Photo was taken at Altamount, Millstreet, Co.Cork (Irl)

There are many different types of crab apple trees. In the spring you get lovely colour from the flowers. Then in the summer they turn into very eye catching small apples. Later in the autumn they turn into lovely colours from red to white. They are a lovely addition to any garden and even into November they still provide beautiful colour.

Thought on Tuesday – November – 11/11/2014

Thought For The Week

‘Optimism is faith in our own efforts and in human potentiality. It is in God however that we place our hope. Hope does not deny the pain and suffering of the present. Rather it courageously faces up to this, stays with the pain but refuses to be enslaved by it and at the appropriate time, is prepared to move forward.’ ~Michael Neary

We sometimes confuse optimism with hope. Optimism relies on the human person. It requires courage, will power, bravery and a belief that things will improve. However we are fragile and weak. Sometimes our initial optimism quickly fades. Hope on the other hand has its roots in God. We put our hope and trust in God. Hope is not a protective shield from the knocks of the world and life. But hope will always allow us to take a step forward away from darkness, despair, confusion and hopelessness. A combination of optimism and hope is one that will never let us down. We pray to God today to help us to be optimistic and hopeful, particularly when it is difficult to be so.