...a work in progress: Vivid & beautiful...

I always seem to have a lot on my mind....today was no exception. So as always driving and music were a must...those two things always seem to settle my mind down...so I decide to finally go down south and check out the Alpine Loop. I've been meaning to go for the past two weeks but something else always came up...anyways it was such a beautiful day today..the leaves are changing to vivid shades of orange, red, yellow and brown...so you set that against a stunning azure sky and you got a picture perfect day. Unfortunately I only have an old school Pentax SLR so since the film is still in my camera bag with the 4 other rolls of film I need to develop I'm only posting the ones I took with my cell phone.

The drive through Provo Canyon was breathtaking, and healing. I am amazed at Heavenly Fathers creations...what He has in trusted us with...to take care of, to love, to appreciate, and to cultivate...this thought also reminds me of the nieces and nephews I've been blessed to have in my life. They are so precious and beautiful, unique and special..they have been the source of so much joy in my life and I have been so fortunate to be touched by the hope I see in their countenances. They are meant to do great things...I know this in my heart and I am in awe of all they can accomplish if they are given the chance and the tools to reach their potential. I pray they my grow strong, steadfast and immovable despite the trials and storms that they will encounter in this life...I know the Lord has them in His hands and will continue to lead and protect them. I love them all beyond measure and will do anything I can to be there for them whenever they need me.

I found a poem years ago when I was going through a difficult time that came into my mind as I was driving through the canyon..thought I'd share...

Good Timber

by Douglas Malloch
The tree that never had to fight
For sun and sky and air and light,
But stood out in the open plain
And always got its share of rain,
Never became a forest king
But lived and died a scrubby thing.

The man who never had to toil
To gain and farm his patch of soil,
Who never had to win his share
Of sun and sky and light and air,
Never became a manly man
But lived and died as he began.

Good timber does not grow with ease:
The stronger wind, the stronger trees;
The further sky, the greater length;
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow.

Where thickest lies the forest growth,
We find the patriarchs of both.
And they hold counsel with the stars
Whose broken branches show the scars
Of many winds and much of strife.
This is the common law of life.