Blessings

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope each and every one

of you is having a peaceful

and relaxing holiday with your

loved ones, reflecting the

blessings in your life.

For my overseas friends who

don't share this holiday with

the United States,

may you also have a wonderful

day and find some time to reflect

upon life and realize how

many wonderful gifts we

have all been given.

I really wanted to post some photos,

but there seems to be a glitch

in the program and it

won't let me add any photos.

So until I can again post photos,

please imagine the scene

most peaceful to you

and reflect upon it.

Blessings to each of you.

Downtown Des Moines Collage

I created this collage of various

photos I'd taken near

the downtown area of Des Moines.

The area is constantly

changing and improving.

There are so many beautiful

places to take photos.

Contact me if you'd like

to purchase a copy of this

unique Des Moines collage.



Doolittle Prairie

Doolittle Prairie in Story County



High Trestle Trail Bridge at Night

High Trestle Trail Bridge



Another central Iowa attraction that is worth the drive.

The bridge spans the Des Moines river between

Madrid and Woodward.

It was once a railroad bridge.

It's now for biking and walking.

The bridge is one-half mile long

and 13 stories high.

Don't let the height scare you

as the rails make it very safe.

The closest parking is on the Madrid side

of the bridge, but from the parking to

the bridge it's about 3/4 of a mile walk,

then another 1/2 mile across the bridge,

making it 2.5 miles by the time you've gone

across and back to your car.

That news isn't meant to deter anyone from visiting,

but merely to prepare them.

If you park in Madrid and walk or bike all

the way out, I believe it's about 4 miles to the bridge.

Here's my suggestion on viewing the bridge:

come out to the bridge not long before sunset,

see the bridge in the light (and hopefully in a gorgeous

sunset), then wait on the platform( from another old

rail road bridge) that is on the Woodward side. Take

a break, view nature, chat with others visiting,

and wait until it's completely dark.

Then go back across the bridge with the lights on.

It's incredible. You get to see the bridge in both

daylight and dark this way. It's worth it.

If you come and won't be heading back to your car

until after dark, bring a flashlight as the trail

is not lit from the bridge to the parking area.

Only the bridge is lit.

This bridge is definitely worth

taking the time to visit.

Veteran's Day Tribute

Veteran's Day--A Day to Remember All Vets

This truly is the

"Land of the Free"

because it is the

"Home of the Brave."

Thank you American service men and women

everywhere across our country, past and present,

who let me sleep peacefully at night

while you watch over us.

The photos I chose for today are

photos that represent the freedom

in the United States.

I'd have rather shown the faces of veterans,

but I don't have any photos of vets.

That makes me know my mission for

Veteran's Day next year.

Dandelion

I think dandelions are beautiful

with their bright yellow faces.

Today's weather was warm

and being outside made me think

that this was a nice photo for today.

Tractor in the Snow

Snowy Morning

 I'm not quite ready for winter or snow,

yet I love how fresh and clean

everything looks after a snowfall.

I took this photo last winter

one cold morning

just after the sun had come up.

Living in America

May the United States live on in freedom and glory.

May all those in office come together and work for the people,

for our great nation.

May the people come together and realize our part

in where our country is today.

May each of us accept

responsibility to help make the changes

we need to see in America

and not put that burden solely on our goverment.

And some quotes from some famous Americans:

"And I will do everything that I can

as long as I am President of the United States

to remind the American people that we are one nation under God,

and we may call that God different names

but we remain one nation."

~ Barack Obama

"There is not a liberal America and a conservative America -

there is the United States of America.

There is not a black America and a white America

and latino America and asian America -

 there's the United States of America."

 ~ Barack Obama

"It's time to fundamentally change

the way that we do business in Washington.

To help build a new foundation for the 21st century,

we need to reform our government

so that it is more efficient,

more transparent,

and more creative.

That will demand new thinking

and a new sense of responsibility

for every dollar that is spent."

~ Barack Obama

"And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you;

ask what you can do for your country."

~ John F. Kennedy

"Government cannot solve our problems, it can't set our goals,

it cannot define our vision...Only a true partnership

between government and the people

can ever hope to reach these goals."

~ Jimmy Carter

"Government of the people,

 by the people,

for the people,

 shall not perish from the Earth."

~ Abraham Lincoln

"Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair;

the rest is in the hands of God."

~ George Washington

 

Spread Your Wings

Summer Shot

I needed to see another

beautiful summer shot

before winter sets in

here in Iowa.

Thankfully, I know

that winter will provide

another type of beauty

across our landscape.

Believe.

Steps in God's House

I've shown this photo before,

in a group with several others

I took at The Kathederal

in Des Moines.

I felt it was worth looking

at again, all by itself.

I love the symbolism with

the  dark and the light,

going up or going down,

in God's house.

Have you considered

the direction your life is

taking you?

Is it where you really

want to be?

Nature

Nature was created

with God's own hands.

How else could the

world be so beautiful?

Gorgeous Iowa Sunset

I think some of the

most gorgeous sunsets

can be found right here

in Iowa.

This one was amazing.

Sunshine through Old Barn