radiant reds...

Here they are... as promised yesterday-- the reds...

Actually, now that I'm looking at them again, they are really more of a dark pink or fuschia-ish color...

But, any way you look at them, they are beautiful! For those of you who thought tree colors only happen in the fall... I present-- the radiant reds!...

Or shall we call them the Fabulous Fuschias?!

Truly amazing colors adorning the lovely spring trees...

And they smelled delicious, too!

God paints the seasons in such wonderful palettes, don't you think?

my mom's spring flowers...

Living in Southern California, I no longer get to experience spring in the same way that the cold states do. I think back to crisp spring days in my native Michigan...the snow melting, the ground getting soft and muddy, leaf buds sprouting on the trees, spring flowers beginning to poke their tender little heads out of the ground (sometimes even through the snow!)... first the crocuses, then the daffodils, followed closely or accompanied by the tulips and pretty little bluebells... irises and lilies of the valley... all of this lovely riotous spring color! and fat little robins darting to and fro amongst the flowers ...pulling tasty worms from the softening spring ground...

I believe spring has sprung!!

all flower photos are courtesy of my mom...

taken in her lovely spring garden in Michigan...

thanks, Mom, for sharing a bit of spring!

groundhog day... or...?

Happy Groundhog Day!!

...or not, as the case may be for those of you in cold winter climes, as it seems that the illustrious groundhog has seen his shadow and predicted another six weeks of winter. Now, for those of us in sunny Southern California, this is no dire prediction, but for you.... well, you may not be too happy with good ol' Punxsutawney Phil, the groundhog predictor of the advent of spring.

"Every February 2 since 1887, the behaviour of a groundhog – a rodent in the marmot family – called Phil has been closely observed as it emerges for the day in Punxsutawney, a small town in western Pennsylvania. On Monday the current "Phil" emerged from its burrow just after dawn in front of a 13,000-strong crowd on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in the town, which is 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh." (look at that crowd, will you!?!)

"According to German superstition, if a hibernating animal sees its shadow on this day – the Christian festival of Candlemas – winter will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, according to legend, spring will come early. On this occasion, the groundhog reportedly saw its shadow. Following tradition in Punxsutawney, the groundhog communicated his prediction to Bill Cooper, a top-hatted town elder who claims to be the only person in the world to speak "Groundhogese". "

"The town, which this year attracted fans of the event from Japan, Iceland and Egypt, claims Phil has always been correct. However, the US National Climate Prediction Centre said that the animal has only been right 39 per cent of the time. " (quote and above photo from The Telegraph)

In Phil's own words... (abridged version, full version here):

"And a bright sky above me
Showed my shadow beside me.
So 6 more weeks of winter it will be."

Phil's prediction was also confirmed by Michigan's "prognosticating woodchuck," Woody, who resides at the Howell Nature Center. Woody refused to even come out of her paper-mache stump, which in her language translates to 'sorry, folks-- six more weeks of winter!'

I don't know why we entrust our spring advent forecast to groundhogs, but for some reason, we Americans love it! (are we so crazy?!?) Well, since so many living in the Midwest and Eastern states are quite tired of winter already, I think, perhaps, a change may be in order...

Let's look at the situation we have here. Take a peek again at the photo above of Punxsutawney Phil. What do you notice about him? Let me give you a hint: plumpness. Alright then, let's be honest. Phil is fat. Come on;, admit it. He is a bit on the chubby side. Adorable, yes, but fat, nonetheless! Why wouldn't he see a shadow?!

So, I have a proposal... why don't we change it from Groundhog Day to Prairie Dog Day? I mean, really... have you ever seen a plump prairie dog? I didn't think so! They're slim, slender, lean and trim! Just look... we have a prime example below (photo courtesy of my friend, G):

What do you think the odds are of this prime prairie dog specimen seeing HIS shadow?! Much slimmer (ha!) than Phil, I would say! So, perhaps... just maybe... it's time for a change...

Let's hear it for Prairie Dog Diggery!! Three cheers for Prairie Dog Diggery!! (Come on, all you Midwesterners and East-Coasters!)

* * * * * * * *

Sheldon Carr, an engineer from Newburg, Wisconsin, was unable to explain the appeal of Groundhog Day, especially to non-Americans. "There's no reason," he said. "No one understands the Yanks." (quoted from The Telegraph)

(ah, we ARE a special breed, are we not!?!)

reflections...

Tonight I was reflecting on what it is to be a reflection of Christ-- to reflect God, to reflect His glory--to show others what He looks like, acts like, loves like. Some of my favorite photos from my trip to Michigan this fall were photos of fall foliage reflected in a pond near my uncle's lakeside cottage. As we drove past the pond, I pulled the van to a screeching halt as I saw the beauty not only of the trees themselves, but also of the reflection of the trees in the water. It was stunning...

The colors themselves were lovely, but the reflection in the water was that much MORE amazing! The reflection made it doubly beautiful!

I began to think about what makes a really good reflection? Stillness of the water surface is the key ingredient. When the breeze blew, or a fish or frog jumped, the surface of the water was disturbed, and the reflection was unclear...more like a watercolor than a photograph... an artist's rendition rather than a clear reflection... But, when the water was still... mmmm. A beautifully crisp and clear reflection....
So, how do I become a clear and crisp and beautiful reflection of God?

Psalm 46:10 gives us a hint: "Be still, and know that I am God." If we will be still and know in the very depths of our being, in the depths of our spirits, that He is God, that stillness--that complete heart-and-mind-and-soul-and-strength knowledge of God--will be reflected in our lives. It will be reflected in the peace and joy on our faces and in our daily walks. (even in the midst of trouble or turmoil)

And others will see God's reflection...clearly, beautifully, fully. Then, like the water in the pond, they will not notice US, they will notice God in us. They will see a true reflection of God--of Who He is and what He is like--if we will be still in His love.

And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory,

are being transformed into his likeness

with ever-increasing glory,

which comes from the Lord

~ 2 Corinthians 3:18

This, then, is my prayer for today... that I may be still and know that He is God...that others may see His glory reflected in me and in my life... that they may stand in awe of Who He is and know that He is Lord.

frost-ing on the cake, pt 2...

...and here, as I promised yesterday, is the frosted "green stuff"...

Frost is the greatest artist in our clime--
He paints in nature...
~Thomas Hood

...and a bit closer...


...a frosty fern...


...closer...


...CLOSER...

...and closest for true crystal enjoyment...


...a frosty fall leaf...


...and look at that cute cactus-like furry frosty leaf!...

...and a little bit of brown frosting, too...

('cause it's just too pretty not to include!)

The Frost performs its secret ministry,
Unhelped by any wind.

~from Frost at Midnight
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge

...several of these photos can be enlarged for detail-viewing by double-clicking on them

• the artistry of frost (115)
• ice crystals (114)
• a reason to get up early in the morning! (113)

"frost"-ing on the cake, pt 1...

I love the beauty of frost and snowflakes... the amazingly detailed crystals that are formed as the rain or dew freeze into incredible patterns and shapes. One morning last week when I was in Michigan, I awakened to a wonderful 27degree freeze and the glory of the frost-ing on the day. I, in pajamas and a jacket, ran outside with my camera and lost myself in the crisp, cool delight of the frost.

At first I focused on the grass and leaves and flowers with their edgings of ice (see tomorrow's post), but on my way to the garden, I passed a truck in the driveway. On the side of the truck bed was a metal ring, and the frost crystals on it were spectacular! This is what I saw...

The light of the sun was just right, and I was in awe!

The denseness of the crystals almost looked like a spiky fur coat adorning the ring...

...beautiful...

...and tomorrow, I'll show you the green stuff... : )

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)

rainy days and Mondays...

Perhaps you remember that old song by the Carpenters that says "rainy days and Mondays always get me down..." Well, today is a Monday, and it is also a rainy day here in Michigan. Unlike the Carpenters, I don't mind a rainy day much at all...not even when it's on a Monday! Especially since I live in sunny, barely-ever-get-any-rain southern California, I rather LOVE a rainy day!

I also find the colors of fall to be more striking on gloomy days when they do not have to compete with the bright sun. Since I can only seem to upload a single picture (or maybe two, if I'm lucky), I thought I would post one of my rainy-day tree photos (can't keep a nature-lovin' photographer out of the rain!!)...

Many of the trees have already lost their fall finery, but there are still some dressed in outstanding oranges, radiant reds, and grand greens. When we're driving somewhere, I continually pull the car over to the side of the road when I spot a pretty tree. I simply MUST take their photographs! (my mom is quite used to it by now and is very accomodating of my stopping-to-take-a-picture habit!)

...so here's to rainy Mondays ... and these wonderful fall colors!!

• beautiful colors made brighter in the gloom (101)
• rainy days! (100)
• Mondays to start off a new week (99)

a beautiful sunny fall day...

...for your viewing pleasure, and to contrast with yesterday's "post of gloom"--a few photos of the beautiful sunny and blue-skied fall day today in Chicago...
And here, from my hotel room window, is a teeny tiny view of the famous Sears Tower in downtown Chicago... far off in the distance yet still recognizable... And today, I went outside for a few minutes to get 'up close and personal' with that gloriously golden tree I showed you yesterday...It was quite lovely from underneath, especially in contrast with the brilliant blue of the sky and the wonderful fluffy white cotton-ball clouds... (I found a little surprise in the tree that I'll share with you another day!)
The leaves below were from yet another tree decked out in yellows... they were too marvelous to resist a few close-ups...

So, here's to another fine day of fall yellows, this time accentuated by a striking background of blue and white. Early tomorrow morning I'm off to the airport and Michigan where I hope to find some lovely oranges and reds in Michigan to share later this week!