Waterfalls -Paint Party Friday

One never knows what one might see near a waterfall. In the woods where I played as a child, places where the water fell through the forest were wondrous. Down through Leprechaun Valley there were playful little waterfalls tumbling over rock and mossy rill. There were small clear pools where the sunlight would glisten down through the vine maples, to reflect dapples of light up into our faces.

I have not lost my love for waterfalls. My family and I visited Niagara Falls in 2001 and 2002. Someday I shall draw the dancing mist maidens I saw there.

Happy Paint Party Friday, all you wonderful artists and beautiful people. God bless you, dear ones.  Have a lovely weekend and thank you for dropping by.

Birch Grove -Guest Heart Thursday

Now that the holidays are nearly over, I find myself longing for the tender green of Spring.  This is a drawing I envisioned last summer.  A dear couple who are close to my heart.  (No pun intended!  lol)

For more heart art, photography and altogether fabulous heart stuff from around the world, visit Clytie at Random Hearts for Guest Heart Thursday.
 

Cape Ape

When we were on our anniversary trip we had the fun of witnessing a minus tide.  We were able to walk along cliffs normally covered by the ocean.  Have you ever felt like you were being watched?

I felt astonished when I glanced up to see the kindly face of this gentle giant.  My husband, brilliant man that he is, came up with the name Cape Ape.   

Above you see this great ape, as I originally caught him smiling down upon the shoreline.

I added this photo to give some perspective on how HUGE the Cape Ape really is!

Guardian Angel

Angels are sent to protect people, especially the innocent and vulnerable. I remember when we were kids, my cousins, siblings and I stood together on the road, at the top of the trail to Deer Valley. But when we tried to go down into the woods it was like an invisible wall stood in our way. Every time one of us would decide to head down--a feeling of uneasiness, or fear would stop us like an invisible wall. We finally gave up. We went home and played games in the circle lawn instead.

It is such a vivid memory. To this day I wonder what danger we would have faced if we had gone down into the woods then.

I believe in angels. Our little one came through surgery with flying colors, and all is well. Her sweet mother said she felt the tangible presence of angels as her tiny daughter was wheeled off to surgery.

The Viking and His Lady

This is actually a tongue-in-cheek drawing of my darling husband and me. I was a LOT younger, and with my pen, I was able to remove most of our wrinkles. (grin) I have had the blessing of being married to a man who loves me. This man's love is a gift from God, because I do not deserve that kind of unconditional love. I am so very grateful to God for my husband.

I just read the funniest romantic story about young love at Smart Mouth Broad's blog, and was inspired to share a story of my own.

27 years ago, I had just emerged from a very terrible time in my life. I had been on drugs, living in a world which was not very healthy. And then along came a man, who saw me and loved my smile. He had been in the ministry, so on our first date I knew I had to set him straight about me. I liked him, but I was cautious. Before I met Alan, I had fallen in love with a man who, when he'd heard only a portion of my story, never called again.

Alan took me to the Fernwood Inn, a wonderful restaurant housed in a beautiful old mansion in historic Oregon City. After dinner I said, "I know you're interested in me, so I think you should know what you're getting into."

I told him about my life over those past four years, and spared none of the ugly details.

He quietly sat back in his chair and my heart pounded with sudden fear. Because you see, I liked him a lot.

Then this strong, funny man tenderly smiled and said, "When I look at you, all I see is a beautiful white rose. All I see is the miracle of what God has done in you today."

I am blessed to have this wonderful man in my life.

She Sleeps Beneath the Waterfall

How often I have walked in the Forest beside some beguiling small stream, to note the sleeping nymph beneath a sparkling, dancing waterfall.