Wordless Wednesday

No words necessary...

At The Heart of Orion...

 Orion, the Hunter, is by far the most famous seasonal constellation. No other is more distinct or bright as this northern winter constellation. The famous Orion's Belt makes the hunter easy to find in the night sky.

The photo taken by László Francsics from Hungary, is an amazing, jaw dropping gorgeous picture of the famous Trapezium Cluster in the Orion Nebula. He was one of the winners of  'Astronomy Photographers of the Year, 2013'.

'And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars. And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good.'

Genesis 1:14-18 

'Who made [the constellations] the Bear, Orion, and the [loose cluster] Pleiades, and the [vast starry] spaces of the south; Who does great things past finding out, yes, marvelous things without number....'

Job 9:9-10

Just a Walk in the Park...

Walking in Cherry Creek State Park...the backdrop..

Sunrise...the Rockies (today)

Morning, snow capped Rockies (today)

Cherry Creek

Cherry Creek, different filter..for fun

One entrance to Cherry Creek State Park..

Here's the thing about The Rockies; they go on and on and on. When we lived in Colorado Springs, gorgeous as Pikes Peak was to look at 24/7, you did not get the same sense of how The Rockies really do go on and on and on...and on. They stretch more than 3000 miles from the northernmost part of British Columbia, in Western Canada, to New Mexico here in the States, with other mountain ranges breaking off into Alaska, and down into Mexico. The Rocky Mountains were formed from 80 million to 55 million years ago. Very hard to wrap your brain around any of these numbers. But, here we are. When looking out of the windows, or taking a walk in Cherry Creek State Park, when we drive anywhere in and around Denver, we can see Pikes Peak in the distance, but we are blown away by how much more of The Rockies are in our range of vision. So, a walk in the park, adds up to more than just a beautiful winter scene. We are reminded over and over and over again how tiny we are, what a wonder that we behold such majesty as a backdrop to our daily comings and goings. And, as I have said over and over, how deeply grateful we are to witness such beauty, and hopefully/prayerfully capture some of that beauty through the lens of a camera!

'For, lo, He that formeth the mountains, and createth the wind, and declareth unto man what is His thought, that maketh the morning darkness, and treadeth upon the high places of the earth, The LORD, The God of hosts, is His name'.

Amos 4:13

See You There...2015!!!!

A

Joyful

Hopeful

Inspired

Healthy

Blessed & Peaceful

2015

'See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the dessert.'
Isaiah 43:19

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!

We Walked on Water!!!

So, okay, it was frozen. In and around the perimeter of the lake there was no telling where the shore met the water and it was beautiful, simply beautiful. We saw people quite far out, on what we were told was a good 4 inch layer of ice, seriously praying that they would not wind up on the 6 o'clock news. We were a bit more cautious and stayed closer to what we thought was the shore...but, on the ice we walked!!! We spent well over an hour navigating our way through the footprints in the snow, which was the only indicator of where the paths to the lake existed. Amazingly, even though the temps were in the 30's, it did not feel cold and there was no wind to speak of. The long shadows being cast by the bare trees made for such a picture perfect winter scene, I just could not help myself and took pic after pic after pic. Normally, if I take a boat-load of photos, I am happy if I actually get one 'good one'. But, yesterday, the lake was camera ready; she smiled and posed @ every turn. We figure, that maybe by mid-January, we will go further out on the frozen water...until then...

And, Christmas!

To All who celebrate, a

 hopeful, joyful, peaceful, grateful, graceful, inspired, 

prayerful, bless-ed, safe and warm Christmas!!!

Isaiah 9:6

'For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.'

Festival of Lights, From Generation to Generation...

 We repeat the story of Chanukah every year, from generation to generation. It is a great great story! So, again: 2200 hundred years ago, without the wonders of modern technology, and social media/networking, like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, (et al), just imagine this: a small group of Jewish rebels, led by the Maccabee band of Brothers (love those boys) stood, up to the Greek kings who were forcing the Jewish people to worship their gods and Greek idols in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem....hence, the wondrous resistance and the miracle of the purified oil...given all the upheaval we see around the world, even today, this story may sound somewhat familiar...here is their story:

About 2200 years ago, Greek kings, who reigned from Damascus, ruled over the land of Judea and the Jews living there. One Greco-Syrian King, Antiochus Epiphanes, forbade the Jewish people from praying to their God, practicing their customs, and studying their Torah. Antiochus forced the Jews to worship the Greek gods. It is said that he placed an idol of the Greek God Zeus on the alter in the Holy Temple of Jerusalem. In response to this persecution, Judah Maccabee and his four brothers organized a group of resistance fighters known as the Maccabees. They fought against paganism and oppression.The tenacity of the rebels, which came from their steadfast faith in one God, is one reason this military victory has been so celebrated by Jews in future generations. In one battle near Beit Horon, Judah's small army is intimidated by the size of the enemy army and Judah tells them to have faith that God is on their side:

"But when they saw the army coming to meet them, they said unto Judah: 'What? shall we be able, being a small company, to fight against so great and strong a multitude? ...' And Judah said: 'It is an easy thing for many to be shut up in the hands of a few, and there is no difference in the sight of Heaven to save by many or by few; for victory in battle standeth not in the multitude of an host, but strength is from Heaven. They come unto us in fullness of insolence and lawlessness, to destroy us and our wives and our children, for to spoil us; but we fight for our lives and our laws. And He Himself will discomfort them before our face; but as for you, be yet not afraid of them."
(The First Book of Maccabees)

Against great odds, after three years of fighting, the Maccabees succeeded to drive the Greco-Syrians out of Judea. Chanukah proclaims the message of the prophet Zachariah: "Not by might, not by power, but by My spirit." Chapter 4:6

The Maccabees reclaimed the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. They cleaned the Temple, removing the Greek symbols and statues. When Judah and his followers finished cleaning the temple, they rededicated it. On the 25th day of the month of Kislev in 164 BCE, the Temple was purified and rededicated. According to tradition, when the Maccabees entered the Holy Temple, they discovered that the Greco-Syrians had defiled the oil which was used to Temple's menorah. Only one vat of purified oil remained - enough for only one day. It would take the Jews a week to process more purified oil. Then a miracle occurred. The Maccabees lit the menorah and it burned for not one, but eight days, by which time the new, purified oil was ready. This is why the Chanukah Menorah has eight candles (not including the shamash candle used to light the others) and one reason why Jews celebrate Chanukah for eight days!!!

Happy Chanukah!

Happy Festival of Lights!!

This is our Menorah, which holds the drippings from the candles of Chanukah past, as we prepare the light the first candle tonight @ sundown!

It's a Vase, No, It's a Puzzle, No, It's a Vase...

'Tis the season!! We have Chanukah, Christmas, Jimmy's birthday and mine all in less than 2 weeks of one another!!! That's allot of celebrating!!! What a wonderful thing to come home to a package, w/ my name on it from National Geographic. 'Did I order something and forget that I ordered something?', was my first thought, as there were 2 other packages @ the front door. Much to my surprise, it was a gift from my friend Suzie. She knows me all too well, and ordered this wonderful, 3D puzzle/vase/ (it really works), which is also very beautiful! I opened it up, and the delicate pieces feel like fine porcelain! Here is what National Geographic has to say about the puzzle:

'Archaeologists assemble fragments of evidence sometimes literally to give us a clearer picture of the human past. This unique 3-D puzzle vase is created in the same spirit of focusing on the parts to better understand the whole. Assembling the 160 curved plastic pieces is a challenge for any puzzle fan, and requires an artist's eye as well as an engineer's sense of problem solving. When you're finished, a watertight insert lets you use your creation as a vase. Includes a decorative display stand.'

W/ this thoughtful gift, many bases of things which I love, have been covered! So, thank you Suz!!! Will take another pic when it is finished and full, probably w/ a philodendron which so easily grows roots!

I Can't Breathe...

How ironic, from last weeks post of, 'That breath that you just took...that's a gift', to this week:

I CAN'T BREATHE

I CAN'T BREATHE

I CAN'T BREATHE

I CAN'T BREATHE

  I CAN'T BREATHE  

I CAN'T BREATHE

I CAN'T BREATHE

I CAN'T BREATHE

I CAN'T BREATHE

 I CAN'T BREATHE 

  I CAN'T BREATHE  

'He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination unto the Lord'
Proverbs 17:15

Proverbs 17:15

Verse Concepts

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Injustice,-Hated-By-God#sthash.nfdT2g2d.dpuf

Proverbs 17:15

Verse Concepts

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Injustice,-Hated-By-God#sthash.nfdT2g2d.dpuf

Proverbs 17:15

Verse Concepts

He who justifies the wicked and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD.
- See more at: http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Injustice,-Hated-By-God#sthash.nfdT2g2d.dpuf

Giving Thanks...

 
#GRATEFUL         

'It is good to give thanks to the Lord,

to sing praises to your name, O Most High;'

Psalm 92:1

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

Sunrise, Sunset...

6:30 this morning...

4:40 last night....

Edited for Instagram...

 Upside down sunset from 4:50PM last night...

This morning I opened my eyes @ 6:30AM to this, as if last night's sunset was not enough of an eye full!!

'They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of Your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.'

Psalm 65:8

'Sunrise, sunset
Sunrise, sunset
Swiftly fly the years
One season following another
Laden with happiness and tears...'

Fiddler on the Roof

The Best Laid Plans....

On the drive home from the Vet...

She is warm and resting...the Girl..

  So, we are sitting in this ba-rutally frigid air mass, it is 1 below zero, feels like minus 7. It is snowing 'lightly' and it looks like a snow globe. Very pretty. My plans for today were to stay in, catch up on some correspondence, do some more cooking, nuzzle in. Really no need to be outside. However, it started yesterday. Edward and I both noticed that The Girl, Little Kitty was 'off '(more than usual, lol). She was not her usual perky self, she did not want to eat (something is definitely wrong). She seemed really wiped out. We figured that we would keep a close eye. As the evening progressed, I got worried. When she was around 1-ish, she ate almost 2 feet of ribbon, the kind w/ the thin wire in it, so it stays put when you shape it. Well, it (the wire) showed up crystal clear on the x-ray that day in Providence. Let's just say, that after that life saving surgery, she used up about 6 of her given 9 lives. We have been vigilant, all these 13 or so years later, at keeping strings or other interesting edibles out of sight, but, apparently, she found 'something'. I made the call, and off we went to the vet at 9:30 this AM. Her x-rays showed no major anything, thank goodness. All organs looked good, but, there was one part of her intestine which was a little 'bunched'. The good news is that she does not need surgery. They treated her there, gave her some IV fluids, did some blood work, gave her some anti-nausea and pain meds, and 3 hours later, we are all back to Plan A. We love our Girl Whirl, well, Edward and I love her allot. We'll be keeping a close watch, now that the best laid plans have taken a detour, and brought us back home to 'start'!!!

Wednesday

'Who is like you, LORD God Almighty? You, LORD, are mighty, and your faithfulness surrounds you.

You rule over the surging sea; when its waves mount up, you still them.'

Psalm 89:8-9

photo credit:
http://www.pinterest.com/source/paullekker.tumblr.com/

 

12 Mile Stables

Sweet volunteer w/ one of the horses...

My new Friend w/ the braid...

that face....

Grazing, w/ Denver and the Rockies in the background...

Friends....

I have seen them from the house, they have literally been on the other side of the fence on more than one occasion. However, yesterday was a 'sweater weather' kind of day, and my first day of walking w/out flip flops. Yes, I put my sneakers on.(This is rare.) I knew it was the day I was going to meet the horses. We crossed through another path in the park, which took us to the back side of the 'Dog Off Leash Area'. We are greeted by enthusiastic, energetic, happy dogs of every size, shape, 'variety'. Lots of unexpected kisses and licks and then, they quickly move on to the next adventure. We love this. The horses, the '12 Mile Stables', are right there; separating the dogs from the horses is yet another fence. We have to leave the dog park and walk up the dirt road to enter into the stables. It feels so so quiet. There are about 30-40 horses, I think. I was met by a sweet young lady, who volunteers, and she gave me the green light to wander, take my time w/ my meet and greet. Many of the horses were around a couple of different watering holes, and/or grazing on some well placed grass or feed. The white horse w/ the braid stole my heart. We spent some time sizing one another up, and in the short run, I think it was a good first meeting...she came very close, and kept a steady gaze. I wish I had some apples or food to give her. Maybe next time. This is a perfect time of the year to ride, when it is not blazing hot out. We simply have to call, and make a reservation. So, next time, some pics from the saddle. And, great news, my back is better. Most thankfully, pain just ebbed away...moving right along....

The Giving Trees...

 

 

 

 

So, it was bound to happen. After all the dismantling, packing, wrapping, lifting, pushing, pulling, hanging, unwrapping, mantling, more lifting, pushing and pulling, my back went 'out'. I can almost mark when I crossed my personal line, when in conversation w/ myself, 'Amy, you really should not lift another thing'. But I did, and now, as I sit w/ icepack carefully tucked in, I wish I had listened to myself. I have become 'one' w/ the heating pad, the ice pack and icy/hot patches are my new friends, along w/ ibuprofen, a homeopathic pain tincture and eucalyptus spray...did I forget anything? I am finding some relief w/ gentle stretching. Sitting proves difficult. However, my best position, is vertical and walking, which is good, because these October days have been so gorgeous. Yesterday afternoon, the Boys went to the movies (walk in w/ a pillow and ice pack or heating pad...I think not), so, I chose to take the longest walk possible in the park, take my time, and appreciate the foliage, w/ camera in tow. The trees, some really big, old trees had my full attention, and in return, they gave and gave and gave.