Rainbow For Renewal

Rainbows add joy to our lives.

It seems I got so busy last year that my home here has taken a back seat to the other thinks in my life.  Life is good and all has been well, but for some reason A Bit of the Blarney had to be quiet.  Perhaps, it needed time to rejuvenate.  We will see.  For the time being I'b back.  

Last year became very busy.  In March we went to France and enjoyed our time there.  There was the Keller Family Reunion in July!  What a treat that was in the beautiful city of Charlotte, NC.  After Labor Day we went to Montana so we could visit the western part of the state and and especially Glacier National Park.  Sharing the time with my youngest brother and his wife was so very enjoyable. 

Beautiful forests in Glacier National Park

Last fall we returned to Italy, this time to visit Venice and revisit Florence, Assisi, and Rome.  It is such a thrill to walk where the ancients have walked.  There is just not enough time to see all that you want to see.

So this month we begin a pilgrimage to Fatima and Lourdes.  To visit those places where miracles have happened.  I want to experience this for myself.  I just cannot put into words what this will mean to me.  

~~~~~

Begin the journey

Pilgrims in Holy Places

Find solace and love

I guess that's what I hope I will find there.  Just to keep on journeying is such a thrill.

~~~~~~~

Thanks be to God!!

Cathy 

After the Rain

Sunrise after rain

Morning dew upon the grass

Misty morning joy

After the rain fell

Blossoms appear to have wept

Not in sadness, joy

~~~^j^~~~

Cathy

Springtime on the Ohio

It's been a wonderful weekend and as I was sitting at the computer I thought I'd just take some time to play with some photos!  Yesterday we took a walk to the river.  It was about 3:00 in the afternoon and the weather was incredible.  I got this photo as we were walking back home.   I'm not sure why, but there is a beautiful orb in the lower left.  Thought it was a problem with my camera or lens, but none of m other photos taken at that time have the same artifact.  At any rate, it was just the most wonderful day to walk!

So I took the above photo and thought I'd play with PicMonkey to see what I'd get.  Well, there is a new effect called Edge Sketch and the result is below.  That is the closest I will every get to "painting" an abstract picture.  And, it was fun!!

Along the way, I took some other photos of the Spring that has finally arrived here.  All of nature's most beautiful colors were on display!  Indeed, it was grand!

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Today, I have a frivolous post to share with Mersad.  I invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  There are wonderful posts there.  

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

I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!

Sunlight and Serenity

Quiet and serene

A single beam of sunlight

Gives rise to comfort

Quiet and serene

Basking in its warmth and glow

Gives rise to comfort

~~~^j^~~~

Thank be to God!

Cathy

Please visit Rebecca at recuerda mi corazon for Haiku My Heart. There is always more beautiful words  there to enchant and encourage!!! 

Finally, I am joining A Soulful Life for Soulfood Friday

Roses In Bloom

 When we were in Baton Rouge a couple of weeks ago, we went to the Botanic Garden at Independence Park.    It was cold and not much was in bloom.  There were a few iris budding but not many in bloom.  And then we came upon the Rose Garden.  Bushes were in bloom everywhere.  Just being in the midst of this color and fragrance of the roses diminished the chill.  

My dad loved roses and took a great deal of pride in his garden.  I guess that is where I learned to love them, though I do not claim to be an expert in their growth and care.  There were so many varieties in the garden that day that I could not possibly know which was which.  All I know is I really enjoyed my walk through them that day. 

And so I ascribe to William Shakespeare's quote, "A rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  Is it enough to appreciate a rose and not know if it is hybrid or English rose?  I hope so.

~~~^j^~~~

Thanks be to God!

Cathy

Today, I share this post with Mersad.  I invite you to join Mersad at Through My Lens.  There are wonderful posts there.  

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

I think you should take some time to visit Imagin-in-ing.  You're sure to enjoy it!