Guest Heart Thursday #188

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Happy Hanukkah to my Jewish friends ...

Happy Thanksgiving to my American friends ...

I tried to boil down what I'm most thankful for this year into as few words as possible, and this is what I came up with ...

I am thankful for family who are friends

And friends who are family.

And now - a blast from the past!

Here are some Thanksgiving hearts found through the years!

In 2010, Al posted this very interesting graffiti covered log on his blog, "Al's Photography Blog". 

Thank you, Al, for sharing your heart!

 That same year, Dani posted this cute van painted with adorable hearts!

Dani hasn't posted to her blog, "Snow Flowers" for a long time ... and I have missed her so much.

But I heard from her this week!
She is still in China, but is unable to post to her blogs.
Life is good for Dani - which warms my heart to hear!

Thank you, Dani, for sharing your heart!

Thanksgiving 2011 was "family" day - where I posted hearts found by my family. This beautiful water lily heart was one my brother Darren found in Dad's pond.

Thank you, Darren, for sharing your heart!

Tina, "Tina's PicStory", posted this broken heart and angel last year.

It came at a time when my family was facing our first Thanksgiving without Dad.

The pain is still there, but it is getting easier to bear.

And this picture still helps heal the hurt.

Thank you, Tina, 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 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 #187

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Just a note ... Guest Heart Thursday will be "open"** Thanksgiving morning!

With a special "Thank You" Edition!

**(Not to be confused with some local retail stores which are also "open" on Thanksgiving ... and which I will be avoiding at all costs - just my own personal pet peeve)

Leave it to Beth to find the hearts in this darling Thanksgiving postcard - which you can find over at "The Best Hearts Are Crunchy"!

Beth hosts "Postcard Friendship Friday", a fun meme for postcards - I will try to post again this week, sissie, maybe after work tomorrow!

Thank you, dear Sissie, for sharing your heart!

Dorothy is another friend who finds hearts on postcards. I am constantly amazed at the totally appropriate cards she shares from her collection!

You can check out Dorothy's delightful blog - "Coffeedoff's CoffeeBreak" to see more!

Thank you, Dorothy, for sharing your heart!

I am so incredibly thankful to have heard from Maria - "Connections to the World"- after the typhoon in The Philippines. I apologize for misspelling "Manila"! Maria is physically okay (thank God!) - but the emotional scars will take a long time to heal. We need to continue to do what we can to help the beautiful people of The Philippines - even if that is simply to show our love, prayer, and encouragement.

Thank you, Maria, 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 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!  

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

My heart goes out to the beautiful people of The Philippines whose lives are devastated by Typhoon Haiyan. You are in our thoughts and prayers.

 If you haven't met Maria, then you are missing a beautiful lady who loves postcards (check out her wonderful blog, "Connections to the World", traveling, and her "beau" (and NOT in that order!).
Maria is a very special friend, whose genuine warmth and kindness fill my heart.

Maria lives in The Philippines (I think in Manilla). Last Friday she posted that the brunt of the typhoon was upon her, but she was looking forward to better weather and happier times soon to come. She has not been able to post since then.

One of my favorite things about Maria's postcard blog is how she documents each card that she receives. She shows how far the card traveled, and how long it took to reach her!

Some of the results are fascinating!!!

Maria - you and your country are in so many thoughts and prayers today.

Please know that we miss your presence right now, but understand your absence from Blogland.

Thank you, Maria, 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 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!  

Autumn Hearts are Here ...

The wind and rain have stripped most of the leaves from the trees ...

It's now the Heart of Autumn!

A Heart for Veterans

For all who have served ...

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

I wrote the following words as I noticed that this year, for the first time, there is a huge swelling of national pride and honor for our veterans, active duty soldiers, active duty spouses and family members ... finally.

But I couldn't help noticing someone missing from those being honored today ... whose sacrifices seem to be forgotten ...

The veteran spouse.

 Our Forgotten Heroes ...
For those who stand by our veteran heroes, through peacetime and battle.
Whose sacrifices are forgotten.

They hold their families together, through tragedy and triumph.
Yet their sacrifices are forgotten.
They pay the bills, work full-time jobs, keep their households together, through separations long and short.
And their sacrifices are forgotten.
They pace the floor on long lonely nights. They find ways to send messages of love along with the care packages. They cry. They grieve. They wait. 

Their faithfulness is so often forgotten.
They comfort their children, keeping fresh the love for the often-missing parent, and rejoice with them upon their return.
And their sacrifices are forgotten.
They pick up their homes and move every few years. They give up their jobs and careers at the same time.
All sacrifices which are forgotten.
They proudly welcome home their hero soldiers,
And don't mind that their sacrifices are forgotten.
Sometimes they learn that the ultimate price has been paid, and they must pick up the pieces and move on.
This ultimate sacrifice is often forgotten as well ...
They stand silently and proudly in the background, watching the parades.
While their own sacrifices are forgotten.
They bravely face the unknown soldier spouse who comes home wounded and changed; and become nurses and caregivers.
This is an honor, not a sacrifice. But it is still forgotten.
As they grow old, long after physical battles are won or lost, they tend to the emotional wounds and memories of their soldiers ... the flashbacks and PTSD.
Still these sacrifices are forgotten.
They feel a lingering pain that they have been forgotten, without recognition, for so long.
But they know their sacrifices are worth the price ...

forgotten or not.

When you thank a Veteran today, and every time you meet one of these heroes ... please take a moment to thank that person standing by their side ... holding their hand ... pushing their wheelchair. Because you don't want to miss the chance to honor and acknowledge the sacrifices made by those who are forgotten.

MILITARY SPOUSES DESERVE A MEDAL.

Guest Heart Thursday #185

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

After yet another frustrating week, this time involving intermittent internet issues (a car wiped out a regional phone box down the street ... it took crews over 3 days to fix it) and a (distinct and separate) overnight power outage, I can finally comment again! I did visit your links last week (in between above-mentioned issues), but that was all - I couldn't let you know how much I loved your hearts!!!

One of the things I try to do when featuring YOUR hearts, is to ask for permission to do so, if that is what you have requested. Due to my late start this week, I found two hearts that I wanted to feature, but ran out of time to ask for permission!

The first was a link sent to me by Maria @ "Connections to the World".

She found a flowery heart over at "Rosebud Quilter" - and it's simply gorgeous!!!

Thank you, Rosebud, for sharing your heart!

Thank you, Maria, for sending the link!

You just have to see the apple posted by Deanna over at "Snippets from Springdale". I've seen apple hearts before, but none as perfect and gorgeous as this one!!!

Thank you, Deanna, for sharing your heart!

 When I visited Forest Dream Weaver's blog, "Starry Universe", I fell in love with this incredible swan heart. Then I noticed something else.

As I browsed through these amazing photos ... I felt enveloped in peace.

Thank you, Forest Dream Weaver, for sharing your heart.

And for sharing this amazing peaceful magic!

Don't you just love this sweet heart rock?

It was posted on Maj Patterson's blog, "The Scenery in My Eyes" (translated).

Of course, I knew I would find something special here - when Laura sent me the link!

And below, is another heart Maj Patterson posted ...

Only this time it's a bit of wood!

I love the colors here!!!

Thank you, Maj Patterson, for sharing your heart!

Thank you, again, Laura, for sending the link!

This amazing heart was another link sent by "Texwisgirl" ...

And posted by JP over at "A Quiet Corner".

Though, come to think about it, there's nothing "quiet" about this heart - it simply screams "OHMIGOSH THAT IS INCREDIBLE!!!"

 Thank you, JP, for sharing your heart!

Thank you, again, Texwisgirl, for finding it - and sharing 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 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 #184

Welcome to a Halloween edition of Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

This is my favorite Halloween photo of all time.

It was taken a long time ago (those two little sweeties are 21 years old now!)

Where are the hearts, you ask?

Well ... these girls ARE my heart.

Plus, I have to be brutally honest here and say after a Hectic week (note the capital "H") without a break, I woke up at 2:15 this morning and couldn't get back to sleep. So I started another project I've been needing to do ... and lost track of time. Not only that, I got completely lost and for a while I forgot this is THURSDAY - my FAVORITE blogging day of the week!!!

Aaaack!!!

I promise to be back next week to feature YOUR hearts.

In the meantime ... you get a little glimpse into MY heart(s).

And thank you, Geo and Tori, for sharing your heart.

And for giving me mine.

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 #183

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

It's autumn in this hemisphere of the world ..

I love how the leaves are changing color ...

Especially the heart shaped leaves - like this one Fly posted over at "...and there was Light".

Thank you, Fly, for sharing your heart!

I would love to see this heart up close - it looks huge - and gorgeous!

Plus ... it was posted over at JM's blog, "Lisbon and the Sunny Coast" - which is one of my favorite places to visit!

Thank you, JM, for sharing your heart!

The flower is called a nutmeg scented geranium.

(I do wish they would invent a "scratch n sniff" app!)

Check out Judy's amazing photography over at "Lilac Gate".

Thank you, Judy, for sharing your heart!

"Ol Mother Hubbard" has an amazing blog, where you can find this amazingly talented and crafty lady sharing what she does best ... bringing beauty and fun to the world!

Her daughter made these fish rattles. Aren't they cute?

Thank you, Ol Mother Hubbard, 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 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!  

Double Hearted Leaf Chew

I love it when insects chew heart-shaped holes into leaves.

I was taking a picture of one of the hearts, when I realized there are actually 2 hearts in the shot!

Gotta love those "hearty" bugs!

Guest Heart Thursday #182

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

This is a LoveBot - posted by Red Pat over at "Occasional Toronto". I urge you to visit her blog to read the story of how and why these adorable robots are appearing all over Toronto!

Thank you, Red Pat, for sharing your heart!

Thank you, Texwisgirl, for sharing the link!

Laura found the heart in this post by "Maboe". Do you see it? It may help to click on the photo to enlarge it, then look to the right side of the wall opening ... it's a perfect heart on an incredible photo!

Thank you, Maboe, for sharing your heart!

Thank you, Laura, for sharing the link!

 One thing led to another as I investigated Maboe's blog ... I found a link to "These Temporal Rooms", and this incredible photo called "Flash". I was immediately entranced by the amazing shot ... and the leafy hearts!

Thank you, Temporal Rooms, for sharing your heart!

 I was also entranced by this stunning glowing leaf heart that was linked to last weeks GHT by "Love That Image - Sara's Fave Photos". The colors ... stunning!

Thank you, Love That Image, for sharing your heart!

I love how Beth (AKA Sissie!) hides hearts in her incredible artwork. How many do you see hidden here?

Check out "Beth's Artworx" to see more of this talented lady's artwork!

Thank you, Sissie, 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 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 #181

Welcome to Guest Heart Thursday -

A Place to Share YOUR Heart!

Leovi is one of my favorite artists ...

When you visit "Abstract Photos", you will see why!!!

Thank you, Leovi, for sharing the beauty of your art ...

And for sharing your heart!

 When Laura sent me the link to Anna's blog, I was delighted to find this beautiful heart-shaped stone. Anna is from Sweden, and her blog, "Annas Vardag", is like going on a tour for me! I can't wait to spend more time in Sweden.

Thank you, Anna, for sharing your heart!

Thank you, Laura, for sending the link!

Another link Laura sent took me to this absolutely amazing cloud heart that Wanda posted on her blog, "Got a Minute or Two?" (Don't you just LOVE the name of her blog?)

I can't wait to spend more time at Wanda's place as well!

Thank you, Wanda, for sharing your heart!

Thank you again, Laura, 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 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!  

A Tree Heart

The tree stands just beyond the fence,

Helping to shade Sissie's back yard ...

I think it likes to be there!

Don't you?

Hungry Heart

I was reaching to get a biscuit from the bag, when I noticed the heart!

After I took the shot, I had a wonderful biscuit with my dinner!

Guest Heart Thursday #180

Welcome to a Special Edition of

Guest Heart Thursday -

Still a Place to Share YOUR Heart!

This is a special post for Laura.

Who means so much - to me - and so many others.

Whenever I start feeling like my problems are insurmountable ...

My feelings are hurt ...

My body is frail ...

My friends are faulty ...

My heart hurts beyond words ...

I visit Laura.

Because she is an incredible friend.

A beautiful and strong woman.

Who, despite an illness that would devastate many, shares her pain. And smiles through her tears.

And continues to be an inspiration.

She says she's not brave.
I beg to differ.

Laura will be an inspiration to you as well.

But a warning ... when you visit her blog, "Shine the Divine: Creativity IS a Spiritual Practice" ... bring some tissues. And be prepared to stay a while!

And while you're there, check out her meme ... "I Heart Macro".

Laura ... thank you.

You are in my thoughts and prayers.

You occupy a very special place in my 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 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!