End of the Road ?

When the words, "Snow" or "Ice" are mentioned on the airwaves in MD everyone rushes out to buy milk & bread. In South Carolina, toilet paper & beer are added to the list. I recall a family having moved here from sunny California asking about the toilet paper. I simply replied, "It doesn't matter if you need it, it's just how it's done. It's part of the preparation & excitement". In MD, everyone waits expectantly to find out if they will "have to go out in this mess". Down South everything closes. With the exception of "essential personnel," God has seemingly declared a free day. Everyone stays in to enjoy the beauty He has created, along with the pleasures of home & family.

It snowed throughout the day on Christmas & on through the night, with little accumulation. The next day was Sunday & we weren't about to miss our time worshiping with God's family in His "Living Room". Few cars were out & the sights were glorious !!! (These shots were taken as Tom drove, using the "behind glass" camera setting.) Those who braved the drive & ventured forth to God's House were richly rewarded by seeing the endless beauty He had washed over the landscape.

As we crossed the bridge passed the lake, my breath was taken away by the unity of snow on the pines & the amount of white in the water which fell across the dam. As a member of the parking lot greeter team, I needed to be there early so chose not to stop. By the time we returned, the sun had melted much of the snow from the trees, which increased the amount of cascading water. I captured the remnants of what will remain a picture for the film of the soul.

As for this blog, I believe it is the end of the road. I have started a new one that will not be posted on Facebook. Anyone who is interested in following can e-mail me & I will send you the link.

Compared To....Who?

We had spoken of comparing ourselves to others. In doing so, we completely miss the point. Keeping up with the Jones' leads us far away from the mark for which we should be aiming. We cannot judge ourselves by what others do or find acceptable. We must only look to Christ to find out who *He* wants us to be.
After group,I stood in the church parking lot & gazed above the warehouse rooftops, watching as God began a spectacular show of light & hue. I stood watching Him paint the blue sky with lavender-grey clouds & spread a beautiful peach light across their bellies... I called out, "Wait ! You're missing the show ! He's just getting started!" People were calling out to one another as they climbed into their cars & left. How could they just ignore this? I walked across the parking lot & reached for my camera, but I never took a shot. Looking up, I realized from where most of the cars had been, the brilliance of His work was out of view. If they had remained where they were, they would have missed it entirely. It is easy to judge others with our own, limited vision but the closest we can come to seeing through their eyes is to try to see through His.

Lost in a Rose

Roses have been unfurling daily. The pink ones, planted in honor of Momma are especially splendid this year...the size of one's face ! Red ones climb the side of my home towards the peak, while others cascade across the deck & steps behind my bedroom & kitchen windows. I have never been able to capture roses on film, particularly well, yet I forge ahead in my attempts. I love immersing myself in the fragrance & delicate softness. I become gentler when I get lost in a rose; watching them arise & awaken. Here are a few of my views from inside these gifts of our Creator-God...


(I believe Georgia O'Keefe would be fond of this one.)

Hands in Soil

I finally got my hands into my own garden beds, though quite late for me. I added a lot of perennials, tubers & bulbs, along with a few annuals. I had all but forgotten how easily the praises come when working with my Creator in beautifying His garden.
Blessedly, at the end of it all, the rains came.

Peeking Around the Corner

I have been merely noticing from afar, rather then closely watching. As the red, "spring-break," flowers of the forest bloomed cheerily in my forest yard, I simply gazed upon from high aloft. Life has had a way of imposing itself on my serenity of late.
While walking up the street one morning, something brilliantly contrasted against the corner brick caught my eye. The owner is one who watches from her front porch & she had not yet spied them. Days later, when I returned for a closer look, through my lens, she still hadn't made her way 'round from her perch. When I made my way closer, I was met with an unusual treat, rather than the kind I had expected. I was reminded anew of the glorious embellishments God provides for those who pause long enough to notice. I am striving to return to that way of seeing.

Do You Ever Wonder? I Do!

While many were still wondering if winter would ever end, I spied God's handiwork of new life beginning. I have been watching the slow growth of the buds on the lilacs, & the labor pains of the soil as growth erupts from beneath. Enveloped in icy casings, I watched the buds of spring leaves stay strong through a late, winter roar. I noticed the beavers had gotten cabin fever & emerged from some preliminary work. I saw the robins amassing & heard the return of the ovenbirds & wrens...along with countless others.


The blossoming of spring bulbs has ushered in a new excitement, but in ways it is bittersweet. The winter lines of the forest, which I cherish so greatly, are already changing form. Their buds are altering them & I cherish these last days of far-off views & our Creator's amazing handiwork of branch & tree...Just as so many of His blessings that we take for granted, they will soon be covered for a time. It isn't until the waning of winter that they are seen to their fullest, as the early winds of spring clear out the autumn leaves that have hung in place. I especially enjoy the forest in the moonlight.


I was reminded this evening, how so many of God's amazing, artistic touches go unseen, though constantly renewed before our eyes. There is such an abundance of creative treasures...touches of "The Master's Hand"...that people become blind to them. They are dismissed as "ordinary". So many people forget to "wonder"...Perhaps, as the new life of spring erupts around you, you will allow yourself to pause....and get lost in many moments of wonderment!

Ice Magic

We have had a couple of ice storms in recent weeks. It is always so magical to look closely at the sculptures God has added to His majestic works.


I was struck by the geometric shapes on these tiny azalea leaves.


This dandy was tucked around the corner, at the base of our gutter downspout.

New Life & Growth

For 9 or 10 years, we have had a tee-tiny Carolina wren nest in our carport. She nests right above where we sit and hang out...especially during storms. 3 years back, Tom got on a left-brain rampage and labelled everything on the shelves. He had a left-over jug, which he cut in half, & labelled, "handy container". Momma wren agreed and this is the 3rd year she has nested there.


She will come and go regularly, barely noticing us sitting beneath her. She is the tiniest of birds and has the loudest and most melodic of all our song-birds. Truly an amazing metaphor God created.


This year, she had a record-setting 5 babies !!!


The kids have grown & grown and now overflow the little bin....Saturday, it was time for big bro to stick his head out and lead the flock.....



We were so blessed to be out there as they took their first flying lessons. Poor things...trying so hard, but slamming and falling and trying again. I was afraid for them, but could hear momma singing a strong song of encouragement.... They all made it out of the carport to the "Carolina Blue" sky...and safely returned. SUCH a tremendous blessing to witness day 1 of flight training !!!!


Another metaphor in this is to be seen in our lives....Sometimes we start to feel crowded and that it's time for a change... We look out and see a huge drop...it takes faith and a lot of practice. We can spread our wings and head out into new directions, as long as we have our Father-God's blessing and encouragement. THAT takes faith and relationship.

Trust in Times of Need

Wherever HAS the time gone? As I grow older, it seems to pass so quickly, I find that makes it easier to ride out the tougher times...

In my experience, those who live on the economic edge, in faith, have the closest relationship with Christ. Hardships can bring deeper faith and closer relationship with our Lord. The more we need to trust in God, and do so, the more His presence and actions are manifest in our lives. Those of faith in Christ who have the greatest hardships, often have the greatest peace in their lives. How can this be? When our back is to the wall, or we are at our rock-bottom, it is easier to admit our need for salvation. Being in relationship with Christ, gives rise to greater trust, richer hope and yes, deeper peace.

So many people are losing their jobs these days. Several dear friends I know are wondering how they will survive. Knowing they strive to be like Christ, I tell them, "Watch out! You are in for some miracles!" We are often brought right up to the very place of panic...keep trusting....once, we received a check from an unclaimed life insurance policy the day before our mortgage was due. A friend told her children there would be no Christmas. Unknowingly, another friend asked if "they" could provide Christmas for that very family....The tales are endless and all demonstrate God's amazing love for His kids! Just as we can trust in the faithful change of seasons, we can trust in His caring for us in our time of need.

As I look behind my home, I see constant miracles. The words Jesus' spoke on how our Heavenly Father cares for us come to mind:
" Now, if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is gone, will He not much more clothe you...?
"Therefore do not worry...For your Heavenly Father knows you have need of these things.
"But seek first, the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
"Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about it's own things, sufficient for the day is it's own trouble" [NKJV)] (See Matt 6: 5-34)

In His Image: Creative

I often hear people say, "Oh, I'm not creative," to which I ask, "Do you believe you were made in God's image?....Do you believe HE is creative?... Doesn't that mean that you must be creative?"....*
Trees, leaves, plants, flowers, and even people remind me of God's playful sense of creativity. We often see His sense of humor in his creations, too. Take seashells for example. Something hard was needed to protect the soft animal creatures, called mollusks. He could have made a generic shape, color and texture. Instead He playfully had fun with it, changing color, texture, pattern...Take a look at the variety our Creator used in the cockle shell alone !!!!! Creator-God: Master Artist and role model.

















* If this resonates with you, I suggest you get Julia Cameron's book, "The Artist's Way" and work the process to rediscover your own creativity.