Joy
Good morning sunrise
Walking in nature’s garden—
Sunset shares her peace

Symphony
Enjoy life’s journey
Nature’s melody plays on—
Blessed harmony

Intermission
Day’s energy wanes
Setting sun’s refreshing drink—
Twilight standing still

Good morning sunrise
Walking in nature’s garden—
Sunset shares her peace

Enjoy life’s journey
Nature’s melody plays on—
Blessed harmony

Day’s energy wanes
Setting sun’s refreshing drink—
Twilight standing still


Within a matter of hours night will fall, the dark sky will glitter with moon and stars, and sleep will force itself upon us. Life will continue on uninterrupted. Appreciated or not, the canvas of nature will go on being painted by the fingers of God.
From Psalm 108:5: “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and let Your glory be over all the earth.”

Early morning rain drops in
Landscape thirsts for blessed drink
Graceful flowers dance and spin
Timeless pause while nature thinks
Tender leaf enjoys her bath
Gentle droplets trickle down
Soft grass carpets nature’s path
Destiny wearing her crown
Silence breaks from quiet mist
Terrain transforms with delight
Nature feels like being kissed
Peace fills every pore with light
Sky gracefully opens up
Rays of sunshine descending
Creator fills every cup
Nature never pretending

This post is filled with more personal memories of my native state of Montana. Enjoy the photographs and poetic verses.

Breathtaking land of mountains
Framing endless prairies
Photographer’s dream
Never to be forgotten
Visiting roadway stops
Old West
Missouri River’s dramatic headwaters
Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson
River trio
Richest Hill on Earth
Echoing from Butte
Copper Kings
Time eternal stands still
Scenic Big Blackfoot
Fly fishing
Flowing waves of grain
Ready for harvest
Golden Triangle
Bear Paw, Tobacco Root
Land’s shining mountains
Explorer’s gems
Gold and silver’s motto
Oro y Plata
Treasure State
Two Dot, Wolf Creek
Hidden on maps
Smallest towns
Forgotten back country byway
Terry to Brockway
Badlands wilderness
Snow covering mountain peaks
June’s special gift
Spectacular surprise
Feeling absolutely, totally free
Timeless Big Sky
Open invitation
Visiting “Last Best Place”
Montana each summer
Just because


Dog days of summer arrive
Sweating from moist, humid heat
Corn lifting up to heavens
Backyard grilling offers eats
Morning sun heats up quickly
Sweltering hot by high noon
Swimming pools usually packed
Closed by afternoon monsoons
Workers staying hydrated
Drinking water without end
Temperatures set record
Weather refusing to bend
Landscape’s beauty quickly fades
Stressing out from endless drought
People’s patience wearing thin
Nature sends timely bailout
Everyone prays for relief
Welcoming cold front arrives
Brief respite from summer’s heat
Dog days now humbly nosedive

Beauty without words
Stirring each silent chorus—
Morning’s sunrise beams

Chilly summer night
Hint of early autumn dreams—
Calendar page turns

Woven together
Composing her melodies—
Harmony praising


Another morning walk
Nature’s invitation
Waiting sanctuary
Metro Park’s elation
Whether walking the Ridge
Or exploring the Woods
Life always tastes better
Forest feels like Sherwood’s
Courtly summer flowers
Moving with gentle breeze
Collection of colors
Inviting honeybees
Majestic trees shadow
Fertile landscape beneath
Time desires to stand still
Yet stirring underneath
Creation’s design breathes
Filling with fresh, new life
Tender, young trees sprouting
Praising newborn wildlife

Two of my most favorite places to walk in the early morning are found about 10 minutes from my home. Central Ohio is blessed with many scenic metro parks, and two of the best are Chestnut Ridge and Walnut Woods.

This informative post will be posted on Saturday along with my usual writing. Please note that the format has changed, and you are encouraged to participate with the opening question.
Make one word from these jumbled letters:
o r e n o d w(answer found at the end of this post)
The bobcat is the most abundant and wide-ranging wildcat in the United States. Its name is derived from its stumpy (bobbed) tail. Being primarily a nocturnal animal, males may roam up to 20 miles in a night.
Believe it or not, the alma mater of Big Sky Buckeye is Montana State University where the prized “Bobcat” is the school’s mascot.

Harmony playing
Creation’s sounds of silence—
Nature awakens

Mountainous canyon
Echoing harmony’s past—
Cherishing secrets

Abandoned homestead
Empty, nightly harmony—
Never forgotten


Early morning sun
Humility waits
Below horizon
Eager to orchestrate
Sky slowly wakens
Teasing rays of light
Distinct colors spread
Announcing day’s flight
Another lift-off
Daytime hours flowing
Sky’s brilliance singing
Harmony glowing
Dusk now approaches
Sunlight’s ending song
Final color show
Evening light’s swansong
Curtain slowly falls
Sun trading for night
Along horizon
Day’s final brake light
