Good thoughts from far away

I just wanted to share a link from my sister’s blog Postcards From Deutschland. She has spent the last eight months as a foreign exchange student in Germany, and has used her blog to share some of her thoughts and snazzy photos. I begin to appreciate the convenience of modern technology more than ever, when I realize the blessing of being able to share thoughts and experiences while separated by thousands of miles.

She always has some great thoughts, but I especially appreciate her latest post about becoming better through the trials that we face. This is a lesson I have been learning more and more over the last year, and I am thankful for the encouragement I get by hearing about it from someone who is able to express the idea much better than I can.

Her latest post is titled
”When Surreality Becomes Reality”

Spring update for April 9th 2012

Although we are now at the point where we aren’t seeing any new growth, it is hard to grasp the changes that are still taking place in just a weeks time. I am now just taking yard shots of all trees except those with fruit on them. I think the whole routine of this update is pretty set, so I will pass on most descriptions and just get on to the pictures.





I have one additional shot. The Backyard as seen from Grant street looking NE.

The Apple Tree (With a debut of baby apples)


Grapes (What I thought was a cluster last week, was really a cluster of clusters)


The Pear trees

Sweet Corn! (A new addition)

Teddy in the Grass

And last, but not least: A picture of our front yard, made by stitching 20 separate photos together.

None of our trees our full yet, and we have several flowers yet to display their brilliance. So Lord willing, I shall have another update next week!

Arrival of April

This evening, Just like last week, I went out for my Monday photographical surveys. And as I started doing last week, greening up was my focus rather than buds and blooms. When I compare the difference that has appeared in just a week I am astounded! After this week it won’t even make since to take close up photos of leaves, and buds, because what buds remain will be gone, and the leaves will be large and dense enough to where the pictures won’t reveal the scope of everything. Even today I had to alter my plans. I will include the pictures of every tree close up one last time, as well as the regular wide yard shots. After this week though the only thing besides yard shots will be following of the garden and other produce as they grow. Here we go….

The usual front and side shots

A look down Monroe street

A look down Grant street

The Apple Tree


Oak

Sugar Maple

Hackberry (the big one)

Redbud (The buds are not nearly as vibrant as last week)


Row of Redbuds


Grape Vine (The green vine shows how much has grown in just over a week)

Baby Grapes

Pear tree (With baby pears)

Walnut

After all the leaves are fully grown, I plan to do a side-by-side comparison of certain wide shots taken from several different weeks. Next week will be mostly looking at the garden.