“This is the day the Lord has made…”





Today’s gift.
“This is the day the Lord has made…”





Today’s gift.






“… for now the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” Song of Songs 2:11-12
Dogwood. Today’s gift.

Subtle spring beauty
Creator’s task accomplished
Petals raised in praise


Spring’s resurrection
Petals piercing forest decay
Creation’s wonder


Petals white as snow
Unfolded, airy, praising
Reawakening


“… the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker’s praise. This is my father’s world.” -Maltbie D. Babcock
Trillium. Today’s gift.


Since the trillium are taking their sweet time coming into full bloom, I decided that my search-for-trillium walk this morning needed a different perspective. Rather than miss seeing the forest because of the flowers at my feet. I looked at the forest itself. The following photos reflect that.





A different perspective. Today’s gift.
It’s raining today. Of course, pictures of trillium would be interesting with droplets of rain water on them. Especially if the flowers are open. No guarantees there, though. It would be a 30 minute walk to the trillium patch, in the rain that is with us for the day. So, it would be silly to make the attempt. Right? I’d be soaked. My camera would get too wet. I should just wait. Hmmm….



So I did. I stayed close to home. I got a little wet. The trillium would have to wait.
Rain. Today’s gift.
My great idea this morning was to hunt for trillium, a flowering springtime favorite in these parts. So, I set off, camera in hand, to a trail just a bit north and not far too from here. Here’s what I found.
Not too promising of a start… at first glance. I kept looking.


Not trillium, but look what one can find if paying attention.



Still no trillium. These flowers are still closed up for now. Maybe I was too early.



Nope. Not trillium
Keep looking…



At last! Trillium! However, it looks like I’ll have to go back in a few days to enjoy a fully flowering feast.
Today’s walk with my camera once again provided unexpected delight. Today’s gift.
I decided. Last night. Out of desperation? Perhaps. Considering the prospects of another day forecast to be cold, dismal, wet. A Saturday, no less. Empty. Gray. I decided.
It was time. Time for a change. After a long week. A week of closeting in the house. A week of early to bed. Late to rise. Random needed naps in between. A head full of who-knows. Blowing my nose. Sneezing to the world, “I am sick and I don’t like it!” After a woe-is-me week. It was time.
I decided that it was time for a change. Since the road to my recovery seemed imminent. I decided it was time to venture out. Not far. Just a 100 foot radius. Just the yard. And not alone.
I decided that after a miserable week it was time to venture out, with my camera. It was time, once again, to try the 5 – shot challenge. Would it be possible to photograph five things in my yard on a gray Saturday that would be worthy of publishing in this blog? What could there possibly be that would pique my interest, that would be noteworthy on such a day as this?
The morning greeted me with a snowy surprise. Here’s some of what I found.





It was time. Indeed, it was time again to remember and enjoy, amid the challenges, that each day is God’s gift.