Stargazer and Blue Moon

This past week, some friends gave me a beautiful flower out of their garden.  I was introduced to the Stargazer Lily.  It is beautiful to look at and the aroma fills the air with its fragrance.  To put the lily on display, I felt it needed a special vase and what better than a wine glass for a unique photo.  It also motivated me to find out more about this flower.

It is a combination of the Oriental and Asiatic lilies and the result is the best of both worlds in this exotic hybrid.  Leslie Woodruff, an American lily grower and breeder, introduced this creation - the stargazer lily in 1978.  He named it "stargazer" because of the way the blooms of this lily point toward the sky.  The stargazer lily can also be called heaven scent for its fragrance. 

It is a symbol of perfection, high hopes, optimism and limitless possibilities.  It also represents prosperity and abundance, conveying a message of honor.  It can symbolize the fulfillment of a dream.  It is an exquisite flower with positive meanings in the mystical ideas of symbolism.  But there is one thing that is in its disfavor - the stargazer lily is toxic to cats!  Beware and don't let your feline friends try a taste of this lily......

As we lift our eyes from the stargazer lily and look heavenward, a rare event occurred in July - two full moons in the same month.  On July 31, we were treated to a blue moon.  Of course I was out with my camera trying to get a good shot of a so called blue moon.  Disappointed, I saw that it was the ordinary standard moon color.  Of course I rushed to google to find out why the moon wasn't blue.  Google sources stated that when a moon does take on a bluish hue, it is because of smoke or dust particles in the atmosphere.  Since there are no raging wildfires happening in our area right now... thank God!... I won't be able to test out that theory of a blue hued moon.  I took the below photos at different times - late night and early morning shots, looking for any change in color.  As you can tell there is not much difference except the early morning has a lighter tone to it. Also the pock marks of the moon are a little different in position as the moon orbited the earth from the Eastern to the Western horizons when I took these shots.  And yes, the expression of "once in a blue moon" means a rare event.
 

July 31, 2015 around 10:30 p.m.

August 1, 2015 around 3:30 a.m.

I close this post with a few photos a little closer to earth!  These were taken on Highway 26 between John Day and Prairie City.   A horticulture business cleverly put together an old truck loaded with flowers and a fake figure waving to ongoing traffic.  It does catch your attention in advertising their nursery.  A wagon behind the truck was overflowing with color produced by gorgeous blossoms.  It's quite a sight and makes you want to stop and take a closer look for a photo or consider purchasing a few of their variety of plants, flowers or trees.

 

Here is a quote by Jim Lovell (former astronaut) to ponder on:  "The lunar flights give you a correct perception of our existence.  You look back at Earth from the moon, and you can put your thumb up to the window and hide the Earth behind your thumb.  Everything you've ever known is behind your thumb, and that blue-and-white ball is orbiting a rather normal star, tucked away on the outer edge of a galaxy."

Whether it be a stargazer lily, a blue moon, galaxies, earth or summer blossoms, God is all in all!

Let's meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, August 17.   Until then enjoy these August days and experience special moments along the way....

 

 

With its exotic good looks and heavenly fragrance, Stargazer makes a real showing in the garden… or in a vase. Huge, 6–7" flowers appear in abundance and turn their gorgeous faces to the sky. Their brilliant pink petals are liberally freckled with dark pink and feature snowy-white edging.

With their breathtaking beauty and sweet perfume, - See more at: http://www.brecks.com/product/Stargazer-Lily/Lily_Flower_Bulbs_#sthash.m8gjdHPb.dpuf

With its exotic good looks and heavenly fragrance, Stargazer makes a real showing in the garden… or in a vase. Huge, 6–7" flowers appear in abundance and turn their gorgeous faces to the sky. Their brilliant pink petals are liberally freckled with dark pink and feature snowy-white edging.

With their breathtaking beauty and sweet perfume, - See more at: http://www.brecks.com/product/Stargazer-Lily/Lily_Flower_Bulbs_#sthash.m8gjdHPb.dpuf

With its exotic good looks and heavenly fragrance, Stargazer makes a real showing in the garden… or in a vase. Huge, 6–7" flowers appear in abundance and turn their gorgeous faces to the sky. Their brilliant pink petals are liberally freckled with dark pink and feature snowy-white edging.

With their breathtaking beauty and sweet perfume - See more at: http://www.brecks.com/product/Stargazer-Lily/Lily_Flower_Bulbs_#sthash.JNS6QVCR.dpulflflflflflf

Humor

We all need humor in this world! And as diversified as humanity is, humor can be found according to our personal whims as to what "tickles our funny bone".  Humor is defined as that which is intended to induce laughter or amusement.  Laughter can bubble up from the profound to the profain, depending on the context and inclination.  Just listening to a child's laughter is good for the soul - there is nothing like hearing this innocent sound that can in turn, make you join in the good fun of simply laughing.  There is a proverb 17:22... "a merry heart doeth good as a medicine....".  

I was pleasantly surprised to learn this week that my favorite comic strip "Bloom Country and Outland" is coming back after a 25 year hiatus.  Through comic depictions, a perception of life is given out of the mind of its creator, Berkeley Breathed.  It is a satire that leaves no stone unturned as far as the 'stuff of life' is concerned. Anything is fair game in current affairs and some may call it 
'politically incorrect',  which can be a breath of fresh air during this time of increasingly extreme 'correctness'.  Situations take form as interpreted through his cartoon characters, one such being as "Opus",  a penguin who is a little weird but loveable. 

He's b-a-a-a-c-k!!

Flossing mind tartar!

 
The world hasn't changed much in 25 years - yes, technology has sky rocketed but the human condition has not in war and violence as depicted in the above comic strip.  As it was then and is now, after watching the news, how often do we need our 'dandelion break' and go to that secret place to find inner peace.

"A heart at peace gives life to the body...", Proverbs 14:30.  That sanctuary or place within where we draw from the presence of God, saturates us in His peace.  Our anxieties are quieted down and well-being is the result as we still ourselves in His Spirit. When Jesus walked this earth in human flesh, he also experienced human emotion, to name a few - sorrow, fear, hunger, thirst, compassion, and yes, even laughter.  I love the pictures of a laughing Jesus as artists have drawn or painted their imagery as to how Jesus could look in the emotion of gladness or humor.

There are times not to take each other or oneself too seriously.  We all need a good laugh now and then - our world seems to become a lighter place when humor can be used to dispel all sorts of negativity that would pull us down.  The below description of laughter is a beautiful explanation of what laughter is and does.....

Click on the link below to find out more about Bloom County.  You may or may not enjoy but give Opus a try - you might find yourself smiling....
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/07/13/422545636/bloom-county-2015-berkeley-breathed-revives-comic-strip

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday August 3, may you experience gladness of heart in your days....

Nothing Worth Having Comes Easy

I found this quote recently... "Nothing worth having comes easy", a rather true statement for anyone who has a personal vision, purpose or goal in their life.  It takes dedication, commitment and hard work to turn a dream into a reality.  It also takes patience and perseverance to overcome disappointments that seemingly block the intended outcome.  But inward passion is the thrust that leaps over hurdles, never losing sight of the desired goal.  Goals come in a variety of shapes and sizes but each one speaks personally to the inner heart of a man, woman and child.  Once a person finds their inclination, it becomes their inspiration towards a particular calling or a career.  Some may not realize their dream and struggle just to survive.  It all lies within the setting of freedom - the environment necessary to make dreams come true in choice and opportunity. 

For those who are in the profession of rancher and farmer, such hard work is apparent in preparation for the coming winter months.  As you drive through the John Day Valley, the green pastures of spring and irrigated fields of summer are in varied stages in the production of hay.  Grass and alfalfa fields are cut down in tidy rows awaiting the drying process before being bundled into bales of hay for livestock feeding. This is a simplified version of just one facet necessary in raising livestock.  It is a cycle of activity for those involved in this lifestyle.  And it takes a certain kind of individual to like this kind of life - to have that passion despite the ills that can come with it.   

Several weeks ago, the horses were moving across the fields, oblivious to the human effort in keeping them well fed throughout the year including the ensuing winter.  But they did make a nice photo shoot!

Yes! nothing worth having comes easy.  "For God so loved the world, He gave His only begotten Son...." (John 3:16).

Join me in two weeks on Monday, July 20th for more musings at The Turn-Up Patch.

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."