we shall soar on wings like egrets...

...but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles...

Yes, I am aware this is not an eagle. It is, instead, a great white egret. But, for some reason, this photograph keeps bringing to my mind the "soar on wings like eagles" verse. I think it's the beauty and majesty of the flight. Really... look at that great big gangly body, and yet, the bird lifts it gracefully and majestically from the earth and takes to the sky!

One would think it would require great effort (and, not being a big bird, I cannot be sure what effort is required to lift it from the ground!). Yet, the bird is doing what it was created to do. And in the verse above, God tells us that when we do what WE are created to do --to hope in and wait for the Lord -- we will have the strength of a bird in flight. We will have the sustaining power of the Wind (the Holy Spirit) beneath our wings to cause us to soar -- to lift us and carry us at great heights --like an eagle!

For He gives strength to the weary and power to the weak... that we may soar...

Do you not know?

Have you not heard?

The LORD is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He will not grow tired or weary,

and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary

and increases the power of the weak.
Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

~Isaiah 40:28-31

(photograph taken at Bolsa Chica wetlands, Bolsa Chica, CA)

things that make you go "hmmmm????"

When I was in the Munich airport, I saw something I hadn't seen before-- smoking lounges. They are completely enclosed areas in the middle of the airport with places to sit --couches and chairs, desks and stools -- and to just leisurely "hang out" or work while you do your smoking in an otherwise-non-smoking place. Though I cannot imagine what the air-quality must be like INSIDE the smoking lounge, it is wonderful to us non-smokers that they have a completely sealed container in which to do it!

They are very well-appointed and look like a delightful place to pass the time while waiting for one's flight...

But, wait a minute...

What is that in the "fine print" on the sign?

Those words right under the cigarette brand name...

Uh.... that's not so subtle!

and I must admit that I LOVE it!

That's something "more" to "discover"-- Smoking Can Kill.

Hmmmmmm....

homeward bound...

Today I am homeward bound, winging my way 2500 miles across the country... my luggage is a bit overweight but then so is my heart --with the memories gathered over the past week spent with loved ones and with the emotions that go with the leaving. Whomever it was who said "Parting is such sweet sorrow" really nailed it on the head! (I also carry far too many photos home with me as well...many of which I shall surely be sharing with you as soon as I am back on DSL! There are just so many photo opportunities in the country!!)

(my plane flying over Michigan)

...Enjoy your Sabbath rest and worship...

• the mystery of flight (think about it!) (108)
• colorful views from above (107)
• having family and friends to miss (106)
• coming home (105)
• memories of time shared together (104)

sunset from above...

This afternoon/evening I flew from Los Angeles to Chicago. Boy! Were my arms tired!! : ) (I know that was terribly corny but it's VERY late --or early, in the morning that is!--and I couldn't resist!)

After about an hour and a half of the flight, when they finally had turned off the 'seat belts' sign, I got out of my seat to use the restroom. My seat was not a window seat, so I hadn't seen any of the landscape over which we were flying. Well, when I was standing in the aisle waiting for my turn in the rr, I was able to peer out someone's window. Oh, how I wish I had my camera in my hand at that moment!!! We were flying over a range of mountains (the Rockies?), and the sun was setting. The mountains were topped with snow, and a beautiful pinkish orange shade of sunset light was causing some of the peaks to absolutely glow! It was spectacular!!! I was in awe! I tried to get the folks sitting there to be as excited about it as I, but, well, I think I was a bit more excitable! I do so wish I could have captured it to share!

Then, when I got back to my seat, the passenger with the window seat in my row had put down his newspaper, and I was able to look out for a minute or two. The sky was incredible! I don't know if you've seen what the horizon looks like at sunset from up high in the sky, but it is really different and beautiful! A friend of mine had given me a photo she took of this once; it looks like horizontal lines of intense color, kind of like a very flattened and pressed-together rainbow against a dark blue/black background. And that's what I got a glimpse of tonight in those last few moments of the sunsetting behind us to the west. Lovely. (I wonder if that's what it looks like from heaven?!?!)

Just a couple of minutes ago, I was reading a friend's blog, and she has a picture posted on her blog today that looks like what I'm talking about above.... but hers is of a sunrise! If you want to see sort of what I'm trying to describe, go to her post for today, and look at the first photo. It was very much like that.

Those moments of sunset beauty were so very wonderful and made an otherwise-not-so-great-flight into a bit of a treasure... I'm so grateful to have been able to see those unusual and striking views from above. What delightful "eye candy" we get to taste if we have our eyes open to the blessings in our daily life...

• amazing sunset-colored mountain range (92)
• the delicious flavor of 'eye candy' (91)
• sunrise from the sky (90)

the blue angels...

Wow! What a show! Saturday I went with my friends and their boys to the Miramar Air Show down near San Diego. We had caught a bit of the show last year and a bit of the 'air show bug' along with it... from that day forward we had been planning to go again this year. And here we were.... only this time, we actually had bleacher seats right up front to see all the action! It was so exciting and amazing!

Flags flying, the incredible roar of fighter jets flying over our heads, the rumbling feel of the jet roar in your stomach and chest! I loved it!

The US Navy Blue Angels show was preluded by a "Heritage Flight" which was planes/jets from three different eras of US military planes -- the oldest being the prop-driven Mustang... (in the middle in the picture below)

It was very interesting to see how far flight technology has progressed through the years. Toward the end of the demonstration flight, each one flew low before us so we could hear the difference in the sounds of the three. From the soft, almost insect-like hum of the Mustang to the sound-barrier-breaking roar of the newest jet-- what a change!

We all, of course, were eagerly awaiting the Blue Angels. We could see them in the distance on the tarmac, their tails sticking up above the crowd, patiently awaiting their turn to dazzle us.

And then it was their turn...and they were off! Taking to the skies to demonstrate their amazing flight skills...
Look at how close they are to one another... yet, so controlled, so precise...

I am in awe of their ability to fly so closely together... yet never touching...

and in such perfect formation... each one aware of his own position and that of each of the others.This is one of my favorite shots... a moment when the sun was briefly out and a piece of blue sky highlighted their blue and gold colors. And look at that line-up! Incredible!

I love it when they fly upside down! (I think I would be absolutely and completely sick to my stomach!!)

I love this formation with all six of the jets... look at how perfectly they are spaced. I cannot imagine flying hundreds of miles per hour and doing what these men do! They are truly amazing pilots! ...and a little video... this move always brings lots of cheers from the crowd...

There they are, in all their glory-- the US Navy Blue Angels!

I am so proud of the men and women in all branches of our military, and I appreciate their sacrifice and service for our country! I am grateful for the freedoms we have as a result of the service of our soldiers and sailors over the years... and for all they do for other countries as well.

The Blue Angels ended their show with a final salute as they flew in toward us in formation and then each flew off in a different direction. We in the crowd saluted them as well with a raucous round of cheers and whistles and applause...

It was a wonderful day... a bit tiring, but a good time was had by all!