One of the most colorful Autumns I have experienced!

Blog Your Blessings Sunday

If you care to join us acknowledging our blessings go here: Blue Panther


Friday was a perfect day for a parade -- it was 64 degrees in November! BUT the Veterans Day Parade was not Friday -- it was today, Saturday.

It rained and rained and rained. As you can tell from the photos, it was a very overcast day with lots of rain giving us just a few, short dry spells. I was happy that I could hold my umbrella with one hand and the camera with the other! I wouldn't miss the Veterans Day Parade for anything, just like the families standing around me and lining the streets of the parade route. Neither would 117 group entrants!!!!!!!!

Two fighter planes flew over and we knew that was the signal of the beginning of the parade. We also heard the cannons being shot off at Fort Vancouver Historic Reserve, just a few blocks away. Lots of people lined the parade routes hugging umbrellas and trying to stay warm. There were a few pauses in the parade as some entrants with shorter legs tried to catch up with the rest. I saw a lot of patient people today. I know why . . . its kinda like an unspoken reason and if you live in the United States, you probably understand what I mean.

The veterans that lined the streets with their families were not about to miss out on showing gratitude for those who continue to serve our city,state and country in the armed forces. CLICK to enlarge any of the photos to see better.
Pearson Airpark is represented here. This replica was a model built over a riding lawn mower and perfect reminder of the role the airfield played during World War II.
Some scouts are riding in this canoe. There were many Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts represented in the parade today.
We all need a reminder that we have troops that are serving abroad and we pray they come home safely SOON!

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."

"Freedom is not free. Thank you Veterans!"
Every military group was represented in the parade. I am a little partial to the Navy for good reasons -- two sons who are serving in it. I would include their photo but I think I did that back on July 4th.
Somehow I didn't get this one posted earlier. . . and I meant to include it. THIS bus is one of our local C-Tran buses that is on one route or another daily. The employees of C-Tran paid for the painting of the bus after 9-11 happened. It reminds us of our freedoms we enjoy living here daily. On Veteran's Day --or when the parade happens closest to Veterans Day --it carries disabled Americans who served in one of the armed forces so they can be a part of the parade efforts also.
Anyone that doesn't recognize this stance with the flag doesn't live in America! It brings goosebumps to my flesh to see them perform this reminder. It's my favorite photo from the parade.

My blessings this week especially ARE the VETERANS who served and continue to serve our country.

Thank you!

Step up to Autumn. . .

I walk past this "empty" lot often and wonder what used to be here, who lived here, what kind of house must have stood here in our rich history. I may never find out BUT when I took this photo with the leaves on the steps, it intrigued me. I wondered if it might make a good book jacket for a wonderful story. . .

What tree looks like this in Summer and . . .

this in the Fall?

Fall in Vancouver

Took these photos on a trip back from the Post Office today. CLICK on to enlarge a little. . .

Bridges Between -- November 2008

RuneE is sponsoring this monthly challenge on the first Monday of every month. Bridges Between is subject to open interpretation.

The last Saturday of October, I went to a party . . . a PLANTING party! There were 400 of us that accepted the invitation. Adults and teens
and even some small frys came with their gloves and shovels.

Our mission was to plant 1,500 trees and native plants along the Burnt Bridge Creek watershed to help prevent erosion and protect the small animals that lived in or near the waterbeds.

CLICK on the photo to see the bridge as it is in the shade and not visible well in small photo. There are many bridges on the wandering pathways in this park.

The planting was all done THIS TIME in one park about 2 miles from me. My connection for involvement came because the park is part of the Burnt Bridge Creek Walking Trail that starts at Stewart Glen in the west of our city and ends presently at 89th and Burton Road in the eastern part. Part of it runs thru this big, beautiful area that is called Leverich Park. We planted in 5 areas of the park and I helped in three of them.
We did it in record time and were treated to a free lunch and a T shirt with a dragonfly on it.

The trees and plants and the volunteers are my "bridges between" today because by planting them, we guarantee a future for the riverbed (and small animals that use it )that our walking trail follows alongside throughout our city and without all the volunteers, it would have taken city employees much longer to get them planted. I don't think most of us came for the free lunch but because we care about what God has provided for us in the beautiful Northwest and want to take care of it for future generations to enjoy. The free T shirts were an added surprise.

Note . . .

No Blog Your Blessings Sunday post for me this week. I'll be back next week posting.