Spreading love, joy, peace, faith & unity

Archive for the ‘nature’ Category

Happy October

Happy October, my friends.
The month has begun wonderfully.
Cool cool mornings and warm afternoons.
Colors changing – and autumn in the air.

The grass still is green
And the aspen leaves still quake,
But the green shrub outside our entry
Has turned a brilliant magenta.

Antelope are out grazing
Finding green nibbles in the browning fields
And trees are turning a brilliant yellow

Autumn is my favorite color
The gold and orange cheer me
From head to toe!

I scolded my daughter
When she thought my shirt was pj’s!
No, it’s comfy and ushers in fall colors.

Our local newspaper published
An article I submitted this week
Inviting writers to come and join us.

Madison Valley Writers are meeting
Every first and third Friday at 10:30 am
At the Madison Valley Bank fireside room.

If you are near, I hope you’ll come.
If you’re too far to join us,
How about submitting something?

I will share your poem or short story
With those who come next week.
Here’s the one I wrote last week.

It was published in today’s “Madisonian.”

Winter comes too early
And it lasts too long.
When God created seasons,
He got it all so wrong.

The seasons should be equal –
Spring Summer Winter Fall.
Each has its own beauty
And I love them all.

But here in our Montana,
Winter comes way too soon.
We barely get a summer
When we see the autumn moon.

The leaves turn gorgeous golden.
The wild flowers die on the vine.
The frost kills the mosquitoes.
But what joy is left is mine.

I take joy in getting ready
For winter’s cold but glorious snow.
Begging neighbors to be willing
To plow us out, you know?

Winter boots and jackets
Come forward in the space
Where sandals and sundresses
Once occupied that place.

So enjoy what little autumn
We are fortunate to see
Because before you are read
Winter’s here for you and me.

Sleigh bells ring and children gather
Near the fireplace to hear
Reindeer bells and Ho-ho-ho’s.
Are you ready? Winter’s near!

Bundle Up!!

Photo by Madeline Bassinder on Pexels.com

Enjoy Autumn!
Enjoy all the color changes.
Write about your favorite season.

Let me hear from you.
Love,
JanBeek

Whatever is Lovely

“Whatever is lovely… think about these things.” Philippians 4:8

The castle above Sierre, Switzerland = LOVELY!

Family time = LOVELY!!

Tania, Mike & DeDe with our #7 great-grandchild= LOVELY !
Morning in Sierre= LOVELY!
Lovely!

And cookies baked by DeDe – Mmmmm!!

Church bells announcing the hour & half hour all day long. Yay!

The view from our balcony

Beautiful!

Time with Ethan & his daddy = precious!
Reading & relaxing in Grandmaman’s kitchen = Beautiful family!
Dinner with De & André= Excellent!

Yes, think on these things!

What is lovely in your day today??

Hugs from JanBeek

Beginning ‘24 in CA

While it snows in Montana, we bask in gorgeous CA sunshine with family & friends!Just right temps!

It’s a great way to welcome the new year!

God is good! Life is wonderful! After celebrating Bob’s 85th birthday with his two brothers and their wives, we are now with dear friends here in Pebble Beach for a few days.

Last week this part of the 17 Mile Drive in Carmel/Monterey was closed due to high tides. Open now, we are soaking up the beauty!

Yesterday we went wine tasting in Carmel with Alan & Ingrid. Such fun!

Today we’re headed for the Monterey Aquarium. Stay tuned! I’ll be back!

How has your 2024 begun?

Did you go to church to begin the year? Have you thanked God for your new day!? Please do!

Cherish family!

Shine the light of love and spread the gift of peace wherever you go! God bless you!

Love ❤️ JanBeek

Favorite Place in My City

Hmmm… the prompt for today
asked me to tell what is
my favorite place to go
in my city…

Is that question assuming we all live in a city?
Thank God, I don’t!

cars on road in city during night time
Photo by KEHN HERMANO on Pexels.com

Now, I don’t mean to offend those of you in cities
who love living where there are bright lights,
lots of traffic, big buildings, and crowds of people.
BUT,

Give me one main street,
cars I can count on my two hands,
businesses who know customers by name,
plentiful opportunities for building friendships
as well as volunteering to help others,
mountains in the background,
and a river that runs through it…
and I’ll be happy!

My favorite places to go in my little town?
1. Our independent version of McDonalds is “Sugar High”
(It has great burgers and terrific huckleberry shakes)
2. The Manor Nursing Home
(I love helping the residents there – it’s such a loving place)
3. The Madison Valley Library
(We have a five star library… doesn’t get any better!)
4. Lion’s Club Park
(The walking trail bordering the Madison River is divine)

In a little town like Ennis,
you can see the stars at night.
No bright lights to block out their beauty…

Now, why would I want to live in a city?

What’s your favorite place to go in your “city”?

Hugs to you wherever you are…
JanBeek

News About Honeybees

Yes, I often write about honeybees.
Why?
Well, if you have been a JanBeek follower for any time at all,
you know that my hubby, Bob, is a retired beekeeper.
Not just a hobbyist, but a full-time bee guy
with as many as 2,000 hives
back in the late 1980’s & ’90s and early 2000’s.

Even after retiring here to Montana, he worked for several years with local beekeeping hobbyist, John White. Bees are a part of Bob’s DNA! His dad was a beekeeper and his brother was, too. Now he has three nephews and a grand-nephew keeping bees big time.

So, it was no surprise to me when I received an e-mail today from someone wanting me to post on the topic of honeybees again. She sent me a letter and asked me to put it on my blog. I’m happy to do so. Here it is:

“Hi Jan,

I hope your day is going well!

I came across your website and noticed you shared a lot of information on beekeeping. I thought our guide could be helpful for your readers. 

Glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup, is one of the most commonly used herbicides in the world by commercial gardeners. However, many pesticides – including insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides – harm pollinators and other beneficial insects. 

To help educate those in the farming and gardening industries about this toxic chemical, we’ve created a comprehensive guide with organic, and homemade; and a second guide with agricultural alternatives. please take a look:

drugwatch.com/roundup/glyphosate/
drugwatch.com/roundup/cancer/

I thought these guides would be beneficial to share with your community. Would you consider adding that as resources to your website https://janbeek.blog/tag/honeybees/ to inform people about this critical matter better?

I appreciate your time and look forward to your response. Have a great day!”

Nicole Nunez (She / Her) | Outreach Coordinator

1 S. Orange Ave. Ste. 201  |  Orlando, FL 32801  

So, let’s all do our part to protect
our honeybees,
our trees,
and our fresh water,
okay?
What do you say?

Hugs to you on this Fabulous Friday.
I hope you’re staying warm.
It’s 15 degrees outside my Ennis home
– and snowing.

Oh my what a difference a week can make.
Take a look:

Oh my, those images are too large to show the total difference.
I need to learn how to post them smaller,
but I was trying that side-by-side feature.
It’s kinda neat… you can see more of each image
by using the middle arrows to slide it left or right.
Anyway, you get the idea…

Bee Warm!
And bee good to those bees!!

Sending lotsa love your way,
JanBeek

Greet the Dawn

Greet the dawn

With awe and wonder

Watch the colors dance

Catch the nuanced changes

As the sun emerges
Ready to prance!

Good Morning!!

We could sit out on the patio
With our coffee or tea
I could share a story or two
And you could share with me

We’d recall how my favorite shrub
Turned magenta from its greens
And then we’d marvel at how
It shines before fall takes its leaves

Greet the dawn with awe and wonder
Step into my world with glee
Soon we’ll see rain and hear the thunder
But for now, come marvel at the day with me.

God bless you!
Have a wonderful day.

Love,
JanBeek

Sing with me:
“This is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice and be glad in it!

October Memories

Happy October to you, my friends!
May this month of changing colors
Find you healthy, happy, and looking forward
To the joy this season brings your way.

I decided today to look back at
Some of past October’s joys.
Fun to reminisce and search memories;
Don’t you agree? Those colors add noise!

Trees of green turn and shout out red,
Spreading their joy to all.
May we, likewise, determine
To spread our joy this fall.

These trees are near our home;
Every fall they decorate the course
Where golfers enjoy the coolness
And we celebrate nature’s Source.

We may not be able this year
To follow our friends up on trails
Where the fall colors blaze;
But we’ll follow along on all their details.

We’ll remember fondly our rides
With friends who also had pups –
Like our TazE (who’s in heaven now) –
Their love filled our cups.

The plant outside my window
Is reminding me daily of the cold
That is right around the corner…
The colorful changes never seem old.

Galatians 4:10

“You observe days and months and seasons and years.”

Observe the blessings
of the changing season
Knowing every change
Is for a very good reason.

Everywhere we look these days
We see the signs of the changing season.
It is a beautiful time of year –
And we welcome it to breeze in!

We’d welcome you to breeze in, too.
Come visit the 2Beeks in Montana state…
Even on the coldest of days, we enjoy
Sharing ice cream with you; It’s never too late!

Happy Autumn Hugs
from
JanBeek
(and the ice cream loving Beekster)

Ready to Go Trail Riding?

Are you ready to go trail riding?
I have a deal for you!
We are selling “Lucille”
And her sturdy trailer, too.

Beautiful “Lucille”

“Lucille??” you question.
That’s what you named her?
Yup, like Lucille Ball…
A redhead -and no one tamed her!

On her, we’ve had a ball!
We’ve enjoyed her a lot.
But, for health reasons now,
We need something else in her spot.

So, if you or a friend
Is interested and can come,
We’d love for you to take them
Though it makes us mighty glum.

Check out our listing at
bozeman.craigslist.org/tro/d/ennis-bigtex-trailer/7669210550.html
Spread the word for us, OK?
Come to Ennis, Montana and meet us –
You’ll never regret the day!

TazE (our Boston Terrier) with Bob & me

Meet “Charlie!”

Our TazE already said her good-byes
And now Lucille will make way for “Charlie.”
He’s our new blue addition –
And no, he’s not a Harley!

We may be crazy sportsmen,
Loving to get outside and play,
But our “Lucille” trail riding days are over.
Are you interested in taking her out someday?

Oh, and Happy Autumn to you, my friend!
It’s a gorgeous day with blue sky & puffy clouds.
I love seeing all the changing colors.
Go up in the mountains to view them… avoid the crowds!

Hugs to you,
Thanks for visiting
JanBeek

September in Montana

Yesterday I peeked out
from the downstairs back door
surprised to see the signs
of our changing seasons

Signs of autumn
Sparkled from the plant
That’s hanging over the
Newly installed dry well

Orange leaves among the green
Remind me that summer
Is drawing to a close
It’s been too short

Inside, the sunflowers
from friends, the Conklins,
and Sue Newell’s ladybug card
brighten the table

The warmth of sunshine
And the grasses in the field
Beckoned me outside
To see beyond the yard

These “weeds” have their own kind of beauty
Browns and greens mixed with gold
Certainly spell the coming of fall
Alas, stores already sell Halloween

Our view of the Madison Range
beyond the field is spectacular
The clouds are ever changing
Giving our Big Sky character

We can sit inside here
and look out in amazement every day
At God’s marvelous creation
Never tiring of our Montana wonderland

Thank You, God of All Creation
For the beauty of this earth
Help us to be good caretakers
And never take these gifts for granted.

Amen

Thank you for visiting today
Have a Fabulous Friday!
Don’t forget to go out
and marvel at your September beauty, too!

Love,
JanBeek

September Promises

September blows in with its many promises
Of new beginnings and of endings, too.
Away with sandals, sunscreen, summer scorchers,
Mowing lawns, trimming hedges, trips to the zoo.

Enter colors rich in autumn hues,
Football mania, school admissions, taxes due.
Welcome loved ones who waited to visit
Until the bustle of summer was behind you.

September promises the joy of learning
New ways of navigating challenges that spring
Up unexpected as we explore new venues,
Putting the old behind, welcoming each new thing.

Each season has its own kind of newness
And this one is certainly no exception.
September ushers in a ton of TV shows
That viewers hope to see with clear reception.

But staying in and looking at some screen
Is not what this season’s all about.
The outdoors begs you to explore
September’s promises – take a new route.

  • There’s winter, spring, summer, and fall. Just like the natural seasons change, so do the seasons in our lives. The Bible tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:1, “For everything there is a season.” It also tells us in Ecclesiastes 3:11, “ [God] has made everything beautiful in its time.”

Paint a word picture for me here
Of what you hope September will bring.
I’m looking forward to our visitors –
Family always makes my heart sing.

What’s in store for you this September?

Thanks for visiting JanBeek.
Happy September first to you!

If you have time, listen to this beautiful song sung by my favorite singer from my high school and college days… Liquid Velvet!! The year Nat King Cole recorded this was the year I graduated from college and began my teaching career! Yup, an oldie, but goodie!!