In February, I issued a challenge. It was a challenge to post on Facebook, every day for a month, a photo with a short (or long) explanation. There are several purposes for taking up the challenge. It helps us look and see the beauty in expected and unexpected places. For me, it is an exercise in self-discipline. To complete a task for thirty days in a row is a good exercise for someone with "diffused focus." One result of the March challenge was unearthed memories I did not realize were buried. It also helps create FB posts that relate to something lovely and not politics, which I, personally, find to be quite unlovely.
The Etheridge brothers met the March challenge. I learned a lot about them as dads, as granddads, as husbands to the wives of their youth, as vagabonds who travel often together, and as fine, honorable men. All in all, I cannot think of one negative result from the meeting of the challenge.
The rules are simple as well as a bit nebulous. Post on FB, one (or more) picture every day (or not, if life gets too hectic). Use the camera on your phone or one more fancy. If you don't like the prompt, make up one for yourself, however, it is more fun if we all do the same thing. It is meant to be fun and not just one more thing that has to be done.
Lots of my FB friends are extremely marvelous picture-takers. So, please, if you want to, join me in the challenge. Let's bring some beauty and joy to FB in September.
Below is the list. Happy snapping!!
1. Shoot through something
2. Water
3. Motion
4. Let shadows tell the story
5. Reflection
6. Frame your subject
7. Black and White
8. In Full Sun
9. Three
10. The Everyday
11. A Child
12. A favorite spot in your city
13. Sky
14. New
15. Pattern
16. Weather
17. Flare
18. A street scene
19. Details
20. Red, green and blue
21. At night
22. Duo
23. Same thing 3 angles
24. Bell
25. Sunset
26. Same subject, different light
27. In your room
28. Outside a window
29. Close up
30. Bridge
Sunday, August 27, 2017
Tuesday, August 22, 2017
Multilingual
Yesterday, on FB, someone posted that folks use the word "awesome" a lot. We say, "these are awesome French fries," "your hair looks really awesome," "he's an awesome athlete." I have very little problem with people using the word. It is a whole lot better than people going around saying everything is awful. That same person stated that yesterday, during the eclipse, the word "awesome" was absolutely appropriate. Awesome was certainly the best word I could find, and I felt, like most everyone, "awesome" was awesomely inadequate.
I offered to make eclipse food and suggested that we just stay at our house to watch the spectacle rather than going to one of the many venues in town offering eclipse activities. What we witnessed was far more spectacle than any of us expected. How this could be so is a puzzle, because the hype leading up to the event was immense. It turns out that there could not have been too much hype. It was certainly an event that had to be seen, for words would never be adequate in describing it.
Eclipse pizzas, eclipse oranges as the sun and blueberries as the moon, Sunkist, eclipse cookies and Eclipse gum were on the menu. Around noon, we looked up, with our glasses on, of course, and saw that the event had begun. Some of our group had to leave, but the rest of us camped out on the front lawn to await totality. Fizzy even ran home from the Downtown Y so he could be with us to see it. You do realize when I say "ran" I mean literally, not figuratively.
Most of our crowd, being committed introverts, could not have been happier. Quietly sitting side by side, listening to the sounds of nature, pondering our smallness and the vastness of the universe was absolute perfection. No music was blaring. Mainly, the only words spoken were words of awe. I think Sheri said "way to go God!" I cried.
It occurred to me that this was an event that spoke so completely to both believers in an omniscient and omnipresent God and those whose belief lies more in the truth of science. I, personally, do not believe these two things are mutually exclusive, for God is multilingual. One of his many languages is the language of science. He is the author of science. This is why it is hard to understand pushback against the idea of evolution. A creator who makes animals and plants and humans who evolve over time, rather than just staying as is for always, is unspeakably creative. God spoke to me yesterday. Science astounded me. The perfect timing of sun and moon aligned and scientists being able to tell us the exact minute it would occur in every area where it would be seen is amazing. Yesterday, God spoke loudly and clearly in his language of science and it was AWESOME!
I offered to make eclipse food and suggested that we just stay at our house to watch the spectacle rather than going to one of the many venues in town offering eclipse activities. What we witnessed was far more spectacle than any of us expected. How this could be so is a puzzle, because the hype leading up to the event was immense. It turns out that there could not have been too much hype. It was certainly an event that had to be seen, for words would never be adequate in describing it.
Eclipse pizzas, eclipse oranges as the sun and blueberries as the moon, Sunkist, eclipse cookies and Eclipse gum were on the menu. Around noon, we looked up, with our glasses on, of course, and saw that the event had begun. Some of our group had to leave, but the rest of us camped out on the front lawn to await totality. Fizzy even ran home from the Downtown Y so he could be with us to see it. You do realize when I say "ran" I mean literally, not figuratively.
Most of our crowd, being committed introverts, could not have been happier. Quietly sitting side by side, listening to the sounds of nature, pondering our smallness and the vastness of the universe was absolute perfection. No music was blaring. Mainly, the only words spoken were words of awe. I think Sheri said "way to go God!" I cried.
It occurred to me that this was an event that spoke so completely to both believers in an omniscient and omnipresent God and those whose belief lies more in the truth of science. I, personally, do not believe these two things are mutually exclusive, for God is multilingual. One of his many languages is the language of science. He is the author of science. This is why it is hard to understand pushback against the idea of evolution. A creator who makes animals and plants and humans who evolve over time, rather than just staying as is for always, is unspeakably creative. God spoke to me yesterday. Science astounded me. The perfect timing of sun and moon aligned and scientists being able to tell us the exact minute it would occur in every area where it would be seen is amazing. Yesterday, God spoke loudly and clearly in his language of science and it was AWESOME!
Saturday, August 19, 2017
And, Now for the Good News
Thursday night, a night following a week of division and anger and violence and political diatribes and "the-world-is-going-to-hell-in-a-handbaskets," I witnessed good news. Some 220 people gathered to learn of the efforts of one ministry, The Living Water Project, to bring clean water to places who need and do not have it. Really, it is a misstatement to say "bring" clean water, for it is there, placed by God, Himself, and He is affording The Living Water Project, and other such ministries, the opportunities to capture or unearth it. Those who support The Living Water Project are taking advantage of those opportunities.
There were reports made of joyful celebrations as new wells in remote villages brought forth clean, cool water. That is a life changer. I am not good at remembering statistics, and a lot were given at the dinner, but I do grasp the significance. The percentage of people in extreme poverty is rapidly decreasing around the world. The percentage of people without access to clean water is decreasing rapidly. The percentage of people dying of kidney disease caused by dehydration due to the unavailability of clean water is decreasing rapidly. The number of people dying of water-borne diseases is decreasing rapidly. That is good news! And, I hope, as I just put in wash load 18 of tablecloths from the dinner, that the number of women having to wash clothes beating them on a rock in a dirty stream is decreasing. Now, that is really good news.
It is astounding how little, relatively speaking, money it takes to dig wells or build catch systems. Yes, don't get me wrong, it takes money, but Living Water gets a lot of bang for its buck.
There is a house for sale around the corner from me. The first asking price was $2,000,000.00. The present asking price is $1,600,000.00. The reason for this decrease in price is, I do not live in a $2,000,000.00 house neighborhood. I have no problem with anyone who spends that on a house. Two million to them might be the equivalent of two thousand to me, so do not hear me judging that, but when I think of that amount of money spent to make a home for one family versus that amount of money spent in water-starved areas around the world and how many people would be affected, it gives me pause.
So, yes, there is good news in spite of what the media would have us know. Please know, that while I am a bit of a Pollyanna, I am aware that racism, terrorists" attacks, threats of war and all other manner of darkness are present in this world. I just invite you, on this Saturday morning, to celebrate some good news with me.
If you would like to know more about The Living Water Project, check it out on FB where you will also find links with more information.
Have a beautiful day, and when you take a drink of water or wash yet another load of clothes, just think about those who cannot do those simple acts, and do not feel guilty because they can't, feel grateful that you can.
There were reports made of joyful celebrations as new wells in remote villages brought forth clean, cool water. That is a life changer. I am not good at remembering statistics, and a lot were given at the dinner, but I do grasp the significance. The percentage of people in extreme poverty is rapidly decreasing around the world. The percentage of people without access to clean water is decreasing rapidly. The percentage of people dying of kidney disease caused by dehydration due to the unavailability of clean water is decreasing rapidly. The number of people dying of water-borne diseases is decreasing rapidly. That is good news! And, I hope, as I just put in wash load 18 of tablecloths from the dinner, that the number of women having to wash clothes beating them on a rock in a dirty stream is decreasing. Now, that is really good news.
It is astounding how little, relatively speaking, money it takes to dig wells or build catch systems. Yes, don't get me wrong, it takes money, but Living Water gets a lot of bang for its buck.
There is a house for sale around the corner from me. The first asking price was $2,000,000.00. The present asking price is $1,600,000.00. The reason for this decrease in price is, I do not live in a $2,000,000.00 house neighborhood. I have no problem with anyone who spends that on a house. Two million to them might be the equivalent of two thousand to me, so do not hear me judging that, but when I think of that amount of money spent to make a home for one family versus that amount of money spent in water-starved areas around the world and how many people would be affected, it gives me pause.
So, yes, there is good news in spite of what the media would have us know. Please know, that while I am a bit of a Pollyanna, I am aware that racism, terrorists" attacks, threats of war and all other manner of darkness are present in this world. I just invite you, on this Saturday morning, to celebrate some good news with me.
If you would like to know more about The Living Water Project, check it out on FB where you will also find links with more information.
Have a beautiful day, and when you take a drink of water or wash yet another load of clothes, just think about those who cannot do those simple acts, and do not feel guilty because they can't, feel grateful that you can.
Monday, August 7, 2017
Good in the World
Mr. L is out of town. We talk a couple times a day so I can hear about his running 10 miles in the Orlando heat and humidity and he can hear about my getting my 10,000 steps walking laps in my air-conditioned house. We all do life differently. We also discuss those most amazing creatures known as grandchildren. I think he got a bit teary when I sent him pictures of our grandsons receiving their kindergarten Bibles in church yesterday.
Shortly after one conversation, he called and asked if I had heard about one of my dearest friends. I said that I had not. He briefly explained what had happened. He sent me the email he had received which had a fuller explanation. I was stunned.
As the wife of one of the leaders at my church, I have a rule I try to follow. If I learn something through any source other than a church wide email, I keep it to myself. That way, I avoid the very appearance of gossip. Upon reading this email about my friend, I immediately broke my rule and called another precious friend and explained. We both agreed, this was not gossip. We shared our dismay and agreed to call one another if we heard any more.
So, what happened? My friend was car-jacked, in a parking lot at the school where she teaches, at 11:00 pm. I try to tell her that nothing good happens after dark, but she's a night owl, not a morning person. She had been working on a bulletin board for her classroom with the moniker, "believe there is good in the world." In her words, quite ironic. As she got in her car, she received a text from her daughter and pulled over to text that she was going to be driving and could no longer text. She heard a tapping on her window and looked up to see a young man with "a big grin" on his face and a gun in his hand. He told her to get out of the car. She reached over to get her purse off the passenger seat, when a second young man with a gun told her she would not be taking her purse with her. She did, however, apparently take a mug with her that was in the car. Go figure. A third fellow walked up and they told her, "run, lady, run." She did.
As she explained all this to me, she said, "I am so glad they did not kill me. It would have ruined their lives." Folks, that is good in the world. That is empathy for the plight of misguided young men without the sense to know what far-reaching consequences their actions can have. Oh, they robbed my friend of her money and her car and her credit cards and her keys, but they did not take anything of real value from her. They did not touch her spirit or kindness or empathy or concern. They claimed a victim of sorts, but they have no idea what they have wrought, for they now have a fierce believer, fervently praying for them. I sense lives are about to be changed.
Today I wish you feelings of gratitude for that which could have been but is not. I know that I am very grateful that my friend, Betsy is safe. Pray with me that three boys come to understand that they chose the right person to rob. They don't know it yet, but they have a prayer warrior dogging their every move. I hope they are caught. I hope they get the opportunity to look her in the eye, and be moved by the mercy they will see there. It is a day to celebrate. Truly, there is good in the world.
Shortly after one conversation, he called and asked if I had heard about one of my dearest friends. I said that I had not. He briefly explained what had happened. He sent me the email he had received which had a fuller explanation. I was stunned.
As the wife of one of the leaders at my church, I have a rule I try to follow. If I learn something through any source other than a church wide email, I keep it to myself. That way, I avoid the very appearance of gossip. Upon reading this email about my friend, I immediately broke my rule and called another precious friend and explained. We both agreed, this was not gossip. We shared our dismay and agreed to call one another if we heard any more.
So, what happened? My friend was car-jacked, in a parking lot at the school where she teaches, at 11:00 pm. I try to tell her that nothing good happens after dark, but she's a night owl, not a morning person. She had been working on a bulletin board for her classroom with the moniker, "believe there is good in the world." In her words, quite ironic. As she got in her car, she received a text from her daughter and pulled over to text that she was going to be driving and could no longer text. She heard a tapping on her window and looked up to see a young man with "a big grin" on his face and a gun in his hand. He told her to get out of the car. She reached over to get her purse off the passenger seat, when a second young man with a gun told her she would not be taking her purse with her. She did, however, apparently take a mug with her that was in the car. Go figure. A third fellow walked up and they told her, "run, lady, run." She did.
As she explained all this to me, she said, "I am so glad they did not kill me. It would have ruined their lives." Folks, that is good in the world. That is empathy for the plight of misguided young men without the sense to know what far-reaching consequences their actions can have. Oh, they robbed my friend of her money and her car and her credit cards and her keys, but they did not take anything of real value from her. They did not touch her spirit or kindness or empathy or concern. They claimed a victim of sorts, but they have no idea what they have wrought, for they now have a fierce believer, fervently praying for them. I sense lives are about to be changed.
Today I wish you feelings of gratitude for that which could have been but is not. I know that I am very grateful that my friend, Betsy is safe. Pray with me that three boys come to understand that they chose the right person to rob. They don't know it yet, but they have a prayer warrior dogging their every move. I hope they are caught. I hope they get the opportunity to look her in the eye, and be moved by the mercy they will see there. It is a day to celebrate. Truly, there is good in the world.
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