Wordless Wednesday: It's Beginning

Wandering At Home: Searching For Clovers

I found it before - the elusive clover. It was many years ago that I chanced upon one in our backyard. I can't remember if it was three-leaf or four-leaf, but I found one, nevertheless. Since it's St. Patrick's Day, I decided to search for one. I had eaten a really quick lunch and headed outdoors with my camera. I was skeptical at finding one, but I wanted to search, anyways. It's a cloudy, rainy day, and I went without a coat on. I love grey days, so it didn't bother me much. I actually always thought I'd do well in a country where it rained all the time, but I don't know for sure. But I digress, I walked around the green patches of grass.

I found many weeds, grass, and flowers amidst the green patches. All the green was, and is, lovely. My hopes of finding a clover were looking slimmer as I walked around, however. I came across some budding daffodils, purple violets, and flowering weeds. I enjoyed seeing that spring was upon us. Even though, there is often hardship, beauty still remains. All the greenery and flowers remind me of this. I don't know if hardships will ever truly lessen for anyone, but beauty is ever constant. You can especially find it in nature. I guess that's why I love take photos of the living, to preserve it for myself, and others. Beauty will live on.

As I was walking, I discovered some desert parsley, which was surprising to me. I usually think of it as a summer plant, but I guess I never noticed it blooming this early. I then found some other kind of plant that I have no idea of, and also, some pretty moss on a railroad tie. Still no clovers. I came across something that looked like one, but I had a feeling it wasn't. So, I pressed on. With spring coming near, I couldn't wait for more flowers to bloom. The birds were already anticipating it. I could hear the many birds chirping away. Everything seems to wait. Almost waiting impatiently, though, like the earth can't wait. 

A few droplets on a blade of grass. It had previously rained. While the earth gets a shower to prepare it for rebirth, I admire its whole process, impatiently. On St. Patrick's Day, I felt like I enjoyed the holiday the best way I could by looking for clovers. And truly, just taking in the greenery around me. I do have a little Irish in me, but not a lot. I always just like to celebrate this holiday in a simple manner, not doing much, except for being out in nature - one of my favorite places to be. I didn't do the traditional meals or drinks, only a walk for thirty minutes. It was really good to stretch the legs and take some wonderful photos. 💚

Close to the end of my walk, I found more of those plants that looked like clovers. I'm certain they weren't, and aren't, but it was fun to find them. They resembled close enough for me, and I was satisfied with them. While I didn't find any clovers, I still found treasure. And a little bit of luck. Getting outside for a brief walk was beautiful, and going on a hunt for clovers was pleasant. I felt blessed by God for this day. I'm just thankful to Him for His creation, and the beauty that I get to discover in it. By the way, today's post was special. It's a new series that will be posted on Mondays. Not every Monday, but it'll be posted randomly. I hope you liked today's post, and I pray you have a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

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Photo Quests: Winter In Dark Tones

Intro: I had gone on a winter walk. With my camera, I snapped various photos of trees and miscellaneous. I mostly took them of the pine trees we have. I've always admired them since my family planted them there many years ago to create our own little forest. 🌲

Quest Ending: I always like doing photos in black and white, and I hope you enjoy them, as well. I didn't get any special photos that day because there wasn't much to find. But I know Spring is coming soon, and with it, more life. And lots of light, too! Can't wait for it all.

Wordless Wednesday: Following The Fence

Blog Update: What Would You Like To See More Of?

Winter is still here. January was a surprise, however. It didn't really snow during then. January and February seemed to switch places. It's been bitterly cold here, and it's even supposed to snow some more. While I like Winter, I'm eager for Spring. Once Winter is over, I think everyone will be more settled. I, myself, will find the warmer days easier. And with the change of seasons, I'll be more active in writing. I'd also like to do more photography when I can. I'm just excited for the new changes, and I actually can't wait for them all.

With so many changes coming, I wrote a post especially for that today. What would you like to see more of? Do you like my devotionals and photo quests more than the other posts? What do you prefer? Or what would interest you? I'm ultimately looking to adjust for my readers to see what does and doesn't work. If you have any ideas, be sure to leave your comments on this blog post. The comments will be really helpful in me being able to see what everyone enjoys. I want people to like my posts and find encouragement from them.

As for the blog itself, it'll soon to turn into a website, plus my blog, of course. The pages on here have been updated for the time being. With the Facebook page, I've created images to share there each day. I don't really plan on using any other social media space. At least, for right now. In my writing, I'm working on some poems, and the book, as well. I try to find extra time for all of this - which is something I don't always have. But I want to pursue my writing and maybe, a little photography. We'll see what happens in the next few months.

If you have any other ideas, please let me know. And if you'd like me to spotlight your business, do a book review, or anything else, send me an email at: thewanderingwithgrace@gmail.com

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Photo Quests: A Winter Walk

Intro: It was a cold day, and there was no snow. I went for a short walk to take pictures. I could hear the coyotes yipping somewhere in the canyon. I even found an old nest. And plenty of leaves. So many of them. I had to pick one up. I realized winter was leaving.

Quest Ending: I discovered an Iris trying to grow amidst the fallen leaves. Spring was truly coming. Walked around some more and found the trees inspiring. Took a few more photos. The cold was affecting me, so I stopped my walk and went into my place. It was pleasant.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Wordless Wednesday: Still Holding On

Photo Quests: Remembering Arrow

Intro: I was able to get out with my camera. My goal was to take photos of the old shed with the Arrow Museum sign on it. It was just begging for me to. It was built in the late 1920's. The museum itself was started by my grandparents in their own home.

Quest Ending: It was a chilly morning, but the sun was out, giving the illusion that it was warm. I quickly took photos of the old shed. I hope you enjoyed the photos. Next time, I'm planning on going outside with my camera for a winter walk. See you again.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Museum Spotlight: Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum Part 4

Part 1 - Part 2 - Part 3 - Nativity Showcase

Listed above are the three other parts where I blogged about the museum. There's also a post about the nativity showcase. Today, is the last part, and I'm going to begin where I left off. After going through the museum and the Heritage House, I ventured outside. They had an old trolly that you could view. I wonder what life was like with a trolly. Such things have changed drastically! They had a sign available near it to read about the history of the trolly - which was interesting. I took a snap of it and then stepped up to the main building where the nativity was being held. I just love oldish buildings. They also had a sign there, as well.

I took photos of the building to my left and then wandered over to another one. It's literally a relic from the past. It's Lewiston's oldest surviving residence. In 2013, it went through some renovations to preserve it. Pretty neat! When visiting the museum, make sure you don't skip past these. I would say, take your time and immerse yourself in the history presented there. Don't rush. You might miss something. When I finished my self-tour of the museum, the house, and the pieces outside, I neared the one with the nativity in it. My tour of the museum had ended, and I was ready to see the showcase. It had been great.

My overall visit to the Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum was educational, fun, and something I would see again. You have to check out their giftshop, too! And if you want to know more about the nativity showcase, check out the top of this post (there's a link to click on that takes you to my post about the nativity showcase). The nativity showcase ended at the beginning of this month. It'll be awesome if they do it again at the end of this year. If you have any questions about my experience or info, please leave a comment. 

I would also like to thank the society and museum for always being so welcoming when I visit. They're a great team of people. Keep doing what you're doing! Really appreciate it!

Many blessings,

- Grace Thorson 

Wordless Wednesday: Guarding The Trees

Photo Quests: Dreaming of Spring

Intro: Winter is still here. Don't get me wrong, I like the colder weather, but my heart always longs for flowers. Spring is also my second favorite season, so I'm kind of excited for it. Because of that, I'm sharing photos from a past springtime with you today.

Quest Ending: Looking at these photos provides a sense of warmth. I can't wait to see the flowers blooming again. Actually, each year I search for them, always ecstatic when I spot some. Flowers are such a wonderful symbol of rebirth. Hope you find a renewal this spring.

Many blessings,
- Grace Thorson

Christmas Blog Advent: Day 22 - Flowers Still In Bloom

Flowers are still in bloom. It's winter. When I see this, I'm always mesmerized by their hardiness. They can still take the cold. Unfortunately, I know they probably won't last, but it's amazing, regardless. Their outstanding beauty both thrills and provides me with some warmth during this season. It also reminds me that spring is around the corner. Don't get me wrong, I like winter, but spring is my second favorite season. I love flowers - which is probably evident by how often I post photos of them. I can't help it. They make me happy.

Since Christmas is over, and this post was supposed to be before Christmas, I had to change it. As we transition out of the holiday season, I want to encourage those during January. I enjoy winter myself, but I must admit that I long for the flowers to bloom. I'm sure most do. I don't know about where all of my readers are from, but January is the month that receives the most snow here. It can be drab. It can be colorless. Despite the view from outside, I still try to find joy. Taking pictures helps me see the beauty of the season.

At the end of December, I was pleased to find some growth. I also hope for the plants' sake that winter won't be too much for them. I look forward to certain flowers and plants that bloom in spring. So, writing about them reminds me of us. In winter, may we all continue to bloom and find growth even amidst the cold. If not, we'll just be dormant and rest until the warmth comes. However you wish to survive this season, may it be an easier one for you. That, warmth from family, friends, and pets would wrap you in love and comfort.