Stumps

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

 

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

 

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

The Road Not Taken
by Robert Frost

“Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

John 1:3 (NIV)

 

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Wait… Reblog

It’s so good to know it wasn’t merely a mood swing. I felt it too:

Reblogged from Stuart M. Perkins, the Storyshucker ( https://wp.me/s3EzSK-wait ):

Wait…

I’m watching from my window today.

For a few minutes more, at least. Saturday errands call, but right now the view into the garden has my willpower paralyzed. Soothed by the peaceful nothingness happening out there, I stare blissfully through the glass a little longer.

Oh well. I need to start those errands. Yawn, stretch, and one last glance outside before I begin. I stand up.

Wait… I sit back down.

There’s a bird. A little yellow bird. He flits and darts to the top of a frost-covered evergreen. Stops, hops, poses, and drops to another branch to repeat his mesmerizing moves. He struts and prances along several branches then flies away in a blur. Gone. How lucky I was to have shared that moment!

It doesn’t matter.

I have to get the car inspected. It’s too important not to. I stand up.

Wait… I sit back down.

Those leaves. Those five little leaves left clinging to a twig on the winter-bare crepe myrtle. They were yellow a second ago. Wow look! In one fluid move they drift from yellow to gold to fiery orange as a shifting morning sun illuminates them from behind. Amazing to have seen that magic display!

It doesn’t matter.

I have to get to the post office. It’s too important not to. I stand up.

These errands and many others! Now I have to hurry! So much to do today! Urgent rushing and running!

Wait…

Just wait. Maybe I’ll get the car inspected tomorrow. And the bank is open next week. What’s one more day for a few insipid tasks?

How often does a yellow bird dance in the trees for me while the sun turns tiny leaves into fire? Moments like these happen every day, but I won’t see if I don’t watch.

I really should watch. It’s too important not to. I sit back down.

Saturday errands call but I know what they can do.

Wait…

I’m watching from my window today.

By Stuart M. Perkins, Storyshucker

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence, for my hope is from him.”

Psalm 62:5 (ESV)

 

Feature Image courtesy Pixabay

 

 

Live Show

Strong winds
Trees sweeping skies
Nature’s live show
Stirring imaginations

“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.” John 3:8 (NIV)

 

Images and verse (except for Scripture) (c) 2018 Eva Lambert for What Next, Behind Roo’s Ruse, Div. Rapture Practice! Pub.

Ker-Plunk

This week I juggled my plans so that Izzy’s daughter and I could take a road trip to Aremote Lake. With my methodical planning we had lots of time so we could shoot up the countryside – with cameras – to our hearts’ content.

Happy and relaxed, I headed back home alone at the perfect time just before dusk that same evening. I got so many great shots I could hardly wait to get back within signal range and download them. Without any traffic and downhill all the way I could blast home in barely over 2 hours, so before I approached the main road I made a pit stop.

The short story is my cell wound up falling into water – clean enough to retrieve the device. Another good reason for keeping a few extra gas station paper towels on a road trip – after wiping the phone off and popping the battery out… suffice it to say it won’t emerge from the rice for another day or so.

Ordinarily I’d be a mess without my phone. However, with the rest of the family still out of range through to the weekend I honestly haven’t missed it.

Seriously, aside from texts from my grand kids, without my constant reminders, alarms, calendars, lists and calls LIFE GOES ON. What’s more, my heightened organizational skills have been delightful. I’m happy to report that not that much has changed in the past eight-to-ten years since smart phones became mainstream.

And thanks to Pixabay you can still enjoy some of the highlights of my lovely drive. We needn’t necessarily mention that without a signal my photos haven’t downloaded. Yet.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9 (English Standard Version)

Pre-Spring

I marveled as DearOldFriend and I walked along the river at Howard Amon Park. Lovely as it was yesterday I could not forget how most of the country groans through historic cold and mudslides. Still, we enjoyed the break in the weather and warmed ourselves in 50 degree sunshine.

I hope you feel warmed too!

 

The bandshell at Howard Amon Park in Richland

Outside the Gallery at the Park

Even after freezing traces of autumn hold out for spring.

“For the Lord is the one who shaped the mountains, stirs up the winds, and reveals his thoughts to mankind. He turns the light of dawn into darkness and treads on the heights of the earth. The Lord God of Heaven’s Armies is his name!” Amos 4:13 (NLT)

 

Firewood – walk #20

Today Brother Cole lead us through the annual firewood gathering expedition and exploring the beautiful Palouse region.

 

“The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. 

The world and all its people belong to him.” Psalm 24:1 (NLT)

Walk #7

I’ve been on vacation. I’d prepared my posts last week as best I could (new photos and poor internet connection notwithstanding). My only task until next week is to rest.

My primary focus this year has been to 1) pray and 2) live in the moment; enough with the incessant what ifs. I’ve honed my edge substantially, and yet this week proved for me to rest and simply be remains a challenge. The closest I get is walking the beautiful countryside.

Today’ relaxation:

 

“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and He will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 (NLT)

Every Single Sparrow – or Starling

During my recent trip out of state I especially noticed news broadcasting everywhere. People are talking about terrorism from numerous sources, genetically modified food organisms, health and environmental issues and global financial crisis that were unimaginable when I was young. With all our advancements it seems the roots of greed and the lust for power also corrupt faster than ever. We can honestly say the world has changed.

​Home now, I walked through my local park again when a typical scene caught my attention. Hundreds of starlings. ​I can’t stop thinking about them, especially the way they noisily they cover trees or the ground, their chirping rising until not much else can be heard. And then suddenly the chirping would abruptly pause and the birds would all take wing – all in the same direction and then all turned sharply into another direction. Together.

Captivated, I stopped and waited. I watched hoping to catch some video of the flocks as they took off. Not a great photographer, that didn’t happen. Even so, I clearly recall the sounds, the images and the feelings I experienced. I can’t stop thinking about those birds.

A little farther on I noticed a couple of older gentlemen also enjoying the unseasonably warm, sunny morning. Soon I realized they were arguing until they stomped off in different directions from one another. Moments later, a loud “boom” sounded from the highway nearby. I jumped at the sudden sound and looked around carefully. Almost immediately I also noticed the same two men hurrying toward one another again. Reaching for one another, they grasped each other’s hands, did the man-hug and then walked toward the park wall – together – perhaps to investigate. Whatever had upset them seemed to be forgotten.

I wondered again about the starlings. Whatever set them to flight as they chirped away, they flew together. Not one bird bumped into another. None screamed to be the leader. There were no stragglers, I didn’t see one bird left behind. They moved like a large black cloud – together.

I wonder what if people imitated the starlings more.

I’ll certainly continue praying that mankind realizes how we need one another, that we learn to not let disagreements or upsets drive us apart. I’ll keep hoping that we stop dividing over ignorance, fear and hatred. I shall keep believing in God’s perfect creation. I am certain I will continue to marvel over human behavior, the starlings – and the sparrows as long as I live.

“​What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.” Matthew 10:19-31​

Nature Walk

Sitting in my courtyard, I bask in the warm sunlight.

I hear something barely audible scratch the wall six feet away, level with my face. I turn to see a bright green gecko hurrying its way across the wall. Gecko stops and seems to be looking into my eyes.

Gecko’s bright vermilion throat balloons and then deflates. As I watch, Gecko spins around to face the walkway, and then strangely, it spins back around, stopping with its face pointing directly at me again.

Fully into the scene, I begin to very slowly stand. Gecko also maneuvers even more slowly, and stops to point toward the walkway again. As if waiting for me as I step toward the walk, Gecko shoots across the wall about 12 inches, stops and then spins back around to face me yet again.

I continue slowly forward toward Gecko. He turns toward the walk again and then darts forward too, turns around the corner of the wall and vanishes behind a shrub.

Certain Nature is leading me into a dance, I begin down the walk and onto the street.

While I enjoy deep, invigorating breaths, a crow screeches from where he floats on the air just above and before me. Crow circles around me and slows in front of me again, as if willfully drawing my attention. I don’t speak crow. Crow doesn’t speak English. So, in fun I stretch my arms out widely as I continue walking along behind and below him. Crow circles again and glides a few feet up and in front of me as if enjoying the game, I run, he flies above and ahead.

As we approach a trail leading into the park, Crow banks left and I leave the trail to run after him up a grassy slope. Crow screeches, circling around and then glides directly ahead of me again. Enraptured by the moment, my arms still out from my sides, I quicken my pace back down the slope after him. Crow seems to hover in front of me and then he shoots upward.

Still running while watching Crow rocket effortlessly, suddenly the ground disappears from beneath me too. I feel the air holding me and I imagine I feel exactly what Crow feels.

Sudden, abrupt ouch!
Icy cold!
Wet!
Confusion!
Pain shoots up my legs – my feet slide out from below me, my rear and my hands splash into water, both slamming across slimy rocks lining the creek bed! What the…???

Soaked, I look up at the lower side of the bridge a good seven feet above me to my right, and further where I’d run off the grassy ledge moments before.

“Silly human” Crow chuckles as he flaps away over the trees.