… not what it used to be for our household. No church attendance in person. In fact, I feel as if I do not even belong to my church any more. If we were to walk into what was a typical February 2020 worship service this very day, I bet I would remember the stories of those I have prayed with but likely have forgotten their names.
Sunday is not the major part of my faith life though. I learned long ago that my relationship with Jesus is what holds me to His side. This poem from 1988 reflects that sentiment. I learned the phrase “center -down silence” from Richard Foster in his work “The Celebration of Discipline.” Foster says it refers to getting quiet in anticipation of drawing closer to the Lord.
I want to live from the inside out,
always within the center-down silence.
Having to struggle to get back
is not the direction I choose.
Teach me, Lord, and help me
know how to grow
from the peaceful
sanctuary within.
Show me please where
to refresh our love.
Give me attitudes that will unravel me
from the sin which so easily entangles.
Make me one with You, Lord,
so I will know
how to be close
to all that is around me.
Help me, Father,
and be glorified in my life.
I know the nautilus shell begins very small and grows larger as the animal grows larger. For me the nautilus can also be a useful image for the center-down silence: going from the busy, noisy world to the inner chambers of stillness and willingness to listen for the voice of the Almighty.
Came across some things I do not think I have published in this blog previously. So the next few days I will be sending out some “oldies, but goodies.”
Night time and the Unresolved
Come marching to my bedroom
Tramping through my head
Hurling accusations
Quoting words once said
Reason takes a low profile
While logic flees the scene
Where is the solution
For circumstances now turned mean
Never, shoulds, and woulds
Paint dismal, hopeless scenes
Understanding vanishes
Deep each insult bleed.
Forgiveness is the answer
That makes the war to cease
Let it go. Let go. Release.
Present moment calls to me
Be NowHere in God's sweet peace
A song can be resung
The past can't be undone
But pouring in forgiveness
The fall-out is made numb
Come to here and now
Feast on today's plenty
In gratitude for all
Dare to now drink deeply
From streams of joy and love
We are granted
Only to
"Live our lives by moments"
Aren't we now?
It’s not all bad walking the dog in autumn! Especially when the sun surprises you with neon!
BOOM!
October 23 and the woods on our hill was showing more ground!
The Ginkgo tree is one of the last in our yard to turn. Here she is in her yellow gown with the Pyracantha shrub starting to glow red.
And SURPRISE! October 28 I was working at my desk and happened to look up. At first I wondered “Whose cat is that?” By the time I grabbed my iPhone I was fortunate to get you a photo of Mr. Chubbs, a groundhog! New to our bird feeder area as far as I know.
As Mom would say, “Will wonders never cease!” And off he waddled. Not underfed, that one!
We began noticing the autumn changes September 30.
Persian Shield
Chrysanthemum
Maple
And the changes just kept happening! For years I have referred to the maples in autumn colors as ladies in their Gowns. And then when the leaves fall, the Ladies dropped their gowns! Here is the Cotillion at Adams Lake.
Bob and I both love reflections in still water. We will return to Adams Lake next summer to try to capture good photos of the giant lily pads there.
Here are the ladies along St. Rt. 32 awaiting their Cotillion ball entrance!
Yes, it would be difficult to leave my maples, especially this time of year. I know, those are not only maple trees, but predominantly maples. And then there is my second favorite traveler, before she ever dreamed of getting hurt!
At our house, now in mid-November, we can see way into the woods on our backyard hill. Today the rain is to come and the temperatures to drop back into the normal range. It has been a lovely “Indian summer” defined by Wikipedia and others as: An Indian summer is a period of unseasonably warm, dry weather that sometimes occurs in autumn in temperate regions of the northern hemisphere during September to November. In an article on the US National Weather Service‘s website, weather historian William R. Deedler writes that Indian Summer can be defined as “any spell of warm, quiet, hazy weather that may occur in October or November.” Several references describe a true Indian Summer as not occurring until after the first frost, or more specifically the first “killing” frost.
Yes, we have had a killing frost. Oh those Persian shields turned black! A lovely “Indian Summer” indeed.
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens
Remember when I described trying to hike to Piedra Falls? We could not get all the way to the falls due to mud and steep grade? Dan did spot a sight for us though! Wheeling above us was a Golden Eagle. So much fun to travel with our best friends! I found a photo on the web.
Dan knows how to identify birds in flight much better than I do. We were delighted to catch a glimpse of a golden eagle in its natural habitat. I liked the web photo below, too. What a wonder!!
Golden Eagle -Aquila chrysaetos- in flight, landing at a bait place, Kainuu, Utajarvi, Nordfinnland, Finland
Bob was certain we saw another in the field one morning. As you can tell from my snapshot, the web photos are much better!
Or is it a big hawk at the corner of the fences?
Does the eagle soar at your command and build its nest on high? It dwells on a cliff and stays there at night; a rocky crag is its stronghold. From there it looks for food; its eyes detect it from afar.
So we were traveling from Colorado to New Mexico and stopped for lunch at Rio Chama Coffee in Chama, New Mexico. My photo did not come out great, so this is their photo from the website.
There was a mother and daughter seated near us on the outdoor patio – but not too near of course! After looking at this white van in the parking lot for a while, I finally approached them and asked if that was their van. They said, “Yes.” I asked if it was okay with them if I took a photo of the logo on the window. I explained that our Grandgirls in Ohio both play volleyball. Unlikely they will ever meet for a match. As far as I know no Native American teams play in our girls’ tournaments!
So proud of our #6!And our #32 Athlete! Photo by Robert DutinaHigh flying Grandgirl Photo by Robert Dutina
Both girls are well grounded in their family, though you certainly cannot tell by looking at their flying and jumping skills! 😉
My sister drives a truck in Colorado. I wondered how she managed to get in it. I am taller than her and it was a stretch for me! Well, Bob took me for a ride in the truck and a CD was in the player. Cowboy and western classics. So when you view this video, that is what you hear in the background, and of course, the breeze!
And this tiny Aspen is next to Ponderosa Pines. I was startled to see what we in the east call “Spanish moss” hanging from the pines. I supposed Colorado might have another name for that, too! Any way there was moss hanging from some of the tree boughs. Not nearly as spectacular as in the southern US.
Worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness; tremble before him, all the earth.
While driving in Colorado we passed a particular cattle ranch going to and from the ranch where we were staying and the town of Pagosa Springs. I spotted something I had never seen before! A skunk with huge long legs. I laughed out loud and made Bob turn around so he could see it too!!
Do you see it? Almost center of the photo? Just a bit right of center!
Yep! Every time we drove past I looked for the long-legged skunk. Trying to get a good photo for you. It was not always in the pasture.
I found this hilarious! Maybe it was the altitude. Maybe it was the injury from the ATV. Actually it’s called ” ‘Riggit’ Galloway cattle. They are a well documented archaic strain of Galloway, easily identifiable by the white stripe, running down their spine. The white colouration may include a widening of the stripe to cover much of the back, particularly on the hind quarters.” Information taken from the website https://www.riggitgallowaycattlesociety.co.uk/
Colorado likely has their own name for it. In the Old Testament (Genesis 30) distinctions were made between animals with spots, without spots, etc. I wonder how this kind of distinguished cattle would have been categorized?
When we first arrived in Colorado, Bob had taught the family how to drive the mule and the ATVs. They especially liked those ATVs! One evening Bob was going out into the meadow with Emily and Ellie on the ATVs. He really wanted me to go as his passenger. So I agreed and off we went. Through the meadow and the hard to open gate, on to the next meadow.
Aspen and pine
“Branch-hand” above LOL
Prairie dog holes
Wild snapdragons, I believe
Moments before the big mishap!
So we were tooling around the meadow, taking in the sights and even doing selfies! So unlike us old folks.
We came to a gully-ditch. Emily got off their ATV and guided Ellie how to drive through it. We came over and they assured Bob that he, too, could drive through it. As the passenger, I never even saw the thing. After Emily gave Bob instructions everyone began hollering at me to “HOLD ON!!!” There is a steel bar that runs around the passenger area of the ATV. I suppose it is designed to tie down cargo, but also provides hand holds for a passenger. So I held on and Bob drove into the ditch. Little did I know I was about to join the Camp Grenada group.
As he drove down the black bar I was holding to came up and banged me in both elbows. I instinctively let go. At which point I proceeded to get a whiplash from my groin to top of my head. We made it to the other side. I was not thrown off the ATV. I cried in pain, shock and surprise at being hurt. I composed myself after a couple minutes and we continued. We reached another gully as we headed for home. As they debated how to cross I insisted Bob just let me off! I began to walk for home.
They got across that gully and I got back on. We made it home. Both my elbows turned dark purple. The ATV had hit my back across the bottom of my shoulder blades and along my lower back. Lots of pain that night. Went to bed with pillows under both elbows, neck and any other place that hurt.
I moved very slowly the next day and the day after that. I missed posts here the last few weeks because of doctor appointments, x-rays, physical therapy and finally an MRI. Determination is I have more arthritis in my spine than previously. As far as anyone can tell nothing is broken. Bone bruises on elbows may take a long time to go away. No results on MRI yet. From what I have read whiplash can also take a long time to heal. Oy! soft tissue, please heal.
So our Camp Grenada experience continued. One friend said it sounded like a bad movie. But you know what? It was a beautiful place. We were so grateful to be able to take family and friends there. We likely can never go back because of breathing difficulties. Overall, it was a grand way to celebrate 50 years of marriage. Betty is finally out of the boot and did not have to have surgery for her broken ankle. Bob;s wounds are all healed up. We think his knee is not torn again. Time will tell!
My dear friend, Betty, remembered this saying and I will adopt it for myself.
“Growing old gracefully means letting go of the things you can no longer do and rejoicing in the things you can still do.”
Ah! Grandeur of Yellow Ponderosa Pine right outside your window!
It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to sing praises to your name, O Most High; to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and your faithfulness by night. For you, O LORD, have made me glad by your work; at the works of your hands I sing for joy. How great are your works, O LORD! Your thoughts are very deep!
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 