There is a statue of Athena in the Parthenon. She is 42 feet tall, and mostly covered by eight pounds of gold leaf. The figure in her hand is 6'4" tall and represents Nike (Victory). It is claimed to be the largest indoor sculpture in the Western world. It certainly is a surprise to see it in this building. I could not help but wonder "why?"

I finally visited Nashville's Parthenon at Centennial Park. It's a fun place to spend an afternoon or more.

Many of the birds who visit our backyard feeders have been bringing their young.

This is an immature Red-Bellied Woodpecker. Both the male and the female parent has a red patch on the back of the head, with the male's red extending to a cap. It does seem a misnomer to me that it is named red-bellied as the red is on the head.

The older birds of several species have been introducing their young to the feeder. Last week I noticed a female cardinal feeding a rather large grayish bird that didn't look like a cardinal. I was mystified as I saw it occur several times, then I realized it was an immature cowbird. Cowbirds lay their eggs in other birds' nests. And the young cowbirds then often push the other eggs or younger, smaller birds out of the nest. Not my favorite species, obviously.

It does stir questions in my mind. And the possible questions that could be asked by the cardinal parents: "Junior doesn't look like either one of us. What do you suppose happened?"

I don't know how old the boy was, but he was John Deere green through and through.

This tractor is older than him. It's nearly older than me, being produced from 1952 through 1956. More than 32,000 were built at the factory in Waterloo, Iowa. I suspect it's horsepower has been boosted some as it was originally only 28. The tractor and driver, preparing to participate in a pulling contest, are being weighed so that additional weight can be added to keep it just under the limit for its class. You may notice that 8 plates have already been added to the front end of the tractor. It was a hot day, and I didn't stick around to the end, but from experience I know these events can last awhile as weight is added to the sled to make the competition more difficult with each pass. I could tell that he intended to win.

Last year, we drove clear across the metro area to learn about counting and banding hummingbirds.

The diminutive birds were caught by patient volunteers at the feeders (springing a trap door once the bird had come to the feeder) and brought to the naturalist who weighed them, determined their sex, and attached a small leg band (if they had not been banded before). It was fascinating to note that, since hummingbirds are migrating birds, several older birds had returned to the same area, which was noted in the naturalist's journal. But as you can see from the photo, these birds are small, with weight measured in grams. And they are just as impressive as the large birds. Who would have guessed what a fun event this would be?

Today is Madeline's eighth birthday. Last year, we had a pool party which included water balloons.

I remember my eighth birthday. I think it was my first party that included friends. And one of the things I remember was running out the school door, excited to be having a birthday at home. And some authority figure made me come back and walk. Funny, the things you recall.

We went shopping today for Madeline's gift; she had some specific requests which was helpful and informative to last-century grandparents. We must have been in the store an hour (not really) trying to figure out which thing to purchase and trying to imagine how in the world it operated. The clerks were very helpful, as they had purchased the same item as a gift for family members, but this is more advanced than a plastic model car kit or a baseball or even a book.

We have definitely moved beyond our understanding of the cyber world, and she's just eight. What's it going to be like in ten more years? I hope water balloons will be still be appropriate for a hot day, especially if it's your birthday! We love you, Maddy!

Strawberries are good, fresh from the picking, or with shortcake, and whipped topping or ice cream.

Or you could make them into a cake. Cake is always good, year-round.

Even if it's not chocolate.

However, even a small slice is gonna take a lot of laps swimming in the pool. But it's worth it!

Sacrifices have to be made. This would have made a good Pentecost post; it's red.

Today is Pentecost. The liturgical color is red. And the symbol is fire, or a flame.

Did you ever think how noisy this Pentecostal event must have been?  The clamor of a violent, rushing wind filled the house where they were all gathered together.  Talk to anyone who has survived a tornado.  They describe the roar of a train attacking their home.  It sounds like there are railroad tracks that bisect their living room or that explodes from underneath their bed.  And the 11:05 express is roaring down a detour that runs right through the picture window.  The noise must be unmistakable and unforgettable.  I've certainly heard of people getting religion during such frightening moments, being converted because of a fear‑producing event.  But I prefer the more peaceful, meditative experience of solitude.  I want to be able to  reflect.  Could Pentecost have been so noisy that you couldn't even think?

Invite 25 children to a party.  Fill them with sugar.  Add helium balloons, several cats and a couple of dogs.  Include a rock band that rolls through the house on skateboards circling a clown that does magic tricks.  Now try to have an intelligent conversation without yelling!  That's Pentecost.  Read the story in Acts 2 for yourself.  Notice that the place is at the edge of pandemonium.  The miracle of Pentecost is not the variety of languages being spoken or the first experience of strange tongues that are Spirit‑produced.  The miracle is that anyone heard at all!  It is amazing that in the midst of near‑chaos there was any understanding.  The spiritual revelation that occurred in that house was not in the speaking but in the hearing.

I wonder if the point of Pentecost is that community is being created by God's spirit. And all, anyone, everyone, will be included. That's pretty exciting!