Time to Wake Up

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Wake up ! Not just to sunrises, but to the injustices and corruption taking place in DC and other governments. To the violence and poverty in Chile, Haiti, Brazil and beyond. To the ravages of war all across the globe. The abuse of the elderly, the weak and the little ones. Global warming (regardless of the causes). The loss of human rights in many countries and cities. Greed which knows no boundaries. Poverty.

Also, wake up to the many wonderful people and acts of kindness and generosity taking place throughout the world. People ignoring old prejudices and bringing about harmony. Pulling someone out from the gutter. Speaking up for shared and well-grounded values. Loving one another regardless of differences. Honoring God. Putting others before self.

We must be aware of what is going on around us and become agents for change. We can all make a positive difference. Watch another sunshine and wake up to another day full of opportunities. Certainly challenges await, but as Winston Churchill stated, “Never, ever give up”. Defeat is not inevitable. Victories in so many areas will and are being won.

Bless as you have been blessed. I certainly have been. I seek forgiveness for not doing more, but I still have more life to live to make amends. Pressing on.

Pain

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cell 2-26-15 007 Ever hurt so badly that even the pain of hurting someone you love more than life itself, and which pain was caused by self, becomes a numbing sensation?                                                                          Like the chiseled wooden man on the bench, he feels nothing…or so it appears. Man knows pain, and fear, sorrow and regret. Does this sculpture feel any of those emotions?                                                                                  It appears not, but at some point in time someone put the ax to him, and then the chisel. What was once a tree now sits a man. Was the metamorphosis painful? Only the wooded man knows.                                                                             I  know the numbness of my pain as I have chiseled away at the lives of others. Maybe you know this pain, too. One thing I have learned in life is this: tears come in the night, but rejoicing returns in the morning. I long for morning because some nights last a long time.

Point of Light

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Like a projectile moving at quantum speed it enters your eye. Before you blink or squint your optic nerve has been blasted by this thing we call “light”. Like a dart hitting the bulls eye this light has hit its target and temporarily blinds you.

I thought this morning what’s the point of this post? Play on words intended. I realized I didn’t know what the point is. I just liked the photograph. Is that a good enough reason to post something…because you like it? Maybe.

Certainly, this image tells us several things worth noting. Sunlight can be extremely intense. Autumn has arrived as the leaves of our maple tree can attest to by their change in color, and dropping to the ground in droves. I like trees and nature. I enjoy color. I like to see the unusual and snap it with my camera-even if no one else sees the result.

Fall is such a wonderful time of year. Nature displays her beauty in unique and vibrant ways. The warmth of summer begins to change to the cold of winter. The days are shorter. School is in full swing. Football is halfway through its season while baseball is winding down via the World Series. Hunting season starts. Wardrobes change. Even food choices change.

Perhaps the point of this post is simply to express myself. You should do the same as it is rather fun !

Cohesion

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Molecular surface tension creates the astounding effect of water literally holding its shape on a myriad of surfaces. Due to this dynamic, water globs can even be rolled around on certain materials, making for an enjoyable exercise and sight.

I recently stained and sealed my deck so the coated wood boards and caps had just the right characteristics to create a vibrant scene of sorts. What strikes me is the seemingly simplicity of the water droplets standing on wood, all-the-while the science behind this occurrence is rather complicated.

When I contemplate that all the water which exists in our world will never increase nor decrease I stand amazed at its resiliency to return to the form we know most: liquid. Water can take on the form of ice upon freezing or steam after boiling. It can be found flowing rapidly down a mountain stream or slowly moving along the path of an old river. It can become a torrent of waves during a severe storm and jetted through a fire hose or sprinkler head. Water can be found on a placid lake or in a family pool. It can even cut steel.

Some parts of the world receive less than a cup of water a year while other areas receive so much rain that it can’t be accurately measured. Finally, consider the amount of water which makes up a large part of our bodies, and the bodies of most of God’s creatures. Humans can’t last even two weeks without in-taking water. A rather valuable resource, don’t you think? We sure could use more cohesion among the human population !

 

 

What Inspires You ?

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Every sunrise. Wheat fields swaying in the wind before harvest. A bee pollinating a plant. Squirrels chasing each other from tree to tree. Robins tweeting their happy songs before day light. Frogs crooking good night. Dogs happily greeting their owners. Cats snuggling up to whomever is available. Adult elephants protecting their little ones. A happy goat jumping all around with glee. Seals sunning on rocks and porpoises rolling over ocean waves. Polar bears playing.

A moon lit night over the Golden Gate Bridge. Sunsets over the Bosporus. Gleaming virgin snow on mountains promising adventure. An empty basketball court ready to inhabit a pick-up-game. Sunday afternoons at the ball park. Picnics with family and friends. Birthday and anniversary celebrations. A  jog or bike ride along new terrain. People getting along with each another regardless of their differences. An inspiring Psalm. Beautiful poetry. An endearing love story. An exquisite painting.

Music, sweet music. A truly motivational speaker. A crippled child walking for the first time. Medical cures beyond imagination. Photographs from the Hubble telescope. A person with real humility after achieving something great…Lou Gehrig for instance. A single parent or grandparent raising a family. Peace after years of conflict. People rushing to aid others in peril. A teacher inspiring others to learn and grow. Men and women in business and government with integrity. A baby’s first words.

Acts of kindness…random or intentional. Flying a kite soaring ever higher. Witnessing a colt stand after birth. A humming bird drinking nectar from a flower. Hearing children laugh. A placid lake with Autumn reflections upon it. Courage on the battlefield. Courage in a cancer ward. Humanitarian organizations such as Doctors Without Borders. Great speeches…”I have a Dream”.  A butterfly emerging from its cocoon. An unforgettable movie. Compassion being expressed toward one’s enemy.

What inspires you ?

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Nu Image

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I had to share this oxymoronic sight as I came across it yesterday. I don’t know Lona & Sons, and they may do really fine work, but their lot says something different !

Perhaps the opposite side of this building reveals shiny, nu-image vehicles. I didn’t check. The graffiti is pretty awesome even if the cars and trucks are lacking in appeal.

This scene reminds me of a George Carlin quote: ” If you try to fail and succeed which have you done?”

Have a great day !

Windows

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Once there was a boy who became a man. Sometimes the line between the two gets blurred…not always such a bad thing. As the adage goes, “Boys will be boys”, which basically means that men don’t fully evolve into stodgy curmudgeons as many believe to be the case. I admit that some men become just that, but most don’t.

Among the men I know, the majority have an inner child wanting to break out on occasion simply to feel the joy of youth again. I am such a man. Whether it is wrestling with their children or grand children, having squirt gun battles, flying kites, running through the rain, playing games or a host of other child-like things, “Boys will be boys”.

I sense that women have this same urge to visit their inner child, but it seems to reveal itself in less demonstrative ways! Regardless if we are male or female the windows to our past have the ability to launch us into a carefree world we once inhabited. Even if our positive experiences are for only a moment, they are to be cherished.

Windows too often become obscured rather quickly which is why it is imperative to be opportunistic when it comes to exploring our inner child. Here’s hoping your windows become crystal clear.

Afternoon Delight

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Took a walk in a local park with a small lake and came across several unexpected treats for the eyes. I don’t know what this flower is called, but the deep purple is so beautifully rich that I had to take a photograph and share it.

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Then, a group of kayakers worked their way around the lake. The gentle paddling and smooth waves added a sense of serenity.

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A little further down the path we came across this guy’s skin. The reptile must have shed recently because the skin was entirely intact. Fascinating how snakes exit their outer layer of skin to rid themselves of parasites and give them room to grow.

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Came across another flower which caught my eye. Again, I don’t know the name…obviously I am not a botanist or gardener, but I do appreciate the unusual and the beautiful.

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Then, we arrived home to be greeted by our bright friends, the Black-eyed Susan’s. Not bad for an half hour walk in the park. May your walk in life produce joyful moments.

 

Loitering

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What appears to be just standing around without a purpose is a false premise. Actually, these King Penguins are discussing the weather. Upon exhausting that subject, they then contemplate taking a dive. Nothing like a cold swim on a cool day for these birds.

Although Penguins can’t fly they are prolific swimmers and divers. Their average foraging areas are seventeen miles from their home base. They can swim up to 6 miles per hour and have been known to dive anywhere from 200 feet to 1,000 feet. They can stay submerged for up to 9 minutes.

Not only do they swim, but they waddle walk and often ‘toboggan’, sliding along the snow on their bellies. While in the ocean, these birds ‘porpoise’ swim similar to the mammal the style is named after. This allows them to swim farther while breathing regularly.

Penquins are social creatures and live in large colonies. They are fascinating creatures, and handsome, too !

 

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Headless in Kansas City ! Look closely.