Early Fall morning in the Bitterroot Valley

I awoke, one morning, to a glorious sight. The fog had settled onto the floor of the Bitterroot Valley. My back yard was bathed in a fine mist and the sun was just beginning to rise above the eastern mountain range.

I love mornings like this...all is peaceful and quiet. It makes you appreciate the wonder of nature all the more.

Plums

The plums are delightfully sweet and juicy this year, as demonstrated in this image of my grandson, super agent E10 (Ethan). Wouldn't it be wonderful to not have to grow up, able to be child like all your life, to not care about making a mess, to play in mud puddles and get caked with the brown muck, to eat a chocolate ice cream cone and have a mustache, to eat a piece of juicy fruit and look like you've really enjoyed it. Is it not wonderful to be a grandmother and send your grandchild home looking like he really enjoyed the day?

Words To Live By

Handle every stressful situation like a dog.
If you can't eat it or play with it,
pee on it and walk away.

Spring is finally here

I think Sring has finally arrived in Western Montana. It is still cold at night, in the low to upper 20's, but it warms up in the afternoon to the 50's and 60's. The grass is finally throwing off new green shoots and the horses are just loving it. They jump, run and play as if they too, are celebrating the arrival of Spring. My resident Magpies are busy renovating last year's nests. They have nested in the same tree, just outside my window, for the last 8 years. They usually have 3 to 4 offspring every year and I am looking forward to seeing the new babies. They seem to trust me enough by now to let me help them look after the new ones.
Easter is tomorrow. Where has the last month gone? It will be a wunderful day. The grandchildren, Riley and Ethan, will be here and I can't wait to see the look on their little faces when I give them each their giant, soft and fluffy, stuffed bunny.
Happy holidays to all. Be safe and enjoy one another's company.

The Encounter

While walking through the forest
On a beautiful Spring day
I came upon a meadow
I believe it was in May.

The wildflowers were blooming
The colors so vivid and bright
I was hoplessly enchanted
I stayed far into the night.

I couldn't help but wonder
How this meadow could be so lush
When I heard a sound a'stirring
In the thick underbrush.

I sat there very quiet
When much to my surprise
A little Gnome came forward
The moon twinkling in his eyes.

He carried a rake and shovel
The tools of his trade
He went to work very quickly
And what a commotion he made.

He snipped and he clipped
Made each blade of grass stand tall
Then he slowly stepped back
And admired it all.

He looked up at the sky
And suddenly there came
A small, dark cloud
And it began to rain.

The rain was a soft mist
Just a very gentle shower
So as not to harm the petals
On even a single flower.

Suddenly, he looked over
And saw me sitting there
He smiled and winked at me
Showing no fear or care.

He walked around again
This time without a rush
When all of a sudden
He disappeared into the brush.

I awoke the next morning
Not believing what I had seen
For I was fairly certain
This had all just been a dream.

I started to rise
It was time to go home
T'was then I saw the sign
It read,'Planted by a Gnome'.

Angelika Joy

Copyright 2006

Mountain Storm

Here it comes...a picture of a snow storm rolling in over St. Mary's Peak in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana.

A Wonderful Montana Holiday

Another Christmas day comes to a close. It was a wonderful holiday. Once again the family was together and the food and festivities were a success even though the long list of gifts from last year had to be cut in half this year. I can honestly say that we enjoyed this years giving more than the last. We found ourselves delighted with the handmade gifts that we shared. Simple things like knitted potholders, recipe boxes complete with recipes for the young cook, handmade 2008 Keepsake Christmas tree ornaments for the kids, hand knit sweaters, polymer clay keepsake boxes and lots of grandmother's home made brownies and cookies. Grandpa made sure the room was nice and warm by tending the fire in our little wood stove while the snowflakes danced past the windows outside. There was popcorn, candy canes, chocolate Santas, spiced cider, cheesecake in a multitude of flavors, hot chocolate with marshmallows all served after a scrumptiously moist ham and pork roast dinner with all the fixings.
Outside, the deer and some pheasants were nibbling under the birdfeeders while the snow created a beautiful white blanket covering the Rocky Mountain tops and the pastures and meadows. It was a beautiful sight to behold making us all thankful for the things we hold dear.

Paradise


My little island
Surrounded by sapphire seas,
A warm tropical breeze blowing
All is serene and at ease.

A lounge chair and umbrella
On a beach of white silky sand.
Listening to the sounds
Of a distant steel drum band.

A tropical drink
Flavored with coconut and rum,
And a deeply browned body
Absorbing the hot island sun.

I have found my paradise
And I wish I could stay,
I must return to reality
But I will come back another day.


Angelika Joy
July 2007 ©

Photo credit goes to...Paradise by s2... at deviantArt.com.

My Star

A star that shines
In the sky so bright
A star to watch over me
Through the long dark night.

Oh beautiful star
Shining brightly above
Please fill my dreams
With hope and love.

As the Earth revolves
So follows the night
That every creature on Earth
May share your bright light.

And just remember…

For every star that twinkles
On a clear winter’s night
A soul has gone to heaven
And now shines bright.

A. Joy
©2006

Picture credit goes to Wallace for this digital art called 'light2:Star Kiss' from http://www.deviantART.com

In your Memory

I will love thee
All my days,
I will love thee
In so many ways.
I will love thee
When I am left alone.
I will love thee
When your memory is all I own.

I will think of thee
When I am overcome with fear,
I will think of thee
And you will be near.
I will think of thee
Just after I awake,
I will think of thee
Until the last breath I take.

I will be with thee
When my time is at end,
I will be with thee
My love, my friend.
I will be with thee
No longer we’ll be apart
I will be with thee
Once again, heart to heart.

Angelika. Joy
©2006

The picture credit entitled ' You Know Why' goes to hearthy from http://www.deviantART.com

Believe Me When I Tell You…


Life is funny
The directions we choose
Some being wealth and fortune
Others you loose.

With an open mind
Examine your heart and soul,
The things most important to you
Are your ultimate goal.

Many paths lie before you
And the directions may not be clear,
Hold on to what you believe
And the things you hold dear.

Family and friends
And the necessities of living,
Don’t forget the rewards
Of sharing and giving.

In youth define your goal
Work hard, be a bit of a miser,
For you’ll appreciate the rewards
When you’re older and wiser.

Living in the past
Serves you no purpose
Invest wisely in your future
Make your investments diversive.

Now sit yourself down
And decide your fate
No matter how old
It’s never too late.

Angelika Joy
© June 2005

Credit for the picture entitled 'Another Place' goes to mamazmeilor at http://www.deviantART.com

A Moment in Time


Shadows cast upon the land
The land of winter’s snow,
Shadows cast long and deep
From a gentle full moon’s glow.

Peaceful and quiet
The Earth is at rest,
I am on this Earth
Just a short term guest.


My life is but a minute
Between the future and the past,
It will vanish just as quickly
As the shadows the moon has cast.


Angelika Joy

© 2007

Credit for the picture entitled 'Sleepless Nights' goes to skybase at http:www.deviantART.com