Cloudy, thirty-four,
wind gusts twenty to thirty,
      rain - and snow!   Say what?!

 Green leaves turning red

 fall to cover the front lawn -

        autumn's new carpet.

                  or

        new autumn carpet. 

 

Not sure which I like best. 

Pink tinge this morning
suggests some small rain today -
      but no major storm.

5:00 - seems to be holding true.

 

Bonus haiku -

Long day of flying
home from two weeks east coast cruise -
       doing homey things(1).

(1) making our own meals, cleaning up after ourselves, sleeping in [and making up] our own bed, and so on....

 What about Oct 31?

Seasick - went to bed 

Yes, Lord,
when the saints go marching in,
from every nation and tribe,
every people and language,
in their robes washed white in the blood of the lamb,
singing "Salvation belongs to God and to the Lamb" -
Yes, I want to be in that number
when the saints go marching in!

Art in Savannah,

 Kalil Gibran self portrait -

        who would have thunk it?

 

Savannah has the largest collection of Gibran's work in the country.  

As the sun settles
below the clear horizon -
       a pink peace remains.

Witches fly, ghosts drift,

bats sweep, spiders creep, black cats

        leap - just practicing!

Just a couple of days now - are you ready?

Sunlight on meadows,

lamplight on living room chairs  -

          Moonlight on water.  

 

All nice! 

Across the water
a silver pathway shimmers -
         Hunter's moon rises.

Bonus -
Sun sets in the west,
full moon rises in the east -
    inbetween, it's me!

 Loving God,

 I can try to love you

heart and soul, mind and strength

with some limited success.

But as I look at the people around me,

loving them as I love myself,

caring about their lives as I care about my own

is not easy.

I hear Paul saying to them "you are very dear to me" 

and I will try harder today. 

Small time for breakfast,

 scrambled eggs, two sausages .

         Malted waffle?  Nope.

Star sprinkled dark sky,
white wave twinkled dark water -
         full moon arising.

"Hiawatha" and

"the shining big sea water" -

       toured his house today.

 

HWLongfellow; toured his childhood home. 

Alone on the shore,

Waves splashing over the rocks -

       Portland Head Lighthouse. 

 

The sun has now set
but several pink clouds remain -
     last vestige of day.

"Citadel - left? right?"
Lost in Halifax, we asked.
         Kind stranger - "I'll show."

God of everything that is,

 Jesus said, "Render unto Ceasar..."

but in this day and age it is too simplistic to just say "It all belongs to God."

At it's best Ceasar

  +builds schools and hires teachers,

  +creates parks and recreation areas for all to enjoy,

  +provides hospitals and medical care,

  +supports those in need.

At it's worst Ceasar

  +builds monuments to itself,

  +drains resources from those least able to afford the necessities of life,

  +sends young women and men off to fight and destroy, to kill and be killed, to injure and be harmed.

So of the everything that belongs to you help me think today

   +about what might also belong to Ceasar

  +and about where my allegiance lies. 

 

 

Work the soil, rake smooth,
thirty holes, diamond pattern -
         garlic snuggled in.

Wind, rain, and big waves
through morning and afternoon -
        now(1) golden sunlight!

(1) 6pm! And some blue sky.

 Potato, carrot,

 squash (butternut), beet (golden) -

       sheet-pan roast dinner! 

 

Light rain, early sunset, nice autumn dinner! 

A tall man lead by

a small dog. We talk weather.

       A walk to the bank. 

Red leaves on maple,

yellow leaves on birch, aspen -

        a duck on the pond.       

Hot dogs and baked beans,

cole slaw and Sprechers Root Beer -
        and the Packers won!

Long-suffering God,
we are a rebellious species,

from Aaron and the Israelites and their golden calf

right through

to the charges and counter-charges 

suits and counter-suits we hear of each new day.

But this is a beautiful morning
and while I eat at the table you have prepared for me today
I will think on
 things that are true, ____________
 things that are honorable, _______
 things that are just, __________
 things that are pure, ___________
 things that are lovely, __________
 things that are gracious, _________
 things that are excellent, __________
 things that are worthy of praise. _________
I rejoice in you and your steadfast love
today and tomorrow and every day from now on.

Morning light golden
on the rock across the bay  -
      but seventy five?

9:30 Forecast high for today.  We'll see!

7:30. Yup - made it.

Mt Shasta supper -

Fish fry with soup/salad bar -

       when was the last time?

 

We can't even think of another restaurant with a salad bar! 

Tomato sandwich,

pumpkin spice frozen yogurt -

      time to wash dishes!

Red leaves on the top
and green leaves on the bottom -
       an autumn stop-light!

Between the clouds and

equinox plus fourteen days -

     evening comes early. 

Birch and maple trees
starting to look kind of sparse -
       woodland comb-over?

Wonderful God 
these days both heaven and earth
are telling your glory -
  blue sky and autumn leaves,
  soft moon light and still water.
Today tells tomorrow - 
  God is righteous and just;
this night tells the next -
  God is merciful and kind.
Sweeter than honey from the honeycomb, your 10 Words go out -
  in the clutter and confusion
  live by these.
Heaven and earth both proclaim today -
  God is wonderful, God is love.
  

Red, orange, and yellow
maple leaves are raining down -
      front yard fall carpet

Blue sky, grey clouds, blue -
Make up your October mind -
       sky, grey clouds, blue sky.......

Still lots of amazing leaves!

First, Second, and Third

Picnics with trees, shrubs, seagulls -

          Floating in the Lake.

"Picnic Rocks" are islands offshore in Marquette - I'll try to come up with a picture.

 Moon rising from lake,

sun setting through yellow leaves -

      Good Night September! 

National Coffee Day -

Mocha latte, pumpkin spice -

         Yup, we tried them both!

 (they were half off)

 

Up the trees and down,
over the logs and around -
      squirrel tag - you're it!

 

A little late - we were at camp and someplace I thought would connect but nope. 

God of all time and space,
our elders have faithfully shared with us
the stories of your great works of old -
  splitting the sea,
  manna in the morning,
  water from the rock,
but frankly they seem to me
words for another time, another world.
And today the fathers eat the sour grapes
   of violence and war,
   of greed and political and financial manipulation,
and the children die of injury or hunger.
And even though I try to hear and trust the words of John, 
the time of your peace seems to be receding more than arriving.
Teach me your ways for these days,
show me your paths,
that I might walk in them and not be ashamed.

Sunshine on shoulders,
breeze in the trees, dozing off -
        lazy autumn day!

Blue sky, white clouds, leaves
of many flame-tinged colors -
       third day of fall - no?

And 70+ degrees. What's not to like?

Peeking through light clouds
for Packers Home Opener -
      Full moon at Lambeau.

Carrots, garlic, leeks,
potatoes, parsley, spinach(1) -
       our CSA box.

(1) and still more - lettuce, tomatoes

Yeah - not too profound but good stuff to eat! 

Half daylight, half dark.

Our equinox wish for you -

       more joy, less sorrow! 

On a log out front

chipmunk sits, oblivious,

     munching a pine cone. 

 

He/she looked like one of us munching an ear of corn! 

Concerned for all great and small God -

we come to the end of the day,

and as I reflect on events of this day in the world,  

along with 120,000 of my friends and neighbors,

I am not sure I really know my right hand from my left.

For myself, I am glad that you are

gracious and merciful, slow to anger 

and abounding in steadfast love.

With regard to some others,

I sometimes wish that 

your great power and mighty acts 

would come upon them in ways that would lead to 

a more kind, just, and gentle life for us all. 

Call me Jonah.

Never the less, I go to sleep tonight with these words in my heart -

Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised. 

This day, and forever,  I bless you and praise your name. 

 Lots of stems, lots of
leaves, a few blossoms, but still
     no ripe tomatoes!

Gardening at camp.  A few green tomatoes. Poor soil, not much water.

Bonus -
Green leaves trimmed in red,
brief flashes of sunlight gold -
     fall decoration.

Two graham crackers,
marshmellow(1), chocolate square, fire(!) -
       makes one s'more - one more?

 

(1) one or two? 

Late afternoon sun
shines golden on the far shore -
     kayak? campfire? both?

 And yes, yesterday's should have said "McCarthy's" - don't always catch inaccurate auto-corrects! 

At McCarthy Cove,

light blue sky, late sun on rocks - 

       a smile in the sky. 

One planter, two stems,
some dried up leaves, a few weeds -
        but no tomatoes!

 

Not enough water, I guess. And kind of worn out soil. 

Small fluttering down,
gently blanketing earth for
     a long winter nap.

God of justice, God of love,
in your endless effort to
mean all things for good,
time after time you nudge us
toward acceptance and forgiveness.
From earth to heaven,
from east to west,
from now to everlasting,
your steadfast love abides.
If only we could mold our brief lives
around the mercy and grace
in which we live.

Small fluttering down,
pause, grab a sunflower seed -
     up, up and away.

 Bracken have turned brown,
"tamracks" are turning yellow -
      an ending coming?

Just feeling a little uneasy - saw a piece about how public climate change conversation and reporting tends to be overly optimistic....

(1)Six small tomatoes,
four summer squash, one pumpkin -
       one deer saunters by(2).

(1) inside the [community garden] fence
(2) outside the fence!

Last night's red sunset

promise holds true this morning -

        a beautiful day.

Old family bible,

worn pages, torn cover, but -

         Duck tape makes it new!

 

It was/is my dad's old leather-bound RSV, probably 70+ years old. And it's not like the pages were all coming out or messed up - just the front cover had come off. Still, I had to take a moment of remembrance before I slapped a piece of silver tape on it!

Walk around the lake, (1)
rest time, stir-fry for supper -
      kayak(2)? Nope, tired! (3)

(1) 3 1/2 hours
(2) swimming, boating, walking....
(3) we'll see - maybe after supper.

I know, really lame - hey, it's Labor Day. I'll try to get back in better form tomorrow.

 God, I'm confused.
Jesus said if 2 of us agree
it would happen - but it hasn't.
Either Jesus mis-spoke,
or Matthew mis-heard,
or I mis-understood.
Thinking about it all,
I am sure there have been many things I have said
that haven't been clear
or haven't been really meant.
Let this month/week/day be the beginning of months/weeks/days between us
as we try afresh to speak and hear and understand.

Sunlight through the trees
sinking to the horizon -
      peacefulness descends.

Hey they can't all be profound - some of them are just 17 syllables!

Wet brown leaves on ground,

Green ferns spreading over all -

        fairy wedding tent? 

Baked, frosted a cake,

two hour audiobook -

       slow day in Chaz world. 

Pink orange sky, blue lake 

the sound of children splashing -

      walk to the lighthouse. 

School starting; while getting my hair cut at NMU Cosmetology.....

Students with laptops -
Some things change, some stay the same -
       Students with tablets(1).

(1) big 8x10 pads of lined paper and big black pencils.

Don't know if that should be rearranged or not, but it's time to go!

Mist in the morning,
then melting all day to a
      sunset in clear sky.

God from here to there
and everywhere in-between -
we are standing, living, on Holy Ground.
It was and is holy to the Canaanites and to the Jebusites and to the Israelites and to the Palestinians.
It was and is holy to the Anishinabeg and to the Jesuit explorers and to the voyaguers and to the settlers.
It was and is holy to Ukrainians and Russians and Iranians and Canadians and Haitians and Venezuelans and on and on, on and on.
I believe you led us to this land to live together in peace with those who were here already and those who are still coming,
by letting our love be genuine,
by breaking bread with would-be enemies,
by sharing our water, drinking together,
and by taking thought for what is noble in the sight of all.
I don't believe we have done this;
I don't know if I even believe anymore that we could.
But I go to bed tonight hoping and praying that (with your help) we will.

I even hesitate to put that "with your help" in. God has helped us, God has shown us the way, now it's on us - just do it!

Mostly cloudy with
a few sprinkles, but ahead -
      small patch of pale blue.

Full moon behind trees,
Full moon behind clouds - finally(1),(2)
          Sliver moon (3) shine on.

(1) we got out on the lake in our kayaks, away from the trees;
(2) the clouds drifted away leaving a clear and (really) star filled sky
(3) eclipse!

At Panara Bread -
pumpkin spice cinnamon roll.
       we'll do that again!

Playing peek-a-boo

through the maple leaves, the moon -

        set to be eclipsed.

I really wanted something like "practices" or "practicing" to be eclipsed but it just doesn't fit. Or "practices eclipse" but really eclipsed is something that happens to the moon, more than something the moon does. But maybe you can practice for something that happens to you. So maybe I would go with 

           "practicing eclipse!"

So - out of time! Hope the sky is clear tomorrow. 

Bluesday Tuesday at

The Pete Community Room -

       Flat Broke Blues roll on. 

Red tinge of autumn

on the maple tree out front -

     four summer weeks left!

Optional third line -

      fall now downloading.

I think I saw this ("downloading fall") on a sign at Dowm Wind Sports as I walked by.

 Ok - getting back on schedule, here is the prayer for today.  And I do have to say that while I'm not using it today, I do love the passage from Exodus - Moses' sister speaking up and asking Pharaoh's daughter if she should get someone to look after the baby for her!

And I have to say that I like this vision from Isaiah better than the bit from 2 Chronicles 7:14 about how "if my people will humble themselves and pray and seek my face...." because obviously (to me, at least) we (as a species and even perhaps as individuals) are not going to do that, and salvation is just going to have to be God's business or it isn't going to happen at all.  (IMHO)

So - the prayer

 God over all,

we see wildfire smoke in the heavens

and the earth wearing out like an old shirt with a frayed collar,

and people dying (and being bombed and killed left and right) 

it says "like gnats" but I find that just too hard to say!

We confess that too often we have refused 

to let you transform and renew our minds,

but have instead continued to be conformed to this age.

We have thought more highly of ourselves

than we ought to have thunk.

But now finally we lift our eyes 

looking for your "forever" salvation

and for your never ending deliverance. 

Help us see, and believe, and live. 

 

 

Ok - what's the deal, Charlie?  Where have you been?

Well, I can tell you where I've been, not sure if I know what the deal has been!  We've been at camp, and always before there have been two or three places on the property where there was enough cell phone service to get on-line, get emails, post things.   But not this time - I could make phone calls, but couldn't get on-line.  So here (posted below) are the haikus that I wrote but couldn't get to you!

 

And a couple of pictures to go with them - phragmities and sunflowers -

 

bonus haiku from Aug 19

Small bird clings to tall

green spike, bending it earthward

       swinging phragmities!

       

 

For Aug 22
Hummingbird toying
with yellow squash blossom - then
        yikes - comes right at me!

Fortunately he/she braked and turned!

For Aug 21

Sunlight and raindrops
on green leaves make sparkles like
      forestland diamonds.

For Aug 20

Faces turn one way,
then flip, following the sun -
     Hall Farms Sunflowers.

Zucchini brownies -

sounds perfect; what could go wrong?

      Crumbly -  epic fail!!

Paint(1), lop(2), nip(3), weed-whack(4)

working the North Country Trail -

     sunny, breezy - nice.

 

(1) trail markers

(2) big branches

(3) little branches

(4) well, weeds 

Over the rooftops,

pink clouds in fading twilight -

    crescent moon smile on... 

 Well God,

some of the things I put into my mouth do in fact defile my person -

too much sugar, too much fat, too many (ultra-processed?) treats;

and some of the things that come out of my mouth (and even my heart)

are kind and generous and said with love.

So it's not as simple as it seems,

which is why Jesus spoke often in poems and parables.

We rejoice today in the kind and gracious words 

he spoke to the Canaanite woman -

 "Let it be done for you as you wish."

Help me today to eat good and healthy foods 

and to say kind and loving things. 

This is what I wish. 

Postcard and a stamp,

a few lines about the day -

       long distance connect. 

Customers tap cards,

quietly I sit eyes closed -

       life streams around me. 

One basketball court,

three tennis courts, kids playground -

     where are the people?

 

Walking past an empty Williams Park (Ohio St) this morning. 

The lawn at The Pete (1),

The music (2), should we listen?

         No thanks, I'll just talk!

 

(1) Peter White Public Library - concert on the steps.

(2) The Knockabouts - local Irish and other folk music band. Really good.

And OK- it was an outdoor concert and I guess we ended up sitting in the talking section! 

Maple syrup on
pancakes made with berries and -
      surprise - banana!

Ok - the blueberries were fine, the bananas not so successful - stuck to the spatula when I flipped them, left dents in the pancakes.

 One small bunny sits

watching on one large green lawn -

          alone in the world?

                    or

         are we all alone?

 Ok - I don't know where this is going.  Is the bunny really alone or does it (he/she) have bunny friends and family?  I have friends and family that I feel close to - are there ways that I am really alone and maybe don't even realize it?

Anyway - the bunny was really cute.  I hope it (she/he) has friends or family to curl up with tonight! 

 God,

it is hard to hear or read your words to Elijah on Mt Horeb -

  "Whoever escapes from the sword of Hazael, Jehu shall kill, 

  and whoever escapes from the sword of Jehu, Elisha shall kill."

I have to believe that Elijah must have misheard or

 or that something got twisted as the story got told.

I go to bed tonight listening instead to the Psalmist -

  "Steadfast love and faithfulness will meet; 

  righteousness and peace will kiss each other.

  Faithfulness will spring up from the ground, 

  and righteousness will look down from the sky.

  The LORD will give what is good, 

  and our land will yield its increase.

  Righteousness will go before him 

  and will make a path for his steps"

and praying that somehow during the night

love and peace and faithfulness and righteousness

will have become so entwined in our world

that everyone will say "This is indeed a new day,

and it is good."

And if my tomato plants could yield just a few more

that would be great too.

Thank you, God. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Scheduling improv -
'"The Nightlife" - Monday at 10.' (1)
      Duke's Black, Browns, and Beige 

(1) AM!
Ok - I had to fudge this a bit to make it fit. It was a radio promo for a replay of a late night show for the next morning. 

Breeze sets leaves humming,

fluffy clouds drift in blue sky -

       me - I lie back, watch.

Sun has gone down now,
put food away, eat supper '
       where has today gone?

Sliced ham fried with eggs,

blueberry muffins toasted -

       breakfast for supper! 

Sweep the floor, clean the

bathroom, make salad, bake rolls -

        a guest for dinner!

 

And then we went to "Come From Away" at the boathouse. Excellent!  

Spaloosh, step, spaloosh,

wiggle toes in sand, spaloosh - 

            wading Superior.

 

Waves were gentle, water was pretty warm, could have gone in but didn't have suit on. 

 Ok - this is almost too easy.  I had expected to wrestle (like Jacob) with some scripture text, but then there is Jesus feeding the 5000 and Isaiah -

Creator and Provider -

Why do we spend our money on

___________________________

        (fill in the blank) 

which is not bread

  for our bodies, or

  for our souls, or

  for our neighbors, or

  for our children and their children, or

   for the Creation around us.

You made us and know us intimately -

help us figure this out. 

 

+About yesterday's water lily and minor sun - we have water lilies at camp that open up white with bright yellow centers - reminds me of a fried egg! 

 

+And finally a bonus for today - channel your favorite old Irish priest (Father Flannery?) and read this paraphrase of Is 55! -

Now me lads and me lasses
Sure and b'gorah but isn't it a lovely day.
And isn't it nice to see you all here -
sure and it's a sight that would warm the heart of the blessed Patrick himself.

But perhaps you're after being thirsty?
won't you come and drink water.
Perhaps you're after being hungry?
won't you come and eat the finest bread.
And what - would you be getting out your pocketbook?
No, no, no - there'll be no charge.
Come lads and lasses, drink wine and milk,
for sure there'll be no charge.
Why now would you be wasting your money on things that are not food?
Why then would you be working hard all day
for things that don't satisfy your heart?
Now me lads and lasses
let you listen carefully to my words,
even as your ancestors listened to the blessed Patrick when he walked among us,
and then won't you be enjoying the best of foods.

Now pay close attention to my words.
Come to me and live.
Won't I be promising you that same eternal love and loyalty
that I promised to David, and yes, even to the blessed Patrick.
Didn't I make him the leader of nations,
wasn't he my witness to them.
And won't you be after calling out to nations you have not known,
and nations who have never known you,
Won't you be calling out, and they'll come running,
because I am the Lord,
the holy God of Israel,
and I have honored you

Then turn to the lord.
For he can still be found.
Call out to God, He is near.
Won't you give up your crooked ways,
sneaking round,
thinking evil thoughts.
Won't you return to the Lord our God.
and won't he be merciful and be forgiving your sins.

Now me lads and lasses, the Lord says this -

"For my thoughts and my ways,

would they be like yours?

No, they would not.

Just as the heavens are high above the earth,

just as the blessed Patrick, when he was climbing the mountain,

he was higher than you or me,

even so, says the Lord,

my thoughts and my ways,

wouldn't they be higher than yours. Sure and b'gorah.

But now, when the rain and the snow fall from the sky-
would they be returning to me without watering the blessed earth,
the green hills of Ireland?
No surely they would not.
They would be after making seeds to plant
and grain to eat,
oh the hot bowls of oatmeal,
oh the sons of Erin bread.
And aren't we grateful to the blessed Patrick that there are no snakes in the
grass to bite at our heels when we go to harvest the grain.
And now the words that come from my mouth -
would they be after coming back to me
without first they do all those things I sent them to do. No they would not.

Now when you are set free, won't you be celebrating
and won't you be going home in peace.
Aye, it will be such a parade -
The mountains and the hills you pass by, won't they be singing?
and the trees - won't they be clapping their hands?
Cypress trees and myrtle trees
won't they grow up in the fields where now there are only thorns.

Sure and b'gorah.

And won't those trees be an everlasting witness to the glory of the Lord?

 

Loviest of "flowers" (1),
the water lily opens -
      a minor sunrise.(2)

(1) OK- channeling A E Housman, "Loviest of trees the cherry now
is hung with bloom along the bough...". You have to squish "flowers" into one syllable - "fluwrs". If you are not good with that you could do "Love-lest flower, the water lily......". I like the first but I'm good with either.
(2) Chanelling Loren Eisley's admonition - "In the coming darkness, look for a minor sun." (My paraphrase, I don't have the book here with me.) He was watching a spider spin a web in a streetlight one early winter night.

And a nice start for a new month! 

Big brown eye searches,

long ears twitch, pink nose quivers -

         bunny on the prowl! 

Into the window,

onto the restless sleeper -

          full moon on the prowl! 

Cheeseburger and chips,

beans, coleslaw, watermelon -

        community meal.

 

at St Paul's Church. 

Green leaves fluttering

against a calm clear blue sky -

         a colorful world.

 

Not to mention varicolored birds, flowers, butterflies....and people!

Temperature dropping,

Monday night fog rolling in -

        No moon's gaze tonight.

 

Again "tem-pra-ture"! 

Compassion -

As I wait for my new glasses

(with pumped up prescription)

I feel for Leah and her "weak eyes"

(and for this family which is getting off  to a difficult start).

I am grateful for the ocular artists who are making "fun eyes" - cat eyes, sunflower eyes, star burst eyes - for people with prosthetic eyes.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/ocular-artistry-eye-prosthetics-become-canvases-for-self-expression.

I pray that I might find the fun in my various limitations, disabilities, and difficulties. 

From blue sky tonight

the moon turns three quarters, says

       "Got my eye on you"! 

The last little chunk,

SPAM, lettuce, and tomato -

         SLT sandwich!

 

Lunch today. 

Cruising down the lane -

two deer, one a fawn, crossing - 

       cruising down the lane. 

Clear sky, quiet lake,

a busy day winding down -

          a half moon rises. 

In sidewalk buckets -

tomatoes and potatoes -

      deer eating them both! 

Birds chirp, squirrels cheep,

leaves flutter, thrash in the wind -

       darkness approaching!

 

Thunderstorm - the animals are nervous. Or is that just my projecting? 

Eternal God, 
I went to bed last night
with a pillow, not a stone,
and I had no dream of angels
going up or down a plain ladder 
or an elegant staircase,
but here I am in one more morning.
I pray that this day will take me
one rung, one stairstep, one morning closer to you.

As evening settles,
through the smoke, clouds, maple leaves -
     a red ball - the sun!

Haven't seen it for a few days.

For just a moment,
a break in the clouds, smoke thinned -
       a ray of sunshine.

Closed (1) - farmer's market,

band concert, Third Street music.  

       -  Lawn rabbit munching. (2)

(1) due to wildfire smoke.  Numerous other places and activities were/are closed - even the casino, for Pete's sake! 

(2) so I'm kind of struggling with this one.  I'm trying to think about all these human activities and events that are closed so we can all stay inside, and then out on the lawn is a rabbit munching it's way along - as if all were normal, with no place really to go inside and get out of the smoke.  Well, down a rabbit hole, I guess. I don't know how much protection that would provide.  All in all, I could have used a few more syllables.

Here's another try -

Walk, farmer's market,

band concert, Third Street music.....

    - Lawn rabbit munching. 

Would help if there was a more "smoky" strike-through option! 

Clear blue sky - somewhere;

thunder and lightning - somewhere;

        but here it's just smoke!

 

Unhealthy air - wildfire smoke from places west of here. 

Mushy bananas
don't add to granola, but -
      make delicious bread!

"So how hot is it?"

Car says one hundred and two -

       "No, really, how hot?"

 

Really, it was 102 for a little while! 

Wonderful God,

it has been a good day.

The gateways of morning and now evening

have shone with golden sunlight

and sung with windy joy.

You have watered the earth twice -

once with gentleness, once with hail!

The pastures of the wilderness overflow;

the hills gird themselves with joy;

the meadows clothe themselves with flocks;

the valleys deck themselves with grain;

they shout and sing together for joy.

There has been good food to eat

and someone to share it with.

It has been a good day.

I know that in all of this I am blessed by you.

Thank you.

         

 Puppy catching ball,
elf in the wind, ski-jumper -
     cloud shapes passing by.

(Wish I had taken pictures to show)

SPAM-ku....
One last piece of SPAM.
Eggs? Salad? Pasta? Sandwich?
        What to do? What to.....

So that wraps up SPAM week for another year, boys and girls. Hope you enjoyed it - the week and the SPAM!  And did you know there is Maple SPAM?

 After two weeks it's

deer one, potatoes zero -

        the garden at camp. 

We need a fence - or more chicken wire!  I don't under3stand why there is this whole field of leaves and the deer eat the potato plants!

 

SPAM-ku - 

For Friday fish fry -

Cajun Panko grilled salmon.

       But tomorrow - SPAM! 

(Cajun Panko grilled SPAM?  Maybe.) 

 

 

 

A walk by the lake,

an evening reading a book -

      both are calling me.

 

And a SPAM-ku for today-

Pizza crust with sauce, 

onions, peppers, olives, cheese -

       SPAM sizzling on top! 

 Brilliant red sunset

fades to pink, to grey, to black

      as time goes by - night!

 

And SPAM-ku for the day -

   SPAM and Colby cubes,

   bar-b-que sauce, and toothpicks -

        laid out on Limoges. 

 

White clouds in blue sky,

Green trees around blue water -

      driving by Teal Lake. 

 

and

Baked beans, salsa, chips,

potato salad - no SPAM?!?!

     quick trip to the store! 

Below trees and shrubs,
a wide expanse of green grass -
       one rabbit munching.

 

Then -

Wrapped in golden crust -
Potatoes, onions, cheese, SPAM.
      - July 5 Pasty!

Ok - a day late, what with yesterday being Sunday and somehow it had slipped off my calendar that SPAM was introduced on July 5.  But SPAM Week is off and running!

All encompassing God,

gracious and merciful,

slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love -

your mercy is over all that you have made.

Forgive our fickle and childish ways.

Give us ears to hear the flute

and grace to dance along;

Give us ears to hear when others wail

and grace to quiet our hearts and mourn along.

Help us shoulder the yoke Jesus offers -

easy or hard, heavy or light – always right.

And if there are camels that need watering......

Bikers (1), bagpipers,

two bands (2), just one horse, no clowns (3) -

       but we remember. (4)

 

(1) motorcycles to lead the parade, Ore-to-Shore mountain bikers along with a float.

(2) one was the high school band, the other the NMU pep band (with electric base) on a float.

(3) there were some Shriners in little go-karts. Might have been a clown or two with them but they were too far ahead of me to see.

(4) several bands, 6-8 horses all decked out - I don't know what else.  Boy/Girl Scouts?

 

 

 

City fireworks,

Nature's thunder and lightening -

          which show will we see? 

 

9pm, clouds and "chance of showers and thunderstorms"!

Neighbors and hot dogs

and friendly conversation (1) -

        good start for the Fourth!

(1) picnic in the driveway.

Dark clouds on the lake, (1)

sunset golden through the trees (2) -

          after dinner walk. 

(1) looking east.

(2) looking west. 

Poised and intense, the
chipmunk nibbles maple seed -
      Watchful, yes, watchful.

                        or

         Watchful, yes, always. 

Thunder and lightning,

early morning wakeup call -

        some rain but all's well.

 

 We've had some issues with rain gutter downspouts, but we're all good for now.

 Loving God,

you care for all people -

  young and old,

  rich and poor,

  even the just and the unjust 

    upon whom your rain falls,

and it grieves your heart 

  when anyone of us fails to find 

   the good life you have for us.

I confess I'm not sure what it means 

  to receive anyone "in the name of a prophet"

  or "in the name of a righteous person"

  or even what their rewards might be. 

 But I go to bed with a heavy heart tonight

  knowing that there are "little ones" all over the world

  who are thirsty, or hungry, or alone, or afraid tonight 

  and in need of "being received", 

  given a cup of cold water,

  and a safe place to sleep.

I wish I had done more for them today. 

 Daisies, buttercups 
form roadside constellations
          in a fresh green sky.

Big meal at breakfast,
Smaller as the day goes on -
       Did just opposite!

Going to bed stuffed - not good!

Woodwinds sigh and squeal, 

horns blare, drums rumble, kids run -

     moon over it all. 

 

First band concert in new bandshell.  

Showers end at six.

Big deal or not a big deal?

         Picnic starts at six! 

 

 And bonus from Monday:

Square dance at Eastwood -

"I really like to polka" (1)

          Roll out the barrel! 

(1) audience member!

 

 

A poke in the arm,

an hour in the waiting room,

          a poke in the rear.

 

Figure it out? 

Green purple leaflets

emerge, unfold, and stretch out -

               "Hello potato!" 

 So - Father's Day.

And the lessons are Abraham dismissing Hagar and Ishmael (son),

and God saying he will make it alright (what world does that make sense in?)

and Jesus saying "I have come to set a man against his father and a woman against her mother"

and "whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me."

 

I was asked today what I have learned about being a father -

   +that someone else's success 

       brings you greater joy than any of your own,

   +that someone's else's struggles 

       bring more anguish than any of your own,

   +that someone else's suffering hurts more than your own,

   +that in a family you simply love each other, 

       not one person more (or less) than another.

Is that how it is for you, God? 

 

Joy, sunrise, coffee (1) -
longest day and shortest night -
      coffee (2), moonrise, peace.

(1) on a chair looking out the window?
(2) on a bench looking over the lake?

Small tomato plants
snug in their "wall-o-waters" 
       are holding their own.

Lettuce, rainbow chard,

spinach, radishes, summer - 

         first CSA box.

 

And cilantro, carrots, bak choi, sugar snap peas, scallions, basil(plant)!  Summer indeed; a good start. 

On the patio -

Chipmunk, squirrel, another,

          Chasing side to side. 

                    or 

In the maple tree -

Chipmunk........

       Chasing up and down. 

Boxes to the trash,

stuff set aside "till next year" (1) - 

        cleaning the garage.

 

(1) along by the stuff we set aside "till next year" last year! 

Swoop of white against 
a gray and darkening sky -
      a seagull dives by.

God,
  we are indeed your people 
  and the sheep of your pasture.
And yet we so often feel 
  and even behave
  as if we have no shepherd at all.
When the disciples  
  come to our house 
  offering your peace,
  help us greet them 
  with warm hospitality.
As they move along 
  to bring your peace to still others 
  help us find ways to support them
  and maybe even go along.

Pieces cut from old

flannel shirts - back, two front sides 

        for a (some day) quilt.

         

Five tomatoes, two
pumpkins, three squash snuggled in - (1)
       banquet on the way!

(1) snuggled into the garden bed, that is. Along with the garlic and onions already in.

Fibers, drawings, pots:

art reception at The Pete -

        crackers, cheese, cookies.

Dark cloud horizon,

long day care line approaches -

           Get 'em back before.......

 

It didn't rain after all. 

 Ate breakfast and lunch

and dinner, took out the trash -

      slow day for Charlie.

 

Ok - I did do a couple other things, helped clean a bit,  helped sort the kitchen drawers, moved seedlings out and in, went to the Visibility Brigade (sorry - trying to keep politics out of this), but not a whole lot to point to today.

Against a pink sky

trees turn to black silhouettes

         as evening descends. 

 

And holy smokes - the web page says this is post number 500.  Who would have thunk it! 

 God of us all,
You led Abram and crew through the land where the Canaanites were living.
Did you perhaps mean to suggest that they could share the land?
Could it be that instead of the land belonging to us
in reality we belong to the land?
Could we find ways to live in peace and share the land?
Help us think about other ways to live,
with other people,
and in other lands.
Let your love guide us
instead of our own pride and aquisitive nature.

 Gray skies cleared to blue
with pleasant temps, gentle breeze -
           but there still are BUGS!

as in black flies, mosquitoes, horse flies!

 Right from the freezer,

toasted, with maple syrup -

       a waffle at ten.

Ten PM that is - homemade waffle, crispy, overly sweet, delicious! 

 

 From the radio -

chance of showers, thunderstorms.

      Still dry, still waiting.

 

Still hot! 

Earth's gifts inspire our
grateful reciprocity -
       The Serviceberry

 

The Wednesday Reading Group talking about Robin Wall Kimmerer's book.  Nice thoughts.

Mom, two kids wading,
Me on the bench eating lunch -
         Lake Superior noon.

Cute little bunnies
chase each other shrub to shrub -
          Springtime athletics.

                         Or

            Rabbit Track and Field? 

 

Wonderful God,

your daughter Hannah looked forward to a great reversal -

  when those who were full go hungry,

    and those who were hungry are satisfied;

  when the poor are lifted up from the dust

    and made to sit with princes;

  when the faithful ones will be guarded

    but the wicked and their ways will perish.

And did she see it, I wonder, or did she die waiting.

From the rising of the sun (or the blue moon!) to the going down of the same

  we praise your name, O Lord,

  as we also look and long for your great reversal.(1)

Thank you

  for Hannah and her faith,

  for Elizabeth and the welcome and hospitality she offered Mary,

  for Mary and her willingness to be a part of your dream,

     even though it meant suffering and sorrow.

Give us grace to follow their examples.

 

 (1) on 2nd thought, I had casserole last night, cereal this morning, pasta with pesto for lunch - I haven't been hungry for a long, long time.  Hmmm.......

Small white blossoms cast
off, drifting down on the breeze -
       Service berry snow.

Large leaves on thick stems, 

tiny leaves on long, lean stems -

     Squash and tomatoes.

Starts - hopefully the tomatoes will catch up before too long!

Jogger, with stroller,
woman talking to the air (1) -
      and more (2) on bikepath.

(1) with ear buds, talking on a phone. And I have to confess, I was listening to an audio book on my phone!

(2) bikes, e-bikes, dog walkers, folks heading for the beach, couples just walking!

One branch blossoms white,
another sprouts leaflets green -
         through both shows the moon.

Ok - 10:30, and not my best effort, maybe, but I still kind of like it.  And the way both are black against the moon.

Under clear covers
small green leaves on long thin stems -
        time to turn on lights! (1)

(1) grow lights, that is.....

A clear sky morning,
clouds and light rain afternoon -
       clear sky, warm moon night.

 God of all creatures and creation,
your Holy Spirit pours
over our world like a gallon of Sherwin Williams paint
and into every nook and cranny like a springtime mist,
bringing your love and life to all.
Help us live in the light of that love
this day and always.

 Hunched on the bracket
of the suet cake feeder -
       chipmunk poised to strike.

 Five buckets of soil,
6x6 timbers, cardboard -
       garden bed st camp.

 Afghan on the couch,
quiet sunlight on the floor -
     the afternoon nap.

Little plastic cups, 

growing mixture, seeds, water -

      now the wait begins!

 

Yes, we have done soil blockers; yes we have done newspaper cups; yes we have done peat cups.  This year we really have room and materials and just drilled holes in little plastic drink cups.   

Thought we had a plan;

 then unseen events arose -

          life is uncertain. 

Buds, birds  and branches 

outside my windows today.

        Tomorrow - blossoms?

 

Tomorrow night - frost!!?? 

 Everywhere and ever-present God,
friend, comforter, protector, guide,
shepherd, parent......
here we are in this season
when Jesus has ascended,
left us,
but the Holy Spirit has not yet come.
And honestly God,
sometimes it feels like we are on our own,
not just for these 10 days but for every day for all time.
We are so unjust, so cruel, so arrogant to each other.
Help us trust in the coming and the power of your Holy Spirit,
lest we get lost in the wilderness of fear and despair.
We pray this for our sake, that we might find our best lives,
and for the sake of Jesus,
that his life, death, resurrection, and ascension will not have been in vain.

 Multicolored flash
at the hummingbirds feeder -
      welcome little friend.

 White clouds drifting by,
wind sets the woods a-humming -
      sunshine on the deck.

 

Dark clouds now, rain coming? 

 Airplanes overhead,
Speed boats on the horizon -
        Bathers on the beach.

On the bench it's me - eating a pasty!

Grass is turning green,

buds are just ready to burst -

        summer in the wings!

                      or

         summer on the way!

                     Or even 

Grass greening on first, 

buds swinging for the fences -

        summer is on deck! 

Voices call from all

around me sitting in the

       public library. 

Dry leaves, bare branches,
many big trees blown over -
       walking Presque Isle trail.

And blue sky, blue lake, some verbal ponds (see today's Mining Journal) and stretches of muddy trail. All in all, really nice!

Father/Mother God,

in whom we live and move and have our being -

Evening comes and in the quiet darkness

we are grateful that you do not leave us alone,

but are with us through this night

and into tomorrow.

We rest in your love and care. 

Flour, sugar, salt,

baking powder, oil, milk, eggs -

         waffles for breakfast! 

 Warm sun, gentle breeze,

 birds sing, all is harmony -

      in my mind? the yard?  

On the lawn is Bugs(1);

on the pond are seven ducks;

       on the couch - is me! 

 (1) a rabbit friend - but not necessarily one that I could identify as opposed to another. 

 Yellow daffodils
gathering on the hillside -
        infiltrating May.      

The gas stove comes on,

the sun and the temps falling -

    Evening settles in

           or

Evening settles in,

the sun and the temps falling -

     the gas stove comes on. 

 

 Blue sky overhead,
Dark clouds on the horizon -
         take a walk - or no?

 All over, over all God,

"A chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation....."

Really? 

Examples are few and far between

in these harsh and polarized and violent days.

Shine the light of your love into the backroom spaces 

of our hearts and lives

until they more fully realize the persons you have called us to be.

Oatmeal for breakfast,

soup, salad, muffin for lunch -

     now - what's for dinner? 

Floating serenely, 

a brief paddle, a headstand -

      May duck afternoon. 

 

 One ray of sunlight
shines through a bank of grey clouds -
         April rain's last chance?

Does snow count for "April rain"?
"Eight for the April Rainers" from the Green Grow the Rushes song?

Egg, butter, flour,

baking powder, soda, salt -

      waffles on Wednesday!

 Latent lillies, ducks, 
seagulls, breeze-teased ripples, frogs -
       all sharing the pond.

Bare branches waving,
leaves tumbling across the lawn -
       spring breezes blowing.

 Dear God,

in the dark valleys and in pleasant pastures

it is reassuring to have a shepherd,

 someone who knows the landscape, 

 someone who has been here before,

 someone who knows where to find food and drink,

 someone to look after me, 

 someone who knows where to go as evening falls.

Thank you for being that someone. 

 

The Good Shepherd, Dupre, Julien, 1851-1910

 Carrot, onion, peas,
red pepper, garlic, 5 spice -
       fry and put on rice!

I guess there was celery too.

 Across lawns, bushes, 
up a tree, around, and down -
        Squirrels playing tag!

Sunshine and sixty,

maybe even seventy.

        Too warm? Too early? 

 Sink one inch, two, six,

one step after another -

      walking in to camp!

 

Sinking in the snow, that is! 

 

One small dark sky star

shines through (1) springtime bare branches -

        April ornament?

 

(1) "hangs in"?  Seems like that's pretty close to a famous haiku about the moon hanging....?

 With buds on maple,
ducks on pond, robin bobbin' -
       it must be spring - no?

 Dear Lord,

I met several strangers 

as I walked through this day.

Were you one of them?

Were you all of them?

I regret not paying more attention.

Help me see you more clearly in the people I meet tomorrow.

 

After months of snow - 

unvaryingly smooth, still -

      ripples on the pond! 

 I will (1) fly on your 
airline if your C.E.O
      flies main cabin - deal?

(1) maybe! 

Gray curl in sunlight,

Stretches, yawns, blinks, resettles -

       Ivan, hotel cat. 

Nice breakfast, found my

hat, walk to art museum -

      life smiling on us. 

Raising water (1) to

making electricity (2) -

        windmills do it all.

 

(1) with Archimedes screws, one level to another

(2) grinding grain, sawing lumber.... 

Yup  we're in The Netherlands - tulips today!

 Ok - I'm back. The thing was that we were heading off for this tulip cruise and we were getting shafted by Delta, but 2 or 3 gate officials and things worked out.  The Netherlands has been really lovely!  Tomorrow - the tulips!

Like coffee with cake, 

like quiet in the city -

      sunshine after rain.

 

And then I guess this is Sunday -

Dear Lord,

Thomas believed when he saw the wounds in your body.

Help us believe when we see the wounds in your world.

 

 Ok - I am taking a break. Yesterday was a really nice day until.........  

I need a day or two to let things settle and then I'll be back -

Beautiful Savior, Lord of Creation,

thank you for the joys of this resurrection day -

for hymns and "Alleluias" and cards and corsages, 

for eggs and bunnies and  butterflies and bouquets,

for rocket ships and basketball games and Thomas the Tortoise,

for brunches and buffets.

Thank you for touching my heart 

and bringing me new life

and walking with me each day

and assuring me that when this life is over

you will still be there.

So I am good.

But I pray today 

for those in places, high or low,

who are not walking in your way;

for those who think it is acceptable to bomb

civilian buildings and infrastructure;

for those who would take money from

the sick, the hungry, the homeless, the poor, 

and use it to buy guns and planes and warships. 

And most of all I pray today  

for mothers and fathers who are holding their children

in the piles of rubble where their homes used to be;

for farmers whose land has dried up and worn out;

for families who are at the mercy of violent gangs and corrupt governments,

or who find themselves alone in a strange land with no one to turn to; 

for anyone who for whatever reason 

does not see their way to an acceptable future.

So I pray for whatever it would take

that your Resurrection Joy would surface in their lives,

and that we all might live together in justice, kindness, and humility,

in the peace which comes from your heart to this our/your world.

And I pray in the name of Jesus,

Resurrected Prince of Peace. 

 

In rain, sleet, snow, ice,

and various darknesses -

         we start a garden.

 

          "we are a garden"? 

 

 

Pour boiling water

down a rabbit hole; you get -

        Yup - hot cross bunnies! 

 Above the rooftops,

behind night's cloudy blackness  -

      the stars still shine - no?

 

Not sure if "rooftops" is a little to trite, "Above the houses"?

And "the stars are shining" for a little more confident/optimistic last line?

Or, "full moon of Easter"? (there is always a full moon during Holy Week!) 

From Florida to

the moon and back - Artemis -

     five, four, three, two, one....... 

Snow and freezing rain,

Tonight, tomorrow, next day -

      March going out like........ 

Join hands, circle left,

Star through....ladies chain.....trade.....ah -

        "Swing and Promenade!"

 

Square dancing - the calls come thick and fast and can be confusing, but then comes "swing and promenade" and it's like a little break - "we got this!" 

 Everywhere anytime God,

today we remember Jesus coming to Jerusalem,

not on Air Force One, or Two, or even Ten,

but on Donkey One,

and in spite of ourselves

we find ourselves caught up in the excitement of the crowd,

our bodies and hands swaying and waving

like palm branches in the wind,

our hearts and minds singing with the stones

as all creation sings your praise.

Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord,

blessed is the one who comes in peace.

May the joy of this day flow into all the world,

but especially to places where there is hunger

and fighting, and fear, and sorrow, and suffering.

Yes - may your peace rest securely in those places.

Grey squirrel leaping,

twisting, turning summersaults (!) -

       just the joy of spring? 

Snowflakes in sunshine,

sparking fresh white glitter -

      I looked - no rainbow!

"Snowbow"? 

 

 

Thankful for these things -

People, Earth, Waters, Fish, Plants…….

       Now our minds are one.

 

The beginning of Ganonyok, Seneca version of the Haudenosaunee Thanksgivng Address, "The Words That Come Before All Else."  We went to the presentation at the United Conference at NMU.  Here are two links to two expressions of the complete address -

Boundless love site

Dance for all People site 

Spanish, French, German -

Poetry Without Borders,

        and I got nada! 

People read poems in 19 different languages. I speak only English! 

Flapping, soaring, turn-
ing, climbing, diving, splashing -
       seagull acrobats.

I especially like the "turning" between lines 1 and 2.  We were watching them at Picnic Rocks while we drank our coffee.

Honey Mustard Bar-

B-Que Chicken sub sandwich -

     first picnic(1) of spring! 

 

(1) in car picnic overlooking Lake Superior. Blue water, blue sky - nice. 

  

 God of all life and death,
we pray to you from the valleys of dry bones -
 - Gaza
 - Ukraine
 - Iran
 - and other places that go in and out of our news consciousness where people (and indeed all Creation) is suffering, including our own United States.
Breathe your word of life to us all,
that your Creation might rise up and live and thrive like a daffodils in springtime.
We pray today in the name of Jesus who said "Consider the lilies...."

 

 Kelly Latimore - Our Lady Protectress of the Most Vulnerable

kellylatimoreicons.com 

 White islands float on
Lake Superior blue water -
        in UP blue sky.

             Or 

 

A fuzzy crescent

hanging in the maple tree -

       ornament of spring.

 

Still not a "3,2,1" haiku. (March 21)

 

Two thirds of March is

over now, springs first full day -

        time to start something! 

 

Equal day and night (1) -

more “outdoors” now, less tv -

    in the days ahead.

Skiing, walking, maybe even a early afternoon picnic?

(1) March 20 - vernal equinox, then full moon, then Sunday=Easter!

Revenge - forgiveness,

Hey, Count of Monte Cristo -

           Which one will you choose?

Read this book before,
heard this song, saw this program -
       left-over buffet!

Actually we had 2 "left-over" casseroles and some BBQ beans for supper -

Potatoes, onions,

sriracca spiced smoked salmon (1) -

         St Patrick's Day meal?

 

(1) baked in a white sauce with cheese. Not traditional maybe, but it was delicious!

Front yard rolling hills,
Sidewalk mountain range drifts, so -
      blizzard is still here!

We've got a six foot drift across our front sidewalk. I'd take a picture but I'm not sure I can get the door open!  Ok - picture from outside-

Alternate last line-
          No grasshoppers here.

Happy St Urho's Day!
        

Amazing Graceful God,

I open my eyes and see the beauty of your creation,

  the smile of a spouse or child,

  the wildness of the storm blowing past,

  the bounty of food, clothes, friends, home.

I close my eyes against the ugliness and harshness of the world,

  the hatred and cruelty with which we treat others,

  the despair of those who are attacked or abused,

  the suffering of the poor, the lonely, the troubled.

I close my eyes, and yet I see,and thus am culpable.

Others are more culpable than I, perhaps,

but I am not without blame.

I trust in your forgiving grace

this day and each day to come.

And I pray that better times might come for all.

Lakeshore flood warning,

waves 20 to 30 feet

       possible - say what? 

 Winter storm - schools close,

sidewalks covered, streets clogged, but -

    made it to Stucko's! 

 For my birthday.  

Fish fry - cajun/panko grilled with fried white cheddar cheese poutine!  Tomorrow, Monday - sounds like more winter storm!

 

"Winter storm warning" -

How much of life to cancel?

          So far skies are clear!

Light snowfall last night
Frosts this morning's pine branches -
           Cupcakes for breakfast?

Actually with school (and other avtivities) closed, I had waffles!

Snow's back, temps lower,

nothing on the calendar -

       stay in, do taxes. 

Sunshine, rising temps,

Leftovers in sun oven -

          Lunch outside today!

 

67 degrees?! 

 

All Knowing God -

you see everything we’ve ever done

and still you welcome us to your side.

In your mercy and grace

you give us food when we are hungry

and water when we are thirsty.

And when we are lonely

you are there by our side. 

Open our hearts and minds

to worship you in Spirit and in Truth,

here and now and where and when ever

you might lead us. 

We pray in Jesus’ name.

Time to turn the clocks,

snowbanks shrink, gutter streams flow -

         spring is not here yet! 

Or 

Time to turn the clocks -

one hour more or one hour less -

         make a difference? 

Chick-a-dees flitting,

snow melting, grey clouds settling -

       waiting for the rain. 

Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish -

Ice crystals, waves, in the lake - 

      Swish, swish, swish, swish, swish. 

Bright golden sunrise

to pale pink and gray sunset -

        so flows my story.

Moon sparkles on lake,

moon shadows on front yard snow  -

        lunar eclipse - not.

 

Glorious full moon last night. Got up at 5:30 to check for eclipse - fully clouded over. Went back to bed; got up at 8:30; made "full moon waffles" to compensate.

Bonus factoid - Writer's Almanac says Beethovan's Moonlight Sonata was published on this day in 1802.

Ok - making brownies. See if you can guess what happened -

 

Melt one stick butter,

Six ounces chocolate chips.....rats!

       Black beans are not chips!

 

Yup  - we had a half bag of "chocolate chips". Dumped a quarter of a cup into the bowl before I realized "wait a minute, those are black beans, not chocolate chips!" Had to pick them out - they're soaking and will get made into something tomorrow!

 

Faithful God -
trusting in and living by a promise,
Abram left "his own" for "a place called Away" (1).
It leads me to ponder what promises I live by,
where I look for help,
who I trust to keep me as I go out and come back.
I would like to trust your strength more than my own,
your vision more than the popular culture's,
your grace more than fame or fortune or pensions.
I'll need your help to make it so.

(1) Gordon Lightfoot, from "The Canadian Railroad Trilogy".

 Melting then freezing

leaves ice rink roads and sidewalks -

       skiing?  I think not! 

Sun sets and temps drop

from fifty to "low of 8" -

         it was a nice day.

We skied at the Forrestville Trailhead. Still easing back into this - maybe Blueberry Ridge tomorrow. (Temps supposed to get up to 14, so we'll see.) 

Tracks in snow on the

pedestrian corridor-

       new cross country skis!

We haven't skied in 10 or 15 years. We made it from Fair to Crescent and back. Next maybe a real trail. 

Snow on the rooftops,

windows twinkle in the dark - (1)

       half moon over town.

(1) or "lights twinkle from the ski hill" 

(from the library parking lot!) 

               

St Matthias Day - he

replaced Judas as will

       spring replace winter.

 

Feb 24 in the Episcopal Church and some others. In some places his day was a sign of spring's approach.

One long power cord,

a hair dryer, two cold hands -

       and yesterday's mail.

 

The mailbox was frozen shut!  

"Yes, I received your letter yesterday

(about the time the doorknob broke)

When you asked me how I was doing,

Was that some kind of joke?"

         - Bob Dylan 

 I have come to see the stories of The Fall and The Temptations not as stories of personal testing/trial and personal success/failure, but as a word that there is evil in the world, even in Eden, still in Jesus' day, and still again in our own, and that encountering evil leads to suffering, for you and/or for others -

So -
Always and Everywhere God,
I feel badly for Adam and Eve,
exploring their world,
(testing and pushing boundaries)
encountering evil,
and experiencing the consequences.
I feel badly for our world today,
where evil is present still
and when some push past boundaries
others (we all?) experience consequences.
I am so proud of Jesus
who stayed fully in each moment and met them faithfully.
I wish I could do the same.

Glides, jumps, spins, throws, lifts -

Exhibition Gala Skate!

          That's all - till next time. 

Egg salad sandwich,

apple, root beer, and pop corn -

       lunch, movie, The Pete.

(i.e. - lunch at the movie at the Peter White Public Library. It was "Fallen Leaves" - a Finnish comedy.) 

          

 

Brownies, heart cookies,

Valentine goodies all gone -

        three weeks til pi day! 

                    Or

Watching women skate,

wanting to "haiku describe" -

         Can't even come close! 

Snow falling gently,

quietly covering all -

       frosting on our world.

 

Last chance before lent -

Laissez les bons temps roulez -

        beignets for breakfast!

 

So do you have to stop eating mest/fried/sweet/chocolate tonight, or can you keep eating until the Ash Wed service tomorrow? Inquiring minds want to know! 

The sun sets golden.

Above the clear horizon -

    a new moon, new me? 

              Or

The sun sets golden

below horizon above

      rises new moon the. 

 A prayer for evening -

Dependable God,

daylight has faded and evening dark descends,

just as the glow from Jesus' face must have faded

and he and the three descended the mountain.

But even in the darkness your love surrounds us 

and your strong arms will keep us safe.

We settle into our evening routines

thankful for your presence with us

through daylight and darkness,

through life and death and beyond. 

We rest in you tonight.