Willis Peterson said, “A click of the shutter, a crank of the film, and you’ve caught forever a significant bit of life,” and I could not agree more. But to each of us the “significant bit of life” we choose to capture photographically may be vastly different. For me it is the natural world in general, and my garden of flowers in particular. So when winter begins to weigh heavily on me, I turn to my archives to find “significant bits” from previous years to lift off the weight of lackluster winter. While I share Ehrmann’s prayer with you, I decided I’d share some of my treasured “bits.”
Let me do my work each day;
and if the darkened hours
of despair overcome me, may
I not forget the strength
that comforted me in the
desolation of other times.
May I still remember the bright
hours that found me walking
over the silent hills of my
childhood, or dreaming on
the margin of a quiet river,
when a light glowed within me,
and I promised my early God
to have courage amid the
tempests of the changing years.
Spare me from bitterness
and from the sharp passions of
unguarded moments. May
I not forget that poverty and
riches are of the spirit.
Though the world knows me not,
may my thoughts and actions
be such as shall keep me
friendly with myself.
Lift up my eyes
from the earth, and let me not
forget the uses of the stars.
Forbid that I should judge others
lest I condemn myself.
Let me not follow the clamor of
the world, but walk calmly
in my path.
Give me a few friends
who will love me for what
I am; and keep ever burning
before my vagrant steps
the kindly light of hope.
And though age and infirmity
overtake me, and I come not within
sight of the castle of my dreams,
teach me still to be thankful
for life, and for time’s olden
memories that are good and
sweet; and may the evening’s
twilight find me gentle still.
~Max Ehrmann
Let us not depreciate Earth. The sun was like a great visiting presence that stimulated and took its due from all animal energy. When it flung wide its cloak and stepped down over the edge of the fields at evening, it left behind it a spent and exhausted world. ~Willa Cather
By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life. ~Psalm 42:8 ✝
You are an excellent photographer! And a green thumb too!
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Thanks Amy! That’s how I satisfy my desire to be an artist! You can’t grow up in southern California without an appreciation for flowers and so the reason I developed a green thumb albeit late in life! Thanks for your lovely comment❣️😊
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Thank you for sharing a piece of summer. The flowers in your garden are absolutely beautiful. What a joy to behold.
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You’re so welcome‼️🌹
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Just beautiful, and love the pics. Thank you for sharing the colorful flowers. ❤ ❤
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You’re so welcome V❣️😘
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Reblogged this on Die Erste Eslarner Zeitung – Aus und über Eslarn, sowie die bayerisch-tschechische Region!.
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👍😊❤️
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Beautiful post, and gorgeous photos!! 💖💖💖
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Thanks Trini❣️😘
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Absolutely stunning photos! Thank you for sharing the beauty.
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Thank you‼️ You’re so welcome😊❤️
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warm and colorful thoughts that are a soothing balm 🙂
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Thanks Julie! Love you❣️😘
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This prayer is new to me. It’s beautiful! And your sweet photos bring warmth to the cold winter night.
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I’m so glad you enjoyed my post‼️❌⭕️
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Anything is Possible! and commented:
This post by Natalie at “Sacred Touches” brings us touches of spring and a beautiful prayer by ~Max Ehrmann
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👍😊❤️
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Beautiful photos, collage and stroll through your piece of heaven. I’m grateful for both these (and mine) bits of garden beauty to tide us over the winter. blessings
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Thanks! Blessings and hugs❣️😊
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You’re welcome!
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I love your garden, dear Natalie. ❤ Beautiful post. This is the time of year I miss flowers the most—thank you for the bright bouquet of hope. 🙂
Blessings & hugs ~ Wendy
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Thank you Wendy! It is my joy and a blessing❣️😘
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Loved the post 🙂
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Thanks😊❤️
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Beautiful! I will be gratefully sharing ~ ~ ~
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Thank you❣️😘
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