Seasons

Living in an area of the country that has four seasons is such a delight. We are transitioning through fall now. A drive through the Adirondacks gives meaning to "fall colors" And even as I drive I wonder how those photographers manage to capture the right picture. This one .. was only one of 20 I maybe took yesterday ... and it is further south about an hour outside Utica. The sun was finally out and there to my right was this lake. But not only a lake, but the colors and the dock. Down I went ... walking through marshy waters to get as close as possible to both the lake and the dock. The trees in their variety of colors sure seem to get along a lot better than folks of different colors.

Another sign of the season. Apples. Now I got a bee in my bonnet to "can" this year. I have already put up tomatoes and peaches. Now time for the apples. My first experiment included apple chutney. I loved it. Then this weekend I decided it was time for apple sauce. What was I thinking ... four bushels I bought! By the end of Saturday we were almost done with the first two ... 28 quarts of applesauce later ... and 11 pints (or 22 1/2 pints of apple butter). Now what will I do with the rest? Friends have assured me they will last on the back porch where it is just like "cold storage" ... until I am ready to tackle the rest ... Perhaps by Sunday the 25th I'll be ready to being again.

Now ... run out ... make a big pile of leaves ... jump in it ... and just laugh!

All God's Creation

Ahhh how I wish I could curl up in the middle of the floor and sleep like Clyde.  With activity all around ... a camera flashing, little girls playing, adults chatting, the dinner about to start, Clyde lies in the middle of the floor curled up enjoying the last rays of the sun this fall evening.  Enjoying the Sabbath!

Sleeping below the noise 

Withdrawing from the stimulation

Soaking in the warmth

Renewal in the middle of the day

The middle of the floor

God has called each of us to the quiet

To the time of renewal.

Today find some time

Even 10 minute

Go to the light

Renew

Morning Rain

Fall is approaching and the rain feels fresh and cool.  Much different than a summer rain which seems to hang on and sometimes feel a bit suffocating.  The overnight rain signaled time to change from shorts to jeans for the walk ... the need for a jacket ... and a baseball cap. Sandals will do for a while but soon these too will have to give way to different shoes.  I thought for a second about lighting the fireplace ... and even the the idea of heated bathroom floors appeared momentarily.  The compromise was lighting of  candles to transition the light from night to dawn to day.  But the seasons are changing just from summer to fall ... the transition to winter will include other shifts.

Morning has broken ... 

The gift of a new day ... 

Thanks be to God for the light of dawn ...

The freshness of rain ... 

The remnants of drops on leaves and evergreens ... 

Reminders of our baptism ... 

That we are marked as a child of God ... 

Go forth ... 

Live fully ... 

Give thanks ... 

The Lights of the Night

And we wonder why are electricity bills are so high!
But it sure is pretty on a clear night such as tonight.

Protect Me

"In Chinese mythology, the sea turtle represents wisdom. In Hawaii, legend tells about a green sea turtle, Kauila, who could change herself into a girl to watch over the children playing at Punalu'u Beach on the Big Island. When Kauila's mother dug her nest, a fresh water spring surged upward, quenching the children's thirst. Kauila is the "mythical mother" of all turtles, and perhaps of our children as well. It's also said that turtles were the guides for the first voyagers to Hawaii."

Legend tells the story well ... that of protecting the children playing

Today we are called to protecting play for children.

It is critical that we work together to protect play for our children.

This Honu was resting, perhaps reminding us to protect our children.

The Seeker

Aren't we always in search of something? From as simple as "where did I put those keys?" to why am I here? In search of just that right dress to search for peace and contentment. For me some days the search is as simple as finding the paper on my desk or as illusive as the right photo. Yesterday as I headed to the beach at Waikiki in search of that perfect "sunset picture" ... there was this man standing on the breakwall ... he too in search of just that right capture. Thanks to him I found my picture ... reminding me that sometimes it is right there in front of me ...

What are you seeking?

Morning light

I seem to be on a break these days from musing and thinking and writing .... This morning I watched the glow from the sun rising on Sandy Beach, HI. I've been back here three times on this trip ... there is something about the colors in the morning. The rays bounce along the sand much leaving the darkness of shadows in their wake.

Greeting the world

Making its mark

Shhhh be quiet ...

Let it seep in.