Old Man Winter -Paint Party Friday

Here he is, Old Man Winter. I saw him smiling down at the bare limbs of the trees in November of 2009. You have to look closely to see him. Winter is quite illusive at times--like today when it seems so balmy, except for the leafless trees, one might think it were September.

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Above you view him as I first saw him in the clouds. As you can see, I didn't have to enhance Old Man Winter very much at all..

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Old Man Winter

He has a real long beard that's white as snow

He has icicle fingers and popsicle toes

He has chestnuts roasting on an open fire

He has you scootin' down the hill on a worn out tire

He has sleigh bells ringing out into the night

He has everybody feeling alright

When Old Man Winter comes to town

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He has the whole world sleeping beneath a blanket of white

He has everything shining on a full moon night

He has kids of all ages, clowning around,

Building snow forts and knocking them down

He has frost on the windows, Ice on the stairs

Smoke from the chimney and pine in the air

When Old Man Winter comes to town

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.  

Sky Dreamer -Paint Party Friday

This dreamer in the sky was made especially for a young friend of mine named Emily. She has a bit of the dreamer in her eyes.

Above you see the sky dreamer as I first caught her floating along the cloud's edges.

Thank you so much for dropping by!  Have a lovely weekend, sweet Friends!  Happy Paint Party Friday!

Chief Joseph in the Clouds

I showed this cloud painting to a friend of mine awhile back.  I had thought this fellow looked a bit like George Washington.  But she thought, instead, that this man looked like an Indian Chief.  Of course, I  thought of Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Tribe.

Dad recently told me we are related to the Nez Perce Indians.  I feel honored to know Native American blood runs in my veins.  I have always felt a connection to Chief Joseph.  He was a noble man who fought hard for his people in a time of great change and transition.

In most of the photos and drawings I found of Chief Joseph, there is a profound sadness in his eyes.  When I read his story and the story of the Nez Perce peoples I understand why such deep grief is reflected there.

Above you see him as I first saw him in the clouds.  He is smiling.  That idea makes my heart happy.

Floatin' Face

The sun came out to play for a few days.  What fun to see this fellow's funny face floating over the backyard fence!

Above you see this Floatin' Face as he first appeared.

Eagle Song

This Cloud Painting is one of my favorites. In late summer, I opened the kitchen door on the alley side, to discover an amazing cloud formation stretched up across the skies. It looked like an eagle in full flight, wings extended high overhead.

I ran back into the house, grabbed my camera and shot over 15 photos from various angles. Later that day, I perused my "catch."

Imagine my astonishment when I discovered a REAL eagle in one of the frames. What are the chances an eagle would fly next to a cloud shaped like an eagle, just as I was snapping this photo? It is miraculous.

I am reminded of the hope described in Isaiah 41:29-31 (NASB). He gives strength to the weary, and to him who lacks might He increases power. Though youths grow weary and tired, and vigorous young men stumble badly, yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary.

Our family has faced some very hard times. How marvelous to know when we wait for God's perfect timing, He gives us incredible strength to endure, to look up and to watch expectantly for what He will do.
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Above you see the Eagles, as I first caught them with my camera.

Cloud Ship

Day before yesterday my husband and I drove to the supermarket. He opened my door for me, looked skyward and then pointed at the clouds floating above.

"It's a ship!" He exclaimed. Ha! Even my husband is seeing things in clouds these days!

Of course, I was ready--camera bag slung over shoulder, I grabbed my camera out and took a picture of it only seconds before the cloud ship dissolved into memory.

This Cloud Ship is for my darling husband, who loves all things nautical.


Above is the ship as my husband first pointed it out.

New Dwarf in Town

I have always loved Dwarves and often found "evidence" of their presence in the forests of my childhood. How extraordinary to find one of my old friends floating into town over the trees of the back yard! He's such a darling Dwarf cloud--nice to see him again after all these years. (grin) I know--I know, I have a GREAT imagination!

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I've added the original photo above so you can see what I saw in the sky. A friend of mine thought this cloud formation might have been an actual funnel cloud. EXCEPT the funnel is pointed upward not down....hmmmm....

Genie and the Moon

What a funny fellow to find floating across the skies--I think he was in pursuit of the moon! If you look closely, you'll see it's right in front of his nose.

Above you see the Genie as I first noticed him floating across the sky.

Mask

When I saw this mask in the sky I did a double take! At first it seemed a little scary. But as I looked closer, I observed her eyes seemed friendly--shy even. Perhaps that is why she wore the Mask.

Above you see the Mask as I first viewed it in the sky.

Lioness

This lovely Lioness has taken charge of two small kittens. She seems to love them as her own. I am sure there is a story in here somewhere--perhaps she lost her own and rescued these little ones to raise as her own. To see her best, click for the larger view.

Above is the lioness as I first saw her. More detail can be seen in the larger view.

Cloud Bombshell

If I've ever seen a flirtatious cloud, this is she! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw this lovely Bombshell of a cloud glancing back at me over her shoulder. It seemed obvious she wanted me to take her picture.

Above you see her flirtatious stance, as I watched her winking at me over the tree tops in the back yard.

Angel Messenger

It looks like she's examining something in her hand. I like to think what this Angel Messenger holds is a precious gift from God, which she's about to bestow upon someone He loves.

Above you can view her as I first saw her floating across the skies. Yes, the skies were really that blue--ah, I have to admit--I miss those blue, blue skies of Spring, Summer and early Fall.

Fledgling

I was so happy to see this little fellow watching me from the skies! Isn't he a cutie? A small Fledgling who floated by so quickly I almost missed him!

Above you see this darling Fledgling as I first saw him.

Pray, or Prey?

Here I've enhanced what seemed to be an eagle angling for a small airplane. Our town has a tiny airport which is delightful, though sometimes when the weather is just right, it gets a tad loud.

If that pilot knew such a hungry eagle was about to grab him, I'm certain he would pray. My husband came up with the title Pray or Prey?--I wanted to add "A Matter of Perspective" but that seemed a bit long. What do you think? (grin)

Below are the eagle (minus his beak) and the airplane as I first saw them.

Dragon Rest

Here you see a dragon at rest in the skies above the cedar tree which shadows our front lawn. To best see the artwork, click for a larger image. He's a cute little fellow!

Above you see the dragon as I first saw it yesterday afternoon. Click for the larger photo and you'll see the three-dimensional image of a dragon face already etched in the clouds. It is rather astonishing.

Lifted Up

There have been many anxious, dark days over the past few years. What sustains me is the love that flows through our family. We may have differences and difficulties, but in the end, love wins. There is always hope. The cloud painting above echoes that eternal hope--lifted up.

Below you see this hope as I first saw her.

Daddy Update: Monday I took Dad and Mom to see the wound specialist. She was so excited to see the progress of Dad's wound. By the time we see her in November, the skin will have covered the wound completely. Please continue to pray for healing for Dad's broken neck. If it is not healed by early spring, they will be discussing surgery. It is a VERY risky surgery. I have seen one miracle, let's pray for another. Thank you so much for your good thoughts and prayers! You have been a part of our family's miracle!!!

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Our work day went very well. Yesterday after our trip to the VA, I was out to help finish clearing the rest of the debris. It looks so beautiful out there now.

Blue Dances

This is another of my first attempts at Cloud painting. I could not find the original cloud (sniff), though I am sure it is somewhere in my enormous collection of amazing cloud formations.

Daddy Update: Last Sunday morning Dad walked my youngest sister down the aisle, and there wasn't a dry eye in the house. He walked around quite a bit that day--and seemed the better for it.

The neck doctor had some discouraging news. According to the cat scan, there is a cyst which is lodged where the break in Dad's neck is. The Doc thinks Dad was probably born with it--but it seems to be impeding the bones from healing. But there was some good news, too--We saw the wound specialist on Wednesday. She was amazed at how quickly the top of Dad's head is knitting. Indeed--when I change his wound each day, I am amazed to see visible progress--It is a miracle to watch how quickly the flesh is covering over the bone, when the doctors said it never would.

Please pray for safety for all the family members and volunteers who will be at my parents' home this weekend. We have a LOT to do, including some serious work on the roof. It is my hope and prayer that we will accomplish more than we ever thought possible. Dad and Mom need to be in their own home. I would appreciate your good thoughts and prayers this Labor Day Weekend.

Cloud Cherub

This is one of my first attempts at cloud painting. I was just discovering how to use my "brush" which, in reality was the "mouse." The cloud picture below is of the cherub as I first saw him. The photo was taken over the gentle swell of Oregon's coastal mountains.

Daddy Update: Dad is doing very well. We hope to have the home place ready in a few weeks, so our parents will be comfortably set for the cold autumn and winter months. Please continue to pray for Dad's healing and that we will be able to finish all the work which must be done in order for them to go home. Dad would feel much better with his own things around him.

Pretty Sky Dancer

Here she is, the lovely dancer who dipped and waltzed across the early summer skies.

Below is this lovely dancer as I first saw her.

Angel Hugs

As the sun slipped its way over the river and trees, I caught sight of an angel hug.

.Below is the cloud as I first saw it.

Daddy Update: Dad goes to the VA to speak with the plastic surgeon this afternoon. I would appreciate your continue prayers for his healing. Nighttime is the hardest time for him. He often feels that life is done, and that his body is shutting down--doctors think this could be the effects of sundowners Syndrome. Despite these scary feelings, Dad seems to grow stronger and stronger every day.