tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41127648380015218212024-03-05T10:12:22.180-08:00on the roadPamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-41687905318296297062012-05-17T20:59:00.002-07:002012-05-17T22:27:34.535-07:00beauty<div>
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Beauty is everywhere, if we look for it....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYoRiOJ6VzbkfknDuKK5EaS0WktqeLqNiLxZvDgzmiJPWWHkkjYpEoz1X9xWYz9d5Bp3bRbyfOdld0qChrqXw-2885y8D5VsO60OQQV6qtSVK8jK9TgslCT7_iIy6hvtWb0aexRBmIPM/s1600/purplebeauty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsYoRiOJ6VzbkfknDuKK5EaS0WktqeLqNiLxZvDgzmiJPWWHkkjYpEoz1X9xWYz9d5Bp3bRbyfOdld0qChrqXw-2885y8D5VsO60OQQV6qtSVK8jK9TgslCT7_iIy6hvtWb0aexRBmIPM/s400/purplebeauty.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-69182948623327850202012-05-04T16:13:00.002-07:002013-05-19T22:36:12.645-07:00"Easter Lily"It was an incredible day at the Desert Botanical Garden yesterday...I just happened to arrive on a day when numerous night blooming cactus decided to show their blossoms off to visitors with their stunning, yet ever so brief appearance of less than 24 hours. They bloom in the dark, and are at their best at daybreak, starting to fade as the morning sun shines on them, til by mid-afternoon or so they are mere shadows of their former selves as they hang shriveled and forlorn from cactus arms.<br />
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The blossom below is called an "Easter Lily" - an echinopsis hybrid that comes in various colors. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2V_UXztVcXsS8tlv4Yp1ghw6Db3sS1eSlnVrF1tih5MF77brhcHQnnlzRMaU16qIsBxOQ_kRgVFtSoLX-D7ER8u-C_usKndVLMgQEsKB6EJoioz6c17t-hMzLTDJJlAKH9Cn7m6-C_E/s1600/DBG+5312.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb2V_UXztVcXsS8tlv4Yp1ghw6Db3sS1eSlnVrF1tih5MF77brhcHQnnlzRMaU16qIsBxOQ_kRgVFtSoLX-D7ER8u-C_usKndVLMgQEsKB6EJoioz6c17t-hMzLTDJJlAKH9Cn7m6-C_E/s400/DBG+5312.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-26315166725673884292012-04-23T15:47:00.002-07:002012-04-28T21:46:03.246-07:00Squash BlossomsSpring is here in full force and there is no shortage of beautiful images to capture and share. Living in the southwest we get to enjoy the rare beauty of cactus blooms in abundance, and it is truly a treat! However, when I was at the Desert Botanical Garden the other day, what ended up capturing my attention were some gorgeous squash blossoms they had planted in the herb garden section. So that is what I am sharing this week with "i heart macro".<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a new blossom ready to unfurl...</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWVE0V-FtCqODFSmeiNyupcj_IWY3i0FAhSh_AAsAa9L2Xb8E1xIXHJc28XQ4t-4nQZafw1QplXV6GgUkn8zt23FvXzubLCS_GZWjdbtatdnLdlN4twNZNRXaTRqKrO-Szv4oC7C4WU0/s1600/ihm218+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWVE0V-FtCqODFSmeiNyupcj_IWY3i0FAhSh_AAsAa9L2Xb8E1xIXHJc28XQ4t-4nQZafw1QplXV6GgUkn8zt23FvXzubLCS_GZWjdbtatdnLdlN4twNZNRXaTRqKrO-Szv4oC7C4WU0/s400/ihm218+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">an open blossom against a rusted beam</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96GrVCDvV8dKgXDn6j-KpXiUhfBOyfoderpKXlD9aweJipM-J2e7U04qz1CCOD-A9JSBPwDaVaenV3T8CYCfoLXLAD9hJkbP318l6DnEG3te2gXTgeem-blwBxQ4JPEc6H09ZVr5SkVM/s1600/ihm218+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg96GrVCDvV8dKgXDn6j-KpXiUhfBOyfoderpKXlD9aweJipM-J2e7U04qz1CCOD-A9JSBPwDaVaenV3T8CYCfoLXLAD9hJkbP318l6DnEG3te2gXTgeem-blwBxQ4JPEc6H09ZVr5SkVM/s400/ihm218+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a gorgeous bloom up close</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="140" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<center></center></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-4361022648489600892012-04-14T20:35:00.000-07:002012-04-14T20:36:51.442-07:00i heart macro - poppiesPoppies are one of my most favorite flowers, and I eagerly await each spring when they appear again with their cheery golden faces smiling warmly toward the sun....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwaeu5783lsgjwU9uqKADzm4M4CXg97y8_uYVe7AZzPaffb83lqhW4bitp5EJkq02nKlFgSCrZa-G-dv4Q9IypqoTG84pmJEl9YBZT3wcsf-wYCzejuT9yx69qhNDCvXBHUDQy_2SyoE/s1600/ihmpoppy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghwaeu5783lsgjwU9uqKADzm4M4CXg97y8_uYVe7AZzPaffb83lqhW4bitp5EJkq02nKlFgSCrZa-G-dv4Q9IypqoTG84pmJEl9YBZT3wcsf-wYCzejuT9yx69qhNDCvXBHUDQy_2SyoE/s400/ihmpoppy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="140" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-35854165523916503402012-02-12T21:57:00.000-08:002013-05-19T22:38:59.134-07:00Warmth<br />
Living in the Southwest, the prompt "warmth" from over at Project Alicia elicited different images than those I would be coming up with if I lived in colder climes....<br />
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Warmth of February sun is</div>
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bringing to an end winter slumber.</div>
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As trees once again awaken</div>
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with new life surging</div>
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through their veins,</div>
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they are compelled to cast off </div>
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all last vestiges of death,</div>
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pushing out new buds and leaves.</div>
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Warmth of February sun</div>
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calls forth a colorful array</div>
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Of beautiful blossoms</div>
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That draw buzzing bees</div>
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And fluttering butterflies,</div>
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Who spread delicate wings</div>
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Wide to warming rays</div>
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While drinking deep of</div>
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Each flower’s offering...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GNoHwEdBykGKk3g7Je21z7noS7Oznvk9ZVvkgSMz7A7C0RgrFnc7EesIfcmtaGOXjWD_iAcjlnnJNU1OHB0IHfOsVuPK5vWzQtAPsS7eq5NYzFXPqdiB9DsTnxyDMQG-0hV-OtMi2AY/s1600/warmth+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3GNoHwEdBykGKk3g7Je21z7noS7Oznvk9ZVvkgSMz7A7C0RgrFnc7EesIfcmtaGOXjWD_iAcjlnnJNU1OHB0IHfOsVuPK5vWzQtAPsS7eq5NYzFXPqdiB9DsTnxyDMQG-0hV-OtMi2AY/s400/warmth+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Beautiful promises of the spring fast approaching.</div>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-27791925510618552102012-02-07T16:05:00.000-08:002013-05-19T22:40:07.488-07:00Solitude<br />
A place to escape to,<br />
where the noise and activity of<br />
everyday life are far away....<br />
a quiet spot at the edge of the river,<br />
where the soothing sounds of water<br />
rippling and flowing downstream<br />
wash over my soul,<br />
and my heart is refreshed looking up<br />
to majestic red rock and<br />
lifted in gratitude to the Creator.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsFghFz-mkixZhGm0B7IC7nC7btQH83Op8HHynxDS-gazVKzcUGqiKKctl4ToI1i1WSUCi6PFpWa6ndPv62lQyzl13lF0D2HhB4PGVeOsUuiWa9299MMt2hJu0-xurtcWkI3enHQlA4I/s1600/solitude.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsFghFz-mkixZhGm0B7IC7nC7btQH83Op8HHynxDS-gazVKzcUGqiKKctl4ToI1i1WSUCi6PFpWa6ndPv62lQyzl13lF0D2HhB4PGVeOsUuiWa9299MMt2hJu0-xurtcWkI3enHQlA4I/s400/solitude.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oak Creek, Sedona, AZ</td></tr>
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-13625389796041890262012-02-04T20:24:00.000-08:002012-02-04T21:27:32.226-08:00i heart macro<br />
A favorite picture from last spring....looking forward to the butterflies coming again!<br />
(you can click on the image to enlarge)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCpJDHOnk16FfoDg661fHJwRsp6J7TMwfWO395j00FgwcSnX9605l9cw3miwhPj9GqMBtNyEqhW6-QWBqfpRGLA6W0PhN-tC41CVc1iuf2uZXOB_5csBu_Ek716eTc6PwaDu20PlZlrA/s1600/ihm24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCpJDHOnk16FfoDg661fHJwRsp6J7TMwfWO395j00FgwcSnX9605l9cw3miwhPj9GqMBtNyEqhW6-QWBqfpRGLA6W0PhN-tC41CVc1iuf2uZXOB_5csBu_Ek716eTc6PwaDu20PlZlrA/s400/ihm24.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Well, hello there....!"<br />
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<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="140" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-32967347728351836402012-02-01T23:30:00.000-08:002012-02-01T23:30:45.987-08:00Fleeting Splendor of a Night-blooming Cactus<br />
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<img border="0" height="308" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7y5LNUITx2HGFstWYjag6vSurhhhiKdoDuWO6_UuCT-pHxuHiKG3BUIvmkPbJWn9NLLCvNLTthR00qmgRVSRHOD22nQE-4itfXE4rox2ydPIQHFrMTQgJhyXfLCAyCpEinuKbhjpASC4/s400/macro.jpg" width="400" /></div>
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Sharing over at:<br />
<a href="http://kentweakley.com/blog/wordless-wednesday-25/">Wordless Wednesday</a>, <a href="http://nfmemes.blogspot.com/2012/02/nf-macro-72.html">NF Macro</a>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-28121066724624394692012-01-28T22:09:00.000-08:002013-05-19T22:41:19.679-07:00"i heart macro"I grabbed my camera this afternoon and ventured out into my backyard to see what I might find to shoot for "i heart macro" and "shoot.edit.submit." (links below). Initially the Mexican Bird of Paradise didn't catch my eye as it doesn't have any of it's brightly colored flowers this time of year, but the more I looked at it my eye was drawn to the branches and the way the leaves hang down on them, so I aimed my macro lens at one, and liked what I saw. <br />
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The first picture is pretty much straight out of camera. The second two I cropped and took some artistic license with using Aperture 3....I am continually amazed at the beauty found in such seemingly ordinary things!<br />
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-88994991175378238482012-01-24T16:20:00.000-08:002012-01-25T14:49:49.156-08:00The Creative Exchange: YosemiteI just got introduced to "The Creative Exchange" through a friend, and decided it was timely to participate. I like the theme, which is "your camera in one hand, your heart in the other." Honestly, I don't think the two ever part ways when I take pictures, but obviously some photos have more personal meaning than others.<br />
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The 21st of this month marked five years since my dad passed away. He had Alzheimer's, but thankfully what took him before being fully ravaged by that disease was a sudden heart attack - he was gone in an instant after returning from a walk with my mom in his beloved outdoors.<br />
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The pictures I am sharing were taken just this last Thanksgiving in Yosemite, a place very dear to my dad's heart from boyhood until he passed. He was blessed to live nearby at the end of his life, and would go on weekly hikes with his "buddy Tom". Alzheimer's took a lot from him, but never his love of Yosemite and being outdoors. We just had a family reunion at my mom's at Thanksgiving, and one afternoon took a beautiful drive through Yosemite. I will share a few of the images I captured that afternoon as sun and clouds shifted and played games with the incredible, ever-changing landscape where rain and snow had fallen just hours earlier....<br />
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I love and miss you, dad!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpa35_dPlTveYrlI9VGxJrTXREfCGBSHH1_o57e84mFMI21i-ZsdPESZeB9EiWkKVUV-kQEF6-3bn4xPJP-80MWDOQBWevpdfUEkWmXBdQLFL3cisYtcpy79gxdyg9wGT4PSIHKaDHnY/s1600/Yosemite+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOpa35_dPlTveYrlI9VGxJrTXREfCGBSHH1_o57e84mFMI21i-ZsdPESZeB9EiWkKVUV-kQEF6-3bn4xPJP-80MWDOQBWevpdfUEkWmXBdQLFL3cisYtcpy79gxdyg9wGT4PSIHKaDHnY/s400/Yosemite+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the road down into Yosemite valley</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj5DS9fGymYqCl9soLWlGIBAE4DyVzC8ccozcQSTRnc6Q8DIC0eq-zorRhqCa9r90BkP-NiPgvlXnNfIe7otVBuXyZJzRCNUuE83ZyLAgCcKOa7Uk-IOB9xym2tRx_Xp6p4A_8Evnn68/s1600/Yosemite+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJj5DS9fGymYqCl9soLWlGIBAE4DyVzC8ccozcQSTRnc6Q8DIC0eq-zorRhqCa9r90BkP-NiPgvlXnNfIe7otVBuXyZJzRCNUuE83ZyLAgCcKOa7Uk-IOB9xym2tRx_Xp6p4A_8Evnn68/s400/Yosemite+3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bridal Veil Falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzCkdJdKGjCEun8UsP0Km3b0gWpeTn3OXntn32AUfcP4rbAaY0je4obJI2PWfjbtEF_Is4AbOtM16mKwmM1SVtrj2Gh7b4tPt-QxLacHxLeXQ5H70UlJRNcirwi9xk6Iy83OwOWbgdNw/s1600/Yosemite+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPzCkdJdKGjCEun8UsP0Km3b0gWpeTn3OXntn32AUfcP4rbAaY0je4obJI2PWfjbtEF_Is4AbOtM16mKwmM1SVtrj2Gh7b4tPt-QxLacHxLeXQ5H70UlJRNcirwi9xk6Iy83OwOWbgdNw/s400/Yosemite+4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fog shrouding the tops of granite walls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPvETtb7sIn3MlzISf-SLlteUdazRsZtoXGfmSRj40cU4JI_dsn_NW0qmDizVX45qa8UP2Cefl8CeldputEEhp3bla3We7_OG8JZyIHV4fDZHslW1FRsfI96QnfpibgPDE4x7YhbJifo/s1600/Yosemite+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpPvETtb7sIn3MlzISf-SLlteUdazRsZtoXGfmSRj40cU4JI_dsn_NW0qmDizVX45qa8UP2Cefl8CeldputEEhp3bla3We7_OG8JZyIHV4fDZHslW1FRsfI96QnfpibgPDE4x7YhbJifo/s400/Yosemite+5.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sun breaking through and lighting up my dad's favorite tree to photograph</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iKUliX2J30iK9FPkiLYijDi1cuJqhcgvdosVFaKePc7YxC961uTLRwjH2DP5HO_73PjYFlBeJqusuQXXcljhknbP7jqOEoAK96ojBKHe50Nna4_u3R7sgvG0-cZVHa8SP9Gty1A_GN8/s1600/Yosemite+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2iKUliX2J30iK9FPkiLYijDi1cuJqhcgvdosVFaKePc7YxC961uTLRwjH2DP5HO_73PjYFlBeJqusuQXXcljhknbP7jqOEoAK96ojBKHe50Nna4_u3R7sgvG0-cZVHa8SP9Gty1A_GN8/s400/Yosemite+6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fall and the falls</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5dqXBze8q_63lIwIw7jiR1DJ-o1E_y6QHtlYaTjHDhtFpnktBD-b8P_pK2ouSBVhUFYJJgvA60wSPWjayZvkEPV50KLUWwBSzK0ZewU-x7jrfjy0EmXENrc3gL0hm5s-GHoxW3rWOj8/s1600/Yosemite+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5dqXBze8q_63lIwIw7jiR1DJ-o1E_y6QHtlYaTjHDhtFpnktBD-b8P_pK2ouSBVhUFYJJgvA60wSPWjayZvkEPV50KLUWwBSzK0ZewU-x7jrfjy0EmXENrc3gL0hm5s-GHoxW3rWOj8/s400/Yosemite+7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the sun was shining on the valley floor, lighting up the fall colors while winter was presiding at the top</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDknnZnctjHL0Zqa733455TUtx-65JnU5foei1mBC6LWyhOnzzcvn7Hrt1DKFZDq1UoHo1K7xatrDw8FwJUQmLUDxoomydYEmH3Wc_xHGKo6Y-f58XsOM8Qn-uStvQI2ccWwR9TJOx2mk/s1600/Yosemite+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDknnZnctjHL0Zqa733455TUtx-65JnU5foei1mBC6LWyhOnzzcvn7Hrt1DKFZDq1UoHo1K7xatrDw8FwJUQmLUDxoomydYEmH3Wc_xHGKo6Y-f58XsOM8Qn-uStvQI2ccWwR9TJOx2mk/s400/Yosemite+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Half Dome was covered with clouds almost the whole trip, but suddenly the clouds cleared and late afternoon sun lit it up in spectacular fashion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NNp_KyKa08IBPW08sGj1oaTgQu3osgLH-Zr0AyfG_TuPvEyce8jjviHegFzkorbLazAP7r7_QafFqhZNmnb5gXmQM-XS4-9DDjTvWx3D04AOB6xAMbMD-JV0jLKf2SPa6NF2p6lE-xQ/s1600/Yosemite+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5NNp_KyKa08IBPW08sGj1oaTgQu3osgLH-Zr0AyfG_TuPvEyce8jjviHegFzkorbLazAP7r7_QafFqhZNmnb5gXmQM-XS4-9DDjTvWx3D04AOB6xAMbMD-JV0jLKf2SPa6NF2p6lE-xQ/s400/Yosemite+11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">low clouds started to gather again as we were leaving</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ltGw-wQi0NRHxnVtL8cPb4IMLrfY57phqJ2MpTzp2KJq22MrLiXDna3a1KN-tBkwxLimJBg3-7LNL4z2wurhNcomC400wvpyXe4pgScvMM4imH18zHKv4heuwJ1aQCtlQc55_fdUZt0/s1600/Yosemite+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ltGw-wQi0NRHxnVtL8cPb4IMLrfY57phqJ2MpTzp2KJq22MrLiXDna3a1KN-tBkwxLimJBg3-7LNL4z2wurhNcomC400wvpyXe4pgScvMM4imH18zHKv4heuwJ1aQCtlQc55_fdUZt0/s400/Yosemite+12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">as the sun was going down and it got cooler, mist began to rise on the meadow</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaHeJmSooECRhZBvzE1xGXCFrr1qmpt3Eg6Tk3wNRQapxfEtGJInjsqANWZI8BSezl38axwHL1d7hfFgckUS8SUbSEno3t9J0btZzLtVxovlieOVcHm68k42vhrlAJ-IDkh4lgmQ_4mk/s1600/Yosemite+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaHeJmSooECRhZBvzE1xGXCFrr1qmpt3Eg6Tk3wNRQapxfEtGJInjsqANWZI8BSezl38axwHL1d7hfFgckUS8SUbSEno3t9J0btZzLtVxovlieOVcHm68k42vhrlAJ-IDkh4lgmQ_4mk/s400/Yosemite+9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a shot through the windshield of the rising mist</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Kl9OmMoPAcUHuoX5GxXnh1xrqzm8dQDxLDWw0P0uFBVdKacQ76RMO1asPZUul_wa3Z5rm8cIpKZcDIpzCYFK3-V2YCqgu0e_elw3D_grZqtte5cPsos6eaGzmtO6hTLrMzGQaMBlRA/s1600/Yosemite+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD-Kl9OmMoPAcUHuoX5GxXnh1xrqzm8dQDxLDWw0P0uFBVdKacQ76RMO1asPZUul_wa3Z5rm8cIpKZcDIpzCYFK3-V2YCqgu0e_elw3D_grZqtte5cPsos6eaGzmtO6hTLrMzGQaMBlRA/s400/Yosemite+10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our last look back as we left, with mist rising from the meadow and the setting sun kissing the snowy peak good night...</td></tr>
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<center><a href="http://www.the-creative-exchange.com/" target="_blank" title="The Creative Exchange"><img border="0" src=" http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6084/6051131417_4ebef160c1_m.jpg " /></a></center>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-25439087751059328422012-01-14T19:06:00.000-08:002012-01-22T17:31:55.948-08:00i heart macro<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Shortly after coming across "i heart macro" this week for the first time, I walked by my window and saw the morning sun illuminating a seed pod in it's fleeting light in my backyard. I quickly grabbed my camera and ran out to capture what I saw a before the sun shifted and left the pod in the shadows again....</div>
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<a href="http://www.waterstonejewelry.blogspot.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="studio waterstone" height="140" src="http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5024/5613077984_956a8186b6_m.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-33463449215441711122012-01-02T23:17:00.000-08:002012-05-10T20:31:05.866-07:00the mystery of wind-breath<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV2SSmTH8eGgt0LyIU_mV8H8DE8GxBxu6qqCfhnXsaT5IyDBTifwmQP3oJeWlrOzEywg_s-1f8RGPh2Lrg25DZHg_M2IEZ9dBZ7Zs0UXS2-RS7qR0FPafeq8kFENn8y08EEj5FVI8EkY/s1600/sailboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV2SSmTH8eGgt0LyIU_mV8H8DE8GxBxu6qqCfhnXsaT5IyDBTifwmQP3oJeWlrOzEywg_s-1f8RGPh2Lrg25DZHg_M2IEZ9dBZ7Zs0UXS2-RS7qR0FPafeq8kFENn8y08EEj5FVI8EkY/s1600/sailboat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgV2SSmTH8eGgt0LyIU_mV8H8DE8GxBxu6qqCfhnXsaT5IyDBTifwmQP3oJeWlrOzEywg_s-1f8RGPh2Lrg25DZHg_M2IEZ9dBZ7Zs0UXS2-RS7qR0FPafeq8kFENn8y08EEj5FVI8EkY/s400/sailboat.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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eyes closed it is crystal clear,<br />
vivid picture in my mind:<br />
a small sturdy sailboat<br />
her white sails bulging<br />
taut with power<br />
and mystery<br />
the mystery of wind-breath.<br />
<br />
<i>...the Spirit breathes where he wills</i><br />
<i>and you hear his voice....</i><br />
the Spirit breath-speaks;<br />
am i listening?<br />
am i positioned to hear,<br />
to receive life-giving,<br />
life-propelling mystery into myself?<br />
<br />
his heart exhales,<br />
pulsing breath-voice<br />
whooshing softly to fill sails;<br />
to guide this little vessel<br />
sure and steady,<br />
puff by puff<br />
breath by breath.<br />
<br />
without his breathing<br />
i am stalled<br />
dead in the water;<br />
a dormant vessel<br />
needing to reposition<br />
sails again toward the wind<br />
the wind-breath of the Spirit.<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." </i><br />
<i> John 3:8 (Amplified)</i>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-79844604354834308932011-10-01T07:36:00.000-07:002011-10-01T07:36:33.487-07:00the exchange<br />
the morning air<br />
is a gentle breeze<br />
refreshing my body<br />
refreshing my soul<br />
refreshing my spirit.<br />
as i breathe in pneuma<br />
that Holy Spirit breath<br />
at the dawning<br />
i breathe in life<br />
and exhale the old<br />
exchanging night's<br />
oldness for new life<br />
at the beginning of day.<br />
<br />
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<i>"...he breathed on them and said to them, '<b>Receive</b> the Holy Spirit [pneuma].'" ~ John 20:22</i>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-14443130712177350062011-09-22T00:09:00.000-07:002011-09-22T00:09:11.986-07:00a band of women<br />
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unbidden they come<br />
they follow<br />
they pour out their means<br />
for Jesus and the twelve -<br />
a band of women<br />
drawn to him by love.<br />
compelled by gratitude<br />
they must be near him<br />
they must take care of him<br />
they must give all to him.<br />
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these are the forgiven-much ones<br />
who love much in return.<br />
these are the delivered-from-demons ones<br />
the healed and set free ones;<br />
women who have freely received<br />
and now freely give.<br />
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no more crippling shame<br />
no more sickness or bondage or fear.<br />
instead freed hearts and lives<br />
full of gratitude and joy...<br />
a band of women<br />
with Jesus and his disciples<br />
bringing kingdom wherever they go.<br />
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<i>"...he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna...and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means." ~ Luke 8:1-3</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[stock photo]</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-59185154986170625872011-09-20T14:37:00.000-07:002011-09-21T10:14:52.754-07:00forgiven<br />
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<br />
a woman of bad repute<br />
and uninvited<br />
she quietly kneels behind him<br />
as he reclines at the table.<br />
tears flow freely<br />
washing his dusty feet.<br />
gently drying them with her hair<br />
she takes costly perfume<br />
and pours out all,<br />
anointing his feet with<br />
sin-bought gift of devotion<br />
and tender kisses;<br />
love language of a bursting<br />
full-of-deep-gratitude<br />
forgiven-much heart.<br />
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<i>"Therefore I say to you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little." ~ Luke 7:47</i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">[stock photo]</span>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-26871525568910878132011-09-14T11:00:00.000-07:002011-09-14T11:00:16.703-07:00sweet supply<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn2HL6w44KtrIPmSiiCYA52vWK47c-TsM-Tiun_dDfXYvt_2oY04Xdyp81JshK-OcR1s0RTOdZYJbcrNIAcEihV3K0_FQoc9RVKHQWJWSmyGuPxse60v7YaxNjy-4Zflb6QFa0ALcTYw/s1600/purple+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn2HL6w44KtrIPmSiiCYA52vWK47c-TsM-Tiun_dDfXYvt_2oY04Xdyp81JshK-OcR1s0RTOdZYJbcrNIAcEihV3K0_FQoc9RVKHQWJWSmyGuPxse60v7YaxNjy-4Zflb6QFa0ALcTYw/s1600/purple+flowers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyn2HL6w44KtrIPmSiiCYA52vWK47c-TsM-Tiun_dDfXYvt_2oY04Xdyp81JshK-OcR1s0RTOdZYJbcrNIAcEihV3K0_FQoc9RVKHQWJWSmyGuPxse60v7YaxNjy-4Zflb6QFa0ALcTYw/s320/purple+flowers.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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in the freshness</div>
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of the early morning</div>
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the little hummingbird</div>
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darts and hovers</div>
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drinking nectar</div>
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from the uplifted cornucopias</div>
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of vibrant purple blossoms</div>
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life-giving nourishment</div>
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for the taking</div>
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supplied abundantly</div>
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by the Father</div>
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<i>Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? ~ Matthew 6:26</i></div>
Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-71810896513101880812011-09-08T16:59:00.000-07:002011-09-14T14:07:56.638-07:00I Hunger and I Thirst<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Hymn lyrics that have put words to early-morning longings of my heart for many years....</div>
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I hunger and I thirst,<br />
Jesus my manna be;<br />
Ye living waters burst<br />
Out of the rock for me.<br />
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Thou bruised and broken Bread,<br />
My lifelong wants supply;<br />
As living souls are fed,<br />
O feed me or I die.<br />
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Thou true life-giving Vine,<br />
Let me Thy sweetness prove;<br />
Renew my life with Thine,<br />
Refresh my soul with love.<br />
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For still the desert lies<br />
My thirsting soul before;<br />
O living waters, rise<br />
Within me evermore. <br />
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This poem/hymn, written by John Samuel Bewley Monsell; born 1811, ordained 1834, died 1870. Author of 11 volumes of poetry, encompassing almost 300 hymns.Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-34795366653949893552011-09-07T13:36:00.000-07:002011-09-08T08:37:18.978-07:00weighty words<div>
<br />
in my set-apart chair</div>
i sit in the early morning hours<br />
savoring first the sensory.<br />
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my body nestles into cushiony embrace</div>
while open hands feel<br />
the comforting weight of the book.<br />
<br />
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fingertips caress the texture</div>
a texture that stirs my heart<br />
with anticipation<br />
for breaking the dark night's fast.<br />
<br />
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hugging it close</div>
with eyes closed tight<br />
my nose takes in its<br />
leathery smell while<br />
savoring this slight delay<br />
that makes the anticipated repast<br />
all the sweeter.<br />
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then the deliberate opening</div>
and the soft sound<br />
of thin pages rustling<br />
until my eyes settle<br />
on words for today.<br />
<br />
<div>
my heart begins to partake</div>
of their vitality<br />
as i break the fast<br />
with my Father<br />
and i lean in close<br />
to hear him speak his Word<br />
to me for this day.<br />
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<em>Your words were found, and I ate them. and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart. jeremiah 15:16</em><br />
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Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-15272301579975313352011-09-04T20:01:00.000-07:002011-09-14T14:06:01.762-07:00Life In A Cup<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VfB_WE4P1vO7Y94qfXi4zQXObLrLhqCncqmSfh_OpLcQl8_iDc5yJG1s6lq1VzRrTPy1uwb38gwuXLPHhG-d-duRLLcqln7gzSs7IPoY1OvY_8NYxlE9LNfXxHyXR9q-4Utak4k6HcM/s1600/cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VfB_WE4P1vO7Y94qfXi4zQXObLrLhqCncqmSfh_OpLcQl8_iDc5yJG1s6lq1VzRrTPy1uwb38gwuXLPHhG-d-duRLLcqln7gzSs7IPoY1OvY_8NYxlE9LNfXxHyXR9q-4Utak4k6HcM/s1600/cup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5VfB_WE4P1vO7Y94qfXi4zQXObLrLhqCncqmSfh_OpLcQl8_iDc5yJG1s6lq1VzRrTPy1uwb38gwuXLPHhG-d-duRLLcqln7gzSs7IPoY1OvY_8NYxlE9LNfXxHyXR9q-4Utak4k6HcM/s200/cup.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i>"The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?" 1 Corinthians 10:16</i></div>
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Cup of blessing which we bless<br />
was the bitter cup he drank.<br />
Bitter cup he asked to let pass,<br />
chose he instead to drink.<br />
Costly crimson outflow from the bitter<br />
becomes life-giving cup of blessing<br />
to the ones who gratefully<br />
receive and partake.<br />
<br />
Bitter cups we choose to drink,<br />
and sweeten with the tree*<br />
cast into our bitter waters ~<br />
poured-out fruit of these cups<br />
become rivulets of blessing<br />
to parched and hurting souls;<br />
the ministering of inwrought<br />
experience of the Christ-life.<br />
<br />
Bitter cups becoming cups of blessing<br />
as we draw hard strength to echo his<br />
"Not my will but Yours."<br />
Bitter cups becoming<br />
cups of salvation for us,<br />
cups of blessing to others,<br />
as we call on the name of the Lord;<br />
mercy and grace, love and forgiveness,<br />
redemption and hope ~ life in that name.<br />
<br />
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<i>"I take the cup of salvation and call on the name of the Lord." Psalm 116:13</i><br />
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<i>* "Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter....And the people complained against Moses, saying, "What shall we drink?" So he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree [type of Christ's cross]. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet." </i><br />
<i>Exodus 15:23-25</i>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-30282574096670515122010-10-14T07:58:00.000-07:002012-05-10T17:23:13.020-07:00"Enjoy Me" ~ poem by St. Teresa of Avila<i><b><br /></b></i><br />
<i><b>" 'Enjoy Me.' </b></i><i>Just these two words He spoke changed my life." ~ St. Teresa of Avila </i><br />
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What a burden I thought I was to carry -</div>
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a crucifix, as did He.<br />
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Love once said to me, "I know a song,</div>
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Would you like to hear it?"<br />
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And laughter came from every brick in the street.</div>
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And from every pore</div>
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in the sky.<br />
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After a night of prayer, He</div>
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changed my life when He sang,</div>
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<br /></div>
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"Enjoy Me."</div>
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<br /></div>
</div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-64835205028743420142010-06-09T22:38:00.000-07:002010-06-24T22:18:31.949-07:00Song in the Night<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Restless and unable to sleep,<br />my heart so aware of needs,<br />I began praying over<br />the things weighing on me.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Finally I arose, got a drink,<br />and slipped outside<br />to pray in the dark warmth<br />of the summer night.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">With the gentle rhythm of the glider<br />my insides began calming,<br />when suddenly I was startled<br />by the silence-breaking song of a bird.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Joy and gratitude welled up inside<br />as I listened to this little creature<br />warbling and chirping and singing<br />his cheerful, multifarious birdsong.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">How like God to come and sing<br />and be my cheering companion;<br />to remind me of his sweet presence<br />in the quiet of my lonely night watch.</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><i>"The Lord will send his faithful love by day;<br /></i><i>his song will be with me in the night -<br />a prayer to the God of my life."<br />(Psalm 42:8)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-16325673002592880402010-06-08T23:17:00.000-07:002010-06-10T14:49:05.881-07:00God Within<i>"God is within. And where he dwells, there is a holy place....a hushed and holy Presence, too sacred to be destroyed, too wonderful not to be visited continually.</i><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>There is something awful, that is, awe-inspiring, down at the depths of our own soul. In hushed silence attend to it. It is a whisper of God himself, particularizing himself for you and in you, and speaking to the world through you." </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div> (The Sanctuary of the Soul by Thomas Kelly, p. 38)</div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-63154388660862374442009-05-07T09:30:00.000-07:002009-05-07T10:24:34.039-07:00eyes of wonder<em><strong></strong></em><br /><em><strong>Afire With God</strong></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Earth's crammed with heaven</em><br /><em>And every common bush afire with God,</em><br /><em>But only he who sees, takes off his shoes -</em><br /><em>The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.</em><br /><br />by Elizabeth Barrett Browning<br /><br /><br /><div align="justify">May we have the eyes every day to see all the heaven that is crammed in on earth. If we take moments to pause and look with eyes of wonder at even the most seemingly ordinary, we can't help but be in awe, and "take off our shoes".......the blackberries are good, but to be able to see a breath-taking God in every little bush is even better!</div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-62450986571182254772009-04-28T00:01:00.000-07:002009-04-28T22:25:08.892-07:00spirit to spiritpulling up to the<br />low-slung, stucco building<br />i park, put on my badge<br />and gather my things.<br />after signing in<br />at the front desk<br />i stride down the halls<br />of this nursing facility<br />looking for the patient<br />i've come to visit,<br />not sure where i'll find her<br />this time of day -<br />sitting somewhere<br />in her wheelchair<br />or perhaps resting.<br /><br />turning into her room<br />i greet her as she lays<br />motionless upon the bed<br />staring vacantly at the wall.<br />she doesn't move or<br />acknowledge my greeting<br />as i settle close by her.<br /><br />i am getting to know<br />this mostly silent woman<br />and what she responds to<br />so i begin singing,<br />"Jesus loves me this i know...."<br />her head immediately swings<br />away from the wall towards me<br />and her brown eyes lock<br />intently on mine.<br /><br />i am there for almost an hour<br /><div align="justify">and as long as i sing, her eyes<br />do not stray from my face<br />and i marvel at that<br />mysterious and powerful<br />spirit to spirit connection<br />coming through spiritual song<br />a connection that transcends<br />the human faculties;<br />a heavenly connection<br />a deep unto deep.<br />somehow<br />though her mind is<br />rapidly failing her<br />her spirit is not;<br />and so we commune<br />she and i<br />through our eyes,<br />the open windows<br />that allow the transmission<br />of spirit to spirit<br />while i sing.<br /><br />with a gentle squeeze<br />and a prayer<br />i leave her,<br />in awe of the amazing<br />mystery of Emmanuel -<br />God with us<br />and God in us.<br /><br />~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~<br /><br />God has created us tripartite beings - body, soul, spirit. And though our body and soul may fail us our spirit is eternal, joined to God - indestructible. I am thankful for this bright glimmer of hope in the midst of the darkness of pain and suffering; of the not knowing or understanding.<br /><br /><em>"For his Spirit joins with our spirit..."</em><br /><em>Romans 8:16</em><br /><br /><em>"But the person who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with him."</em><br /><em>I Corinthians 6:17</em></div>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4112764838001521821.post-13865217535432831382009-04-27T08:07:00.000-07:002009-04-27T21:13:44.685-07:00writing to save the day<div align="justify">I read these timely words by Henri Nouwen today. Sometimes writing is frustrating and I lose touch with the value of writing in the midst of my own inner unrest and creative blockages. It is good to be reminded again just to put pen to paper by faith, and see what will come forth, whether it is for myself alone or to share with others. To value the process itself, and not just what I want to come out of the process. To let the process itself be an experience of intimacy with God, as I write with him and through him, in his presence.<br /><em></em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Writing can be a true spiritual discipline. Writing can help us to concentrate, to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds, to process confusing emotions, to reflect on our experiences, to give artistic expression to what we are living, and to store significant events in our memories. Writing can also be good for others who might read what we write.</em><br /><em></em><br /><em>Quite often a difficult, painful, or frustrating day can be "redeemed" by writing about it. By writing we can claim what we have lived and thus integrate it more fully into our journeys. Then writing can become lifesaving for us and sometimes for others too.</em><br /></div><em></em>Pamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06906870892556626603noreply@blogger.com2