Category: Traveling

Texas oil

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Joy, Look, Praise, Prayer, Thanks, Traveling, Worship

Fences

There is some advertisement on TV that has been playing this old song. It catches in my brain and then I can’t stop singing it. What does it say about our lives today?

I think there are few places where I can go where one can “give me land, lots of land under starry skies above,
Don’t fence me in.
Let me ride through the wide open country that I love,
Don’t fence me in.
Let me be by myself in the evenin’ breeze,
listen to the murmur of the cottonwood trees,
Send me off forever but I ask you please,
Don’t fence me in.”

Of course, there are the expressways through America. Come to think of it the song is probably being used by a car company.

Turns out the lyrics were a poem written by ” Robert Fletcher, a poet and engineer with the Department of Highways in Helena, Montana. Cole Porter, who had been asked to write a cowboy song for the 20th Century Fox musical, bought the poem from Fletcher for $250. Porter reworked Fletcher’s poem, and when the song was first published, Porter was credited with sole authorship. Porter had wanted to give Fletcher co-authorship credit, but his publishers did not allow it. ” Wikipedia

“After the song became popular, however, Fletcher hired attorneys who negotiated his co-authorship credit in subsequent publications. Although it was one of the most popular songs of its time, Porter claimed it was his least favorite of his compositions.” Wikipedia

I never want to forget that our United States of America is made up of so much land, and so varied in type and variety! We happened upon a television channel called Naturescape. We have been watching an episode entitled Death Valley. When we visited there we were amazed at the variety in the landscape. So VERY different from Southwest Ohio!

Another place of fascination is the telescope at Hilo, Hawaii. You can watch it daily. https://liveworldwebcams.com/subaru-telescope-live-webcam-hawaii/

I was hoping I could catch the glow from the recent volcano eruption for you. The emphasis today was the Meteor shower which we were totally unable to see here due to cloudy conditions.

Watch. Be amazed. Thank the Lord for this amazing land where we live!

Posted on in Book quotes, Faith, Just do it, Obedience, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Traveling, Trust, Worship

Reading a New to Me Book

I belong to a Monday night Zoom book discussion. The leader recently suggested we read Practicing the Way. Written by John Mark Comer, this book quotes some of my favorite authors: Brother Lawrence, Dallas Willard, Thomas Kelly, Madame Guyon and others.

Published January, 2024

There are YouTube video interviews, podcast interviews and many more resources. If you go to the website https://www.practicingtheway.org/ the resources for getting you started and keeping you inspired are numerous!

You might remember that the early followers of Jesus were said to be “The Way.” Jesus referred to himself as the way, the truth and the life. (John 14:6). In Acts the early followers are referred to as the Way. There are many references in the New Testament.

Quoting Karl Rahner, Comer writes,

“The Christian of the future will be a mystic or he will not exist at all.”

He goes on to say, “Mystics are just those who aren’t content to read books or hear sermons about this glorious reality; they want to experience this love and be transformed by it into a people of love. Because it’s here – looking at God, God looking at us, in love – that we are happy, that we are most free, content, at rest, at ease, grateful, joy filled and alive.”

When was the last time you spent time just BEING WITH God. Not asking for anything, but just spending time together? Thinking over this idea I realized that many of my retreat times with the Transfiguration Community have brought me to this place of resting in God, being with God, looking lovingly at God and knowing I am being seen by God.

Often when I go to the cemetery where Daughters go to die, the purpose is to remind myself that I am seen and heard and loved by God. I drop all the clutter that occludes this wisdom and rest there in God.

The best way for me to learn is taking notes and typing them up. I will be doing this the next few weeks. My goal is not to reproduce the book, but hopefully to interest you enough that you might explore it for yourself. At least you might glean some wisdom from the notes I share?

You have likely seen the bumper sticker that asks, “Do you follow Jesus this closely?” John Mark opens with sentiment that we might be “covered with the dust of our rabbi” meaning follow Jesus so closely that the dust he kicks up will be all over us. I think that is a great word picture! I pray it will be true of you, also. If I understand correctly he got the image from Rob Bell who got it from Hebraic teaching.

Posted on in Faith, Humor, Nature, Traveling

What?

We often take a Sunday drive to a small village called Bethel. there are many fast food establishments going up in Bethel, but there a few unique places, too. The Feed Store and a coffee shop, a breakfast place and of course, our favorite, The Legendairy creamy whip.

Last weekend when we drove out there a sign caught my eye. This was an item I have never in my life seen spelled out. Certainly has never made my shopping list!

DEER ATTRACTANT

Our friend who goes deer hunting likely has a shelf just full of the various products. I had just never seen it on a sign! Somehow, it seems like cheating to me!

No thanks!

What is on your shopping list?

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Memories, Nature, Praise, Rest, Thanks, Traveling

Under The Sea

I just love the underside of the ocean surface. Here is an an example why!

When we traveled to Cozumel many years ago I could have sat and just watched the underside of the waves for hours. Of course, I could not hold my breath that long, though the snorkel certainly helped! I was mesmerized by the sight.

How many other things upon the earth have we never seen or contemplated? What fascinates you?

Have you ridden in a plane recently? Bob caught this photo of the clouds for me when we recently flew to New Mexico. I was thinking of the underside of the waves and wanted to compare the water of the ocean and the water in the sky visually.

rmdutina

How wonderful our Creative God made all things!!

Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 1 Timothy 6:7 NIV

rmdutina

Even on days when the ocean is dark and seems foreboding, God is with us. The One who spoke to waves and winds can still command our lives.

In his hand are the depths of the earth;
    the heights of the mountains are his also.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
    and the dry land, which his hands have formed.

6 O come, let us worship and bow down;
    let us kneel before the Lord, our Maker! Psalm 95:4-6 NRSVUE

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Art, Collection of Quotes, Faith, Humor, Music, Nature, Traveling

Humor

Two quotes that captured my imagination.

Things are far too serious for us to lose our sense of humor! by Terry Patten

That one is almost to difficult to type after the bombing of Iran. I am having great difficulty understanding that event.

“Let the laughter come, even if it has not been heard for a very long time, especially if times are hard and the future uncertain. Laughter is as important in adversity as wisdom and courage.” Steven Charleston

So I had this image two nights in a row.

A pianist works in the kitchen cutting up meat. Careful of those fingers, I think. Then I wonder is there a funereal fugue for pork tenderloin? Play 2 minutes and you will get the idea!

So we were driving along in New Mexico and this caught our eye at the side of the road. I found the slideshow online. Click on the link that says Home. Then choose slideshow on menu across the top. That is a pink rose I would to have in my garden!!

Home

A friend of mine has been expecting her baby girl. The due date came. The due date passed. She tried everything she could think of to get that child born safely into this world. Had something called a membrane sweep. I did not want the details on how that is done. No progress. I teased her that perhaps she would have liberty by the 4th of July? I asked if she had tried walking in the pool. Her response, “I’ve tried it all LOL!!”

Last Sunday night they went to the hospital. As they entered the building, her water broke. The baby arrived 18 minutes later! All is well. At least they made it to the hospital!! Baby is lovely and weighs 8 pounds, 1.8 ounces. All this from a tiny woman. There was not even time for her to be medicated for the delivery! Unplanned natural delivery 🙂

This little girl is likely to be a corker! Entered the world on her own timetable and will certainly have mom, dad and big brother answering to her!

I looked out the office window yesterday and was delighted to see the first nasturtium blooming!

Speaking of humor. My daughter and grandgirls took me to a shop in Batavia for Mother’s Day. I got a “string of pearls” plant. Previously I had killed mine by over watering it. While there I saw this plastic planter. I thought, “no, I am not going ask for that.” Well, then I could not forget it. Last week I went back and bought one. Got a plant to try in it and voila!

Just makes me giggle!

Along with the rest of America we are sweltering here with high heat and tropical humidity. I am uncertain if these pansies will survive this weather. They looked nice, though leggy, this morning.

Snapdragons are blooming happily! Geranium is one I brought in the house over the winter. It should bloom again soon.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Nature, Special Event, Thanks, Traveling

Albuquerque Sky

If you have ever traveled in the western United States you have likely heard the term ‘big sky’ referring to the clear vistas and blue almost beyond imagination.

The Splendor of the Sun

The pride of the heavenly heights is the clear firmament,
    the appearance of heaven in a spectacle of glory.
The sun, when it appears, making proclamation as it goes forth,
    is a marvelous instrument, the work of the Most High. Ecclesiasticus or Sirach 43:1-2 RSV

This book is included in the part of the Bible called the Apocrypha or Deuterocanonical books of the Old Testament. It is not generalized recognized by the Protestant churches. Why is this sometimes called Ecclesiasticus and sometimes Sirach? Wikipedia says ….

The Book of Sirach, also known as The Wisdom of Jesus the Son of Sirach, The Wisdom of Jesus son of Eleazar, or Ecclesiasticus, is a Jewish literary work originally written in Biblical Hebrew. The longest extant wisdom book from antiquity, it consists of ethical teachings, written approximately between 196 and 175 BCE by Yeshua ben Eleazar ben Sira, a Hellenistic Jewish scribe of the Second Temple period. Ben Sira’s grandson translated the text into Koine Greek and added a prologue sometime around 117 BCE. Wikipedia

Regardless of who is right as to inclusion with other Scriptures, I do believe that ‘the pride of the heavenly heights is the clear firmament! The appearance of heaven is a spectacle of glory!”

by rmdutina

I already forgot the name of this tree. Bob took one or two photos of the tree, I took the close up .

Oh, that sky! When the New Mexico morning air was cool I would just step outside and breathe deeply. In fact, you could do that now as you look at the photos! 🙂

Thank you, Lord, for the beauty of the earth. Thank you for the privilege of seigneur our dear friends again in their home. Thank you for the splendor of New Mexico.

Posted on in Amazing Creations, Faith, Nature, Special Event, Traveling

Day Trip to Los Cerillos, NM

Once while in Los Cerillos (fondly called Cerillos) Dan and Bob visited a rock shop where they found a lovely tube of yellow stone from a mine. It sat for years on my windowsill or as a paper weight in my office. Recently a strong wind blew it out of the windowsill and a piece of the end broke off. It is much too rough for me to try to grind down.

Our trip 2-1/2 years ago to New Mexico Dan tried to take us to the same rock shop. Though the sign said open hours, they were closed. This visit we tried to visit there again. They were open!

This man is the actual owner and quite a character!

The shop was much cleaner than when we looked through the windows.

We found another yellow calcite tube for our son. My favorite new rock is the photo above, orange calcite. It seems to draw light to it and through it.

Dan also found a restaurant listed that seemed to have a great menu. I wanted to order my first elk burger. The Blackbird Saloon was very historical from the old wood floors …

to the neat idea for beer pulls …

The elk burger was tasty and not too gamey like venison. I can likely purchase it at Jungle Jim’s, though I hate to think what that would cost! The burger very very thick. I asked for it well done, no blood. It was served with blood on the plate. I sent it back. It was still too raw in the center. drats. I ate around the edges and took the rest home to have for supper. If I was running the restaurant I would have made it into 2 patties and cooked them through before serving. But, no one asked me!

We had a nice ride on another lovely day. If you get to Albuquerque try to visit Los Cerillos. It was fun!!

for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers—all things have been created through him and for him. Colossians 1:16 NRSVUE

God even made the rocks!

Posted on in Aging, Faith, Family, Memories, Spiritual discipline, Spiritual growth, Traveling, Trust

Visiting New Mexico

I cannot remember the date we actually met the Cookseys. It had to be at least thirty years ago.

We went to church together. They taught us so much about prayer. Dan lead classes that instructed us deeply in how to shepherd the Lord’s people. We also led marriage workshop weekends together. Dan used to joke that God chose four introverts to lead those groups.

There was a time when we traveled with Dan and Betty Cooksey. We have a photo on our office wall of a lovely owl I spotted in a tree during a drive around Reel-foot lake. I told Dan, “Back up! Back up!” He slowly backed the car up until I could point out the owl to everyone. Bob and Dan are both great photographers. I will never forgot practically lying down in the car seat so Bob could get the right angle! Sweet memories, indeed.

When they moved to New Mexico we were stunned and saddened. After we visited the first time Bob asked if I wanted to move there, too. I decided I could not leave my maple trees. Then we discovered that if we visited New Mexico we had a place to stay, always! We have visited several times over the ensuing years. From American Indian pow-wows to visiting birding sites. The Taos pueblo and other ancient settings. The adventure and delight of watching the farm market roast green chilis! Ah that fragrance 🙂 And then Dan and Bob peeling the chilis together.

Two men who remain such good friends though miles separate them

As couples we are not clones. There are some things we do not agree upon, but it is always possible through love and Christian fellowship to have warm discussions about any topic. The Psalm below always reminds me of the four of us.


Behold, how good and pleasant it is
    when brothers dwell in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil on the head,
    running down on the beard,
on the beard of Aaron,
    running down on the collar of his robes!
3 It is like the dew of Hermon,
    which falls on the mountains of Zion!
For there the Lord has commanded the blessing,
    life forevermore. Psalm 133

Now we are all aging and slowing down. We have not been to ABQ for 2-1/2 years. We are visiting there as you read this. I trust we will have a wonderful time as usual. I am fervently praying this is not the last time we get all four of us together. They are older than we are (only by a few years). With my heart scan looming in August and the prospect of open heart surgery I take nothing for granted anymore.

Making ice cream bowls!
Posted on in Amazing Creations, Book quotes, Faith, Humor, Nature, Special Event, Traveling

Falingos

Many years ago when we went with our family to the beach for the first time our oldest Grandgirl at a tender preschool age called flamingos, “Falingos.” On our recent trip to Florida we visited the Sunken Gardens and saw “Falingos!” Of course, I had to text and remind her of the name she chose for these weird, unusual birds.

Once I heard that they have their coral coloring from the shrimp that they eat. “For flamingos, carotenoids are consumed through their primary food sources—algae and small crustaceans such as brine shrimp. Once ingested, these pigments are broken down by enzymes in the flamingo’s liver and absorbed into fats that are later deposited into their feathers, skin, and even their beaks.” https://learnbirdwatching.com/why-are-flamingos-pink/

I would call the birds we saw a medium pink. Not the vibrant they showed on the website above.

Our first view of the flamingos

In “Alice in Wonderland,” the flamingos were used as mallets in a game of flamingo croquet. The Queen of Hearts ordered her subjects to use the live flamingos as mallets. This certainly slanted my opinion of the flamingos as we walked through the gardens.

Finally we came upon a closer view of them. At first they all seemed to have their heads under the water. Diving they sort of resembled frozen pink turkeys! Waiting and biding my time I finally I got a better photo of them.

We enjoyed the gardens. The many tropical flowers reminded us of our trip to the gardens in Hawaii. The pond where the birds were located attached to a running stream throughout the gardens. At one place, I noticed a flamingo feather floating the water. It was away from where the birds were. I SO wanted that feather, but it was too far in the water for me to reach over the plants and retrieve it.

As we moseyed along taking photos admiring the “angel trumpet flower” (Brugmansia) which we had seen in California I was delighted to find it in more colors than we previously had seen! Not just yellow, but pink and white, too!

And rounding a bend I saw it! The lovely flamingo feather that wanted to travel to Ohio with me!

It was soaking wet, but floating where I could easily reach it. Retrieve it I did! First I tried to put it inside my sunhat, but it poked through. So I simply wrapped it in our folder about the Gardens and took it home. I had to think a bit when we returned to Ohio about how the folder got all wet!

Yep, she is one of my very best souvenirs! Thanks, Lord, for helping me see and retrieve it!

Posted on in Challenge, Cooking, Faith, Music, Praise, Thanks, Traveling

Home Again

Unpacked. Mail read. Laundry still whirling in the machines. inches and inches of rain. More spring birds than before we departed. Went to church Sunday morning and reconnected with our loved friends there.

Then joy arose as I cooked Sunday after dinner with worship music playing and me singing to the Lord on high, the Christ within. One neighbor recently lost his wife to Alzheimer’s. I told him when we returned I would bring him food. He has lost so much weight. Joy at being home. Joy at being able to provide for another. The joy of the Lord is my strength!

Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NIV

Huh! I knew the part about the joy of the Lord is your strength. I forgot the part about sending to food to those who have nothing prepared. God surprises me SO often! What a delight our God is.

The break from routine going to Florida was fine. The motel room more than livable. The bed so high off the ground that I practically fell out the first night.

Eventually we longed for our home with better lighting. Our usual surroundings. Our familiar abode. Our bed. Our own pillows. Even the dog who was suffering through continuous thunderstorms. (Actually, she was sleeping in bed with our Grandgirl and getting spoiled rotten!)

And now we are here. And we both hope to thrive more for the respite from routine, even as we participate in the routines again. I have so much work to do to edit selections for a booklet on prayer. I was able to set it aside for the duration of the trip. Now I need to figure out how to rearrange my schedule to accommodate editing and contacting the newly hired editor.

So if I miss a few days posting to this blog I hope you will understand and will be praying for me?

We found a very few shells. Enjoyed the breeze off the ocean tremendously!