Unblemished Love

God is Holy being the Divine, the Sacred.  God is also Whole being the Complete, the Perfect.  He truly is without spot or wrinkle; undamaged and faultless.  Humanity is flawed, blemished and broken.  How can one be reconciled to the other?  What bridge brought the two together?  Could it be the unblemished love that came from the Timeless One to subject Himself to time as humanity knows it.  The Word was made flesh and dwelt among us.  Infinity became finite to redeem and restore.  Jesus opened the pathway to oneness between the imperfect soul of mankind and the perfect Spirit of El Shaddai.  The veil in the temple was torn in two when Jesus gave up his last breath on the cross.  Jesus, the Sacrifice, became the power to split humanity's veil of darkness and be awakened to His resurrection of Light.

We have just celebrated Palm Sunday... the remembrance of the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem.  People were shouting Hosanna, "Save Now",  waving palm leaves and scattering them on the ground before the donkey that He was riding.  Some of these same people were shouting "Crucify Him" not many days later. 

The song, "When Love Comes Riding By", is a reminder of a Savior who seeks to bring His  unblemished love to any open heart who would receive and become whole ....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGzEJHv7-l0
The title of the song in the above video is "When Love Comes Riding By (Hosanna)".  Music and lyrics by ToddZero from his album Kid Heart.

Until we meet again in two weeks at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, April 9th.   Have a blessed Easter and may you experience newness of Life and Light in a new day of God's grace and mercy...


 

A March Foal

Little filly has arrived!   'Any day now' turned into a 3-week wait when our mare finally had her baby on March 5th.  Both mare and colt are doing fine.

I took these photos on the same day of the filly's birth date. The maternal mare presents her offspring in a guarded stance and consistently checks to make sure her baby is by her side in protection.  It was difficult to take pictures since the mare did not want me too close and was in constant movement with her baby.  I finally had to use the camera zoom to capture a few photos that show the bond of love already taking place...

 

Such awkward long legs trying to find footing in the first few attempts to stand up and then stay standing up.  Instinct kicks in as the baby colt makes it way to the mare's milk for the first sucklings in nourishment.  The last photo shows the true color of the colts legs, which is gray.  Sometimes, imperfect lighting within a photograph does not do justice to the actual coloring.  In all likelihood, this little filly will end up as a grullo/grulla dun.  This color is characterized by a gray coat with a black stripe marking down its back with typically dark mane and tail.  She will be a beauty as she matures.

Here's a quote to share with you that is a play on comparison of our animals friends....
                                               Cat looks down at a man
                                               Dog looks up at a man
                                               But a Horse,
                                               Looks a man square in the eye,
                                               and sees him as equal.


Hope to see you again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, March 26....
 
                                     
                                   

The Photo That Wasn't

For any of you who do photography as a professional, an amateur or a person who simply enjoys taking a picture for a memory - there are moments that go undocumented in a visible way.  Such is my story that only lives on in my mind's eye and is a constant reminder to have a camera always at hand to record an unplanned event.   

Such an event happened several weeks ago when our horses escaped to the neighbor's property across the road.  My husband, who is the horseman in the family, grabbed a halter and proceeded in plan to catch the tamest horse to lead in hopes that the others would follow.  I was positioned at the end of a hillside road that turned into the town of Mt. Vernon.  Eventually, I heard him call out something about being the piped piper (a person who induces others to follow).  Standing guard at my positioned point intent that no horse would break past me, here the 'horseman cometh' with a horse in tow and a trail of horses following.  It was quite mesmerizing to watch a string of nearly 35 head of horses trailing behind their human leader who now could only be detected by the bobbing of his cowboy hat as he walked in front of the herd.  They calmly moved along the path that leads to home, trusting in this man who feeds and oversees their care.  

I then realized that I missed a tremendous photo opportunity because of  a lack of  a camera to record the event.  No words can possibly tell you how it really looked but it lives on in my memory.  The best I can do is share a few photos with you that was taken last summer when this same horseman was moving his horses from a pasture onto the hillside.  If you look close enough, you'll spot a white cowboy hat among the herd in this first picture...

The below photo is the view as they came up on the hill.  As you can see, we live in beautiful country that is diverse with hills and valley, juniper trees and sagebrush.... and silence.  Blessed silence with no motor sounds from traffic noise, train whistles or busy sirens.

This story contains the dynamics of trust and familiarity.  The horses came to be familiar with their horseman and he gained their trust through interaction with them.  They also knew where they belonged in a place of safety and provision.  Oh yes, they did escape into an unknown place but their horseman came and brought them back to their belonging home.  If we equate this spiritually, the same dynamics of trust and familiarity stand out.  Trust in our Father God opens the door to relationship with Him and we become familiar with His ways.  There are times that we do 'escape' and find ourselves in an unknown place but our faithful God comes and leads us back on His pathway to the home of His heart.

See you in two weeks on Monday, March 12th where we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch....

Super Blue Blood Moon and.... God!

The Super Blue Blood Moon has come and gone and left many awed by the dynamics that occurred in the sky on January 31 of this year.  From the articles that I have read, this event has not graced the heaven-lies for viewing in the U.S.A  since 1866, one hundred fifty-two years ago.  The next viewing will occur on January 31, 2037 and will be visible in the United Kingdom, Europe, North America, Asia, Australia and parts of Africa.

Professional and amateur photographers alike were out to capture this celestial phenomena to share with the world and some, for personal memory.   I did take some shots but first, wanted to make a comparison of the cameras that are available to record history.  The one immediately below is not one I own but one that others may use to get some great shots full of detail and telescopic dimension. 

a 'big gun' camera - not mine!

This is my little 'big gun' camera with a built-in 42x telescopic lens. I do not claim to be a professional or semi-pro photographer with the equipping of a high-powered DSLR with all kinds of accessories for a precision photo.   I lack the patience to change lenses necessary for a particular image.  Since I 'shoot on the fly' (while in motion) and in spontaneity, I find this simple compact camera works for me. 

A little 'big gun' camera - mine!

The night sky was cloudy and the moon drifted in and out from behind the clouds on the evening of January 30th.  I was happy to snap these photos even though it was the night before the actual occurrence of the Super Blue Blood Moon. On the morning of the 31st, before 5:00 a.m over eastern Oregon skies, much to my disappointment, the cloud cover was so thick it obscured visibility of the eclipse and resulting blood moon.

Here are a few facts about the Super Blue Blood Moon to remember when it comes around to this part of the world for viewing once again.  This combination will not take place until January 31, 2037 and that is 19 years into the future from this present year....
                   -  Super-moon - when the orbiting body is closest to the earth 
                   -  Lunar Eclipse - when the moon passes into earth's shadow
                   -  Blood-moon - the whitish moon becomes red or ruddy brown when in full eclipse
                   -  Blue-moon - when two full moons happen in the same month

The Universe is unending in its mystery.  As cosmology in astronomy and astrophysics expand in knowledge, the more unending it becomes.  God, as Creator and in His infinity, is endless as well.  He is beyond our human comprehension - we learn in part but not fully in our human capacity of understanding.  It is only when we see Him face to face that the veil will be removed.  He is all in all.  Psalm 191 says.... "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands".

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, February 26....

January and Robins

Miracles come in all shapes and sizes and can range from small to big.  They can appear at unexpected times in a quiet or in a dynamic way.  They are usually signs of encouragement meant to give hope and joy to the recipient.  We need to notice our miracles that surround us daily.  There was one such miracle in my life recently.   I first heard the noise of chattering birds causing me to look out the kitchen window to see what was going on.  To my surprise, there were dozens of robins having a great time checking out the winter lawn in search of food.  They seemed to know where the worms were hiding!!  It was a delight to watch so many of them enjoying themselves in the back yard seemingly unafraid and industrious in purpose.  This scene has continued with afternoon visits from the robins on a daily basis.  This is pretty amazing to me since they arrived in early January.  Such a promise of spring, although we have had quite a mild winter in eastern Oregon so far.
I was able to get a few photos, particularly of this one little robin who was not eager to fly away and seemingly posed for me for profile shots....

The symbolic meaning of robins is renewal and new birth.  Not surprising that they are associated with spring.

Here are a few facts about the robin
                      - they fly at 17 to 32 mph 
                      - have about 2.900 feathers
                      - have an average life span of 1 year and 2 months, although in captivity, robins have     survived longer than 17 years.
                      - robins are omnivorous, eating everything from fruit to spiders but given a choice of any food, most robins like meal-worms best of all.


A saying by R. Tagore...  "Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark."   Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch on Monday, February 12th....

The Cat who Turned Up

I began a blog in November of 2012, a mere 5 years ago.  Perplexed as to what to title my new literary and photo adventure, my husband came up with the name "The Turn-Up Patch".  It was perfect!  We had a rescue cat that came to our door of that same month and we called her "Turnup", since she happened to turn up at our home.  She must have instinctively known to come to a ranch home that would soon provide her with all the love and comforts near and dear to her little feline heart....  

She quickly adapted from being a lost outdoor kitty to one who knew how to use a an indoor litter box with all the fringe benefits of more food than she could eat and a number of warm beds to curl up in comfort.  I don't have any idea of what happened to her in her 'before' life, as it is with most rescue animals.  She didn't appear to be abused - whether the previous owner simply dumped her to fend for herself or she somehow strayed and became lost is all unknown.  One thing was evident - she had been without food for days, leaving her vulnerable and timid in unfamiliar surroundings.   Happy to say that she is now quite the opposite and probably could lose a pound or two.

I took a few photos of her as she lounged close to December's Christmas tree with sparkling lights and glass ornaments.  She seemed to study the ornaments, trying to decide whether it was worth a swipe of her paw or simply to observe.

I am reminded of the comfort that an animal can give to a human heart.  We all have our favorites in the animal kingdom that opens into the discovery of friendship between critter and human.  How unlikely is that?  And how likely is it that God who is Creator of all, can delight the heart between human and animal despite the specie difference in appearance and sound.  

Here are just a few of many notable quotes regarding our four legged friends...

     Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened. - Anatole France

     Our perfect companions never have fewer than four feet. - Colette

     The greatness of a national and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated. - Mahatma Gandhi

     Some people talk to animals.  Not many listen though.  That's the problem. - A.A. Milne 

     An animal's eyes have the power to speak a great language. - Martin Buber

     Animals are such agreeable friends - they ask no questions, they pass no criticisms. - George Eliot 



Join me at The Turn-Up Patch in two more weeks, on Monday January 29th...  See you then! 

2018 - A Year to Fulfill

Time of 2017 in its moments, days, weeks and months have quickly turned and we find ourselves beginning anew on this 1st day of January in 2018.  Resolutions are made, some to be kept and some to be broken.  Reflections over the past year are thought about as to what is important and what is not with an eye towards future days that will make their own memories.

I would like to share with you a new year blessing written by Janet Rebhan...

"In this new year, 
- may you have a deep understanding of your true value and worth, 
- an absolute faith in your unlimited potential, 
- peace of mind in the midst of uncertainty, 
- the confidence to let go when you need to, 
- acceptance to replace your resistance, 
- gratitude to open your heart, 
- the strength of meet your challenges, 
- great love to replace your fear, 
- forgiveness and compassion for those who offend you, 
- clear sight to see your best and true path, 
- hope to dispel obscurity, 
- the conviction to make your dreams come true, 
- meaningful and rewarding synchonicities, 
- dear friends who truly know and love you, 
- a childlike trust in the benevolence of the universe, 
- the humility to remain teachable, 
- the wisdom to fully embrace your life exactly as it is, 
- the understanding that every soul has its own course to follow, 
- the discernment to recognize your own unique inner voice of truth and 
- the courage to learn to be still."  

And may we all grow deeper into the awareness of God's presence, making a difference in the time we have in 2018.    Join me again at The Turn-Up Patch in two weeks on Monday, January 15th.