Sanctuary

I finally finished a task that I had been contemplating even before our last trip. We will soon be headed out again to the mountains, so I wanted to get a photograph from the Yellowstone/Jackson Hole area matted and framed to put above my dresser. I wanted this choice, since I have several of just mountain scenes, to include some wildlife. I finally settled on the bull moose we spotted on Wilson Road headed out of Teton Village. He was magnificent, dripping water from his drinking and eating in the pond. He turned to look at me, and I was amazed at how awesome, beautiful, and graceful he was. Oh, I forgot funny-looking. I am crazy about foxes, moose, and bears. All wildlife, really; but these three categories are at the top of my list.

My photographs in my house, and this one will definitely do such duty, are sanctuaries. I can remember the roads, smells, circumstances where they were taken. It is a way I can enter into a spiritual sanctuary, thanking God for his wonderful gifts and be grateful for where all the roads have led.

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Acknowledge Him in all ways and He will direct your path.

The Place Where it Sets

I was sitting at the computer catching up on the day's cyberspace when I noticed the outer space was on fire. It was a challenge to get to an open space to photograph the quickly changing sky. What a way to bookend a day, huh?
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From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised. The Lord is exalted over all the nations, his glory above the heavens.
Ps. 113:3-4

Moving the Piano

The heavens declare the glory of God!
Ps. 19:1
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I remember being afraid of lightning and storms when I was a little girl, but always being fascinated with clouds. My girls wish I was more afraid lightning now. I have been fortunate to get a few pictures of it, but really do have a healthy respect for the weather. The hail clouds came first this evening in their darkening marshmallow forms and I knew there was potential for a bad storm. Then the sounds of thunder began to pound their unpredictable rumbles through the thickness of the dark sky. Only the occasional lightning would lend some clue to what the forms of clouds looked like by that time.

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My grandmother told me that God was moving his piano in heaven when it thundered. I also remember my grandma Bessie sewing me five dresses for school. I would have one for each day of the week. I remember my grandma Lillie making awesome homemade ice cream. hot fudge sauce, great fried chicken and creamy gravy, and this great stuff called vinegar candy. You either love it or hate it.

My family on both sides had lots of problems, but I do remember some special foods, times, and talks with my grandmothers and great grandmother. The gifts of time, stories, tastes, and traditions carry forward with some things that remain as keepers to establish in the future generations. I wonder what my children and grandchildren will remember about me. I know we have made some good memories for them to carry forward.

New Pink Shoes

Do you suppose she is having
such a restful snooze
because she is wearing
her new pink shoes?

If you can't walk yet,
or you just walked a mile,
new pink shoes
have got to make a girl smile!
(c;

Aching for Aspens

My friend just got back from a trip to Colorado. I would be extremely jealous, but am heading that way in a few weeks with my husband. These pictures, except for the leaves on the side decking of the cabin on Evergreen Mountain, were taken on the road leading west from Crested Butte. This year I am so happy that I get to share that road with my husband.

Something about the 'quaking' of the aspen leaves on the trees is magical. You can hear the wind far off as it blows the leaves into dancing spins that make a raining sound rushing across the forest. I put some of that wonderful experience into a song a few years ago:

DANCING ASPEN, a love song
copyright Connie 2002

Your brilliant golden light shines through
against Your royal sky of blue.
Can't help but fall in love with You
who made the dancing aspen!
~~~~~~
Chorus:
The leaves say, "Sing and dance along;
join us in a sweet romantic song.
Show HIM your delight as you laugh and spin
with the ONE who made the wind."
~~~~

His breath makes us to dance and shine;
reflect the LIGHT of LOVE divine.
Oh, that I am HIS and HE is mine,
who made the dancing aspen!

As the grove has many members
all reaching for the sky...
so the Body who will be Your bride
seeks the LOVE who reigns on high.

Your brilliant golden light shines through
against Your royal sky of blue.
Can't help but fall in love with You
who made the dancing aspen!