The day has finally come when I'd rather watch some of the commercials on television than the programs they support. My Shih Tzu and I love this new State Street SPDR commercial, and whenever it hits the airwaves, we are both watching (but only I am smiling). I've no idea what the woman is singing, but it's certainly a well-produced commercial. That means it's only one minute long. I do hope you enjoy this video!I never get tired of this scenario - friendship-love between dogs. It's brillia... Read Full Story

Most people know John Wayne is an American Hero. But did you know he was also an avid nature lover? Do you know why he loved America so much? This video provides an opportunity for us to hear, from his lips, why he loved America. Hint: it has a lot to do with nature!Thank you, Mr. Wayne. You were my father's favorite hero, and mine, too.2009 April Lorier Read Full Story

As I drive along the roads of Southern California, I am mesmerized by the blossoming Jacaranda Trees, painting the roadsides purple - or could it be blue? Oh, I know the flowers are sticky, and if they land on your parked car, they will ruin the paint, but the beauty of them is unbelievable. This is my season, for it is now that all the Jacaranda Trees worldwide are in blossom!There is an Australian poet named Ann Beard who wrote a poem that aptly describes my favorite tree. Enjoy!A Jacarand... Read Full Story

We can learn so much from geese! Oh that we were more like simple geese.A Lesson From GeeseView more documents from wil_lang.I want to thank Lee's Birdwatching Adventures for this slide show. Visit her site and be blessed by a fellow Christian Nature Lover!2009 April Lorier Read Full Story

Nature is full of life and beauty, but death is also a part of nature. With all of the breaking news about the deaths of several well-known personalities over the past few days, we are reminded once more that our time on the earth is temporary. Just when I thought I would see this week's death list finally come to a close, I was informed last night that my own father had died as well. I was reminded of the nature of mortality in a very personal way. God was speaking His wisdom to me all t... Read Full Story

Where did all of these weeds come from? Who planted them? It hasn't even rained in months! You mean weeds grow even when there's no rain?How many of us have out-of-control weeds in our gardens? And who is responsible for those weeds? There is only one reason weeds grow out of control in a garden — because no one took the proper time and care to uproot and remove them.When the garden is choked by weeds, the gardener can’t complain, 'I just don’t know how this happened! How d... Read Full Story

I wandered lonely as a cloudThat floats on high o'er vales and hills,When all at once I saw a crowd,A host, of golden daffodils;Beside the lake, beneath the trees,Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.Continuous as the stars that shineAnd twinkle on the milky way,They stretched in never-ending lineAlong the margin of a bay:Ten thousand saw I at a glance,Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.The waves beside them danced, but theyOut-did the sparkling leaves in glee;A poet could not be but gay... Read Full Story

Joy to the world, the Lord is come! Let earth receive her King!Let every heart prepare Him room, and Heaven and nature sing,Let Heaven and Nature sing! Isaac Watts (1674-1748)Anyone spending time in nature knows nature sings. The variety of 'songs' is innumerable, but all are recognizable. The Bible says if we don't praise the Lord, even the rocks will cry out in praise of Him.Hope you enjoyed this video. The singer is Patty Mondore.2009 April Lorier Psalm 145:25 My mouth will speak in pra... Read Full Story

Today I am remembering the menagerie of critters my kids grew up with: rabbits, turtles, cats, dogs, chickens, ducks, and lots of birds! And surprisingly enough, each critter knew about human affection and returned it!'Crackers' was a prolific talker and loved to sit on my shoulder when I played the piano. She loved music! Even sang opera in several languages! As you can see, she was very tolerant of my daughter's affection. Never once were any of us bitten by any of our critters.So I've bee... Read Full Story

It may indeed be fantasy when Iessay to draw from all created thingsdeep, heartfelt, inward joy that closely clings;And trace in leaves and flowers that round me lielessons of love and earnest piety.So let it be; and if the wide world ringsin mock of this belief, it bringsnor fear, nor grief, nor vain perplexity.So will I build my altar in the fields,and the blue sky my fretted dome shall be,and the sweet fragrance that the wild flower yieldsshall be the incense I will yield to Thee,Thee onl... Read Full Story