A Moon for the Season

We 'earthlings' have been privileged to have three super-moons grace our skies during the first three months of 2019.  Perhaps where you live, you were able to view each one.  In January and February, clouds and stormy weather obscured Grant County from any visibility due to stormy cloud cover.  However, last week on March 20th, we were actually privileged to see the Super Worm Moon. Surprise for our area!  It was an actual viewing delight since there was little cloud cover both in the early morning and evening hours.  To caption what a super worm moon is about....
          - moon is called super when it is closest to earth in its orbit, making it appear large and brighter.
          - the full moon in March is always known as the "worm moon" because it marks the time of  year when earthworms begin to come out in the soil.

These first two photos were taken during predawn hours of March 20th as the moon was setting in the west before it disappeared into the horizon.

This year's Super Worm Moon also falls on the day of the Spring Equinox for the first time in 19 years.  Simply put, the Spring Equinox means the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.  How wonderful to have spring ushered in with the Super Worm Moon.  It's been a rough winter in many places and the promise of spring brings eagerness for warmer weather and nature's renewal.

The below photos were taken during the evening hours on March 20th.  The clouds came into play in the night sky that seemingly danced around the moon.  It lent an artistic quality as if a painter's brush touched the canvas of the sky in a unique cosmic design.

As you look at these photos, I challenge you to find noise.  The discernible noise could be found in our own thoughts but that is separate from the actual scenes in these pictures.  Mother Teresa said this, "We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence... We need silence to be able to touch souls." 

I hope you will return to The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks for our next time together on Monday, April 8...

Icicle Cloud Perspective

February has been an exceptionally snowy month in Eastern Oregon as it has been in many other parts of the nation.  Winter has been fierce in storms and inconvenience.  Traveling through our mountain roads can be hazardous and many choose to stay home rather than pit their driving skills against the elements.  Occasionally, the more adventurous cannot ignore the allure of winter sports and master the weather in the fun of snowmobiling, skiing and sledding in nearby locales.  The rest of us are content to gather around the warmth of a wood stove, grateful to be indoors and watch the snow fall through the window pane.

I took this photo from inside the house.  As I looked out the kitchen window on a rare day of blue sky and sunshine, I noticed this icicle formation that seemed to appear from the sky.  It had its own cloud effect that seemingly reached from the sky to the earth with tendrils of frozen water.  This wonderful creation of ice was attached to the eaves of the roof giving an illusory appearance with the help of camera angle perspective.

Perspective simply means the ability to view.  It can be defined in actual visual sight or characterized from internal human experience.  A mountain can be viewed from different angles, each having contrasting descriptions, yet it is the same mountain.  Human perspective is more difficult, as an experience can shade how we internalize 'truth'.  It can heal or hurt.  Prejudices can be formed, opinions made, conclusions drawn, positions taken.  What is the antidote for this?  How can objectivity arise?

On a clear day

Rise and look around you

And you'll see who you are

On a clear day

How it will astound you

That the glow of your being

Outshines every star

You'll feel part of every mountain sea and shore

You can hear 

From far and near

A word you've never, never heard before...

And on a clear day... On a clear day..

You can see forever...

and ever...

And ever more...

(Writers:  Lerner Alan Jay, Lane Burton)

Billy Graham says it this way....

"Never forget that God isn't bound by time the way we are.

We see only the present moment; God sees everything.

We see only part of what He is doing; He sees it all." 

COME!  Join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, March 25th....

Mountains and Majesty

I have always been fascinated by mountains seemingly set apart from the land as a tower reaching to the sky.   There are many mountain ranges that intersect the nation and the world in their varied formations that leave a feeling of awe.  In my blog, I have written several posts about mountains that I have been privileged to live near or travel through, some being the Blue Mountain Range in Eastern Oregon, the Rocky Mountain Range in Alberta, Canada and the Grand Tetons in Wyoming.  Each are commanding in presence that draws respect from a mere mortal.

On a recent journey into Nevada, there is the Santa Rosa Range that is situated along U.S. Highway 95 from the Oregon border into the area of the quaint town of Winnemucca.  I will stop here for a quick explanation of that name..  It was named after Chief Winnemucca of the local Northern Paiute tribe who lived in this area in the 19th century.  Winnemucca, loosely translated, means "one moccasin." 
Arising from the desert floor, a contrast of snow, sunlight and shadow contoured in the mountains of the Santa Rosa Range made for a beautiful sight.

Mountains are symbolic as they point to the power and reliability of the God who made them.  They are a testament to the supreme and omnipotent Creator.  A quote by Anatoli Boukreev, "Mountains are not stadiums where I satisfy my ambition to achieve, they are cathedrals where I practise my religion."

 Join me at the Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, March 11th...

The Humble Dove

Today's post reflects on a bird that has had quite it's claim to fame by the many symbolic meanings that has been attached to it.  Throughout the ages, the dove has been representative of peace and love.  Innocence, purity, hope and renewal are also symbolic adjectives that illustrate what the dove represents.  This small bird, part of the pigeon family, hardly seems likely to be the carrier of defining moments throughout history.  Lacking the majesty of an eagle with its' amazing sight, speed and power, the dove is humble in comparison.

They mate for life and are devoted parents to their offspring known as squeakers (honest!). Since they are not predators, the dove is a harmless bird and feeds on fruits, plants and seeds. They give a sense of freedom and are excellent navigators in the capacity of courier.  Perhaps, because of the very nature of the dove, the bird was chosen to be a significant messenger in the course of human events.

Photo by Roger Williams

The dove is used as a symbol defining the presence of God.  In the scriptures, the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus in the form of a dove, when he was baptized in the Jordon.  A voice came from heaven, "You are my beloved Son, in you I am well pleased".  The dove is used in visual declaration that binds the divine in Father, Son and Holy Spirit and to become one with us in spiritual rebirth.

In ancient days, there was a flood that destroyed the earth detailed in Genesis as recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible.  Only an ark and those on it were saved from the devastating waters.  Eventually, a dove was released from Noah's Ark and returned with an olive leaf indicating that the waters were beginning to recede.  The combination of the dove and the olive branch became enduring symbols of the sign of life, new beginnings and deliverance.

Come!  You are invited to join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, February 25th.   Until then....

Living Moments In Picture

Cameras are a wonderful invention that tell stories in photography.  The subjects are limitless - from God's creations in multiple forms to preserving memories or capturing an expression of heart. They can be used to show humanity on their best day as well as on their worst. Recently, several photos have come my way that made me reflect on a deeper level.  More than just lovely photographs, they deserve further attention than a casual glance. The content makes the ordinary leap into extraordinary as each emits a sentiment in life.

This picture shows a beloved expression between two siblings saying goodby.  It was sister's first day of school and little brother was having a hard time letting her go.  The photograph was taken by a friend of mine who is mother of these two beautiful children.  Through the eyes of her camera, she was able to catch an unposed moment shared by sister and brother.  There is a sweet innocence in this living moment that makes me think of God's intended plan as to how we should be with one another.  

A quote comes to mind by Robert Frank..."There is one thing the photograph must contain, the humanity of the moment".

Photo by Kim Carone

This next picture was taken in Malta by another friend, Fr. Julian Cassar, who also shares interest in photography and began his own blog seven years ago.  He uses his talent with photos and messages to inspire and uplift his readers.  Father Julian spent 35 years in priestly ministry in the United States serving parishes in New York and Oregon before returning to his homeland of Malta.  He presently ministers as chaplain at 'Risen Christ' Hilltop Gardens Chapel in Naxxar.

The photo is part of his reflection entitled "1000 Posts".   He writes in part, quote.... "As a cover photo today I use a photo I took last Saturday on a photography outing to the remaining limited countryside in rural Malta.  I found this man sitting alone, with just nature around him, no wires, no tower cranes, no cell towers, but just himself, his God and a peaceful atmosphere around nature's blessing." 

Photo by Fr Julian Cassar

 To read Fr. Julian's post in its entirety, check out his blog link...  http://dungiljan.blogspot.com/2019/01/1000-posts.html

I can identify with this quote by Diane Arbus, "Taking pictures is like tiptoeing into the kitchen late at night and stealing Oreo cookies."    Regarding this quote, you have to really like Oreo cookies to understand! 
Meet me at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, February 11th...   Until then, God bless you in your living moments in the days ahead.

Redemption, Humpty Dumpty and Kintsugi

The post today is based on several scriptures.... 'Yet you, LORD, are our Father.  We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand' - Isaiah 64:8  and another.... 'You have turned things upside down, as if the potter were regarded as clay.  Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"?  Can the pottery say of the potter, "He has no understanding"? - Isaiah 29:16

The first scripture is in recognition by the created unto the Creator for forming humankind and making man and woman in His own image as described in Genesis.  The second scripture presents a dichotomy as it is in opposition to the Creator by the created.  Pride and rebellion entered humanity through influence of darkness and thought themselves to be as God.  Conflict began in the garden of Eden and continues to this current day.  Humanity became flawed, broken and much damage is done to one another and to oneself in the battle of good vs evil.

The nursery tale of Humpty Dumpty who sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; All the king's horses and all the king's men, Couldn't put Humpty together again. Quite the situation of mankind.  But God in His wisdom and love already had a plan to put His beloved humanity back together again.  According to scripture, God sent His only Son to take on the flesh of humanity, yet containing the spiritual embodiment of His Father. We call Him, Jesus - this King of Kings and Lord of Lords who can put a broken vessel back together again.

Redemption comes to us on an individual basis to choose or not to choose.  By the Spirit of God, we can be made whole again in constant restoration.  There is a Japanese art of fixing broken pottery called Kintsugi that means golden repair.  It is the centuries-old Japanese art of joining broken pieces of pottery with a lacquer dusted in powdered gold, silver, or platinum.

There is a unique appearance to each individual piece of pottery.  Fractures and breaks are seamed together and makes the repaired piece beautiful and revitalized with new life.  And so it is with  Divine fusion that can restore and give new life to a broken vessel.

Come!  I invite you to join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two more weeks for my next posting on Monday, January 28....

Blanket of Snow, Blanket of Love

Christmas is the gateway into the new year.   As the new year approaches seven days later, it is good to take the celebration of Christ and carry its spiritual momentum into the days and months of 2019.  As the angels declared good tidings and joy with the birth of Christ unto humanity, may it become a living reality in bringing hope and peace in our daily lives.  Just as new-fallen snow blankets nature may His Presence, in the blanket of love, provide shelter from anxieties and storms of life.

New fallen snow came to Grant County this past week and with its arrival brought beauty to the countryside and fun in winter recreation.  I don't have to travel far to capture a beautiful photo moment, since these were taken from the front yard.  Not such a delight for travelers on winter roads but for those who live in winter climates, they are prepared with snow tires/chains and maneuver the winter roads with dexterity.

There are several quotes that I end this post with.  Combined, there is a message of God's love for one and for all.....  "A snowflake is one of God's most fragile creations, but look what they can do when they stick together! (anonymous)
God loves each of us if there were only one of us. (St. Augustine)

I'm sorry I did not show up for my December 17th post but will try to keep our regular 'date' every two weeks in 2019, starting on Monday, January 14....