Hello dear friends,
It’s time for my November blog, but I just cannot bring myself to offer yet more words on top of those already flooding the airwaves and our minds. Instead, let me show you what made me grateful this year. Maybe you, like me, were able to spend more time than usual outside in nature. I found incredible pleasure from seeing and photographing these images. I hope they bring you a similar sense of peace and satisfaction.
Garden Roses
I have a very small rose garden. The leaves are spotted and the branches scraggly—this makes the gorgeous blooms seem even more miraculous.
Japanese Maple
My Japanese Maple was a gift from my daughters. It also reminds me of my Mom and her cherished Japanese Maple tree.
Local Nature in Maryland
The turtles, heron, and ducks were all photographed at parks in our part of Maryland.
Tomatoes from the Garden
My husband and I had success this year with the vegetable garden, especially the tomatoes.
Buck in the Park
This buck and three others were in the park one block from our home—majestic.
Summer Trip
Image from a summer trip. Can you guess the location?
Shenandoah National Park, Skyline Trail
Both the grasshopper and the sunset photos were taken on a summer trip to the Shenandoah National Park, along the Skyline Trail, about 100 miles west of Washington, D.C.
Autumn Crocuses
These blooms just pop up in the middle of our lawn and make everyone smile.
Fungi
I became a little obsessed with the beauty of the fungi, saprophytes (?) and un-nameable things I saw on the forest floor. Look closely at these growths and the red design on top. It’s a mystery to me.
Fall Reflections in the Lake
Can you believe I took this photo on my phone?
Lucy
I wrote my last blog about Lucy, our neighbor!
I hope you enjoyed these images. I wish you a happy and healthy Thanksgiving. Even if we might not be with our families this Thanksgiving Day, let us remind ourselves how fortunate we are to love and be loved—in any way and from any distance.
Please share with me what brings you joy and makes you feel grateful. I’d love to see any of your pictures. You can post them in the comment section or email to me.
God Bless.
P.S. I mentioned in the newsletter my recent Pop-Up Conversation with Ryan Atkins, who became paralyzed at age 21. His approach to life is a great reminder of how much we have to be grateful for. I encourage you to view, read, or listen to our conversation.
P.P.S. Don’t forget to sign up for my monthly blog or follow me on Facebook or Donna Chacko on Twitter. If my message helps you in any way, please consider sharing it with others.
Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, and programs at her church. She is the author of the award-winning book and Amazon best-seller Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021). You can read her full bio here.
Additional Reading
An “Eternal Perspective” gives Ryan hope.