picture to make sure he wasn't coming in my face to give me a "buzz"...

I love the natural beauty of these blossoms...

And then we have apple blossoms on the little tree in our yard...even though we never get apples, it is nice to see the blossoms...


The azaleas have been putting on quite a show this year! This particular mass of blossoms is better than I've ever seen it in all the years we've lived here!  What is amazing, I don't have to do anything to these hardy old bushes...they just keep coming back year after year.  I wonder what would have happened if I had taken care of them???

Talk about perfection! This Pink Perfection Camellia is doubly perfect!!!

And here's some more getting ready to bloom...

Now, on to the birds:  This is the Female Eastern Towhee coming by for a quick drink of water...

Isn't she pretty?

I love how she is showing off her colors for me.

Here is her mate...this picture was from a few weeks ago. I've never managed to see them both together, but aren't their colors interesting?


Now back to the flowers again...the purple wisteria is opening up and showing off all over our back fence around the Memorial Garden...


Aren't they beautiful?

Here again, I really don't have to do much for these flowering vines to come back every year...we've cut them back a few times, but they grow right back...so lovely...

I paid a little visit to the neighborhood pond to check on the Sand Hill Crane Family.  Here they are on the island where they have their nest.  The two babies are apparently sleeping under the wing of the mama bird, and the father is standing guard over his family...

I wouldn't have known the babies (colts) had already hatched if I hadn't seen them out walking around last week.  I love how they come back to the island every night to sleep, tucked safely under their mother's wings...

Psalm 91:4 (NKJV)

"He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall take refuge;
His truth shall be your shield and buckler"

.
Reminds me of this old hymn:
"Under His Wings"



As I sat there looking around the pond, my heart was a bit heavy for one of our neighbors who lives over on that side of the pond:


My friend has lived here on this little cove for quite a few years, and dearly loves this place. She has been a protector of the wildlife as well as all the neighborhood pets and animals, flora and fauna.
A wonderful neighbor and friend.
She has been battling cancer for quite a while, and has now been
taken to a Hospice House.  We know that once a person reaches this stage, they most
likely don't return home to their earthly house again, unless there is an unexpected rally and change of condition.  

So my heart was a bit heavy, thinking about how she loves this place, and I sat there on the little dock and lifted her up in prayer...praying that her remaining days will be sweet and comfortable, and that when the angels are dispatched to carry her home, she will truly be ready and waiting.

 Such an interesting reflection of the clouds on the water...
reminds me of the circle of life..
heaven really isn't that far away,
and we should all be sure that we are ready to go to our heavenly home.
We may not have the opportunity to prepare for our last days...the Lord could come at any moment...or He could send His angels to call us homeward when we least expect it.
So during this time of Lent, it is a good time to reflect on the condition of our own hearts and be sure that we are ready to "go home" when the Lord calls.

Personally, I am eagerly looking forward to that day. I just pray that all my family and friends are ready as well.

Okay...moving on...I do pray that you will have a wonderful day and weekend. Thank you for visiting here today.  We don't currently have a "Friday Foto Friends" linkup, but I imagine that many of our friends are still posting some lovely pictures about their week today...so why not go visiting around and see?

I know I promised that I will be posting updates on "Pamela's Victorian Cottage"...and I intend to do  that soon....believe me, it is still quite a work in progress, and you will be surprised to see all the "home improvements" that have been made this week...but I wanted to get a few more things done before I posted any more pictures. So stay tuned for the next episode. I know you don't want to miss it!  :)   Bye Bye for now folks!!

19 comments:

  1. Wonderful Photos Pamela. Makes me believe Spring is really on its way. But today in my area it is for a day LOL! We should reach 69 degrees until this evening then back to the 30's. Have a day of blessings my friend.

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    1. Oh dear! I hope you enjoyed your brief spring day! I hope it was sunny and pretty so you could get outside for a spell of fresh air! But we know spring is coming...it just seems to take a little longer up in your neck of the woods. Have a blessed weekend...

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  2. I loved all the photos, Pamela, but the beauty of the pink camellia took my breath away!
    So sorry to hear about your neighbor; said a prayer for her as I read this. And yes, heaven is closer than we think. We must be prepared in heart, soul and mind when God calls us home.
    Blessings to you!

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    1. Thank you, Martha, for your kind comments as well as your prayers for my neighbor. I know she will be relieved to be released from her body of pain. She's been pretty much house-bound for the past almost a year, and I know she has missed being able to enjoy her yard and the beauty around her. Yes, we all need to be ready. I know I am ready for the Lord to return any time!!
      Have a blessed weekend...Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  3. It was a delight to walk with you this morning through all this beauty, but I am sorry for your neighbor. You are truly blessed to be surrounded by such wonders in the blooms and the wildlife. Thanks for sharing and caring and prayers you pray. God bless you this day, friend. I am also looking forward to that day when we are called home!

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    1. Thank you for sharing this little "walk" with me. I have had you on my heart and have been praying for you. May God give you joy in each day with your beloved and hopefully spring is on its way to you so you can get out more together and enjoy some fresh air!! Blessings to you and yours today.

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  4. Pam: I also was left breathless with the pictures of the pink camellia. They look so perfect. I understand your concern about your neighbor. Enjoy your day and your work on the doll house.You are right, the colors of those Eastern Towhee birds are beautiful. Peace and blessings.

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    1. Thank you, Cecelia. Yes, the Pink Perfection Camellia is my favorite. I have really enjoyed it this year. Thank you for your kind words and thoughts for my neighbor. I pray the Lord will soon relieve her pain and suffering. It has been a difficult year for her. I have been enjoying my doll house. I hope to post an update tomorrow. It has been a lot of fun. I hope you are doing well and that you are safe and warm with all of this crazy weather everyone has been having. God bless you, my friend.

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  5. A beautiful post, Pam! My absolute favorite photo is of the Pink Perfection Camellia! Oh my goodness, are those flowers pretty!! Prayers for your dear neighbor!

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    1. Thank you, Terri, for your kind comments and prayers. I also love the Pink Perfection Camellia. It has been a real show-stopper this year!!

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  6. I miss many of the flowers that I had in Georgia, Camellias, magnolias, azaleas. Your photos are heavenly. Enjoy your early Spring!!

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    1. Thank you, Karen. Yes, I know Georgia has some beautiful flowers. I would love to take a little trip up to Ga. in the spring to see the dogwood trees, azaleas, etc. I know how pretty is is there in the spring. We have had beautiful azaleas especially this year...I have been enjoying them so much. I know your spring will be there soon and you will have much beauty to enjoy as well. Hold on tight...spring is coming!!

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  7. Lovely flowers and birds. Birds are returning here. Nasty huge heron eating my fish :(

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    1. Oh no! Your gold fish? I hope not. That isn't nice. I am so sorry. Wow. I guess there is a "dark side" to the beauty of the water birds...on an interesting note, my son, who works at a golf course, almost got hit in the head with a fish yesterday. An eagle and an osprey were fighting over it in the sky, and the osprey dropped the fish. It landed very near to my son. He picked it up to throw it back in the pond, but apparently it was too late for it. He could see where the talon had pierced its side. He said it was quite a big fish, and it appeared to be still trying to "breathe", but it was too late.

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  8. As always, Pam, you capture the most beautiful photos and then weave in an interesting narrative that exalts our Creator. Oh...I'm so very ready for my redeemed body...oh to see Heaven...

    Even in Iowa, hints of the Spring that waits to be are awakening.

    Blessings!

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    1. When we all get to heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be! When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory! I pray your spring time will get there soon. I hope you are safe and warm with all the crazy weather everyone has been having. Take care and God bless!!

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  9. What a lovely post, Pam! You do have a way of weaving everything together so beautifully. I love the apple blossoms. You know we have a famous apple orchard in one of our maritime provinces near by and I have never been there unfortunately. Always wanted to go to Annapolis Valley, but never did. I had been to Nova Scotia many times because that is where my father grew up but I never made my way to that splendid orchard. An interesting fact about this apple orchard is that Royal Albert took an image from that beautiful orchard and produced Blossom Time china.
    I'm sorry about your neighbour. Yes, I pray she is ready to meet the Creator of all that she loved and cared for. God bless her!
    I too will be wearing green on Sunday because I am a wee bit Irish. Happy weekend and St Patrick's Day!

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    1. Thank you so much for visiting, Sandi. I love the apple blossoms too. Apples really don't grow very well here in Florida, but I am enjoying the beauty of these blossoms. I would love to see that Blossom Time China. I should look it up. I can imagine it is beautiful. Thank you for your kind thoughts regarding my neighbor. Yes, I do believe she is ready to meet the Lord and Creator. I think this past year of suffering has brought her closer to the Lord. She is a wonderful neighbor and will be missed.
      Have a lovely weekend and St. Patrick's Day! Praying still for your son.

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  10. All of your posts are wonderful, Pam, but this one is especially sweet with the birds, the Wisteria, the water, your dear friend, and the song. I am listening to it as I type this comment. You are such a dear person, precious in His sight, and special to so many of us.

    Enjoy your day, and play with your new little house. I look forward to more pictures when you are ready.

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Thank you for visiting here today. I would love for you to sign my guestbook and let me know you stopped by. I always enjoy reading your comments and words of encouragement! May you be blessed as you go on your way. Please come back and visit again soon.