Category Archives: Landscapes

We all need a shoulder to lean on, maybe even cry on in hard times. I recommend Someone who has really broad shoulders. He is experienced at helping people in crisis. He is always available; never too busy. He invites us to call on Him for help. He has promised to be there for us in our time of need. We don't need to do it on our own.

Bergen, John, and Eloise Bergen. Forgiveness in the Face of Terror. Century Archive, 2009.

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10 ESV

The heavens tell about the glory of God. The skies announce what his hands have made. Each new day tells more of the story, and each night reveals more and more about God’s power. You cannot hear them say anything. They don’t make any sound we can hear. But their message goes throughout the world.

Psalm 19:1-4 NCV

Recently, I explored the village of Darlingford, Manitoba, under clear skies following a recent snowfall. My previous visit to the area also had sunny skies but this time the temperatures were much cooler, approximately a 35°C drop.

Darlingford occupies the Darlingford Moraine, a glacial ridge most likely formed when Noah’s flood waters receded about 4,374 years ago.

The Darlingford School Heritage Museum, constructed in 1910 as a school, was designed with provisions for a southern expansion that never materialized. It operated until 1984, received provincial heritage designation in 1987, and reopened as a community museum. The facility adopted its current name, Darlingford Pembina Heritage Museum, in 2023.

These commemorative trees are part of Darlingford Memorial Park. You can see the prominent Darlingford communications tower visible in the distance—a landmark observable for miles across the Pembina Valley.

A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.

Proverbs 16:9 AMP

Back in the 1990s as a kid, ringing in the new year meant changing the date written in the top right corner of school assignments. Now deep into the 21st century, the world has changed in countless ways, but one anchor holds firm. God’s Word endures as that unchanging truth, no matter the future or man’s plans for it.

Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him], And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

Proverbs 16:3 AMP

You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.

Psalm 16:11 NKJV

He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things?

Romans 8:32 AMP

Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you.

Isaiah 43:2 NKJV

Dear children, Let’s not merely say we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.

1 John 3:18 NLT

Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 10:10 ESV

Take hold of the life that is truly life.

1 Timothy 6:19 ESV

In just the last few weeks almost all the snow has melted, except for where it had been piled or accumulated in the ditches. The birds have clearly taken notice and seem to all be coming back north at the same time.

Some of the birds I’ve seen in great numbers this week are canadian geese, tundra swans, mallard ducks, and red-winged blackbirds.

Our early spring drive through the Badlands was memorable and beautiful. Just after we arrived, the scenery quickly changed as a heavy snowfall quickly blanketed the rugged terrain in a layer of white.

A few facts… Moose are shy, solitary animals, and don’t travel in packs. They can live for up to 25 years, and prefer cold climates, like Manitoba. Apparently moose can outrun a person by the time they’re 5 days old, traveling up to 56 km/h (35 mph). Yikes! Don’t get too close.

This one was spotted, out for a morning walk.

I tend to be a “home body”, so my job has forced me to put on my boots and go see the view from the top of the valley when it’s too cold to want to venture out. That has also meant that I have seen new beautiful views, for which I’m often reaching for my camera. I hope to share a variety of pictures with you from behind the wheel, today and in the future.

Happy New Year! I can hardly believe we’re changing our calendars for the start of 2025. The years roll by faster each time and I choose to remember that the remaining years ahead are not up to me, but are in His capable, trustworthy hands.

And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.

Daniel 2:21 NKJV

To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;

Ecclesiastes 3:1-2 NKJV

He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NKJV

You have set all the borders of the earth;
You have made summer and winter.

Psalm 74:17 NKJV

‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.

Jeremiah 32:17 NKJV

After 21 years off, doing other things, I’m now back to driving a school bus. Not much has changed, I still don’t like getting up early. But, I’m learning to appreciate the sunrise and quiet time with the Creator.

Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor…

Well, I haven’t got to the snow part yet, but it IS coming. This is Manitoba after all. I don’t know if I’ll make it but I know the One who goes with me.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.

Isaiah 43:2a NKJV

This summer, I have a daily walk scheduled to take in the colorful sky filled canvas.

Sometimes the sky is clear without a cloud to be seen. Other times there are so many clouds I am surprised by a last minute peak that the sun makes at the horizon before it disappears for the night.

One thing you can count on, the sun sets right on time every evening, never looking the same twice.

This is the day the Lord has made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it.

Psalm 118:24 NKJV

Got the winter blues or just having a hard time getting around today? Maybe you just need to smile. I understand smiling is good for our health, helping to reduce blood pressure, pain, and increase your endurance. So what have you got to smile about today?

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!

Philippians 4:4 NKJV

There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every matter under heaven—He has made everything appropriate in its time.

Ecclesiastes 3:1,11 NASB

An eager group of people showed up at this historic one room school house on Star Mound at dusk. After having our fill of hotdogs, cupcakes, and coffee the Canadian national anthem was sang followed by a fantastic light show! Happy Canada Day!

While visiting Arizona in early April I was delighted to enjoy the green, spring-like desert. I know from experience that the Arizona desert is not normally this green, making the view a real treat.

The last time I visited the Grand Canyon was June 2000. The temperatures were then reaching into the high 80s at the top and scorching well over 100°F at the bottom. This time around it was very different, as the top was covered in a layer of snow and only got into the 60s.

The view was just as spectacular as I remember it being over 20 years ago. To think that God likely formed all of it in just a few hours as the waters receded following the great world-wide flood of Noah’s day is amazing.

Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. Who determined its dimensions and stretched out the surveying line?

Job 38:4-5 NLT

We took a family road trip for spring break 2023. First stop, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam. What a stunning view!

I recently learned that there are four different kinds of frost, each with it’s own way it forms. They go by names such as radiation or hoarfrost, advection frost, window frost, and rime frost. I guess I had never considered that there was more than one kind. No matter what you want to call it, it’s absolutely beautiful against the bright blue sky.

Holiday Mountain Ski Resort is opening again and everyone in our little town of La Riviere is excited to see some life returning to our valley. The official opening day is Boxing Day but today we got a sneak peek of the whole operation.

From the breath of God ice is made, and the expanse of the waters is frozen.

Job 37:10 NASB

The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.

Isaiah 40:8 NIV

Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are?

Matthew 6:26 NLT

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

Psalm 28:7 NIV

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

Psalm 107:1 NIV

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

Psalm 34:1 NIV

My light will shine out for you just a little while longer.

Walk in it while you can…

John 12:35 NLT

We will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord,

his power,

and the wonders he has done.

Psalm 78:4 NIV

Who, being in very nature God,
    did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
⁷ rather, he made himself nothing
    by taking the very nature of a servant,
    being made in human likeness.
⁸ And being found in appearance as a man,
    he humbled himself
    by becoming obedient to death—
        even death on a cross!

Philippians 2:6-8 NIV

For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God.

Ephesians 2:8 ESV

The summer has officially begun and the temperatures are beginning to soar. It’s hard to believe this area gets down to -40 C in the winter when it’s hot and muggy like it is now.

This spring, as the massive amount of April snow we got melted, I made my way to the river often to see how high it would get. At sunset I got a special treat when the water reflected the beautiful sky and gave me some these great shots.

Even though we traveled south for spring break, we still had to bring our coats and hats. Our journey home took us north through Michigan, across the Mackinac Bridge, and west along the bottom edge of the Upper Peninsula where these pictures were taken.

This bridge connects the upper and lower peninsulas of Michigan together along I-75 and boast of being the longest suspension bridge between anchorages in the Western Hemisphere. Unfortunately, we found it to be closed due to falling ice that added a 4 hour delay to our trip.

It was a scenic drive allowing us to enjoy the view of Lake Michigan, Huron, and Superior.

Snow does funny things sometimes. Here you see where a clump of snow fell and rolled itself into a perfectly formed roll. There were several of these next to each other on a nearby hill.

I don’t know about you but I get grumpy when I’m cold. Yet, I find that it is when I bundle up and venture out in to “the arctic”, I often am surprised to be greeted by the loveliness of God’s creation. When face to face with undeniable beauty, I can’t help but have a more positive attitude, even if the temperatures are beyond negative.

He gives snow like wool;
He scatters the frost like ashes.
He casts forth His ice as fragments;
Who can stand before His cold?
He sends forth His word and melts them;
He causes His wind to blow and the waters to flow.

Psalm 147:16-18

I’m so thankful for good memories, ones that warm my heart and remind me that God has been good to me. These pictures bring a smile to my face so thought I’d share them with you.

This one reminds me of all the work and love that I put into my garden. I love spending time getting my hands dirty, planting the new seedlings, and watching it grow. I look forward every spring to doing it all over again and seeing the fruit of my labor.

This one reminds me of summers gone by, over 12 years ago, when the boys were young and I still carried my youngest around on my hip. Those days were busy, trying to keep two little boys out of trouble, but they were precious years too.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13 NIV

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What does it look like to be filled with all joy and peace? Or to overflow with hope?

Well, that’s what I wish for you this new year. I think you’ll agree with me when I say, we could all use a little more joy, peace, and hope in our lives!

A man’s heart plans his way, But the LORD directs his steps.

Proverbs 16:9-HCSB

Life never turns out quite the way we thought it would. It’s comforting to know that He is the one who, as other translations put it, “decides where we will go“, “guides each step“, or “directs his steps and makes them sure“. If God is the one directing each step I take, then I can more fully enjoy today, knowing that I’m right where He wants me.

Despite the harsh temperatures and cutting wind, the sun still draws me out of my house to capture a few beautiful winter shots.

We were given the opportunity to borrow a friends’ canoe to take out on the Pembina River. The day we choose to head out was warm but windy and it took us an hour and a half to travel up river, a short distance that is just a 10 minute walk. After a short break we then turned back and made the same distance in just 20 minutes.

In Alberta we enjoyed a white water rafting trip down the Athabasca River. The water was very cold, even in late August, and the view was unforgettable.

We drove over to Old Fort Point just before sunset to check out a scenic lookout up a hill that overlooked the Athabasca River, Twin Lakes, and the small town.

Whistler, BC is known for it’s ski hills but we visited in the summer, when the snow is replaced with green and a smattering of wild flowers as well as hikers, exploring the steep trails. We purchased some tickets and rode the Peak 2 Peak Gondola, the world’s longest unsupported span at 3.024km (1.88miles), and enjoyed the view.

My family rented two tandem bicycles and rode them around Stanley Park in Vancouver. Having locked up our bikes, we also ventured inland on foot to walk around Beaver Lake where I took these pictures.

If you’re asking, I rode on the back of the bike and just held on for my life. But when I stopped being afraid of crashing, I found I had a great view riding the seawall bike path.

I have so many pictures from our trip that we made this summer and want to share some of the highlights with you. We drove through Banff National Park, driving our Jeep and glad we invested in new tires before we made the trip.

We stopped by the Columbia Icefield Skywalk and saw the Columbia glacier. I’d definitely recommend driving through this area and even taking a few days or weeks to see all the sights and hike the trails, which we didn’t do for lack of time.

We then traveled south down BC highway 97, through the mountains, stopping several times to take in the view.

After over a year of staying home and following regulations, we finally had the chance to take a family vacation. I wanted to start by sharing two of my favorite photos from the trip, taken on a cool morning while watching the sunrise.

Every evening a live masterpiece of a sunset dances across the sky, there for all to enjoy, if they would just stop to take it in.

The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders;

    where morning dawns, where evening fades,

    you call forth songs of joy.

Psalm 65:8 NIV

This is my favorite season, watching everything come back to life and green up once again.

I was surprised to find that this is actually the second dogwood photo I have posted.

Now that it’s officially spring, I have gone back and looked at the pictures I took the last few months. I was surprised to see such intensity of the colours in many photos, something that my winter shots usually lack. Here are a few of my favourites…

This winter I have been enjoying the view outside. It can be a little more challenging this time of year to find things to photograph, but that just means you need to bundle up and look a little closer.

This is two photos combined into one. I used the sky from one and the foreground from another and placed one over the other. The dramatic effect I got was exactly what I was looking for, minus the random people standing in the middle and on the far right. In the end I decided I kinda liked the silhouette people, giving the photo a more authentic feel.

The last picture I posted looked so cold and uninviting that when I snapped this picture, I knew it would be the next one I’d share with you. I took this just a week ago when the temps were abnormally warm on a mid March day, reaching into the 60s. With spring just around the corner, I’m excited to get back outside again with my camera.

It is high time I get back to posting some of my latest work, so here it is. I wanted to show you this great shot I took of the Detroit skyline from other side of the icy river.

I love how you can see the reflection of the Renaissance Center in the water.

Back in January we had exceptionally balmy winter weather and now in the early spring of late March it has been exceptionally cold. I may call Michigan and Ontario home but I’m ready to be done with my winter coat and start enjoying some warm sunshine again! Anyone else agree?

This is my most favorite time of year, when the fall colors are at their peak. Unfortunately it never seems to last long enough. These pictures were taken at Fitzgerald Park on the Grand River.

I love sunsets! I have to admit I have seen many more sunsets than sunrises since I happen to not really be much of a morning person. (Seriously, don’t ask my husband how many years it took to get me to roll out of bed early enough to make breakfast for the family.)

While traveling through Ontario I stopped to snap a few pictures. I was surprised, and yet pleased to notice that I hadn’t taken very many but that they turned out just as I had hoped. I guess it’s a sign that I’m getting better with the camera. Yeah!

I need to take more pictures by the water like this, the reflection in the water makes it just that much more breathtaking.

When I look at all these tiny corn plants I think of all the work the farmer has already done to prepare the soil for these little guys. For one hope filled farmer this is his “field of dreams.” What is yours?

I have wanted to take this photo for some time now. I love the way the plant in the foreground is perfectly in focus and then as you go down the row it almost looks as if the row extends forever.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your path.” Prov 3:5,6

I was out for a Sunday afternoon stroll through the woods with my family when I noticed these bursts of purple along the edge of the path.

Snakes and Snails and Puppy Dog Tails,
That’s what boys are made of.
With dirt on his nose,
and scrapes on his knees,
the throwing or rocks,
and the climbing of trees,
with pockets of frogs,
and jars full of bugs
makes a sweet little boy
full of kisses and hugs!

-Revised By Trina Nemecek

Despite the lack of snow for Christmas this year we still took advantage of the opportunity to be outdoors as a family. We went for a beautiful walk in the park enjoying the sunshine and mild cool temps.

I couldn’t get over colors of the blue sky reflecting off the river.

This was taken at the railroad bridge that crosses the Grand River in Fitzgerald Park. (You can even see the blue Grand Ledge water tower in the distance.)

I love the snow setting on my camera and now I finally get to use it! We just had our first snow storm of the season and I couldn’t pass up the chance to snap a few pictures. I love the beauty of a snow covered landscape. It really is a dramatic contrast to the bright blue sky.

I’m sure there will be a lot more snowy pictures to come this season so I hope you enjoy the white stuff as much as I do.