I am amazed at the beauty and variety of sunsets. Glorious, colorful, brightly lit sunsets. Not every evening, but often. I love to watch them, and I have taken way too many sunset pictures. But have you noticed that every sunset is new and different? They have different cloud patterns, different reflections of varying bright colors painted across the sky, sometimes iridescent, sometimes muted. And always changing: no re-takes!
And if I move to get a better vantage point, it's completely different there. If you think about it, the view of the sunset across town right now is different from the view from here. Different colors, different shades. And it's different in the next town, and across the state. It's not the same sunset that was seen a few thousand miles away. They had a different display. Every place in the world gets their own unique sunset movie every night.
Meanwhile, at any time of the day, the sun is setting somewhere. An almost infinite variety of sky drama is happening in progression around the world. Is this mind-boggling to you as it is to me?
The Creator who is having all this fun making sunsets, all across the world, every night, is the same Creator who loves you and me more than His sunsets or any physical thing. That is also mind-boggling, amazing, glorious. (Note to self: remember this.)
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Randing
I like randing. Randing in basketmaking is a one-over, one-under
weave. No twisting, no skipping a spoke, no counting a fancy pattern,
no starting and stopping. Just one over, one under, one over, one
under. If weaving on an uneven number of spokes, just keep going around
and around the basket. Sure, you will have to splice when you come to
the end of a weaver, but then it's more of the same. I can do randing
without looking, without counting. Soon I'm at the top of the basket.
Time to make a border to tie in the ends at the top. There, a new
basket has been made.
It reminds me of life. Much of life is routine, not too thrilling. Just keep on going, being productive, and pretty soon there is a day done, a project finished, a life enriched.
It reminds me of life. Much of life is routine, not too thrilling. Just keep on going, being productive, and pretty soon there is a day done, a project finished, a life enriched.
Thursday, April 19, 2012
Quiet Time
I will respond to Nikki's post about Quiet.*
My quiet time is early in the morning, most days. My thought input is from the Bible. I just read a little beyond what I read the day before. I reflect on what it says, and try to figure how that would affect my life. People who lived a long time ago had the same trials and triumphs, conflicts and desires that we have now. "There is nothing new under the sun." And, better to learn from what someone else has done than make all those mistakes myself, I think.
Thank you, Lord, for showing me the way.
* It's on her blog at http://truehappinesstoday.blogspot.com/
My quiet time is early in the morning, most days. My thought input is from the Bible. I just read a little beyond what I read the day before. I reflect on what it says, and try to figure how that would affect my life. People who lived a long time ago had the same trials and triumphs, conflicts and desires that we have now. "There is nothing new under the sun." And, better to learn from what someone else has done than make all those mistakes myself, I think.
Thank you, Lord, for showing me the way.
* It's on her blog at http://truehappinesstoday.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Painting
Painting, as art on a canvas, is difficult. That is, for me it is. People have told me I have talent in painting. But it is such a struggle for me. A struggle to decide what to paint. How to paint it. Even harder, how to finish a painting once started. So, unfinished paintings hang on my walls, waiting to be completed, there for me to contemplate. There are some that are finished, and framed, or not. Some I really like. But actually painting one is not something I cheerfully anticipate.
I have a disconnect with God on this point. Of course it starts with my attitude toward painting, which is cross. Such a big "pain" in "pain"ting. As usual, the disconnect between me and God is on my end. He is always there, always available, always lovingly waiting to hear from me. Have you ever been in such a disconnect? Time (for me, and maybe for you) to get back to His plan on this.
I have a disconnect with God on this point. Of course it starts with my attitude toward painting, which is cross. Such a big "pain" in "pain"ting. As usual, the disconnect between me and God is on my end. He is always there, always available, always lovingly waiting to hear from me. Have you ever been in such a disconnect? Time (for me, and maybe for you) to get back to His plan on this.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Onions, Onions, Onions
Onions, Onions, Onions
Onions, as everyone knows, are wonderful, healthful vegetable orbs that can be cooked into many kinds of dishes, including pizza, salads, casseroles, breads, soups and bagels. So yummy. (Soup recipe below.)
The healthful attributes of onions include having antibiotic properties which, when the onion is freshly cut open and eaten raw, can fight infections. Unlike garlic, raw onions are not reputed to repel witches, but could repel just about anybody else.
In symbolism onions may picture successive layers, such as when a person delves into the hidden layers of their (or someone else's) personality. This can be healthful or make your eyes weep, or both, just like onions. God has advised us to "know yourself," and not to think "more highly" of yourself than you ought to think. Peeling back some of those layers can help prevent over-rating one's self. (At least in my case it does.)
_________________
Recipe for Onion Soup
Have a large pot of water or beef broth coming to a boil on the stove. Take a sharp knife and with the water running, cut off the top and bottom of one or two onions and remove the dry outer layers of the onion. Rinse the onion, the knife and your hands in the running water as necessary, to prevent excessive tearing from your eyes. (Note: do not touch your eyes with your oniony fingers. Try it, and you will know why.) As quickly as is safe, cut the onion in half, and with the flat sides down, cut it into wide slices or chunks. Slide the pieces into the boiling water and, reduce heat to a simmer (simmering makes little bubbles). Add whatever else you like and have on hand, such as: a small amount of salt, pepper, bay leaf, cut-up celery, mushrooms, a splash of wine. Wash the knife, your cutting board and your hands with soap and warm water as soon as practical.
Cook the onion soup, covered if possible, until all the vegetables are tender. Taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper. Serve the soup in large bowls. Good with bread, or a little grated cheese or sour cream on top, and maybe some raw veggies like tomatoes or sweet peppers on the side. Um-m.
Onions, as everyone knows, are wonderful, healthful vegetable orbs that can be cooked into many kinds of dishes, including pizza, salads, casseroles, breads, soups and bagels. So yummy. (Soup recipe below.)
The healthful attributes of onions include having antibiotic properties which, when the onion is freshly cut open and eaten raw, can fight infections. Unlike garlic, raw onions are not reputed to repel witches, but could repel just about anybody else.
In symbolism onions may picture successive layers, such as when a person delves into the hidden layers of their (or someone else's) personality. This can be healthful or make your eyes weep, or both, just like onions. God has advised us to "know yourself," and not to think "more highly" of yourself than you ought to think. Peeling back some of those layers can help prevent over-rating one's self. (At least in my case it does.)
_________________
Recipe for Onion Soup
Have a large pot of water or beef broth coming to a boil on the stove. Take a sharp knife and with the water running, cut off the top and bottom of one or two onions and remove the dry outer layers of the onion. Rinse the onion, the knife and your hands in the running water as necessary, to prevent excessive tearing from your eyes. (Note: do not touch your eyes with your oniony fingers. Try it, and you will know why.) As quickly as is safe, cut the onion in half, and with the flat sides down, cut it into wide slices or chunks. Slide the pieces into the boiling water and, reduce heat to a simmer (simmering makes little bubbles). Add whatever else you like and have on hand, such as: a small amount of salt, pepper, bay leaf, cut-up celery, mushrooms, a splash of wine. Wash the knife, your cutting board and your hands with soap and warm water as soon as practical.
Cook the onion soup, covered if possible, until all the vegetables are tender. Taste to see if it needs more salt or pepper. Serve the soup in large bowls. Good with bread, or a little grated cheese or sour cream on top, and maybe some raw veggies like tomatoes or sweet peppers on the side. Um-m.
Monday, April 16, 2012
Night Eyes
"Tiger, tiger, burning bright, in the forests of the night..."
This ancient poem by William Blake stirred my adolescent imagination with multiple exotic images, tiger eyes, eyes burning, jungle greenery, night stars, and more. (1)
Now, the eyes I know to be looking in the night are watchful, caring eyes. God, who cares about us and only wants the best for us, can see in the dark of the night as clearly as in the day. (Psalm 139:12) . "He who watches Isreal neither slumbers not sleeps." As God knows all things, I'm sure he's watching over me also.
______________
(1) Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Blake. 1757–1827
489. The Tiger
TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies 5
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart? 10
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp 15
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee? 20
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
This ancient poem by William Blake stirred my adolescent imagination with multiple exotic images, tiger eyes, eyes burning, jungle greenery, night stars, and more. (1)
Now, the eyes I know to be looking in the night are watchful, caring eyes. God, who cares about us and only wants the best for us, can see in the dark of the night as clearly as in the day. (Psalm 139:12) . "He who watches Isreal neither slumbers not sleeps." As God knows all things, I'm sure he's watching over me also.
______________
(1) Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900.
William Blake. 1757–1827
489. The Tiger
TIGER, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Could frame thy fearful symmetry?
In what distant deeps or skies 5
Burnt the fire of thine eyes?
On what wings dare he aspire?
What the hand dare seize the fire?
And what shoulder and what art
Could twist the sinews of thy heart? 10
And when thy heart began to beat,
What dread hand and what dread feet?
What the hammer? what the chain?
In what furnace was thy brain?
What the anvil? What dread grasp 15
Dare its deadly terrors clasp?
When the stars threw down their spears,
And water'd heaven with their tears,
Did He smile His work to see?
Did He who made the lamb make thee? 20
Tiger, tiger, burning bright
In the forests of the night,
What immortal hand or eye
Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Money
Money
and the shortage thereof. There are people now who can't find jobs, or well-paying jobs. Empty storefronts show that businesses have closed. About a year ago I started looking for work, but found it frustrating and time-consuming. So this year I am working on do-it-myself home improvement and the never-ending yardwork. I've been making beautiful scarves and just getting to the point where that small business is paying for itself.
God who tells us not to worry, who loves us, informs us that he is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. Driving here from town I pass through about three miles of cattle country. So I'm a little interested in this. Cattle on the hoof can cost several thousand dollars. Each. How many cattle on a hill? Maybe 50, 100, 200? That makes up to several hundred thousand dollars on a hill, on each of a thousand hills. That doesn't count deer, elk, pigs, chickens, forests, wheat and corn and soybeans.
Okay, now let me see, what was I worrying about?
and the shortage thereof. There are people now who can't find jobs, or well-paying jobs. Empty storefronts show that businesses have closed. About a year ago I started looking for work, but found it frustrating and time-consuming. So this year I am working on do-it-myself home improvement and the never-ending yardwork. I've been making beautiful scarves and just getting to the point where that small business is paying for itself.
God who tells us not to worry, who loves us, informs us that he is the owner of the cattle on a thousand hills. Driving here from town I pass through about three miles of cattle country. So I'm a little interested in this. Cattle on the hoof can cost several thousand dollars. Each. How many cattle on a hill? Maybe 50, 100, 200? That makes up to several hundred thousand dollars on a hill, on each of a thousand hills. That doesn't count deer, elk, pigs, chickens, forests, wheat and corn and soybeans.
Okay, now let me see, what was I worrying about?
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