Of Home--Sweet, Sweet Home

Today I went home.

And drank deeply from the great strength and beauty I found there.

I crossed a few of its bridges--
bridges which have known my footsteps before
and

walked along riverbanks that had not.

I saw the beauty and the power of God's creation
in a new, very exciting, personal way
and my heart overflowed with the deep emotions I felt.
~
They were perfect moments there-
alone, but not alone-
in the midst of nature
and
I would have loved to stay longer
but it was time to return to my real home.
So I walked back to the place where Farmer Boy waited for me...
and we drove away.

Tonight, I sit curled up in our recliner.

I browse through the photos of the day,

reliving again and again what I experienced there in those precious moments of time.

And then it dawns on me...

I have not left that sweet, sweet place after all--

for it has somehow become part of me,

imprinted forever on my heart and in my mind

and

because of that I can

always go to my sweet, sweet home when I want to.

Blessings,

Aimee

Exploring New Paths

Sometimes you travel the same roads for years and years

never knowing what beauty lies just a few miles off those well traveled paths.

Rivers, bays and lakes...

waterfalls and mountains...

paths that lead you to new discoveries and wonders of nature;

paths that make you even more in awe of the Creator.

It was good to explore new places,

just a few miles off those well traveled roads.

It was very, very good.

Have you explored any new paths lately?

Blessings,

Aimee

~

Photos:

NW Oregon

PNW Wildlife Refuges

A few reasons why winter can be a good thing:

1. It is one of the best times to visit a wildlife refuge...

to see migrating geese and other waterfowl.

2. You get a whole new perspective on nature,

without leaves on the trees.

3. You get a chance to see new little critters;

I am told this is a muskrat.

Now that makes me think of the song Muskrat Love...

I think I am aging myself here.

4. You get a chance to explore new places...

without the 'crowds' of the warmer seasons.

~

~

And, as you can see,

the weather isn't always bad in winter...

but the views can be very interesting.

~

What new places have you seen lately?

Blessings,

Aimee

~

Photos:

Ankeny National Wildlife Refuge

rural Marion county vineyard

Grand Island seed beds.

Note:

Other posts with Refuge photos

Baskett-Slough

(near Dallas, OR)

William L Finley

(near Eugene, OR--includes historical attractions also)

Tualatin River

(southwest of Portland, OR)

Jewell Elk refuge

(west of Portland, off Highway 26 near Jewell, OR)