The absence of zinnias, monarchs, and vibrant greens make me long for summer. So, I decided to reveal some color to offset the dull hues of winter’s landscape. Not that winter can’t be beautiful, especially in the mountains, but here we have had little snow or color-just drab days and cold nights. Here are a few images taken last summer in our flower garden. There are so many more to reveal, but less is usually best. Think warm!
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Memories
He leaned heavily toward the house and could have done considerable damage to the structure and overhead utilities. So, he had to go, as painful as it was to make the decision to take him down. I arranged the felling of this tree, paid for it’s removal, and even assisted the forester. Cheryl was sad to see him go as she and her siblings played under his branches when they were children. Memories remain even though the curled bark can no longer be touched nor the trunk scaled and branches climbed.
If this big tree could talk, he would speak of fields full of crops and of farming. He witnessed yearly plantings and harvests, grazing animals, and a farmstead with family members fulfilling their chores and friends sharing picnic lunches. Many a sunny day bathed this tree’s leaves while rain and snow drenched his roots. This old boy provided shelter for birds and squirrels who built countless nests in his secure branches. He knew the sounds of children’s laughter swinging high above the earth on homemade rope swings. This once proud maple eventually witnessed the development of a housing subdivision in the late 1950’s. Farmland was replaced by neatly organized neighborhoods with modern streets, utilities, houses and nearby amenities. Yet, he remained standing-like a sentinel.
Eventually, the process of rotting began within his lower trunk, thus reducing the ability of this tree to support the upper trunks and branches as they leaned uncomfortably toward the house. Yet, in spite of this gradual deterioration, he still managed to stand tall, grow leaves in the spring, and even provide a home for raccoons and opossums.
However, there comes a time when the risk outweighs the benefit and he had to be taken down. Watching this 125+ year old maple reduced to firewood made me think about life…and memories. Since there is no Fountain of Youth to drink from, no eternal elixir to be swallowed, and no magical spell which will stop aging; much of what will remain when we leave this home we call Earth are memories. In some cases there may be ongoing programs and inventions created by individuals, and great legacies of victories and cures. However, when one is remembered and even honored, the memories reign supreme.
Although my father fell 32 years ago, his birthday anniversary is today, February 4th. He would be 92 had he reached this day. I am grateful to have known him in a positive sort of way, and to have been loved by him even though I was only a young father when he died. To be sure, I recognize that all memories may not be pleasant for some, and may often be very painful to visit. Too many children don’t even know their father which is a travesty. However, my hope is for all of your future ones to be filled with much joy and fondness. Never take for granted the sweet moments when wonderful memories can be made, and then act upon them like there is no tomorrow. Spring is just around the corner!
Rusty
There is something about the majesty of a horse which has always captured my attention. Although I have never owned one (my sisters have), I admire their valiant appearance, renowned deeds of bravado and strength, and often a touch of grace.
This setting is idyllic, except for the drab effects of winter’s grays and browns. The wide open field, clear pond and a splattering of trees among the hillside make for a painter’s eye to capture and her hand to recreate as she chooses. Since I don’t paint, my simple photographs will have to do. I just wanted to share him with you.
Rusty, as I have named him due to the obvious color, is one of three equines which can be found most days grazing or lying on the field of grass near the fence, next to a busy road. He is a curious fellow and doesn’t mind me approaching him with camera in hand. I suppose one could describe him as friendly and inquisitive. He is also quite handsome.
Insignificant?
Insignificant? Not exactly. Although this stair looks like a multitude of ancient stone paths found throughout the world, it has historic significance. This is one of many stairways which lead to the top of a town called Stradinsky Buk in Croatia. This ancient city was the first town in the entire world to be illuminated with lights powered by electricity from nearby Lake Krka. Nicholas Tesla built a generating plant at the waterfalls of the lake which created AC current, exactly at the same time Thomas Edison was creating a DC generating plant in New York. Edison finished his generating facility first, but Tesla beat him to actually distributing power for street lights.
By the look of this old city, one would never guess the importance of such a major achievement. If you were to walk down the streets and alleyways of this old city, you would find a town which looked much as it did hundreds of years ago. This fact just goes to show that one cannot judge a city, a book or even a person by its mere cover. All have significance…including you.
Sprockets & Wheels
Sprockets are wheels with teeth circumventing the exterior edge of the wheel. The function of sprockets is to make moving something with force easier or to connect two or more sprockets together so that multiple things can move in sync. Sprockets are synonymous with gears in many instances.
Wheels are sprockets without the teeth and are created to rotate in order to move something. Wheels generally have a rubber compound adhered to its outer edge to create a smoother and quieter rolling experience. Often sprockets and gears are used to make wheels turn via some external force. Wheels are sometimes referred to as discs, hoops or rings.
These bicycles have many sprockets and wheels. They are rusting. They are not moving, nor have they for a while. The one thing they have in common besides the obvious is that they are not being used for their intended purpose which is to propel people to various places faster and with more ease than walking or running.
The above elementary descriptions about sprockets, wheels and bikes are offered as a reminder that we, as human beings, have many parts which are meant for specific purposes. Legs and feet to push the pedals which turn the sprockets that turn the wheels-all for the purpose of traveling somewhere. Arms and hands are used to steer and stop the bicycle. If you own a bike, do you ride it? Do you let it sit outside and rust? Is it broken, perhaps? Or, is it clean, well-maintained, stored indoors and ridden regularly?
If the essential aspects of our lives are not regularly used for their intended purposes and taken care of, they will deteriorate similar to these bicycles. I see this dynamic played out in certain parts of my life, and I don’t like it. However, I can do something about it. As with these bikes, rust can be removed, sprockets and chains oiled and tightened, wheels adjusted and tires filled with air, and so on. As with me, bad habits can be replaced with new and better ones. Talents which have layed dormant can be resurrected. Relationships once thought dead can be restored. New horizons of learning and exploring can become exciting adventures. All with the result of movement being made in the right direction. And, the ride can become quite enjoyable again. By the way, don’t miss the name of the closest bike…Free Spirit. Rather appropriate, isn’t it !
Just for the Fun of it !
Checkout this chick. She is strutting her stuff, and looking good !
Who says you have to wake up to a bad hair day? Not this gal.
Working For A Livin’
When the platinum song-writing, country music group, Alabama, was turning out one hit after another for well over a decade, they created a song which celebrated the work ethic of many Americans. The title was Forty Hour Week For a Livin’. The first stanza starts like this:
There are people in this country who work hard every day
Not for fame or fortune do they strive
But the fruits of their labor
Are worth more than their pay
And it’s time a few of them were recognized
Alabama cited auto workers, steel mill workers, carpenters, sales counter workers, fire fighters, mail carriers, wheat field farmers, coal miners, truck drivers, waitresses, mechanics, policemen and everyone behind the scenes. Of course it would have been an hour long song if most jobs were listed, but the point was made.
I captured these guys working in freezing temps with a hefty wind chill as they (and others on the ground) installed a new utility pole near our home. They cut the power and transferred a transformer and high voltage lines, as well as installed guy wires and brackets for various cable companies. I didn’t ask, but beards and sunglasses, along with all of the standard gear and safety equipment, must be mandatory. Ha! I thought of the words to the Alabama song as soon as I saw these men working in pretty poor conditions. I’m sure they make good money, but more than that, they represent what hard work is all about. While there are some in this country who don’t have a clue as to this concept, please note that there are plenty more who do. The last stanza of Alabama’s tribute goes like this:
With a spirit you can’t replace with no machine
Hello America, let me thank you for your time…
I, too, thank many for their hard work, especially those who place their lives in harm’s way or receive little recognition for their labors.
Glistening Twigs
The ice and snow didn’t wait until 2016 to fall on our fair city, but nature was gentle with us, as we didn’t get blasted like much of the country has. Just the usual cold front with nasty winds, driving sleet and blowing snow, but the end result was only a small amount of moisture. No doubt, there will be more to come. Not in a hurry, though.
As I stepped outside to shovel I was reminded how striking ice on tree branches can appear when sunlight illuminates both. With only minutes to spare before the sun’s rays began melting away nature’s artwork, I snapped a few images. Frozen water on wooden twigs…simple, yet astounding beauty !
May your new year be filled with wonderful surprises !!!
The Soul of a Coffee Shop
While visiting a well-known-chain coffee shop during the Christmas holiday, I decided to sit for a while and enjoy my drink rather than scoot out the door to my next destination.
The cacophony of sounds which embellished this locale reminded me of an orchestra tuning their instruments prior to a performance. At first the sounds seemed like unorganized noise – and could even be considered annoying if in a grumpy mood. But since I slowed down that morning, I heard instead, a strange harmony.
As I listened, I heard eclectic Christmas music playing through the overhead speakers; steamers making hot milk and froth for lattes and cappuccinos; employees taking and repeating orders; a middle-aged man talking with a younger man about weekly events and faith (a Bible lay on the table); two men sharing stories at a perimeter table; the gentle clicking of a young woman typing away on her laptop; the shuffling of the morning newspaper; and the constant stream of people coming and going while exchanging pleasantries and orders with the staff. And, of course, continuous texting.
Most of the customers were in a hurry, but a few not so much. They seemed to be the frequent visitors known by manager and employees alike. There were somber-looking people and joy-filled souls, and preoccupied folk from all walks of life. Some ordered regular coffee, but most selected specialty drinks, custom-made to their particular tastes. Many of these specialty drinks are rather expensive, too, but this is an affluent community and the average customer wants for little materially. Nevertheless, there are needs…there always are.
As I sat listening and watching the steady flow of consumers and busy staff, I realized that this coffee shop (like most) represents a cross-section of our current culture. Some of the people I witnessed could be on the verge of a collapse: emotional, relational, career-wise, health related or possibly financial. Most, I suspect, struggle with something. I certainly do. This much I know…everyone has a story. Some are tragic while some are remarkable and inspiring. Most fall somewhere in between. Perhaps this is why we are drawn to the exceptional, the heroic, and the inspirational. Average can seem so boring.
If we are honest, the majority of us see ourselves as average – and we probably are. There is nothing wrong with that, for without average, we wouldn’t have exceptional. Those who are exceptional-who excel above most-are flaunted and often placed on precarious pedestals of admiration. To be considered the best or most popular at something is alluring. Haven’t we all thought what it would be like to be the best athlete, musician, surgeon, writer, race car driver, entertainer, etc.? And yet, if we actually achieved this vaulted status, we would become susceptible to a host of potential problems, such as loss of privacy, inflated egos, self-absorption, detachment from average people and average lives, forgetting those in poverty, and the list goes on. We’ve all read stories of celebrities and athletes who still struggle to find love and acceptance, despite having achieved fame and worldly success. So many dream of achieving some sort of remarkable status or gaining peace of mind, but, instead, find ourselves miserable, especially during the holidays.
I think most of us try too hard in just about everything we do. Whether at work, at home or at play, we push-push-push until we have nothing left to give. Life becomes a balancing act, and peace and contentment are forced out of the daily equation. We miss out on the simple act of living-of being alive. There is this constant striving for that piece of golden fruit which is just out of our reach. When we fail to secure it, we panic inwardly and ask ourselves, ” Why not me?”. When some of us do grab onto it, it soon loses its luster and we become dissatisfied again. We humans are masters at repeating this cycle.
With the world seemingly spinning out of control, we become even more anxious. This tension leads to lives devoid of hope, and ultimately, joy. I know about anxiety and striving and even self-pity. I don’t come to you as one who possesses exceptional anything or as living a care-free life. On the contrary, 2015 has been a very difficult year for many reasons. Yet, I awakened today. No chalk lines outlining my body. Inward wounds perhaps, but I am still alive and have eternal promises spoken to me by the only One who can legitimately offer and secure them. Yes, this source is Christ. His love is extravagant, and far better than any of the gifts we may receive or give.
My Christmas wish for all is to find Him who seeks us. By doing so, all of our problems won’t vanish immediately, but our souls will be renewed, and a sense of peace and joy will eventually take residence. This world has nothing close to compete with this gift of love filled with grace. His fruit will never tarnish nor fade. Merry Christmas !
Lookin’ Out My Back Door
Creedence Clearwater Revival (CCR) created and published this hit song in 1970 on their Cosmo’s Factory album. The reason I bring this up is because this song was sung at my brother-in-law’s funeral recently. You would have to know Gene to appreciate the significance, but suffice it to say that he would have wholeheartedly approved. Another brother-in-law played it on his guitar and sang it-along with everyone in the pews. His funeral was more of a celebration than a sad event. I dedicate this post to Gene who is finally free from suffering. I loved him.
The photograph reflects my pup looking out our back door. The quality is poor, but I like it anyway. This image seemed to fit this blog. I shot Carson while I was on our deck and he was in this viewing posture, looking out our back door which brings me to the point of this post.
Ever since this song was played I can’t get it out of my head. It is a fun song, seemingly full of subtle references to the drug culture, but most of all a whimsical look at life from not-so-serious eyes. John Fogerty, the bands’ leader and song writer stated that he actually wrote it for his then three year old son, and that the characters he introduces were inspired by Dr. Suess and not the drug scene in California. This explanation makes this song even more enjoyable due to the innocent nature of the lyrics.
I encourage you to look up the lyrics, or better yet, watch a video of CCR playing this song. It will put a smile on your face. There are many verses which are simply enjoyable to read, but one in particular catches my attention every time I sing it. The verse goes like this, “Bother me tomorrow, today, I’ll buy no sorrow. Doo doo doo, lookin’ out my back door”.
With that thought stated, I wish all who read this post no sorrow…at least not for today. Life can be so exciting and yet so difficult at times, so set aside anything that bothers you and start singing. Doo doo doo !
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