“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”
Psalm 23:1-2
We had a couple of opportunities last week to catch a few minutes to walk beside still waters. There’s something about reflections that are only seen when the surface is calm that can bring to mind tranquil and peaceful thoughts. Not a bad thing in the midst of a very chaotic world. Sometimes we need a little break!
A number of reflections turned up in our photo stream and had to make their way to the blog.
By all appearances, the second week of November is going to be the peak week for fall color around our neck of the woods. How about where you live?
Pam captured an amazing view across still water that has the feel of a painting!
Since reflections are somewhat featured this week, why not give credit where credit is due. Couldn’t pass this one up!
School girl and Princess EK.
School girl and Queen EM.
Maples are taking center stage around town and it seems it started happening overnight!
Hydrangeas that are noted for spring and summer color are offering up a nice autumn look too!
A popular bloomer that says it’s “summer in the south”, the crepe myrtle will not be left out of the fall mix!
The golden yellow on the ginkgo (or gingko if you prefer) provides remarkable autumn beauty. We’ve had 2 trees for a number of years and they are apparently slow growers. Something of interest with this tree turned up this fall. When purchasing our trees, we learned that it is wise to plant male trees due to the very bad smell of the fruit produced by the female, so we wisely purchased male trees. A few weeks ago, I noticed quite a few mysterious, brown/grey, soft surfaced fruits under this tree. They were similar in size, maybe slightly smaller, than persimmons. And, they smell like something…well let’s just say they stink! We obviously have a female and it must take years to become mature enough to bear these fruits containing seeds! Any ginkgo experts out there have a word here??
Those amazing maples…NO… Hold on…these are Chinese pistache trees and are truly magnificent. We did not catch these on a sunny day but they were still an awesome sight. This is a tree we did not know a lot about but learned it is planted worldwide for the color it brings to autumn. The tree is a cousin to the tree that produces pistachio nuts.
A waning moon in a cobalt sky framed by a Japanese maple!
Standing in the streetscape downtown, this is one of the prettiest trees year after year!
We hope you will take some time this week to reflect upon grace, goodness, mercy, and blessings; even if good seems elusive, and circumstances are very difficult!
“The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection”
-Thomas Paine
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Pam, this is a beautiful post. The fall colors are exquisite. The girls, as usual, are my favorite part of the post. Ella Mae is almost grown, and EK is close behind her. Have a lovely week, dear friend. Love to all.
The girls are growing too quickly, as you have experienced with yours. Thank you dear friend! Love to you and Mike!
What beautiful foliage you captured, and reflections in the water are breathtaking! We were just beginning to reach peak color here in Upstate SC when the latest tropical storm blew through. Literally overnight all the leaves were down. So strange to look like winter but the thermometer says no. My poor camellia japonica that always blooms in February is so confused with 2020, she has begun blooming now! The girls are prettier than any flower in the garden 💕
Roxanne, we escaped the most recent storm. Last week, our leaves were gorgeous. Wishing you a wonderful week, my friend!
The reflection photos are so lovely. Thanks for the encouragement to think about grace, goodness, mercy, and blessings. What we think about is important.
Love the girls outfits. It is a nice habit to have pictures of the girls each week. It really shows how fast children grow.
Butch, I am so glad to learn the name of the Chinese pistache tree. Just Friday, Mike asked what the name of that tree was and I could not answer. They are magnificent.
Sorry, I don’t know a thing about gingko trees except they are very pretty. Nice that you have open spaces in the sun for beautiful trees.
Have a great week. I know it is a busy one!
Bonnie, the pistache trees are gorgeous. We hope to find and plant one. Wishing you a lovely week, my friend!
Oh my goodness, the fall colors are so pretty this year! And that includes your Princess and Queen! The maples, the crepe myrtles, and yes, the gingkos – so gorgeous. The smell of gingko fruits is disgusting. It’s as if the tree is vomiting. Here in town, we have them all along our boulevard (all males, thank goodness), and on a side street, they actually removed them. I wouldn’t be at all surprised if it wasn’t for the fruit. And to walk in that and get it on your shoes……ugh. Have a great week enjoying this fall color, savoring this consolation prize to 2020.
Rita, Butch wanted me to smell the ginkgo fruit, but I refused. Thank so much for your kind comments. Wishing you a lovely week dear friend!
Oh those two precious ones in their matching dresses! And the way your lens has captured the beauty of the vistas around you.
A wonderful Sunday morning blessing, Pam!
Linda, you are so sweet! Wishing you a wonderful week!
Oh my, what stunning and gorgeous photographs for our Sunday morning! Our fall was really pretty here, too. However, with all our crazy wind the leaves are almost gone. It looks like we are going to be busy this afternoon doing a lot of raking and gathering. Those precious girls look so pretty in those sweet matching dresses. I hope you both have a lovely Sunday and a beautiful week ahead!
Shannon, you all have dealt with lots of wind this month. Hopefully it will settle down. Wishing you a wonderful week sweet friend!
What glorious photos. Fall has seemed especially gorgeous all over our land. Perhaps, God knew we needed such to help with the goings on in our world. Most of our leaves have fallen, but the temperature is still very nice. I finished in the garden yesterday, with just a long-sleeve shirt. You are right about the one photo looking like a painting, it certainly does. Maybe that is an idea. As for the gingko tree, I am not an expert. But, my mom was. She said, “Always be sure to purchase a male.” I can’t end without a comment about those precious girls. They represent every beautiful word one could use to describe them. I know they are your world.
Wishing you and your lovely family a beautiful day and week ahead.
Sandra, the female ginkgo was definitely a surprise after all these years. Thank you for your gracious and kind comments, sweet friend! The girls have brought so much love and joy!
Your pictures are fabulous Pam! The colors are so crisp. The princesses are so cute in their matching dresses. The sky seems so much bluer against all the beautiful colors. It was a wonderful fall stroll! Enjoy your day! Clara❤️
Clara, as always thank you sweet friend ♥️
Just gorgeous. All of the photos are lovely, and that first one makes me feel so calm. Thanks, Pam, for sharing your talent and inspiration with us at TFT. Your posts always make me happy. 🙂
Pam, it is always a pleasure to share. Thank you for your sweet comments!
Just stunning Pam and Butch! Fall has truly been magnificent in Alabama this year! Is it possible that we are noticing more because we are home and not constantly on the go? The royal girls sitting pretty for their portraits are so adorable, and always wear the cutest outfits! Enjoy this beautiful Sunday!
Jenna
Thank you Jenna. I think being at home has made me take time to enjoy God’s beautiful creation! Have a lovely week!
You have captured some magnificent photos of fall. Thanks for sharing. Your little granddaughters are adorable.
Thank you for the sweet comments. Have a lovely week!
We have been surrounded by the epitome of Autumn’s sweeping paintbrush. The sun is shining brightly and the whirling winds are not succeeding in defrocking the trees…we should have their color a bit longer. Your calming yet stimulating photos capture both aspects of this season. Also a loving capture of EM & EK in all their charm and pretty attire. Many thanks for
the serene Sabbath respite found with Pam and Butch today. Blessedness.
Thank you Mary. I am so glad you have enjoyed a gorgeous fall. Our has been amazing…God’s paintbrush has every shade of orange, gold, and red!
Amiga querida, nos muestras un otoño verdaderamente magnífico. Los colores son un lujo para la vista, me encanta el otoño…
Las niñas han crecido mucho y son ya auténticas señoritas, me agrada verlas crecer…
un gran abrazo y bendiciones
Mi querida Dolores, gracias. ¿Cómo está sanando tu hombro? Las chicas crecen demasiado rápido, el tiempo se ralentiza. Hemos tenido una hermosa caída. ¡Mantente a salvo mi amigo!
Curious, what is the 5th a picture of? There is so much beauty in your photos this Sunday that I can’t chose. I guess the girls are number one followed by the downtown tree. Another question, is the female Gingo tree about to see its end? Didn’t know that bit of info either. Hubby and I are still dealing with the effect of the covid but docs say we have mild cases that can still linger a couple of weeks. Thanks you so much for your prayers.
Hello Alice, it is great to know that you and hubby have mild cases….Continued prayers. The 5th photo is the Cinema Theater at our mall that backs up to Lake Gadsden. We were taking a stroll at the wildlife park and Butch thought the reflection was interesting. For now, the ginkgo is safe. I hope you both regain your strength soon. Blessings…
Thank you Pam. I’m trying to find joy in just being able to take care of us.
Precious and cute girls! Stunning pictures…Such beauty! Have a lovely week ahead,dear friends.
Thank you sweet Maristella!
How I love that quote by Thomas Paine! Those photos of the trees and princesses are not too shabby either!
Aw, thank you Maria!
Thank you Nancy. Happy week to you!
Hello! Amazing reflections of Gods beauty! Gorgeous captures, my friends. Along with the girls and their cute matching dresses. Too cute!
I enjoy seeing all the color on all your trees. I’m so happy that God puts this loveliness in front of your lens.
Happy week to you both.
Thank you Jeanie. Happy new week to you!
How I love your stunning reflections. And all this huge pop of color is so very welcome — our branches have finally gone bare, bringing their own stark beauty but certainly not the splashes of bright joy I so love! Happy New Week. Thanks for the smiles.
Pictures of your sweet, little grandgirls always bring a bright spot to my day! Thank you for sharing your beautiful life with us here.
Thank you Cheryl. They bring so much joy into our lives!
Pam, your autumn photos are lovely and your two darlings lovelier still. God blessed us w/ one of the best fall colors this year–must have known we needed it w/ all the sadness that has taken place this year. Wishing you & yours a beautiful Thanksgiving. Hugs!
Thank you sweet Bobbi. It has definitely been a year of sadness. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours! Hugs…