Capturing a Moment

Winter dawn at Phinizy Swamp.

Seeing

When one door of happiness closes,

 another opens;

but often we look so long at the closed door

 that we do not see

 the one which has been opened for us.

Helen Keller

January.

Woodsmoke, cerulean sky, and clementines

Blessed to be a blessing.

Yesterday, I wept for the Haitian people.

 It was this photo from my morning edition

 of the Augusta Chronicle that did it.

 I was riveted by this child's eyes---

they are locked on his mother's face.

I know that look.

 I have seen it in my own children's eyes

in times of extreme fear.

 But thankfully, it has never been from the fear

of the world collapsing around them.

And I thought of the many children searching

for mothers and the many mothers searching for children.

 The verse from Matthew 2:18

(which quotes the verse in Jeremiah)

came immediately to mind:

"A voice is heard in Ramah,

weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children

and refusing to be comforted,

because they are no more.”

Today I am asking what can we do? We can pray. Prayer transcends time and space. James tells us “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” And we can give. If you feel called to help monetarily here are some organizations recommended by our church that will use your donation responsibly for the Haitian people:

 Mission to the World

Mission to North America

MAP (Medical Assistance Partners)

Good Morning

With the new year have come
 bright, clear days and cold, cold nights.
 The coldness seems to have driven
the wading birds up into our end of the creek.
Each morning we are greeted by
 Great Egrets, Great Blue Herons, and Green Herons
 standing, fishing, and flying.

School

My First Born participated in a Science Fair over the weekend---making batteries from fruits and vegetables. He commissioned me for a photograph of the fruits and vegetables used in the experiment. I used an age old idea—the “Old Master” still life...

Thinking

"You don't have a soul.

You are a soul.

You have a body."
C.S. Lewis

In Bloom

.

Fatsia japonica.

A Gift

At times, when life becomes full one has to choose between living it and recording it. December burst upon us on the heels of Thanksgiving with many wonderful opportunities to share meals, spend time, and make memories with family and friends. And although there were many moments to capture I found myself choosing to live in the moment rather than preserve it---thus not many photographs to share. But we always have the memories. I hope you have had a memorable year also.

From our home to yours

we wish for you the gift of new beginnings.

Happy New Year!