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Friday Finds, and Gratitude

June 28, 2013 by Barb 21 Comments

We had another rainy week which gave me lots of opportunities to get my house in order, but after a while, I simply had to get outside for a bit.

I threw on the old yellow raincoat and hat, slipped on my rubber boots, and grabbed an umbrella. Yes, it was raining that much.

As I was standing at the edge of the garden, I spied the poppy I had been waiting for… it had decided to bloom in the rain. I guess it just couldn’t help itself.

I thought it would be a shame to leave it in the garden where I couldn’t appreciate it, so I snipped it off and popped it into this old blue bottle. I can’t remember where I found this bottle … but it’s a real treasure; old, blue, scratchy and filmy.

A real “find”!

Gratitude Word Art

This crazy poppy is so big I had trouble photographing it. I must have taken 75 shots and deleted 70…

It makes me think of a giant butterfly with its feathery petals and the wild way it opens them.

poppy butterfly

… gorgeous details…

depth of field… amazing details..

DSC_2676

… it looks like velvet.

Speaking of rain. The southern part of our beautiful province of Alberta was hit by some of the most torrential rains it’s ever seen. Rivers went wild, spilling their banks and causing serious, widespread, and devastating floods. One whole town (population of over 12,000) is under water. Many more towns and villages are suffering the same fate.

The City of Calgary was hit hard too, and is still under a State of Emergency (as are all the hard-hit areas). The whole downtown core of this city of over a million people was evacuated, as well as thousands of others in various communities. The zoo was flooded. Giraffes were standing in water up to their chests. It’s being called a disaster. It’s going to cost billions of dollars, and at least ten years, to rebuild.

Four lives were lost (so far). There’s no rebuilding that.

One week later, news of more and more devastation continues to surface. As I write this, I feel tears welling up and I am fighting to control them. I hurt for the people of our province.

Our area was not affected (physically), and right now I look outside and see the sun shining, green grass, and pots and pots of cheerful flowers. I feel a lot of things, and one of them is gratitude. Gratitude for my family, my clean home, my beautiful yard, and even my life.

free word art

 

This word art is a brush in .abr format, which can be used in both Photoshop Elements, and Photoshop. Simply click on the graphic above to download.

Friday Finds at Kim Klassen dot com

kk_3003

Filed Under: Artful Photography, LIFE, Texture Tagged With: freebie, quotes, word art

Comments

  1. Stephanie says

    June 28, 2013 at 6:51 am

    We are having so much rain here too. I feel I am missing the blooms in my garden and thought about going out to rescue some. After seeing your beautiful photo I will now have to do that.

    Reply
  2. Barbara Hurst says

    June 28, 2013 at 7:43 am

    what a beautiful pale shade of pink, looks so beautiful with the black. I can’t blame you for bringing this one inside, I love how poppies last a good while picked.

    Reply
  3. TexWisGirl says

    June 28, 2013 at 9:09 am

    life can change in an instant for so many. *sigh*

    Reply
  4. Roxi says

    June 28, 2013 at 10:44 am

    there seems to be more devastation in the most uncommon seeming places these days. We always think it won’t happen to us. I don’t listen to the news much these days but one would think it would cause people to get on their knees and thank God for what they have. Your poppy is amazing. Are they perennial up there?

    Reply
  5. girl friday says

    June 28, 2013 at 10:58 am

    You made these poppies dance!

    How horrible to have to cope with floods and losing everything. That news hadn’t reached us.
    No wonder you feel upset, especially when it is so nearby. And it does make one appreciate one’s good fortune to be spared.

    Reply
  6. Sylvia says

    June 28, 2013 at 11:06 am

    What a lovely bottle, Barb, and that poppy is gorgeous,
    amazing details !
    So sorry to hear about the floods and the lives that were lost …
    Nice weekend,
    Sylvia

    Reply
  7. Sarah says

    June 28, 2013 at 11:16 am

    So sad about all the devastation and loss. Sometimes I think will it ever end. Lovely poppy, glad you saved it from the rain.

    Reply
  8. R.F. Dietz says

    June 28, 2013 at 11:38 am

    I love your blog because it reminds me that I need to do more lady like things with my time! Inspirational!

    Reply
  9. R.F. Dietz says

    June 28, 2013 at 11:40 am

    I didn’t mention but I am very sorry for the ongoing devastation, rest assured you inspire me and others to be strong by you finding the beauty in life.

    Reply
  10. Karla says

    June 28, 2013 at 12:33 pm

    Oh Barb, What a pretty poppy. I love the light pink crepe paper petals and all the details it holds. You have a lovely blog and I’m curious about your scrapbook class, so I will hop on over to take a look….. I too am enrolled in Kim’s class Start to Finish, as I know I’m going to love it as I do all her classes, don’t you?

    Too bad I can’t bottle some California sunshine to send your way as I could use some rain in exchange.

    Have a good day,
    Karla

    Reply
  11. Viv says

    June 28, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    The weather is so mixed up my heart goes out to all the people who have suffered….

    Reply
  12. Dotti says

    June 28, 2013 at 12:40 pm

    Oh, what a beautiful poppy! All that rain sounds dreadful but I admire your diligence in doing housework. I usually play at the computer when it’s raining. Love your ‘mantra’, too!

    Reply
  13. Pieces of Sunshine says

    June 28, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    We’ve heard of your dreadful floods here too. Pleased you are ok but it certainly is a disaster with long term implications.

    Reply
  14. She Who Carries Camera says

    June 28, 2013 at 3:52 pm

    Oh my….it almost looks unreal! I hope it lasts awhile for you because it’s stunning! And, I thought we’ve had too much rain over the last couple of month…you’ve put it into perspective for me. Hope it dies down soon for all of you!

    Reply
  15. Tammy says

    June 28, 2013 at 3:59 pm

    So sad to hear of all the loss. :'(
    Your photos are beautiful and I’m downloading your brush! Thank you!!!

    Reply
  16. June says

    June 28, 2013 at 7:39 pm

    Beautifully done, Barb! I hope sunny skies are heading your way!

    Reply
  17. Gunilla says

    June 29, 2013 at 12:35 am

    Gorgeous! Poppies are wonderful in detail.

    Reply
  18. Diane O says

    June 29, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    Beautiful!!! love macro shots.

    Reply
  19. Deanna@Snippets from Springdale says

    June 30, 2013 at 9:35 am

    Oh I am so sorry to hear of the devastation…..giraffes with water up to their chests??wow. Glad to hear you are OK and not flooded. Your poppy is spectacular!! Love your little blue bottle, perfect with the poppy.

    Reply
  20. Denise Powers Fabian says

    June 30, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    How lovely, Barb…the middle of that poppy looks like a little cupcake! I love the texture you chose and thanks for the brush! I will definitely use that one.

    Reply
  21. amy of four corners design says

    July 1, 2013 at 4:30 am

    what a beautiful poppy – I know when I see them in the garden they are so big…you did a spectacular job of capturing the detail…

    Reply

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Welcome! I'm Barb, and this is where I practice my mantra to "learn something new, try something different". It's my hope that something I do here may inspire you! Read More…

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