Craft Store Heart

I had taken my daughter to a large chain crafts store to get supplies for a Christmas project she was working on.

As we left the store, I happened to glance down at the red "No Parking" curb ... only to see this cute little heart.

My daughter pretended not to know me as I whipped out my camera and took a picture!

Guest Heart Thursday #142

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

I hope your Christmas was full of joy and peace -

And that you are looking forward to a brand new year - 

Full of the same!!!

Because this is the season of FAMILY, I have chosen to spotlight one of my own today!

These are hearts from my sissie Beth ...

Beth's blog, "The Abandoned", documents the haunting beauty, and slow destruction of the once-abandoned megachurch complex near where we grew up.

We love to walk in the ruins, and the beautiful woods nearby.

Along the way, we find hearts!

Beth is an incredible artist - I especially love her whimsical "doodles".

You can check out her talent and imagination on her art blog -

"Beth's Artworx".

Beth and I both love to collect postcards - and I especially love it when she posts ones with hearts!

Beth posts these beauties on her blog, "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy" - and also hosts the wonderful meme "Postcard Friendship Friday"!

With her eye for beauty, Beth often takes photographs that leave me breathless.

Like this beautiful glowing heart cloud ... with what our family likes to call "glory light" spilling out.

You can find this, and other AMAZING photos over at Beth's "Expect the Unexpected".

When you visit Beth over at "Geometric" - you will be amazed and intrigued by the many shapes she finds in the natural world around her.

What an eye!!!

Thank you , dear sissie, for sharing your heart.

For sharing your beauty.

For sharing your soul.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or just found something that touches your heart, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!   

Guest Heart Thursday #141

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday

A Place to Share YOUR Heart ...

Where today we share a moment of silence

To remember the children of the world ...

Who are no longer here.

Our hearts go out to the families affected by the incomprehensible events this past week in Connecticut ...
We are still in shock and mourning.
 

Our hearts go out also to

innocent young lives around the world lost to

Violence.

Accidents.

Illness.

Neglect.

Poverty.

They are all children of our hearts.

Please take a moment to make a difference in the lives around you.

Perhaps this link will help.

Now - more than ever before - we need to share our hearts with the world!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or just found something that touches your heart, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post! 

Taking off My Glasses ...

I take my glasses off when I cry ...

In order to wipe the tears.

I've been taking off my glasses a lot lately.

My heart and soul weeps and grieves for the loss of innocents this morning in Connecticut. I simply can't comprehend the scope of this tragedy.

God Bless the Children.

Gather them Close to Your Heart.

"Weekend Reflections"

Guest Heart Thursday #140

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Throughout life's journey, many wonderful people come and go.

Each one of them fills a special place in our hearts.

Sometimes, though, we have the opportunity to meet someone who makes such a profound impact on us, they not only fill a special place in our hearts ... but they make a huge difference in our lives.

Such a person, to me, is Laura.

Laura shares incredible photography and amazing insights on her blog

"Shine the Divine: Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice" ... the wisdom and beauty of what Laura shares touches my heart, soul and spirit.

During recent hardships in my life, Laura's sweet comments and e-mails helped to ease the pain.

Laura's beautiful soul does indeed "shine the divine".

You would never know she has her own demons to face ...

Her response to life's battles humbles me in my little infirmaries.

And inspires me beyond measure.
To look within myself.
And to look beyond myself.

For several years now, around Thanksgiving, Laura has assembled a "Gratitude Quilt".

When you visit her blog, be sure to click on the link ...

You will be awed at the "quilt squares" shared from around the earth.

Thank you, dear Laura, for sharing your heart.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Angel Wing Heart

I found her hanging out on the lamp shade, this beautiful angel with the heart-shaped wings.

She stayed through Christmas, then disappeared.

I hope she will return this year, to help chase away the blues ...

With oranges and yellows.

"Orange You Glad It's Friday"

Guest Heart Thursday #139

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Gypsy Lala needs few words over at "Just Capture" - the incredible photos speak for themselves!

Do you see the butterfly? I do! I also see the delicate heart-shaped "wings" on this beautiful "flying butterfly" flower.

Thank you, Gypsy Lala, for sharing your heart!

I love seeing the beautiful Christmas decorations being posted this time of year by my blogger family. But the decorations I most look forward to each year are posted by the sweet and amazingly talented Darlene over at "A Dancing Mango".

So where are the hearts in this shot?

If you look carefully at the wallpaper in the background ...

Thank you, Darlene, for sharing your Christmas spirit - and your heart!

JM finds the most amazing abandoned buildings (among other things!) ... which he posts on his blog, "Lisbon and the Sunshine Coast".

I love this shot of a mime performing in front of one such building ...

With a tiny little heart on his bag!

Thank you, JM, for sharing your heart!

When Texwisgirl sent me a link to Kim's blog, "My Field of Dreams", I knew I was in for a treat.

What I found was a delightful place - with beautiful pictures, and someone whose random thoughts are a treasure trove!

Kim was about to straighten out the wreath she had just hung on her front door ... when she realized it was a heart - and left it! 

Thank you, Kim, for saving this heart - and for sharing it!

Thank you, Texwisgirl, for sending the link!

Just when I thought I was done reading my e-mails, I found another link from Texwisgirl.

And went straight to yet another delightful blog - Susan's "this n that".

And found myself, once again, in a treasure trove!

Like this adorable cow ... with the equally adorable heart!

Thank you, Susan, for sharing your heart!

And thank you, AGAIN, Texwisgirl, for sending the link!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Autumn Leafs Its Heart ...

Usually by December the trees are bare, the rain is dumping, and we've raked for compost/mulch all of the fallen leaves from the yard ...

Not so this year.

Most of the leaves are down ...

But not all.

Many are still hanging on ... through the pounding rain and heavy wind.

Maybe the leaves are just trying to hold on until Spring ...

as I am.

Road Debris Heart

Because our road is somewhat rural, people often think it is okay to dump trash from their vehicles. I often walk down the road, picking up bags full of other peoples garbage.

When I saw this small heart, I was glad that it was made out of paper, which eventually breaks down and returns to the environment.

When I got home, I looked closer at the shot.

And had to giggle at what created the top of the heart so perfectly ...

 

Cute Gray Heart

Can you guess what made this interesting pattern ... including the cute little heart near the middle?

Oh look, it's an old broken metal chair ... with random raindrop patterns!

I had to run in the house really fast to find my camera for this one. Those big dark clouds, heavy with rain, are once again closing in on us. 

Sigh.

 

Guest Heart Thursday #138

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

I chose this heart because it is the most amazing and awe-inspiring tree heart I've seen!

You can find it - and so much more - over at "Cicero Sings".

Thank you so much, Cicero Sings, for sharing your heart.

I hope to have time to fully enjoy your blog in the near future!

In fact, I can't wait to have a little more time to hang out at the blogs I love ...

After this weekend, I hope to be able to visit everyone more often!

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers.

They are much appreciated.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Glowing Heart at Sunset

As mom and I drove home from our first annual "Thanksgiving Leftover Party" at my sister-in-law's apartment, a bright glow appeared in the western sky. 

 

As we watched, the clouds parted into a glowing heart!

It was a beautiful and magical moment

Guest Heart Thursday #137

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Happy Thanksgiving to all of my friends who are celebrating today!

It will be a quiet celebration at our house ...

Our first without Daddy.

There is still so much to be thankful for, though ...

Mostly I am thankful for YOU.

The outpouring of love from my blogging family has helped to sustain me.

To know that so many people care ...

It helps ease the pain.

And brings a different kind of tears.

Bless you all. My friends ... My family.

I chose this picture Tina posted last week on her blog, "Tina's PicStory".

The "broken hearts" Tina found in the skies brought tears to my eyes.

Then, as I looked closer ... through a blurry mist of grief, I saw something else.

An angel.

Do you see it?

The mists cleared away as I realized that joy, peace, love and miracles are always there, to help ease the pain of a broken heart.

Thank you, dear Tina, for sharing your heart.

And helping to mend my own.

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

A Heart In Heaven

Oral Dow "Bud" Gibson

01-10-1926

to

11-17-2012

Thank you, Daddy, for giving me the gift of seeing the hearts in my world.

You will be missed ...

But I know you are in a better place.

Beach Bag Heart

Sometimes I tend to get distracted ...

When I came home from a trip to the beach in September, I carelessly tossed my empty "beach bag" under the rocking chair to "put away later" ...

With Dad being in the hospital, my chauffeur duties are on hold.  I have been on a nervous frenzy of cleaning and rearranging furniture. I moved the chair ... and found the long lost beach bag ...

And realized it had been showing me it's heart all along!

Guest Heart Thursday #136

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Daddy is nearing the end of his struggle -

The gates of Heaven are swinging open,

The angels are gathering,

Ready to swoop him in ... as soon as he is ready to let go.

Thank you all so much for your thoughts, prayers and support.

During this hard time.

I found this beautiful Valentine tucked into one of Dad's photo albums.

From his Aunt Pearl and Uncle George.

There is a small note penciled on the back ...

"Recieved while in 4th Grade"

That would have been around 75 years ago.

Thank you, Daddy, for saving this card ... and for sharing your beautiful heart with the world.

Guest Heart Thursday #135

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

From My Heart:::

Dad is still in the hospital; and the prognosis is not good.

He will be going into Hospice/Comfort Only care in the next few days.

He never regained his ability to swallow or talk ...

He can't tolerate a feeding tube.

Nor does he want one.

I apologize for not visiting everyone who linked up last week - I hope to carve out some time in the next few days to do so. I miss visiting your hearts - and can't wait to see what you've found in your worlds the past couple of weeks!

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers.

They are deeply appreciated.

Deann is an incredible artist -

And a wonderful friend. She is one of my adopted Heart-Sisters.

Deann's art inspires me; her humor lifts my heart.

Deann often incorporates hearts into her artwork ...

Which I love.

When you visit Deann over at "The Whimsey Asylum", be sure to look back over her older posts. You will laugh, and you will cry. You will fall in love with "Grannie Annie" - as I have!

Thank you, Deann, for sharing your heart!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

Guest Heart Thursday #134

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Once again, this is an abbreviated version of GHT -

My dad had a severe stroke last Thursday and has been in the hospital since then. He has lost his ability to speak, and can barely swallow. His right arm is paralyzed.

His prognosis is not very good; but each extra day we get to spend with this amazing and precious WWII Veteran/POW is a gift of HEART to us.

So many people from around the world have been keeping Dad and our family in their thoughts and prayers; thank you.

We also keep in our thoughts and prayers those affected by "Superstorm Sandy" on the East coast of the US. Our hearts go out to those who have lost so much.

I hope to have a little more time this week to visit everyone; and see the amazing hearts you have found in your world!!!

And please, hug someone who needs it this week - show your true heart to those you love. Life is fleeting, and time is precious; more precious and fleeting than we can know. 

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

The Heart of Nature

The rains have brought out the mushrooms ... and the critters that eat them.

I just love it when they leave their hearts behind!!!

Dad Update: Dad has been in the hospital since Thursday, when he suffered a stroke. He is still unable to speak, swallow, or move his right arm.

He is being transferred to the VA Hospital this morning - which is where he wants to be.

When I visited this morning (before his transfer), I noticed a marked improvement in his demeanor. When I asked him if he was happy to be going to the VA, he reached over, grabbed my hand and kissed it. I had to blink away happy tears ...

Dad will never be the same, and I don't know how much time he has left.

But so far, we have been granted just a little longer with this amazing man who has meant so much ... and touched so many hearts.

Autumn Leaves ... and Heart

Autumn has come to my corner of the world; the colors are incredible, hearts are everywhere.

Autumn is always a hard season for me, for many reasons.

This year brought another.

Yesterday afternoon, as we were talking with him, Dad (who is 86 years old, 100% disabled, a former POW of WWII) suddenly lost the ability to speak. He began to grunt and growl, his right arm went limp, and his mouth went sideways.

Mom called 911, and Dad went to the ER. Once there, our suspicions were confirmed.

He had suffered from a stroke.

It is still too early to expect a long term prognosis.

It's enough that he made it through the night.

 

So many people from around the world are directing their thoughts and prayers toward Dad and Mom; and our entire family. My heartfelt thanks to each and every one of you.

 

I will try to continue posting the hearts I find in my world ...

Because they are still here!

 Healing hearts of love.

 

To help fill the "Heart Interrupted".

 

 I love you, Dad.

Guest Heart Thursday #133

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

This is one of my favorite beach heart photos of all time.

There is a story here ... a love story.

Are you intrigued?

Then be sure to visit Debbie over at "It's All About Purple".

For a beautiful story that is true life!

Thank you, Debbie, for sharing your heart!

(Thank you, Chuck, for being such a sweetheart!)

Once again, Gypsy Lala found a heart - this time a sweet and delicate flowery one.

You can find Gypsy Lala over at her blog, "Just Capture" - where she shares beautiful photos of her world.

Thank you, again, Gypsy Lala ... for sharing your heart!

I couldn't help but notice the two hearts on this delightful cowboy's horse.

To see more wonderful posts about daily life in Oakland ... visit "Oakland Daily Photo".

Thank you, ODP, for sharing your heart!

I always love to visit JM. He is also part of the wonderful "Daily Photo" community - and shares photos and history of his world through his eyes over at "Oeiras and Environs Daily Photo".

I love that JM called this shot "Red Plastic Invasion" - he made me smile!

Especially when I noticed each one of these bright red chairs was sporting a heart!

Thank you, JM, for sharing your heart!

As always - a huge thank you to all who linked up with Guest Heart Thursday last week. I loved seeing the delightful and amazing hearts you found in your world - in support of Leontien!!!
 

Would you like to share your heart on Guest Heart Thursday?
The rules are easy ...

There are none!!!
As long as your post includes a heart!

If you have found a heart (or drawn a heart, or designed a heart, or written a heart-felt poem, or ...), please join us for Guest Heart Thursday. Just link the URL of your heart post to "Simply Linked"! It would be nice if you linked back to Random Hearts ... but it's okay not to ... we just want to see your hearts!

Simply Linked for Guest Heart Thursday is now open all week!

Have you found more than one heart?

Put in more than one link!
Is your heart from a long time ago?

It doesn't matter, as long as you put the direct URL to that post!  

 

Heart - Under Construction

Sissie and I were walking back to our car ...

There had been recent road construction, with new power poles being installed.

We were skirting around one of these poles, when I looked down at the tar which had pooled and hardened at the base ...

And found a perfect heart!

A Heart Interrupted

What was once a broken and shattered heart

Has become, over time, 

A heart interrupted.

The hole will always be here; memories of those gone from my life ...

A Heart Interrupted.

That hole is full to the brim with love, joy, hugs and kisses ...

A Heart Interrupted.

A precious thing, that Heart Interrupted.

Dedicated to my Bro, Dow, who lost his battle 10 years ago ...

And Howard, my friend, just two years ago.

And Uncle Benji ... this past summer.

And all of the others whose lives touched mine ... before they left.

A Heart Interrupted.