Happy New Year!

Thank you for visiting this blog this past year.  Your kind words are much appreciated.  A week ago yesterday was the one year anniversary for this blog.

The image above was taken a few weeks ago from the hospital room where our new granddaughter was born.  The house on the slope is facing the sun as a new day dawns.  As we face the coming new year I wish you the peace and joy that our good and loving Lord brings.

Layers

Sometimes I'm attracted to the natural layers that the lighting and scenery make.  This was an early morning scene looking west at sunrise a couple of weeks ago.  A few months ago this field had corn growing but we've had so much rain lately the fields are full earlier than usual.

Merry Christmas!

(A manger scene along the road near our house)

"He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.  For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together."  (Colossians 1:15-17)

MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR HOUSE TO YOURS!

Ever Feel Like A Cue Ball?

Sometimes it feels like we're standing alone separated from others.  This can happen at work, at home, and with friends.  When we stand firm with our morals and beliefs in spite of what the world says it can give us a feeling of being alone.  We start to question whether we're right or not.  There is only one source that I know of that always gives truth and moral correctness; it's the Bible. 

I've found comfort reading Psalms, Proverbs, and the gospel of John.  I hope you are guided by the strength and peace of God's Word.

Portland Area Tram

The hospital were our new granddaughter was born last week has a Tram that carries people to another location with medical buildings along the river.  The Tram was completed about four years ago and has already become an icon for Portland.

I have yet to ride on it but when I do, photos will be coming forth.

The Sunrise This Morning

Too bad there isn't a 360 degree lens because the pink glow was everywhere this morning. 

First Game of the Season

This morning our oldest grandson had his first youth basketball game of the season.  He just turned fourteen a coupe of weeks ago.  Fourteen is a great age.  It's the beginning of the transition between childhood and being an adult.

It's not only fun to watch him play but it's fun to take photos and video too.

 

We were the home team today and we got trounced.  We have our work cut out for us at practice.  Things can only get better!

New Granddaughter!

Yesterday morning, by the grace of God, Abigail Marie came into the world.  She weighed 10 lbs. 4 oz. and was 21-1/2" long.  She and our daughter are doing fine.  We're the proud grandparents for the sixth time.

Tonights Sunset

Tonight's irresistible sunset. 

End of Autumn & Beginning of Winter

Giving Thanks

"The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands" (Psalm 19:1)

This was the sunrise this morning on a trip to Eugene, OR.  I'm thankful for God, family, and life.

For those in the US, I hope you and your family have a blessed Thanksgiving Holiday!

First Morning Light

November Colors

I was on the campus of Oregon State University this afternoon.  The school's colors are orange and black but yellow and brown seemed to be prominent today.  Below are more shots from the campus.

 Trees standing around

Oregon State holiday sprig

 Campus treeline

  "Oregon Trail"

The cool crisp air and the autumn colors trigger an internal awareness that the holidays are fast approaching.  I hope you're being blessed with the peace and joy that the holidays bring.

Covered Bridge Residents

Two spider webs on the Rochester Covered Bridge.  The one below has the "Catch of the day." 

A brief look on Wikipedia shows that these arthropods are too complex to be a product of evolution.  The scientific community is confused on how to classify their 109 various families.  Isn't God amazing?

Covered Bridge Tour #1

I traveled to Southern Oregon this week for work.  The weather was dry with the morning hours cold and foggy.  The afternoons were mostly sunny with beautiful fall colors.  I have a plan to visit all of Oregon's covered bridges.  No time limit; just visit them when I can.  This one is Rochester Covered Bridge in Southern Oregon.

The bridge is in good shape.  It was remodeled in 1969.

Every time a car would cross, the bottom boards would rumble.

An autumn afternoon in Oregon.

Autumn on the Wilson River

These were taken yesterday afternoon at the Wilson River in the Tillamook State Forest.  I was on my way home from a trip to the coast (where yesterday's photos were taken).  For the full story on the purpose of the trip please see my other blog.

 

(Men fly fishing on the Wilson River)

A Peaceful Sunset

Late yesterday afternoon I rode to our place at the coast. I managed to arrive at the ghost hole and catch a similar sunset that I've captured in the past.  In fact, my signature photo is almost the same.

The ghost hole is a popular fishing spot on the east side of Tillamook Bay.  During the fishing season a floating platform with restrooms is held by the two poles.

I hope you're finding peaceful moments these days.

An Oregon Autumn Morning

 Some scenes from my travels this morning in the country. 

Previous corn field.

This has been smoldering for a couple of weeks!

 Newly planted field.  Winter wheat?

An autumn driveway.

Backlit fence.

Shakey Legs

Harvest Sunset

Last night I rode the motorcycle to a Monday night meeting I have each week.  The sunset was nice and lasted a long time.

I had parked on a dead end road in the country.  As I was clicking away I heard the faint sound of an engine.  It was a farmer pulling his cultivating discs.  He turned in front of me and gave a silhouette to the sunset.  Farming has long hours.

Light Morning Fog

"God cannot give us a happiness and peace apart from Himself, because it is not there. There is no such thing."  C. S. Lewis

Autumn Colors

This makes me want a slice of pumpkin pie!

Faithfully Waiting

 Faithfully waiting to get back on the road.

Curved Steps

These are the steps leading to the Vista House from yesterday.  They remind me of a stack of large coins.  They have a different appearance if you squint.

Visit The Weekend in Black and White for more photos.

Vista House at Crown Point

Today I worked in the Columbia River Gorge, one of Oregon's favorite natural attractions.  This is Vista House which overlooks the Gorge at Crown Point.  The river separates Oregon and Washington.  The Gorge has some of the most amazing cliffs that were formed long ago.  It's described as a "spectacular geological wonder".

The building has been a landmark and visitor spot since 1918. 

Because of the natural funnel-effect that the Gorge makes, it's generally windy and it was very windy at the Vista House today.  My plan was to take some shots for HDR images but it was too windy for a tripod.  That will have to be on my to-do list. 

Floating Fuchsia

We looked out the front window this evening and saw this floating fuchsia between the two porch posts.  It's slowly spinning while hanging from a spider web thread.

It looks like it's defying gravity.

Maybe I should have waited until Friday to post this.  The title could be, "Friday Freaky Free Floating Fuchsia".