When Hope Springs Eternal

In my last post at 'The Turn-Up Patch', I ended with several photos of a beautiful sunset.  I begin today's post with several photos of a beautiful sunrise  that I was delighted to photograph this past week.  I happened to wake up early enough to notice the red and orange hued sky visible from the window.  Since colors can change dramatically fast, I grabbed my camera and headed outdoors to catch the scene.  It is times as these, I am grateful for the surrounding beauty that country life affords unencumbered by tall buildings and power lines.  

Such scenery can inspire and bring one to reflect on the magnificence of an Almighty God.  We live in a world full of color and splendor in all of its display in creation and yet, it is besieged in distress due to perverted beliefs and infesting corruption.  The world becomes a visible paradox - a contradiction of beauty in the ugliness of overt human suffering.  The axis of good and evil, light and dark rotate in a spiritual dimension manifesting opposite natures.  The media reports anguishing news of the plight of our fellow humanity in the witness of atrocities of what one human being can do to another in the name of their twisted justification.  Pockets of nobility, courage, empathy and compassion are scattered across the globe to counter cruelty but are reported comparatively little to the amount of inhumane news that we hear and read about.

Whether we falter in our daily living or that of present world disorder, where do we catch the glimmer of hope in this day and age of negativity and evil.   Just as the sunrise gives the first rays of light dispelling the darkness of night, so does hope shed a ray of light in the darkness of despair.  The words 'Hope Springs Eternal' come to mind and upon research, found that it is the title of  'An Essay on Man', written by Alexander Pope.....

Hope springs eternal in the human breast;

Man never is, but always to be blessed:

The soul, uneasy and confined from home,

Rests and expatiates in a life to come.

Hope is energy driven -  a springboard that leaps from faith to that which is hoped for - the substance of the unseen.  Hope is color instead of the gray in black and white.  Helen Keller  stated that 'hope sees the invisible, feels the intangible and achieves the impossible'.  As the mythical Phoenix rises from the ashes, renewed and reborn, so does hope give us courage to propel us on to live a new day.  Hope, however, is not mythical.  It is a force centered on God and gives us a glimpse of the eternal.  

Hope is essential even though there could be an ultimate outcome that things did not turn out as desired. What then?  Hope rescues us to meet another day - it transcends us over an unfulfilled outcome into the Divine presence of God where peace and comfort is found.  Hope is never lost in the eternal.

Lewis Smedes wrote, “Is there a hope when hope is taken away? Is there hope when the situation is hopeless? That question leads us to Christian hope, for in the Bible, hope is no longer a passion for the possible. It becomes a passion for the promise.”

Until next time on Monday, March 2 at The Turn-Up Patch.....

Of Swans and Sunsets

The month of January came with its surprises - beauty in swans, sunsets and warm weather!  It was a double surprise to have looked out across the field several weeks ago and see some huge white birds enjoying the day.  Upon closer inspection and to my delight, discovered they were swans.  I call it a surprise as in all the years of living in Eastern Oregon and particularly in the John Day Valley, I have not seen a swan in the area let alone on our ranch property.  I have always loved swans, they represent to me such beauty, grace and symbolism of love.  Of course, this led me to do a post about these beautiful birds.   The photos below were taken from a distance with the camera zoom maxed out.  I didn't want to move in too close and frighten them away.  Consequently, some photos may not be the sharpest but I was thrilled to have such a camera opportunity and to share some pictures with you.

The swans flew in with a flock of Canadian Geese and appear to come and go as they please.  They show up for several days and are absent for a day or two and surprise you again by returning.  There were four swans originally, two adults and two 'adolescents'.  When the birds last appeared, they brought friends and there were seven swans at last sighting.

After checking my photos and investigating what kind of swan these could be, they appear to be a 'Trumpeter Swan'.  I came to this determination because of the slope of its black bill and the slight red color that is on the lower mouth part of the bill (mandible) on the adult swans.  The plumage of adult trumpeter swans is completely white, though their heads and necks are often stained a rusty color from contact with iron compound minerals in the soils during feeding.   I noticed that the sound of this swan was different from the geese they were with.  The Trumpeter has a deep, loud trumpet-like call and has been compared to the sound of a French horn.  Their bills, legs and feet are black and can weigh between 21 - 30 pounds.  The Trumpeter Swan is the largest native waterfowl in North America.

Other facts about swans in general....    
-  They mate for life.  A male swan is called a cob and female is a pen.
-  A young swan in the first year of life is referred to a 'cygnet or juvenile'.
-  An adult swan has a wingspan of more than 7 feet and a height of about 4 feet.
-  They can fly as fast as 50 - 60 miles per hour and are known as the largest flying bird.
-  Life expectancy in a protected environment is 30 years.
-  They are not known to attack humans without cause, and actually can remember humans that have been kind to them.
-  The word swan is one of the oldest names in the English language, coming from the Anglo-Saxons.
-  There are nine varieties of swans.

Some symbolic meanings of swans:
-  Peace and tranquility
-  Native American peoples - connected to one of the most sacred mysteries of the Lakota/Dakota religion, in which the swan acts as a messenger of faith.
-  In England - symbol of loyalty and strength.
-  In ancient Greece - symbol of beauty and grace.
-  Because it has domain over water as well as air, the swan is considered to be the Bird of Light and is associated with the dawning of the Sun.
-  Swans also symbolize sensitivity and love.
-  A reminder of blessings in relationships. 
There are many symbols to be found but the ones listed are a few of the most note worthy.  We can say with assurance, that swans have inspired art, music, literature and dance.

In closing, I am posting the above photos of a beautiful January sunset in a heaven of clouds and color above Mt. Vernon.  God's blessings came in varied forms and surprises that just happened to 'turn up' at The Turn-Up Patch.

Now that we are in the month of February, I look forward to unexpected blessings that only our Creator can bring to uplift, affirm and a reminder that He is the "I AM".

Until Monday, February 16..........

Joe Loudermilk - Performance in Black & White Imaging

My last post was entitled 'Story of Will' and featured photos taken by Will's father, Joe Loudermilk.  As I had mentioned, Joe is my brother-in-law who has had an interest in photography for many years.  Before the digital age, Joe had his own darkroom where he processed his 35 mm camera photos and was self taught in the dynamics of photography.  He applies that knowledge to today's technology wherein the digital camera, computer and editing programs have become his darkroom.  It is here that he develops his photos into a unique style in detailed monochrome.  Joe's architectural profession assists him with his eye for composition and layout that escapes the ordinary in a photograph.  He "sees" an image and encapsulates it into a style using black and white in detailed technique.   

While Joe was here last summer, you would find him with his trusty camera looking for such images to shoot that can be found on a ranch.  The horse photo shown below is one such result of Joe's magic with black and white turning the ordinary into extraordinary.  (Click on photos to enlarge)

The same could be said when his eye sees a promise of beauty in a piece of  broken farm equipment that had outlived its usefulness and now lies in ruined metal.  His discovery of an abandoned vehicle that once carried owners and supplies on the highways of yesterday is now found hidden in a wooded setting.  

On the family's travels through Oregon, Joe spotted a grain storage facility in Condon and had to stop for a photo shoot.  Also pictured below is an image he took of wedding dresses on display in a city window store.  

These are just a few of many diversified photos that are on Joe's website for you to browse through.  There are different categories in his Gallery, including "New Image of the Week".  Gallery selections range from Architectural - to Landscape and Nature - to Places, among others.  Also included is the documentary on William, which was covered in my last post.  If you want to find out more about Joe, you can check out his biography listed on the site.  His website, beautifully done, offers an extensive variety of printed images.   The link is:   www.loudermilkphoto.com/

Joe states:  "I love creating the emotion of the performance when I am post processing my images.  Think of all the different ways a piece of music can be performed by a different artist.  The same is true when developing an image.  But you also need to have a good image/'score' to have a good performance."


I leave you with a quote from John Gay - "We only part to meet again."   Until Monday, February 2, Come! Visit me at The Turn-Up Patch....

The Story of Will

Welcome to my first post of 2015!   I can't think of a better way to start off the new year then to introduce you, dear friends and readers, to Will.   I have been wanting to do a special piece on this extraordinary boy and his family.  I did introduce you to Will's father, Joe Loudermilk, in a July 2013 post featuring his photography.  
 * (The corresponding link is referenced at the end of this post.)

My brother-in-law, Joe and his family paid us a visit this past summer and we had a great time getting reacquainted making up for the years in between.  As it happens in life, children who were once so little are transformed into growing youth, processing into their own identity and carving character through circumstances that present opportunity and challenge.  My nephew Will and his family were faced with more than the average challenge that we meet up with in life.  Will has cerebral palsy caused at birth that left him with a loss of fine motor control affecting his body and speech.  What he lacks in motor skills, he excels in determination.  He comes by his name naturally... WILL!  Short for William but long on the definition of the word will - meaning to have a drive, an aim, a purpose, a resolution, an intent, a volition.  This description is part of Will's internal spirit that is made up of the stuff that makes champions.  

Paladin is another word that comes to mind.  No, this is not about the old western TV series called by that name.  Rather, this word signifies deep meanings and speaks of noble courage, being a defender, guardian, protector, shielder.  All of these qualities are active in the care and encouragement of a loving mother, father, sister and brother.  Will's family champions a champion, pulling together as a supportive team to enrich his quality of life. They cheer-lead, applaud, value and embrace him, making a difference in his experience of daily living.  An intelligent boy, Will's interests are many, ranging from Starwars to Paleontology (study of fossilized prehistoric plants and animals).  He displays keen wit and loves a good joke in the enjoyment of humor.

Joe captured some moments on camera of Will with our border collie dog, Bud.  The two became best pals instantly with Bud constantly pestering Will for attention and affection.  I had a hard time deciding what photo to use of the three that Joe took of these moments.   All three show such heart, I had to post them all for you to see.  (Click on photos for enlargement)

Joe did a documentary story in pictures of his son, simply entitled "Will".  In his own words, he begins with a description of Will but it is through his photographs, you come to know the heart, mind and soul of a champion family.  The picture featured below is taken from the documentary.   I hope that you look deeply into the essence of these very moving photos captured by a Dad who uses his talent in photography to tell a story about family love for their son.  Link:  http://coachingforphotographers.com/coaching-for-photographers-cerebral-palsy-documentary-photography-by-joe-loudermilk/

I found this simple quote by Jack Dempsey that really exemplifies what a champion is - 

"A champion is someone who gets up when he can't" 

* Referenced link post: http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/07/and-so-god-made-photographer-part-ii.html


Come, visit me next time at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, January 19th, when we shall continue to explore Joe's artistry in monochrome photography....

The Visible - The Invisible - And Christmas

I begin this post with threads of thought that eventually leads to a pivotal event we celebrate known as Christmas.  The birth of Christ has impacted and influenced the world and its humanity that began nearly 2000 years ago.  I'd like to mesh Christmas and weave within, the dynamics we have of infrared and color, filter and illumination, the visible and the invisible.  As this occurs in our natural world, so it is spiritually.

There are complicated definitions of visible and invisible light.  Simply said, the visible light is an electromagnetic wave that the human eye can see.  It runs along a spectrum from short wavelengths of violet to longer wavelengths of red, which gives us color perceptible to our eyes.  There is another kind of light that we can't see.  This is infrared light and is a thousand times wider than that of visible light, but it is invisible to our eyes.

In photography, for an effect or artistic component, an infrared filter can be used either on the camera or in photo editing.  This filter blocks all visible light and can produce a dramatic look in transforming the subject matter in the exclusion of color to an infrared image.  The camera subject is illuminated  by infrared light and the every day scene becomes extraordinary in the absence of color.

Color -  visible light

Infrared - invisible light

 




Illumination!   A source of light that can brighten and make clear.  All of us have had an 'aha' moment when one has a sudden insight in awareness or comprehension in understanding.  It can also be called an 'epiphany', which is any moment of great and unexpected insight or intuitiveness.  Belief is also a component of illumination -  it is the Holy Spirit filter to see into the invisible that thrusts us beyond the visible color of  human knowing.  For some, the aha or epiphany moment can lead to belief; for others, belief can be the catalyst to revelation that occurs along the way in the walk of faith.

We are just a few days short from an event that changed the course of humanity - the birth of illuminating Light that came in human form - Jesus, the Son of God, the Light of the world.    We honor the mystery, significance and magic that Christmas brings and are humbled by the fact that God, the Father of Lights, so loved the world...

 You can also view at:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zb1AsyltkpA

from The Turn-Up Patch to each and all  ~

 Have a Blessed and Merry Christmas!

Until we meet again in the New Year on Monday, January 5.....

 

Advent Within The Alpha and Omega

Advent is here!  Now what exactly does that mean??  The word itself speaks of 'coming' - to spiritually prepare before the celebration of Christmas.  It is a season observed in many Christian churches four weeks before Christmas with the themes of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love symbolically displayed in an Advent wreath.  Many families create their own wreath in participation of Advent.  Four candles are set on a circular wreath representing these individual themes, each one being lit on that particular Advent Sunday.   Some churches include a fifth candle called the Christ Candle that is lit on Christmas Eve.  The lit candles remind us of Jesus, the Light shining forth into a dark world.

We can be caught in the flurry of activity in preparation of what the Christmas season brings in our homes, community, school and church celebrations.  Decisions of what gifts to buy, decorations to use, food to serve, cards to be sent - these are just a few of the considerations to be made for family, friends and beyond.  Often, travel arrangements need to be made as well as juggling employment situations.   It is a time to be a comfort for those in isolation, loneliness and in need, which amplifies during this time of year.  

Mary (as in the story of Mary and Martha in Luke 10) set herself before the Lord, taking time out to enjoy His presence and then dear Martha, whose time was consumed in physical demands. Advent can be a time to slow us down and turn our eyes away from the busyness of the season in all the 'doings' to the benefit of being still before God. Advent is a season of spiritual preparation designed to bring our awareness back to the simplicity of the cradled Christ to the complexity of the Cross and to the completion in His return.  It is in recognition of the Christ, by His Spirit within us, expanding into the Alpha and the Omega.  One of the most fervent prayers of Jesus is in John 17:21..."I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one - as you are in me, Father, and I am in you.  And may they be in us so that the world will believe that you sent me."

The Alpha and Omega is complete - the Beginning and the End and holds within the dynamics of Advent....
          -  The Eternal in His Presence among us in the current moment of time through the Holy Spirit (who is).  
          -  The Eternal before creation and manifested in the Christ of yesterday when first coming to earth as a baby (who was).
          -  The Eternal in the future to anticipate, prepare and expect the coming Messiah at the end of the age with everlasting                 life (who is to come).

 

It's good to separate into the stillness of God and then take that stillness back into our noisy world. Withdrawing into that silence of God that Advent can provide, brings a sensitivity and awareness of the Almighty.  Rejuvenation of hope, peace, love and joy quickens and enriches the spirit and is a reminder of our destiny within the Alpha and Omega.

Until we meet again on Monday, December 22.....

Thanksgiving Anniversary & Norman Rockwell

Two years ago on the eve of Thanksgiving in 2012,  I launched my blog, The Turn-Up Patch.  When I began my blogging adventure,  I decided to post writings and photos once a week but eventually cut it back to once every two weeks after a year of weekly posting.   I do admire those bloggers who post every single day with something new and interesting to share. I manage to keep up with the twice a month post, which works well for me.  As long as family, friends and readers keep turning up  to catch the latest post; I will continue my journey in the 'blogosphere'.  Presently, The Turn-Up Patch averages about 425 legitimate hits on each post, according to the current stats that are available to the blogger.   These hits come from various countries as well as within the United States.   I thank all my faithful readers who take time out in their busy lives to continue to visit me at The Turn-Up Patch.   Your encouragement and support is much appreciated.  You can check out the beginning post that also previews my first PhotoShow:   http://www.turnuppatch.blogspot.com/2012/11/happy-thanksgiving-welcome.html

I recently spent some time with Norman Rockwell (at least with his illustrated paintings), which hold whimsical caricature of days gone by of ordinary people in everyday life.  His paintings evoke an nostalgia for a time and place that held respect and honor in the American spirit. "I paint life as I would like it to be", Rockwell once said.  In studying his illustrations, you can spot the innocence and idealism that his paintbrush produced.   He passed away in 1978 at the age of 84.  During his lifetime, he illustrated 321 covers for the Saturday Evening Post and painted over 4,000 original works. 

In 1941, Franklin Roosevelt's State of the Union address contained four essential human rights that should be universally protected.  The four freedoms are identified as "Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Worship, Freedom from Want, Freedom from Fear".  Rockwell chose to illustrate a Thanksgiving theme for his interpretation in his painting on 'Freedom from Want' and it was published in the Post in 1943.

 Norman Rockwell - "Freedom From Want" - from March 6, 1943 

Norman Rockwell - "Make a Wish" - from November 19, 1921

The above illustration was an earlier work of Rockwell.  It appeared on the cover of  The Country Gentleman, which was a sister publication to Post magazine in 1921.  "Make a Wish" tells a story about the Thanksgiving tradition of making a wish with a dried u-shaped turkey bone.  Whoever got the biggest piece of the wishbone after pulling it apart got their wish.  The painting expresses the simplicity of a humorous notion of a hopeful wish to come true.

 Norman Rockwell - "Girl Praying" - from November 27, 1943

This third illustration has been called "Girl Praying or A Girl in Prayer or Refugee in Prayer".  The scene is a young refugee during World War II praying over a soldier's field rations.  An American soldier's field jacket is placed over her shoulders, providing warmth.  Even though the meal is simple and the jacket worn,  she is in a prayerful expression of gratitude.  And thankfulness for the generosity of a soldier who gave what he could in both nourishment and comfort when he saw the need.  This painting can be as relevant in today's world as it was when originally published in 1943.

These are just three of many Rockwell timeless illustrations about Thanksgiving, among them:  Saying Grace 1951, Thanksgiving 1919,  Catch the Turkey 1917, A Pilgrim Progress 1921, Ye Glutton 1923 and others.

A Norman Rockwell quote:  "When I go to farms or little towns, I am always surprised at the discontent I find.  And New York, too often, has looked across the sea at Europe.  And all of us who turn our eyes away from what we have are missing life."

There is an old saying, 'the grass is greener on the other side of the fence.'  Often our eyes are turned towards the other side of the fence thinking that is where our blessings are to be found.  Instead, during this Thanksgiving season and throughout the year, look for the reasons to be grateful where our life is at and not miss out on the blessings set before us.  

"When asked if my cup is half-full or half-empty my only response is that I am thankful I have a cup." - Sam Lefkowitz      

Meet me at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, December 8.....    HAPPY THANKSGIVING!