Tiny-Might and the Mechanical Horse

Welcome back to The Turn-Up Patch!   I took a break from my blog for personal refreshment and to gather new material in photos and words to share with you.  I hope you will continue to visit my site as we begin anew.....

Tiny-Might

I'd like to introduce you to a little bird with a lot of resourcefulness and spunk.  This bird caught my attention with her loud chattering and flying back and forth to the deck of the house.  What really peaked my interest is that she would fly over to the mechanical riding horse situated on the deck.  I call her 'Tiny-Might' because she is bold with purpose and doesn't hesitate to scold if we get too close to her domain, being the horse.  She  usually carries a small twig or stem in her beak as she flies from fence-post to fence-post, making her way to the house.  Trying to be invisible, I would wait on the deck for her and try to take some photos as she would fly to her horse.  She became used to my presence and I was able to capture a few pictures as she made her way first to the reins and then to the bit.

the rein

the bit

It occurred to me that Tiny-Might was building a nest but where???   When she flew away, I grabbed a flashlight and looked deep into the horse's mouth and noticed a few twigs that were tucked way behind the bit.  Now how did she ever discover such a place to build a safe haven to hatch out baby birds.  It's not a very glamorous photo of an old hobby horse's mouth, but if you look close enough, you will spot a twig or two in the darkness behind the bit.

This is an unfolding story.  Of course the mechanical horse will not be in operation for awhile.  It  definitely has another purpose by providing shelter for a little bird's ingenuity in her quest to nest.


                                                                Join me back at the Turn-Up Patch in two weeks.  
Since we will be celebrating July 4th this week, have a blessed one with family and friends in remembrance.....

Alone in a Crowd?

Have you ever felt alone in a crowd? 
 

A few years ago, a pig wandered into a pasture where we kept yearling colts.  The colts quickly gathered around this little 'piggy', giving him (or her) a thorough checking out since they hadn't seen anything quite like this before.  The pig seemed unafraid and actually appeared to enjoy all the attention.  The colts took their time sniffing out this odd creation with a different look and smell.  Eventually, they became disinterested and left the pig to find its way home.  I took a photo while all this was happening and captioned it... 'alone in a crowd'.  I was reminded of this again, only through a different variant of life.  My eye caught sight of one lone white tree that stood out in a forest of junipers, all stoic against the green hillside.

Nature has a way of presenting a story that we can relate to our own lives...  in this case, being alone in a crowd.  I would venture to say that we all have had this feeling at one time or another in a particular type of gathering.  It can become a matter of paradox - to be alone and to be lonely.   It is good to be an individual, one who is confident of his or her own person, not to be swayed by the crowd. These ones recognize their own worth in their difference and do not yield to intimidation.  Solidarity with God gives an inward assurance to be true to self.  This is a strength but it is not without moments of loneliness, for it is difficult to find connection when there is disconnect in perception and understanding with another or others.

I decided to end on a humorous note.  It's not exactly profound but it is a proof in point -  it's good to laugh at yourself, with yourself or by yourself and occasionally with someone who has the same sense of humor....

Until we meet again at The Turn-Up Patch, have blessed days ahead......  😊

Magic - Worthy Brewing - Hopservatory

Magic - Worthy Brewing - Hopservatory.... a strange title for this post.  Actually, all three of these dynamics were experienced in one setting.  Let me introduce you to the first dynamic - his name is Magic.  I learned that he is a Bernese Mountain Dog, one of four breeds originating from the Swiss Alps.  Imagine discovering this 110 pound dog in a brewery setting in Bend, Oregon.  Managed by his owner, he was quite social making friends with patio patrons and occasionally being rewarded with pizza for his good behavior.  I understand why the owner calls his dog Magic because of the distinct charm and appearance that sets this breed apart from the canine population.

Moving on to the second dynamic -  Magic was at the Worthy Brewing Company socializing with young and old alike in a patio setting where people gathered for food and beverage. Since it is a brewery, there are different types and flavors of specialized ale as well as wine and non-alcoholic drinks.  The atmosphere is cozy with fire pits and lighting in the cool of the evening.  Occasionally, they have live bands to entertain the crowd through listening and dancing.  For more information, check out one of their links: https://worthybrewing.com/about-us/

And now the the third dynamic - the Hopservatory!  Quite a clever way of distinguishing it in name from observatory, which is what it is.  There are stairs on the outside of the hopservatory that take you to the inside viewing area.  A guide is there to explain a star gazing event that you can look at  through the dome's telescope.  For more information with viewing days and times, check out this article.... https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/eat-drink/beer-breweries/stargaze-at-worthy-brewings-hopservatory/

Inside Hopservatory Dome

We are blessed to live in Eastern Oregon where high desert country meets the Blue Mountain range.  However, the downside to residing in a small community are frequent trips to Central Oregon for specialized doctoring and shopping.  It is a three-hour drive (one way) to Bend.  Highway 26 with its curvy mountain two-lane road becomes a familiar route.  The lure of Bend with city amenities can also bring new discoveries such as 'Magic - Worthy Brewing - Hopservatory' that makes the trip worthwhile.

A quote from Anna Vasily - "Be a seeker of everyday magic".  Magic comes in many forms in God's creation.  It can be a beautiful sunset or sunrise, a fresh flower, the smell of rain, a child's smile, the pleasure of sound or sight or touch or.... a dog that licks your hand who bears the name of Magic.


Until we meet again, hope you will 'travel up' and meet me at The Turn-Up Patch in three weeks on Monday, April 29th.


 

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....