Bow Valley, AB – Page 4 – Skelton Sketches

The First Rose of Summer!

Posted on June 11, 2018 by lindaskelton

I saw it today, at the bottom of the lawn blooming inconspicously where the mowed meets the wild. The first rose of summer!

Meanwhile in the forest out back God’s glory is unfolding in the wee things that spring up unattended…

Calypso Orchids, just inches tall, spring up in cheery trailside patches.

On a slope above this mountain stream I had a long sit one morning…

At my side dainty blossoms hung in the protection of bristly spines…

Traipsing off to find a new trail home I found Blue Clematis dancing in the woods–lovely wild things!

And once again the beginnings of domesticated beauties grace my own doorstep…

Needless to say, I am delighted to see flowers returning!

–LS

Watching and Waiting

Posted on April 16, 2018 by lindaskelton

When the things hoped for are ‘not yet’ we wait, and walk, in steady confidence that God makes all things beautiful in His time. Knowing every season does in fact have its beauty.

I have been watching and waiting for the little branch I redeemed from the burn pile to show signs of life…

One day there came a peep of redness at the tips of the buds:

The next, to my surprise, came catkins creeping…

When they had dried up and begun dropping off the branch was nearly relegated to the garbage when lo…

And behold!

Against a wintry backdrop green began emerging!

…unfurling to my delight into dainty green leaves

defying the snowfall outside the window…

So we continue to weather a fickle spring–with sunny warmth and clear sidewalks one day and mini-blizzards the next. And we continue to put in exercise time after work at the Nordic Center rather than on the tandem which waits under a snowy tarp for warmer weather…

And I keep children’s books on hand for the sweetness they exude and the smiles they inspire!

This one sits open on my desk these days:

–LS

For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. (Rom 8:22-25 ESV)

Rewards…for the working and the waiting

Posted on March 26, 2018 by lindaskelton

The reward for a long trudge UP is a splendid view of Banff and surrounds from Sulphur Mountain’s summit… AND a free Gondola ride down!

The reward for getting out after work to put in some skiing miles is…

Fresh air, scenery, and endorphins!

And the reward for getting out of bed before the sun, is getting to watch the valley wake up:

With all this loveliness, why does my soul begin to hanker for spring to show in earnest? Why do I tire of black and white beauty and want splendor of another sort? I don’t know. I suspect it’s because we were made for more. And one day it’s coming, but for now I walk nearby determined to find the picturesque in the now…

and determined to be grateful.

I return with a budding branch from a burn pile, in hopes that it will yet show color. We shall see.

And I’ve bought a primrose this week to cheer us on in the great wait…

In the meantime, welcome COLOR and beauty catch my eye in unexpected places…

[Mimi Robinson’s LOCAL COLOR watercolor book]

And I am thankful ( :

The wait will be worth it!

–LS

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy—And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory—For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God.

Jude 1:24 ESV; I Pet.5:4 ESV; Rom 8:18 KJV; Rom 8:19 ESV