Beyond Day SixMy sometimes-daily blog of a photograph or two with a few words, celebrating all the days of life that flow through creation into perspiration, inspiration, reflection, sabbath, and resurrection. Sixth Sunday after EpiphanyThe Gospel lesson for today continues the Sermon on the Mount from Matthew 5:21-37. And Jesus makes some startling pronouncements: anger is the same as murder and lust is the same as adultery. We recognize the prohibitions against murder and adultery as part of the Ten Commandments. They are religious and cultural norms that limit destructive behavior. Most of Jesus' listeners then as today could say of all of the Ten Commandments they have kept these rules. But now Jesus crosses over into the mess of our lives where anger and lust and name-calling and broken promises litter our landscapes. Those listening can no longer say they are not guilty. Anger is a frequent emotion, or at least we engage in name-calling while driving in metropolitan traffic. And it certainly has shown up in this political season with its sidekick fear. Essentially Jesus said that rule-keeping is not enough. Relationships are more important, Reconciliation is a hope for those who have a dispute. Seek the wholeness and respect of men and women rather than treating them as sexual objects. Oaths are to be replaced by unabashed honesty. At the core of this message is certainly the teaching of the Golden Rule, treating others as we wish to be treated.
Okay, what is this picture supposed to be? I was fascinated by the light coming through the textured glass in our front door.
Listening for WormsDozens of robins have been in my backyard this past week. On the one hand, robins are frequently seen throughout the winter here. Several years ago, I posted an image of a robin perched in a tree in our backyard during a snowstorm. But now they are down on the ground, pausing for a moment, and then scurrying to another place just a foot or two away, pausing, and moving again. Robins search for their food source using visual, auditory, and olfactory senses. Experiments have demonstrated that they can find worms underground just by listening. Their numerous appearances suggest to me that the ground is warming and a variety of bugs and worms are moving through the topsoil and attracting the robins. Maybe it's another sign of an early spring.
In a State of DisbeliefEight days ago the so-called spring-predicting groundhog saw his shadow and went back into the ground for six more weeks of winter. I'd rather believe real observable facts. This maple tree next to the driveway at the Hideaway is blooming. Daffodils are blooming all over metropolitan Nashville. The lawn needs to be mowed. The iris leaves are more than 8 inches long. The daylilies are sprouting.
After today's cold start, there are no more freezing temperatures forecast for the next ten days. It may be that rural Pennsylvania will have six more weeks of winter. But it is looking more and more like it will be early in Nashville and much of the southeastern USA. Our nursery man warns that it is still possible for a hard freeze. However, in light of the evidence, it is a challenge not to get spring fever. Especially when the tree buds are exploding. This is a macro image that is larger than life-size.
Just for a MomentYesterday was mostly a cloudy, rainy day, but for just a moment the sun came out and highlighted the trees at the back of our property. I know that the sun hitting the trees in just this way has likely happened many times. The difference was that this time I saw it, and that I noticed it, and that I took a picture just before the sun disappeared behind the clouds. And the scene that was there for a moment had vanished. I share the photograph as an illustration that our lives are a series of moments. Some we sleep through. And others catch us with awe because we opened our eyes.
My Life Is GoodNot the most flattering picture, but it's real. And it's all Maddy had to work with. Thanks to Judy for the German Chocolate Cake (made from scratch). Birthdays were always important in our family when I was growing up. So we celebrate and give thanks for another year of life and the blessings of family and friends. I am so thankful for this journey so far and all the delightful people I have met and all those I love. Far more than I deserved. My life is good.
Feeding TimeThis is the kind of photo that makes me wonder. Because it was taken nearly 12 years ago, with equipment that is not as good as I currently use. But I would be hard-pressed to say that any of my photos now are significantly better than this one that was taken at my sister-in-law's house, through her dining room window. The white-breasted nuthatch has created a hole in the bark of the tree by repeatedly using it to hold the seed that the bird cracks open.
Mender of Broken WallsThis is the Fifth Sunday after Epiphany and the lesson from the prophet Isaiah 58 could not be any more appropriate for the current times. Sometimes the scripture needs little commentary. "Isn't this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke? Isn't it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly. Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the Lord's Glory will be your rear guard. The you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and God will say, 'I'm here.' If you remove the yoke from among you, the finger-pointing, the wicked speech; if you open your heart to the hungry, and provide abundantly for those who are afflicted, your light will shine in the darkness, and your gloom will be like the noon. The Lord will guide you continually and provide for you, even in parched places. He will rescue your bones. You will be like a watered garden, like a spring of water that won't run dry. They will rebuild ancient ruins on your account; the foundations of generations past you will restore. You will be called Mender of Broken Walls, Restorer of Livable Streets." Isa 58:6-12 Common English Bible
Saturday MarketsSaturday is outdoor market day in many places. This photo is from an autumn Saturday in Des Moines, with this woman offering an abundance of flowers from her garden. I admired this beautiful arrangement and laughed at myself because I leave most of my blossoms in the garden but they can be enjoyed inside as well. Flowers are not just for outdoors. I guess everybody knows that but me.
AnywhereIn yesterday's blog post I shared two photos of the Windsor Mansion Ruins near Port Gibson, Mississippi. You may have noticed the bright red streak that highlighted one of the pillars. As I was trying to capture an overall scene of the ruins, looking for a composition that included many of the pillars without distortion, this red vine shouted to me. So after I took a number of photos of the group of pillars, I moved so I could concentrate on this one pillar and the contrasting vine. Nature is relentless in recovering in spite of our human construction and destruction. Plant life will grow nearly anywhere. I'm glad I was there in November as I think the red autumn color contrasts more than what I imagine summer's green would be.
All That's LeftThe pillars are all that's left of the Windsor Ruins, a mansion that was built just prior to the Civil War and completely destroyed in a fire in 1890.
The 17,000 square foot mansion with 29 forty foot tall columns was built 4 miles east of the Mississippi River on a 2600 acre cotton plantation by Smith Daniel who died just after its completion at the age of 34. The mansion was used by Ulysses S. Grant during the war as a command post. In today's currency, the mansion would have cost nearly 5 million dollars to complete. The property remained with the family until 1974 when they donated the site to the state of Mississippi.
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