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!