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!

O come...

let us adore Him!

Evergreens and Hollies

I love parties where you actually do something.

 Last week I attended just such an event:

"Deck the Halls" sponsored by Historic Augusta.

Those of us with tickets gathered at 10:00

 at the beautifully restored home of Joseph Lamar.

The front rooms of the house were empty

except for several round tables

skirted in burlap

 and covered with seasonal fresh greenery.

The first table boasted potted paperwhites,

small olive and evergreen trees,

and white hydrangeas.

All in gorgeous aged clay pots.

But in the center of the remaining tables

were large baskets overflowing

with cuttings of fresh evergreens and hollies.

Also on the table

was a soaked oasis in a contatiner

 for each participant.

While sipping Poinsettias (champagne and cranberry juice)

 and meeting new friends

 we created our own arrangements.

We all went home

with individual compositions of fresh greenery

to bring the beauty of the season into our homes!

In Bloom

Camellia sasanqua.

Another Moment Captured...

Similar to my previous post,

 Capturing a Moment,

this shot happened in a instant.
 A cold front had swept in overnight

 and upon waking I noticed heavy evaporation

coming off the creek. As the sun peeked over the eastern end

everything was transformed by the light.

The mist gathered itself

and danced across the surface of the water

as my shutter clicked away.

Reflections

I am incredibly blessed

to have these shining faces around my table.

Each one unique with their own special set of

years, talents, beauty, and troubles.

Each one touches me

in a particular place only they can reach.

Each one brings out a special aspect

only they are able to reveal.

And each one an immortal image bearer.

Giving Thanks...

for Life.

Late Afternoon Light

Still life in the dining room.

Preparing

“What is asked of us...

is that we break open our blocked caves

 and find each other.

 Nothing less will heal the anguished spirit

 or release the heart to act in love.”

thoughts of Father Tim,

Chapter 4, A Light in the Window

 Jan Karon

As the holidays approach, I find relationships on my mind.  I have been re-reading the Mitford series and having just finished the second book (A Light in the Window), I am struck anew with how we all struggle in our relationships--as evidenced by Father Tim and Cynthia.  We want deep, meaningful relationships that are celebrated by the holidays--a coming together of hearts and minds.  But...our world is broken, and we can't love like we were meant to love...without Christ. I pray that Christ will break the blocked caves, closed doors, and fortified walls of my heart.

Seeing

"We can all see God in

exceptional things,

 but it requires the growth of spiritual discipline

to see God in every detail.

 Never believe

 that the so-called random events of life

are anything less than God's appointed order.

Be ready to discover

 His designs anywhere and everywhere."

November 14,

My Utmost for His Highest,

Oswald Chambers

Seeing

Fall sunset
on the obelisk chimney of the
 Confederate Powder Works.

In Bloom

Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis).

A southern passalong,the Confederate Rose, has been blooming in the Augusta area since the beginning of October. The enormous blossoms look like a cross between a peony and a hibiscus and only last a few days.  Some forms bloom white and turn pink, while others bloom pink and remain pink.

The leaves are large, as are the tight rounded buds that pop up all over the shrub.  Petals are tissue thin, similar to crepe paper, and arranged in a ruffly ballgownish form. Propagate by taking cuttings now and placing them in a bucket of water until spring when you should see some roots, then plant for spectacular fall color and cuttings to share. 

November?!...

I'm not sure if I'm ready!

A Treat

Fall eye candy...

Have a fun and safe weekend!

In Bloom...

Mushrooms.

Life from death.

But ask the animals, and they will teach you,

or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;

or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,

or let the fish of the sea inform you.

Which of all these does not know

that the hand of the LORD has done this?

In his hand is the life of every creature

and the breath of all mankind.

Does not the ear test words

as the tongue tastes food?

Job 12: 7-11

Expectations

“Blessed to be a blessing”.

I often contemplate this thought

and reflect on how I am not living up to it.

In contrast,

last week a dear long-time friend lived out this maxim---

 and completely blessed our family

by allowing us to use her "cabin" for 5 days.

 In a small way I would like to extend that blessing to you by sharing this special place.

This wonderful "cabin" was built in Pennsylavania

 in the late 1800's and moved to this site in Georgia in 2001.

Amazing wide timbers with chinking,

 huge stone fireplaces inside and out,

and cozy rooms...

We had dreamed of quiet, contemplative mornings,

 afternoon reading, and naps

 while the boys were working during the day at the pumpkin patch.

But God had a better plan for us---

the rains fell all week and the pumpkin patch stayed closed.

While we spent the days

 four-wheelin', making fires, visiting friends, playing cards, and having meals

---all together. 

Five days of special memories.

Thank you.

Coweta County Fair

"Where the quarterback dates the homecoming queen---

The truck's a Ford and the tractor's green,

And Amazing Grace is what we sing.

Well there's a county fair every fall

And your friends are there no matter when you call.

Yeah It may not sound like much but it's

Where I'm from"

— jason michael carroll

Time away

We're off for a week...

 to work at Uncle Bob's Pumpkin Patch.

Moonrise

Freedom.

For worship today,

we attended a beautiful

Kirkin' of the Tartan

at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church.

"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound,

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see."