Chasing the sun

I set out late one afternoon recently, during the short interlude between visitors, to search out a location to capture a sunset. Heading west on a nearby island I thought it a certainty to find an ideal spot along the coast. Much to my chagrin I found that access in most areas was blocked by impenetrable mangrove swamps, and what wasn't blocked by nature was blocked by man - manicured lots surrounding waterfront mansions. I watched the sunset that evening from the car as I returned home, my camera's shutter having remained undisturbed.

A couple of days later, however, I set out again. Despite being delayed, first by a malfunctioning traffic signal, and then by a police standoff along my intended route, I made my destination in time. Perhaps I need to set the alarm again soon to capture the sun breaking out a new day versus chasing the sun at the end of the day.

Regardless of whether we see sunset or sunrise, we can say with the psalmist, "This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it."  Psalm 118:24

A pause for the cause

Our first set of visitors has come and gone, with impeccable timing - they enjoyed sunshine and warm weather every day, and in their wake we've been 'blessed' with several inches of rain and (for us) unseasonably cool temperatures. But that presented me with the opportunity to crack open the camera manual again (page 166 of 404 now) and I played around with picture style settings in the back yard.

Hopefully I learn enough about all the AF and AF Drive settings in order to capture some keepers of our grandson who arrives (with his parents) this week. Family truly is one of God's greatest blessings to us on this earth. And not to worry - temperatures in the mid-80s are expected in time for their arrival.

If you also need a pause for the cause, have a listen to The Fureys (link below photos) and kick back for a few minutes. Hope to 'meet' you in blogland before company arrives.

plumbago

star jasmine

Take a moment

I'm sure your week was off to a busy start and the pace will probably pick up from here. Things to do, places to go ...

But turn on the music (link below the photo), sit down beside the still water with your feet up and look at the Spanish moss hanging in the trees. No one ever said on their death bed "I wish I had spent more time at work." Make sure you spend that precious commodity time on those near and dear to you, and also spend some on yourself.

[and speaking of spending time, the annual trek of family fleeing flakes and ice and cold from up north is almost upon us. First ones arrive tomorrow followed by others in quick succession. My time in blogland will be curtailed over the next six weeks but I will try to squeeze in a visit here and there]

Morning has broken

A few of my favourite morning quotes:

I could be a morning person. If morning happened to be around noon.

My bed and I have a special relationship, we're perfect for each other. But my alarm clock just hates seeing us together.

Every morning I long to hold you, I need you, I want you, I love your warmth... your smell, your taste... Ohhh coffee I love you. Good Morning!

If people were meant to pop out of bed, we’d all sleep in toasters.

If you've followed for a little while you likely know that I wasn't cut out to be a morning person. I'm just not that productive in the morning. Oh, I'm not the surly kind but my internal clock seems to be a few hours out of sync with the early morning crowd's. Of which my wife is a devoted member.

She has told me on numerous occasions that I've missed a glorious sunrise. In fact, on several of those occasions she's even made some photos of the sunrise - in case I didn't believe her. A few mornings ago she told me of a beautiful huge moon that hung low over the horizon at the break of day (sorry, no photos). So I promised myself to go look the next day. No huge moon but I'll (grudgingly) admit that the light in the early morning was pretty nice. Hold the applause. Fear not - I doubt that early rising will become my new habit.

Walking the plank(s)

We took a long walk today on the planks making up what appeared to be an endless pier jutting out into the Peace River. Apparently there is some truth to the origins of the expression 'to walk the plank' but we didn't meet the same fate as hapless pirates' victims. In fact we had a pleasant conversation with some other folks who were also enjoying the sun and warmth.

Our dog, Sasha, was pining for the bitterly cold weather (-29C/-20F) currently being experienced up north, and had to make do with only a little shade.

But for all you folks bravely battling through the deep freeze, I included a shot from the back yard to help warm your spirit if not your toes. Spring can't be far off (the power of positive thinking ...).