South Africa Wows Vancouver

I posted about the first of 4 nights of the Annual Celebration of Lights here in Vancouver. You can read about it here

On Saturday we had the second of four nights of competition. South Africa was on the roster to show their pyrotechnic skills and it was worth the wait! I never got out to the beach to jostle with the thousands and thousands who did. It started pouring rain in the late afternoon and I wasn't even sure whether the fireworks display would go on. The show did indeed go on though it was slightly delayed.

Look at the spectacular sunset we had during the rain and just before night closed the sky to get ready for amazing fireworks.

I discovered a few nights ago that my old Canon SD300 isn't fast enough to take good night shots, especially with moving subjects. These are a few of the better shots I was able to salvage.

I also made my first little video with clips from the Canon's movie feature. I wanted to upload it last night after the fireworks display but the lightening storms seems to have knocked out my internet service for about 24 hours. I've learned that I need a faster shutter speed )and/or a camcorder if I want to get good night movies. I couldn't get the shots I wanted and it was tiring to hold the compact camera up for extended periods. Nonetheless I enjoyed my first foray into splicing these movie clips together. Hopefully, I'll improve with practise.

Celebration of Lights

July 25, 2009

South African Team shines in their pyrotechnic skills

New Music

Hi friends, I've created a new song play list
and put it in the side bar
to the right of your screen.
Please listen in.
I've created it with you in mind.


'I will sing unto the Lord as long as I live:
I will sing praise to my God while I have any being.'

(Psalm 104:33; 146:2)

God bless xoxo

A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever

A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness;
but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.

From John Keats' epic poem, Endymion, 1818

Scenes of beauty from my walk today reminded me of the poem by John Keats. I hope you find something of beauty today in your meanderings. Blessings xoxox

The WONDERFUL MIRACLE of a School

I want to share with you a little story about my friend, Pastor Jonah.

For years Jonah has been praying for a refuge center of sorts. In this centre he would house & school young orphan boys or delinquent boys from Kericho, Kenya; boys no one else will keep.

A few days ago he had a phone call from a friend he used to worship with in the same church. What he heard truly blessed his heart as this man has a school building which could help to make Pastor Jonah's dream a reality.

Jonah has been praying to start a such a school ever since he finished seminary and this is the closest he has come to seeing his prayer answered.

Please pray that he can be able to run this school some day. It is truly a prayer answered and Jonah is just waiting for God's directions.

Thank you God.


Pictures of the school and the owner

Celebration of Lights

Every year Vancouver has a competition between 4 countries that compete for the best fireworks display. The celebration began last night at 10:00 p.m. with Canada first up. These are the photos I managed to take with my slow camera.

Unfortunately, the big high rise is standing in the way of a brilliant view but I still managed to enjoy the show. My camera unfortunately did not shoot fast enough to capture the best shots though I tried hard to do so. I was shooting off my hotel balcony.

The competition is on for a week. If I can brave the crowds I may head down to the beach one night but I am not sure I am that brave.

Look how many people came rushing back to town after the show!


Watch this short video and you will get a better idea just how large this crowd was. The video doesn't show as well against the black background but I think you can still get the idea. You can hear the helicopters whirring in the background.

My Garden Grows

Little garden in the city
How you've grown to be so pretty.
I really wish I was closer
To pluck and weed and water you.

Cherry tomatoes growing in background, small sweet peppers in foreground.

A closer look at the sweet peppers.

The corn is coming along nicely.

Not sure what this red flower is even tho I picked it.

A zinnia. Pretty in pink.

Hopefully next year I can have my dream garden. I won't have a temporary move to contend with and should be able to be on site to tend it with tender, loving care. *sigh*

Drinking in the Sunset

Is there anything more beautiful than a glorious sunset? I snapped this photo a few nights ago.