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 !

 

 

Glistening Twigs

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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 !

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May your new year be filled with wonderful surprises !!!

The Melt

2-21-15 011 I tried so hard, my dear, to show that you’re my every dream                Yet you’re afraid each thing I do is just some evil scheme                      A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart                   Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

There was a time when I believed that you belonged to me                 But now I know your heart is shackled to a memory                              The more I learn to care for you, the more we drift apart                       Why can’t I free your doubtful mind and melt your cold, cold heart?

Hank Williams, the legendary country singer, wrote and recorded this song, Cold Cold Heart, in 1951 (he was 27 and died two years later).  Rather than recite all four stanzas, I copied the first and the last. The two middle stanzas simply reveal more about the confusion and heartache expressed in these lyrics. As I gazed at the melting ice from our trees this past Saturday morning, I grabbed my camera and went outside to take several shots. For some reason this song-which I haven’t heard in years-came to mind. I suppose it may have been the cold temperatures finally warming and the melting ice which caused this song to arise to my consciousness. After some self-evaluation, I asked myself how do the lyrics of a sad ballad correlate to a beautiful act of nature…for it was a grand sight to witness the frozen tree branches shed their layer of ice and drip with the new life of cool water. The melting ice glittered like diamonds under spotlights!2-21-15 005Slowly, almost imperceptibly, I began to understand the link. There is beauty all around us, but at the same time there can be ugliness, pain and sorrow. Paradoxical, isn’t it? Joy and pain, beauty and the beast, clarity and confusion-all can co-exist. Where love is found, hate is not far behind. Where peace abounds, conflict can be just around the corner. And where some relationships nurture and grow, others can wilt and die on the vine. Such is the result of a fallen world. But, alas, our lives don’t have to exist in a state of bitterness, heartache, failure or confusion. True, these are our realities at times, but they don’t have to define us. I am not advocating that we ignore the negatives for that is wishful thinking. As difficult as it can be at times we must face the trials head on, hang on to an anchor of hope (for me this anchor is Christ) and endure. Strive to find beauty in this world, even when you feel abandoned, are depressed or lonely, are being seriously misunderstood or may be grieving. Light will shine again; hold on and wait for the melt.2-21-15 013