A Steeple and a Rainbow

It really doesn’t get much better than that for a photographer. My husband, a patient guy, has become a walker, after years of running. And on his walks, he captures some amazing shots. So I’m sharing them here today, just because I can – and because they may brighten someone’s day or week.

IMG_2984_2

Behold an Iowa evening sky at its finest. My heroines would take heart from  such a vision, especially during their worst times, when all seems lost and futile.

IMG_2985_2

Here’s another – words fail me, as they often do at something truly beautiful. And it’s good to note that this was actually quite a stormy night.

IMG_2992_2

 

Adjectives… gorgeous, spectacular, stellar. Heartening to remember that in life’s storms, there’s light, though we may have to wait for it to peep through the clouds.

IMG_3011_2

Way to go, Lance. Thanks for the beauty.

Daring to Bloom

My website’s name, Dare To Bloom, is no accident. Blooming requires tenacity and courage. This summer, I kept a close eye on a certain plant in one of our planters. As the season moved toward its end, I marveled that the flowers took such a long time blossoming.

What could be wrong? I made sure to water it through dry times, leaned into its leaves and whispered, “Bloom!” Finally, as mid-September rolled around, I moved this baby to a spot with more sunshine. The risk seemed worth it–striving a whole season without showing your colors is a sad thing.

Mid-October brought some tight green buds.

IMG_9993

 

I watered more, and whispered, like a mom with a child slow to take that first step. A fewIMG_0472 IMG_0473 buds started to show red.

 

Then one day, a single petal strayed from its bud. And as the sunshine cooperated, a few more emerged.

 

 

 

 

Over the next fees days, individual petals straggled out to create a feeble show.

 

 

 

IMG_2822

 

But this past week, glory time came! Take a look.

Plants are meant to bloom. And so are we. The old adage, “Bloom where you’re planted,” sounds simple, but blooming can be downright difficult. You have to develop confidence that your colors matter to the world, for one thing, that what you have to offer will make a difference.

A couple of days ago, someone called to say my memoir was exactly what she needed to read right now. It doesn’t get better than that, since I’ve always wanted to contribute, to help.

This weekend, my husband spoke over in Eastern Iowa for a Veterans’ Day service, noting that soldiers, policemen, and firemen put their lives on the line for others.

We honor our veterans this week, and I’ll be taking even more photos of this amazing daisy that’s been blooming for about two weeks now. I imagine it’ll continue until Jack Frost says it’s time to stop.

On November 18, my first women’s fiction will release, too. Five full boxes adorn the corner of my little office right now, and I hope this story’s colors–its characters and the growth they experience–will brighten the lives of many readers. That’s what it’s all about.