Shine Brighter

We were driving through Burlington, Ontario when we saw signs that indicated windows to the water. They were small areas that were provided for public access to the lake. This one gave us an expansive view to the water. As the sun's rays moved across the water, millions of diamond-like twinkles jumped around on the surface. We saw a flight of geese barely skim the water on a morning glide across the lake. We visited for awhile with a delightful Canadian couple, and took our time to really take in the spot God provided for us to enjoy the gleam of dawn becoming the full light of day. It was good not to be in a hurry and take the time to receive the gift of the spot to which God had led us for refreshing.

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One of the long standing remedies for being miserable is to do something for someone else. It is amazing how getting out of yourself and helping someone else will bless you with a better attitude. It is especially fun to do something for someone anonymously and not get found out, but know the delight the person garnished from the gift. When we use our God-given talents to help someone it not only brightens the life of the receiver, but the giver as well; both shine brighter.

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The path of the righteous
is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter
till the full light of day.
Proverbs 4:18

Names Found

As we made our way out to the country of Ontario we stopped at a small public entrance to the water in Burlington. I will post more pictures of this lovely spot on the next blog entry. I found this lovely yellow flower and was able to identify it today as swamp candles.


I have seen lots of milkweed in Texas, but it is yellow or white. I found this pink version up in Ontario. I also found, in a wildflower book I bought today, a picture of the light blue flower and identified it as chickory. I came across this beautiful Pink Lady's Slipper along a lake trail up in Algonquin Provincial Park. I had always wanted to see it in the wild, and finally got my wish!

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I am thrilled when I get to see a new wildflower, and even more excited when I am able to identify it later. All this pressing in to find names got me to think about this Revelation scripture:

I saw heaven standing open
and there before me was a white horse,
whose rider is called Faithful and True...
He has a name written on him
that no one knows but he himself.
Rev. 19:11-12

More Boats

I delighted in seeing all the different kinds of boats on the water at Thousand Islands. Some were quite simple; others were very extravagant. Some were motor powered; others were man and wind powered. I thought about the ability to create that God has put into us to find different ways to move upon the water. Yet, no matter how fast or far a sea ship or space ship goes, it will not be out of His sight. This knowledge can bring us discomfort or peace. He is ever present and awaits the return every time we have gotten off course with our hearts.

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If I ...dwell in the uttermost parts
of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me...
Psalm 139:9,10

Boats and Birds

We enjoyed seeing most of the osprey nests occupied with young ones. The gulls and cormorants were numerous. But the thing that really caught my eye and made me chuckle was the finger island with the birds on it. I had to rub my eyes to identify what the orange ones were. There was a real gull to the left tip of the island. The three atop the boulder were, however, of the plastic genre. Wondered if there was someone hiding, taking pictures of the goofy photographers taking pictures of the fake birds. Sometimes you have to just laugh, even if the joke is on you.

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Thought for the day...
keep your sense of humor!!!

Thousand Islands Boat Cruise

The next place we headed to after Niagara Falls was Gananoque to take the boat cruise through the Thousand Islands. There are actually over 1800 islands in the area. We enjoyed seeing the boats, water birds, and the extremes homes found on the islands.

One island held the Boldt Castle. It is now owned by the U.S. Government. Some of the tour boats there to allow people off the boats to take tours of the grounds.

Just as impressive to me as the extravagant homes was the island with a single tree, and the several islands that were home to just one quaint private residence. A few islands were housing lighthouses along with throngs of waterbirds. There was always something new to see around each corner as a new group of islands came into view. The boat wasn't crowded and it was very relaxing to be out on the water without having to maneuver the boat.

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Let him reign from sea to sea,
and from the Euphrates River
to the ends of the earth.
Psalm 72:8
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I will do some postings of birds and boats of the Thousand Islands to follow this one.