It’s that time of year again to see the golden shrubs sprinkle along the sandy shore and wasteland.
These vibrant yellow plants are known as the broom shrubs or thorny shrubs in German/ or Cytisus broom and Lena scotch broom.
Some of these plants have a touch of scarlet color on the petals known as Sister redhead.
These flowering shrubs grow profusely along the shoreline and are known to be great vegetations to help prevent erosion and to stabilize dunes by the sandy beach. That’s good to know it’s purpose!
Biking is a leisure pleasure for me. It’s fun to bike as a group to enhance team spirit and watching out for each other. I also enjoy riding alone, taking my sweet time, slowing down, savoring the stillness of the surrounding.
And I can resonate with what this naturalist artist says:
“I have lately got back to that glorious society called Solitude.” — Henry David Thoreau
When I’m on a road trip and I spot nice scenery, the drivers (aka my friends) will often stop (when it is safe) and allow me to hop out of the car and quickly snap a few shots. However, most of the time I can only watch the scenic view through the car window, and I am not content with that.
Since I have started leisure biking, I realize that I can easily hop on and off the bike to take in the beauty that surrounds me and, I can linger as long as I want.
Biking leisurely enables me to slow down and to be lost in the wonder of beauty.
At every turn I make on the biking trail, I am delighted to see splendid wildflowers greeting me with joy.
These colorful blooming wildflowers which grow profusely on the trail just delight my spirit.
When I stoop down to adore the alluring fragrance flowers, I could also hear the amazing sound of birds serenading sweetly, like a flute, from the treetop!
Biking has become a sanctuary to me, and every push of the peddle is a whispering prayer to God.
The best part after biking is to stop and savor delicious meal such as fish and chips!
Seek the Lord while He may be found;
call on Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord,
and He will have mercy on them,
and to our God, for He will freely pardon.
“For My thoughts are not Your thoughts,
neither are Your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
“As the heavens are higher than the earth,
so are My ways higher than your ways
and My thoughts than your thoughts.
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
and do not return to it without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower
and bread for the eater,
so is My word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.
You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the Lord’s renown,
for an everlasting sign,
that will endure forever.”
Word has it that a certain someone had a great fall.
Some questioned if she really had the skill of biking
as obviously this was not the first time she fell.
Ouch, her poor leg…
Last time she fell,
the doctor prescribed her with anti-biotic and Tetanus vaccine;
this time doc said anti-biotic cream would do.
Said if the wound doesn’t heal,
he will prescribe oral anti-biotic.
Surely this lady can no longer afford to keep falling.
This 24/7 stinging pain has caused her much sufferings
and prevented her from enjoying life for the past weeks.
She is seriously contemplating on giving up biking all together.
Upon hearing her mishap,
one of the Sunday school boys made her a band-aid
to console her not to give up the joy of cycling.
The Pleasure…
Ah, there is definitely pain and pleasure in biking.
Hi, I am “Little Giant”. Oftentimes I feel intimidated by my two cousins for they always looked so proper and grooming and a bit snobbish.
Unlike them who prefer to stay indoor, I love to venture outdoor into the wood and in the wilderness. I am tiny but tough. I love to bring god-mother Janie to places where it is hard or not possible to be reached by cars.
Oh, I also love posing in front of the camera. My aunty Lynne just loves this pose of mine that she was inspired to compose the following poem.
Cool breeze blowing on my face as I hum a hymn of praise; The mighty Fraser River rushing by as the bald eagle soars up to azure sky; Wild flowers dancing with abandon and utmost glee as my bicycle friend watches happily with me; Simple beauty, simple joys – Nature’s gifts, God-given toys, All mine to savour as I stop at the beach. Heaven is just within my reach.
Not to be outdone by Aunty Lynne, Aunty Amelie also unleashed her poetic juice below about me and my mom.
Jacob had a ladder, Janie has a bike, to reach heaven from here, not just a dream stand-by.
Jacob journeyed alone Janie has many a pals, Away not from trouble; but to face life proud and bold.
Jacob turned Israel, crippling, not in soul; Janie Israel’s daughter, biking with heart and soul. Lynne her faithful friend, writing and scrap-booking, While Janie, biking and playing, blogging and what else?????
I heard from god-mother that my two dear cousins will be coming to town again.
This time I really want to drag them out to enjoy nature.
I hope to persuade them to give those two aunties a ride so we could all go for Tour de heaven-on-earth together.
Most of my postings I think will be related to outdoor
as I am an outdoorsy person
don’t like shopping nor anything indoor
but place me outdoor and my spirit soars
Friends said I am a naturalist
can easily discover God outdoor
can find beauty everywhere
me and nature
me and my Giant brand mini-bike for now…
J’s little toy — mini-Giant bike!
Sacred Pathway by Gary Thomas, which ones are more you?
Naturalists: Loving God out of Doors
Sensates: Loving God with the Senses
Traditionalists: Loving God through Ritual and Symbol
Ascetics: Loving God in Solitude and Simplicity
Caregivers: Loving God by Loving Others
Enthusiasts: Loving God with Mystery and Celebration
Piece of Mind 