Totally Distracted on Tuesday

Cold and cloudy here, chance of snow?  Feels like snow and the wind nearly blew me back down my hill on my walk up it this morning...well, more like a slope to most people but I like to say it's a hill since there doesn't seem to be any for miles.   I had to wear my hat and put my hood up with my mittened hands covering my ears and with tears freezing on my face, I finally made it...all the distractions made me forget how cold that wind was getting or that it might snow.  I walked passed a familiar house that usually has a few squirrels looking for a snack but today, you could just tell, these little guys were serious about getting their share.  They were not busy chasing or chattering at each other, all were eating together peacefully.  Then I walked close to a nearby pond and noticed this birdhouse.  I thought that post was different, not the usual.  Then I got close to home again and noticed all the little birds that Emily likes to watch...all huddled together on this truck.  Definitely, a hot chocolate sort of day.

Time for Reflection on Tuesday

Reflection is good for the soul, and although it looks like Emily is deep into her own thoughts, she is actually tracking some little birds.  She was so quiet, sneaking up the couch, staying very low until they moved so close to the window that she had to peer down on them.  Lucky for them, they were outside the window.

We need to find God, and he cannot be found in noise and restlessness.  God is the friend of silence.  See how nature - trees, flowers, grass - grows in silence; see the stars, the moon, the sun - how they move in silence...We need silence to be able to touch souls.
Mother Teresa

Wordless Wednesday

Twisting Turbines on Tuesday

As I was walking one day, I couldn't believe the sight of these wind turbines that close to the edge of town.  If I had been run over for standing in the middle of the road, taking this photo, I wouldn't have been more surprised.  I have seen these wind turbines coming from the other direction and they really are massive structures, taking over the fields...what used to be actual farm land.  There's supposed to be 94 of these things on that side of town?  There are already at least 250 on another huge stretch of fields going the opposite direction.  This is supposed to be helpful for our energy?  What about all the energy that the land had to offer?  And all those animals rethinking their habitat that just was taken over again, by the stewards of the land?   Who knew the wind could cause so much controversy in a small town?   The big company that keeps putting these wind turbines up claims that it is so helpful.  I think they are helping themselves to some of the richest fields around, and that makes me sad to think these huge turbines will just become part of the man-made landscape, to capture the wind's energy for a while.  These turbines are not even the most efficient style made, so how long will it take for them to be replaced with more efficient models when they decide these are not producing enough energy?  

Fingerprints on Friday

I must admit I haven't been all that faithful to my daily walks, the past few weeks anyway.  I can come up with a million and one excuses...too cold, too dark, not enough time in the day, not enough energy in my step...blah, blah, yea, I know.  God is merciful and gives me every day to get out and breathe, pray and enjoy life.  But the good part about getting out every day is noticing the simple little joys and fingerprints that God puts in front of us to help us get through the day, no matter what time of day it happens to be. God is very compassionate so he listens to my prayers as I walk and lifts my spirit with a few squirrels who notice me passing by, hoping I will bring cookies in my pockets for them.  As I was crunching leaves the other day, I happened to notice a leaf that wasn't a leaf at all...but a beautiful Monarch butterfly.  What a wonderful thing to discover on an ordinary daily walk...you just never know what God puts in front of you.

Psalm 37:3-4
Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the Lord
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Wordless Wednesday