Of Honor and Respect

Since I wrote my last post, I was going to our local post office and saw this small single flower as it made a forced entry in dirt that was in the cracks of the walkway in front of the building.  I thought it was a unique fit to my message on "The Mind in Weeds & Flowers and Charlie Wilks".   I challenge you to look for such sightings, they are more frequent as you become aware in observation of flowers and weeds in unusual places.  And if you haven't checked out the video yet on Charlie Wilks, please do so - he is a young man with a great inner soul.

And now we continue on to today's post tackling a huge subject about honor in a condensed version.  During the months of May and June, there have been a variety of holidays, which we celebrate in the United States.  They are:
     Mother's Day ~  A celebration honoring mothers and motherhood
     Memorial Day ~  A remembrance in honor of those who died while serving in the country's armed forces.
      Flag Day ~  A celebration to show respect and honor of the United States flag.
      Father's Day ~  A celebration honoring fathers and fatherhood.
 I have written previous posts on all of the above, links listed below, if you'd like to read about them.

In each of the holidays we have had during the past two months, a singular word stands out that defines each one and that is HONOR.  What exactly is honor?  The basic meaning is to hold high, to respect and to esteem.  In breaking those words down further -  respect and esteem means to appreciate, to regard and to value.  This is just a very short description of a very powerful word in the full extent of meaning.   We have witnessed the opposite of honor and respect; you can find it blaring in the media headlines.  I don't care to elaborate on these negatives but rather on the strength of the goodness of character that honor represents in its treatment to people, to country and to environment.

Since I am a visual person, many times a photograph will speak a thousand words.  I am sure that you have seen photos that have stirred emotion that words cannot capture.  Recently, the town of Mount Vernon placed new banners and flags on both sides of the main street that happens to be Highway 26.  The banners were both colorful and welcoming and were introduced to this small community on Flag Day.   American flags were proudly displayed alongside the banners throughout the streets.

It is known in the equine world, that you need to earn the respect of a horse to "enjoy the ride".  The below photo shows several horses who have come to respect my favorite cowboy as they came up to him to listen to what he has to say and just hang out.  These horses have come to trust the man before them - the same man who bonded with them as colts, gentles them with a firm and loving hand, feeds them during the winter and talks to them in typical 'horse sense' style.

You can witness visual honor around you every day in how we treat one another from the young to the old and with nature and animals around us.  Our world would significantly change for the better if it centered on honor and respect - and it begins with God Almighty as the Creator and we, as the created in honoring Him.  Perhaps humility is a precursor to honor and respect.

Since yesterday we celebrated Father's Day, I discovered this saying that was written anonymously.  I share it with you as its truth stands for yesterday, today and tomorrow.....
                                                               A father is respected because
                                                               He gives his children leadership...
                                                               Appreciated because
                                                               He gives his children care...
                                                               Valued because
                                                               He gives his children time...
                                                               Loved because
                                                               He gives his children the one thing
                                                               They treasure most - himself.  
 
For greater elaboration, you can read my post on "A Sorority Called Motherhood"
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/05/a-sorority-called-motherhood.html 
On Memorial Day.... "The Rite of Remembrance"
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-rite-of-remembrance.html
For a greater description of the American flag - "Identity of the American Flag"  This was actually a July 4th post, but is applicable in the meaning of the flag.
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/07/identity-of-american-flag.html 
My post on "A Fraternity Called Fatherhood"
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/06/a-fraternity-called-fatherhood.html 
 

Tune In to The Turn-Up Patch next time, on Monday, July 6.... see you then!

The Mind in Weeds & Flowers and Charlie Wilks

I recently discovered Charlie Wilks.  A young man determined to live a full life despite his blindness.  His wisdom is far beyond his age and his story is an ongoing inspiration that makes us reflect on what a champion in life is made of.  He said this...."You determine who you are - not any event or person in your life."  

This quote made me think about our minds and how we build fantasies according to how we view truth.  A whole scenario is created before we "catch" what is going on in the story of our mind's reality.  The No Spin Zone as titled in the Bill O'Reilly show has an interesting concept in separating fact from perceived truth. Using this analogy, the mind can 'spin' in twisting and distorting perceived notions. From the thoughts we think, we can end up in an emotion of anger, sorrow, frustration or even self-reproach, depending on the scene just created in thoughts.  The mind is really busy or am I the only one???    As we become aware of what the mind is doing, we can stop the spin that is going on and make it a no spin zone, where thoughts are reined in rather than running wild.  

I found these two photos that illustrate how weeds or flowers can grow in concrete - amazing when there can be just a slight entry within a crack or even enough force to push through concrete.  How like our minds - we can grow weeds or flowers and our minds will provide plenty of cracks for growth.

Charlie Wilks has used his positive attitude in thought to overcome his personal adversity in blindness.  Not only does he achieve but he spreads encouragement  to those around him. Blindness does not hinder him from the experience of living; he does not use it as a crutch to sit on the sidelines of life.  He has some great quotes that makes us all, who have sight, sit back in admiration of this young man's character.  He has grown flowers in his mind.

Do yourself a favor and watch the below video put out by ESPN that was produced in 2009 about Charlie and playing football.  It is a wonderful short documentary that is splashed with Charlie's "insight" about living.  We can learn much from Charlie - he sees far beyond the physical aspect of vision.  Since that time, he has gone on to college and is a musician.  You can visit him on Facebook and hear his music on YouTube.  Way to go Charlie!   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zTrEkNlx16E

A scripture comes to mind out of Philippians 4:8...

What things are true,

what things are honest,

what things are just,

what things are pure,

what things are lovely,

what things are of good report;

if there by any virtue,

and if there be any praise,

think on these things.

God bless and we'll see you again at the Turn-Up Patch on Monday, June 22.... 

Cycle of Life and Doris R.I.P.

I found this beautiful picture representing the four seasons or a cycle of life that a tree and nature experience.  I wrote a post back in April of 2013 entitled Seasons and Surprises.    An excerpt from that post:  "Just as the earth goes through seasons in changes, so do we in our journey along the pathways of life.  No matter what season we are in, we are never alone in our experience because of our Ultimate Friend.  By His Spirit we are encouraged from within and once in awhile, He creates a 'bit of magic' just for you to brighten your day in surprising discovery."  You can read the post in full at http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/04/of-trees-and-life.html

If you can imagine your life as seasons, we find that humanity as a whole share the same emotions and instincts in passing through experiences.  We all know what it is like to feel fear, hunger, thirst, pain and sorrow - to name a few.  On the flip side, we also know what it is like to feel love, fullness, happiness, contentment - to name a few.   

We feel the excitement, delight and wonder of new birth, when a baby exits the womb and enters into a lifetime of future experiences.  This event brings about a preparation, physically and externally in the beginning of their cycle of life.  So too, does a preparation begin for the end of life, in particular, my mother-in-law Doris....

I have written about her in previous posts and have introduced Doris to you as a Rosie the Riveter,  who has been a wife, mother, grandmother, great grandma and her own person.  She has been known as an avid horsewoman, a talented artist and skilled photographer for her own enjoyment.  She liked the outdoors and was a good shot with a rifle and has killed quite a few deer in her lifetime for meat.  Doris celebrated her 93rd birthday in February.  I felt at that time, it would be the last birthday we'd  have with her.  Doris has been in hospice care for a month now.  I have watched the tender attention that she has received from her caregivers at Valley View and her hospice team.  It has been a great comfort to see the preparation done for her as she exits this world and enters into the glory of heaven.  Her body has been treated with dignity making sure that she is clean and comfortable.  There has been a cuddly teddy bear by her side along with mouth swabs, lip balm and comfort blankets.  There has been a pain patch and morphine to eliminate any discomfort or suffering.  There have been spiritual words and prayers spoken to her and permission given to leave her weary body.   

We have watched Doris this past week as she crossed the finish line into eternity.  She has completed her cycle of life at the rich age of  93.  I am blessed to have known her, not only as a mother-in-law but as a friend. She did the best she could with the knowledge she had in her experience of life,   something most of us could say in our own personal journeys.  I share these photos with you of Doris as a girl who grew into a lovely woman who was still beautiful in the winter of her life.

DORIS
February 27, 1922 - May 24, 2015

I am a believer in this simple concept - 'we are spiritual beings having a human experience'.  I can't imagine going through this life without believing in something greater beyond ourselves.   Doris is now enjoying peace in her true home knowing the fullness of  Love and Light that we just get glimmers of in this earthly realm.  A particular stanza in the popular hymn Amazing Grace says this:

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail, and mortal life shall cease,

I shall possess, within the veil, a life of joy and peace.

Join me at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, June 8.

 

Art Form, the Horse and Doris

You can spot some remarkable sights traveling through Central and Eastern Oregon.  One such sight is a creation of metal artistry that makes a person take a second look.  From a distance, this western scene looks real.  However, upon closer approach, you realize that these are horses, riders and dogs scaled to life-like size depicting a scene not uncommon in this ranch country.  These pieces of metal art are located 'galloping' on land adjacent to Highway 20 near Sisters, Oregon.  I am always amazed at the ingenuity and talent that can create diverse forms of art for others to enjoy. 

The below photo is the real deal.  When winter gives way to spring, it brings a sigh of relief to the rancher knowing that feeding season is just about over with and livestock can be turned out to graze.  The cycle then begins anew, working fields to grow hay for another winter's season supply.  I will say this for metal horses - they don't eat hay!  

The horse has been used in art form  to represent the mystical to the practical.  Drawings of horses as unicorns and winged pegasus have been used to spark imagination and fantasy.  The horse is an icon of civilization, with cave drawings from ancient days and leading to the present day when artwork has shown the horse in varied roles, which tell a story.
- agriculture... whether pulling a wagon or used as a mount for a rider   
- transportation... was the pulling power used in transit from buggies to wagons
- war...  a soldier with four legs used for military operations
- religion...  used in symbolism such as the four horsemen of the Apocalypse 
- exploration... forging a trail in the discovery of new lands
- competition...  from rodeo to polo and all the equine events in between
- therapy...  used to help the disabled, from physical to psychological

Art forms are expressed through mediums in metal, sculptures in bronze,  paintings in oil, watercolor, pencil, pastel, photography and media expression - all depicting the magnificent horse in heart, in obedience, in freedom and in power.

Doris, my mother-in-law, also had artistic ability and loved to draw horses and nature scenes in her younger days. She has left tangible evidence of her talent in pencil and pastel drawings.  In particular, Doris created an intimate remembrance in art form of a horse she loved.  She used her talent to draw out of this love, a pencil portrait of Mazie that is hanging in her room at Valley View.   Our Doris is now in hospice care and it is with nostalgia that I present to you this sketching that she did of her beloved horse. She is making that final ride out of this world and into her true heavenly home where she'll meet up with Mazie again.  The enlarged photos show the signed name of  'Mazie 1951' and her simple signature, the initials D.C.  - Doris Clark at the time of this drawing....

I have written about Doris in several other posts (links listed below) in case you haven't seen them and are interested in viewing:
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2015/03/sands-of-time-and-doris.html
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/09/rosie-riveter-and-doris.html 
http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2014/04/valley-view-caregivers-baby-chicks.html

I hope you will join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks, on Monday May 25.   
Until then, I leave you with a great quote by Edgar Degas - "Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."  

Feathered Fun

After a frustrating few days trying to figure out what technical problems I encountered on my blog, finally enlisted help from Kevin, the computer guru of our local Oregon Telephone Company.  Thank you Kevin for getting The Turn-Up Patch up and running again.  Ahh!  Life is good!!   The following is my April 27th post - a few days late but I am delighted to report that the glitches are gone and we can move on to the more important things in life, like ducks.....

I am amazed at the variety of species that exist on earth. What a God we have as He fashioned the planet we live on as well as bringing forth humanity to co-exist with the diversity of life forms around us.  And as our eyes gaze heavenward, the countless stars and galaxies that await discovery.  "Thou great Thou art" indeed!

One such feathered life form is the duck, part of the waterfowl family including swans and geese.  Lucky for me I had my camera when I came across a group of ducks that were having quite a time playing in the water.  They seemed to be enjoying the moment of a good splash and doing what ducks do.  I was able to capture their fun and frolic from a distance using the reliable camera zoom without disturbing their safe place.  You can click on the photos for enlargement.

In the photo below, you can catch the determined eye of one of the ducks swimming towards an intended purpose, whether to catch and eat an unsuspecting insect or heading for shore.  They were entertaining to watch and seemed oblivious to my presence and the clicking noise of my camera.

I was curious as to what a duck symbolizes and I found out several things:
-  It is generally thought that a duck represents freedom and resourcefulness.  They can walk on the earth, swim in water and have the ability to fly.
-  Some cultures see a duck as a symbol of eternal life; the link between heaven and earth.

On the lighter side, I can't resist ending this post without using some duck humor.  Here goes...

Q:  What says, "Quick, Quick"?   a:  A duck with hiccups.
Q:  What's another name for a clever duck?   a:  A wise quacker.
Q:  What do you get if you cross a duck with fireworks?   a:  A firequacker.
Q:  What do you call two ducks and a cow?   a:  Quackers and milk.


Let's meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, May 11.  Until then, may all your days be bright.

Tulips + Bleeding Hearts = Love

I begin this post with a little background on two lovely flowers that I came across this week, the tulip and the bleeding heart.   These two perennial plants inspired me in writing today's message.  In looking up the symbolism of the tulip and bleeding heart, they both represent love.  

-    I discovered that the tulip is one of the world's most popular flowers and associated with the spring season.  A tulip symbolizes eternal life as well as signaling 'perfect love'.  Enchanting in its beauty and simplicity, the tulip originates from Persia and in the Netherlands.
-   The bleeding heart flower is a symbol of undying love. The flower also represents grace and fidelity.  Bleeding Hearts are symbolic of Christ's heart bleeding at the time of His death, when He was pierced with the lance.  The bleeding heart plant is native to regions of North America and eastern Asia.

I stopped by to visit friends recently and noticed their lovely garden already displaying signs of spring with these two particular flowers.  Carefully placed in the ground in separate garden spots, they showed off  their beauty and gave a welcoming atmosphere to those who wandered by.   These little miracles of life propelled me to write about these flowers and their gardeners, who are expressions of what the tulip and bleeding heart symbolize.

My two friends are an active extension of these flowers - they exude a welcoming spirit of love, grace and acceptance.  Just as they cultivate the ground and nurture the growth process in their garden, I find myself encouraged and supported to personally blossom in the camaraderie of their friendship.  They do not belong to any particular church and simply call themselves "vessels of the Lord".  In the company of these two vessels, there is an internal connection with Eternal Love and you somehow walk away feeling better by being in their presence.

"Then it was as if I suddenly saw the secret beauty of their hearts, the depth of their hearts where neither sin nor knowledge could reach, the core of reality, the person that each one is in the eyes of the divine.  If only they could see themselves as they really are, if only we could see each other that way all the time, there would be no more need for war; for hatred, for greed, for cruelty.  I suppose the big problem would be that we would fall down and worship each other." - Father Thomas Merton

I recently came across the above writing by Father Thomas Merton, who was a Trappist monk, author, poet and mystic.   As beautiful as this concept is that he puts forth, it is difficult to apply as a whole when you consider the acts of terrorism and evil exhibited in flawed humanity.  But what if, just if, it could be so.....


I hope you will join me next time for another visit at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, April 27.  

March Moments

The month of March has passed quickly, bringing its expectations and its surprises.  I'd like to share a few photos of some of the moments of this month before we begin new days coming up shortly in April...

The following pictures are of a little stud colt that was born on the ranch in the early morning hours on March 25.  I took these photos in the late afternoon when he was all cleaned off and found balance on all four legs. The foal appears to be a lineback dun in color and already is exhibiting signs of being a classy fellow.  Even though he is was barely a day old when these photos were taken,  he is ready to take the world on (as long as his mommy is close by).

Scenery along Highway 26 in Eastern Oregon can be beautiful.  You never know what will present itself for a camera opportunity.  The first photo was taken in the early morning hours as the sun was cresting its rays over the hillsides on a recent trip to Bend.  The golden hue was a delight to behold that dramatized the average display of color.  The second picture is a typical scene that you see in Grant County of the Blue Mountain Range.  This shot shows the mountains in veiled clouds that appeared with the morning rain as a backdrop to cattle grazing in fields next to the highway.

And here are a few fun animal photos to share with you.  The first was taken at a parking lot in the local town of John Day.  I spotted this wonderful St. Bernard dog who was sitting quite calmly in the driver's seat of his owners truck.  He looked quite content and with his size, filled up the whole seat and window space.  He looked at me to say... " Well, haven't you seen a dog drive before??"

And last, but not least is the below photo of "King Charlie" - or at least he thinks he is king as he surveys his surroundings from a high point on the post.  Charlie is our dog-cat who can easily fit in with the dogs as one of the boys, yet also be aloof on a post in typical cat independence.

As the moments of March have quickly passed by, it also gives reflection on this Lenten season.  Yesterday, being Palm Sunday, begins Holy Week in the Christian tradition and climaxes in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  I wrote a post on March 24, 2013 entitled 'The Omni of God'.  It shares a truth about the power of the Cross as it stretches from this present age and reaches into the abyss of space and time when creation began in the Omni of God.
I encourage you to read this post at http://www.turn-uppatch.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-omni-of-god.html

My next post at The Turn-Up Patch will be on Monday, April 13.  The celebration of Easter will be over with but the Resurrection remembrance of so great a Love lives forever in our hearts.  I wish you all a  BLESSED AND HAPPY EASTER  in the experience of new life!