#59 My Dog

I almost changed this to 'Dog, please help me be the person that God thinks that I am.' Seemed kind of fitting for this picture. The love to God for little children and the fact that a loyal four legged friend brings out the very best in us.

#58 Be Quiet

I love moon shots, but have not been very successful in capturing them over the years. Even this one doesn't do justice to the beauty and peace of that moment. But I captured it in my heart and it immediately came to mind with 'Be Quiet'.

#57 Soul's Eyes

I've always felt the connection between the sky and the soul. Thoughts of Heaven, I suppose. Rays of light streaming from the clouds, the sun piercing through the leaves - they speak of 'soul' to me.

#56 A Weed Grows

This was in my quotes journal - it obviously appealed to me at some point or I wouldn't have written it down. I must have been feeling wiser back then as I'm having to think too hard to figure it out. But I had this picture of dandelions and wanted to use it, and it fit in the space nicely.

#55 Not Yet Carved

It's interesting to imagine it like that. Michelangelo was a deep thinker. And he painted pretty well too.

#54 Until Nightfall

One day at a time - how many times have you heard that? It is a good intention; a good plan. A good practice.

#53 Serenity

Wouldn't you love to be able to achieve that quality within yourself. A peaceful heart and mind. Sounds .... peaceful.

#52 Bloom

Yes, I know that isn't the correct quote - it's 'Bloom where you're planted.' It's my own variation. Either are relevant for this photo - a beautiful little flower that could survive & thrive with not a bit of soil in sight.

#51 Ships

I suspect you'll see this image more than once over this year as it happens to be one of my all time favourites. I love the colour & light & composition - all a happy accident, considering the boat was moving fast and I was standing up. It was the first time I went out to the sea when we got our place in Newfoundland, which also was a happy accident.

#50 What A Ride

I subscribe to this. Yes I do. You just have to have a look at me to completely confirm it ... and you don't even have to look at that close.

#49 My Heart Soars

Keeping with the 'Tree' theme for another moment ... this was spot was a particularly moving and spiritual one that I visited this summer. There was an aura about it - a hush, like the woods were keeping a secret. It is where the Beothuck Indians had a settlement in Boyd's Cove, Newfoundland, which makes this quote by Chief Dan George even more appropriate.

#48 Trees

Of all the gifts of Nature, without a doubt, TREES are my absolute favourite. Our trees here are old friends - they bring me joy and give me comfort. When the winds are high or the weather is harsh, I worry about them almost as much as I do my donkeys.

#47 New Oceans

How I love to go out on the ocean on a gentle day - the lull of the waves, diamonds on the water, gulls calling in the distance - I feel so at peace. But if I were to actually think about what little is between me & the frigid, deep, dark waters I would be terrified, frozen with fear & wouldn't even step into the boat ... so I don't ... think that is. I just get in and I go out to adventure that is beyond my usual realm & to new oceans; but I'm also not foolish ... first I make darn sure that I'm confident with both the boat and the driver!

#46 The Singing Bird

This wise little gem is a Chinese proverb. This is actually a piece that I did with ink on tile, rubber stamping the letters. One of my favourite mediums to play with.

#45 Every Heart

Now isn't that about as romantic as you get. Good ol' Plato. With wishes that everyone has somebody to love in their lives on this St. Valentine's Day.

#44 Philosophers

I was delighted to catch this photo of our neighbour's dogs. It looked like old Doug was mentoring his young friend - passing on the great wisdom that he has accumulated. Things like, don't bother chasing cars - you can't do much with them if you do catch them.

#43 Prayer in Your Heart

And we who are 'born of it', know it, don't we? We deeply feel the majesty and mystery of the wonder of nature, and life itself. Prayer follows naturally.

#42 Rhythm & Harmony

When we are blessed with a 'crystal' day -a brilliant blue sky, crisp air and frost thick on the branches, I drop whatever I am doing and out I go. I've even been known to fore go my coffee to capture that fleeting magic. That rhythm of the season and harmony of nature, does indeed go directly to my soul.

#41 Pleasant Things

I definitely subscribe to this philosophy. In fact, I visit all kinds of wonderful and pleasant places in my mind - instant vacation. The spot in this photo is a particularly pleasant spot that I get to visit in real time too - it's at the end of our road on Salt Harbour Island, Newfoundland.

#40 New Day

Is this not very wise advice ... finish every day and be done with it. We'd sleep better & we'd get more out of every subsequent day because we weren't dragging along old baggage. Be done with it ... I like that.

#39 Enjoy Winter

I know that Mr. Blake is talking about Life in general, but coming from a farm community, I also see it as a respite for many - a breath between harvest and seeding. This has been a particularly wonderful winter in Southwestern Ontario - enough snow to be fresh & clean & pretty, without having to battle wind & storms. One of the most enjoyable winters in recent memory.

#38 Pack Not

This quote comes from a poem that my wise and eloquent daughter wrote when she was out at our place in Newfoundland. I love this - it speaks to me not only of that unpretentious land, but also could be said of any place where everyone is equal and we can totally be ourselves. I think of it too, as the sign that is on the gates of Heaven.

#37 Kindling

That could be a whole new term - not just 'Kindred Spirits' but 'Kindled Spirits'. Do you notice that the root of both is 'KIND', in fact the root of most good things indeed is Kindness. With gratitude to all those who kindle my flame.

#36 Plant Your Own Garden

While travelling through a small village in Newfoundland, I came across a little house with the front porch right up to the road and a side lawn that was totally poppies. There was an elderly gentleman dozing on the porch, and I asked permission to take a photo and questioned him on how he got to have such a beautiful display. "I don't do nuthin'" he said, "I just lets them plant their own seeds."

#35 Touching

This is actually one of my most favourite photos of all time. I particularly love HANDS - new hands, old hands, pudgy hands, weathered hands. These hands are especially close to my heart - my four month old grandson & mt 98 year old 'adopted Nan'.

#34 Fly Anyway

Wouldn't it be wonderful if no voices, our own or others, ever said 'You can't..., you're not able..., it's not possible...'. We would be wise to always keep the BEE in mind. BEE confident, BEE brave, BEE adventuresome, BEE Sure, BEE Creative, BEE Dauntless, BEE Bold, BEE Fearless, BEE Certain, BEE Hopeful, BEE Positive!

#33 Mysterious

Last year I did a photo shoot at a wonderful old factory in Stratford. It was remarkable to stand in the silence and imagine the buzz and the bustle that had been its very lifeblood in another era. Trying to capture an essence of the past is one of my favourite photo challenges.

#32 Feathers

I HAD to use the poem that was the first entry left on the blog giveaway... thanks Trish!! It was just too much of a co-incidence that moments before, I took this photo of the beautiful cardinals at our feeder & voila - the most perfect quote was waiting. I will so enjoy getting to see the quotes that speak to others & if there are some that fit with my photos... BONUS!!