A Secret Place

My daughter and I visited a little known gem of a place a few days ago; it was beautiful with its well-tended gardens, wildflowers, large pond, little marina, quaint lodge, old saw mill, small dam, and nature trail.  We brought her puppy, Sally, along to further socialize and introduce her to different environments.

As we made our way to the nature trail by way of the dam, we noticed a few men fishing in rowboats.  The only kind of fishing allowed is fly fishing, and the only boats are the rowboats available to rent.  It keeps the waters healthy and pristine.

Before reaching the dam, we noticed an old building tucked in a little nook, and we walked down the slope to check it out.  Peering inside a window with cupped hands to block the sun’s glare, we noticed it had once been a saw mill.  Around the corner and above was an elevated walkway that led to an upper room, but it didn’t appear to be easily accessible as its entrance seemed blocked by rocks and trees.  We decided to investigate and went back up and around to see if there was a path.  Finding none, we went back around and down and then scrambled up the bank with Sally in tow.  We reached the locked door, but a pane in its window was broken out, so we were able to easily look inside.  It was apparent that someone had recently spent some time there.  As photographers, both my daughter and I remarked what a wonderful place it would be to do photo shoots.  On the way out, I noticed a path leading from the elevated walkway.  It was overgrown and almost invisible, but it was a path nonetheless, so we took it instead of trying to gingerly make our way back down the bank.

We continued our trek to the dam, stopping along the way to take some pictures. We crossed the dam and ventured on to the nature trail. The forest was so enchanting with moss covered rocks and stumps and lush green ferns. There was even a huge boulder that resembled a sheep’s or lion’s head, depending on one’s perspective. Sally thoroughly enjoyed running back and forth along the path, as well as off the path and down to the water’s edge. We had recently purchased a retractable leash, and it perfectly suited the situation.

On the way back to the car as we were passing the little marina, we stopped and chatted with an older gentleman who was enjoying a thermos of tea.  He was the second person to curiously ask how we had found the place, because it’s the best kept secret in the state.  I told him our pastor and his wife had recently discovered it and mentioned its beauty.  So, it’s not a secret anymore... at least not to us.  (^_~)

A part of the old sluice gate still in operation

Gracie: 3 Weeks Old

Gracie and I had our first official photo shoot yesterday.  It was also my first baby photo shoot.  My daughter, Tiffany, helped with lighting and setting up.  Gracie was asleep at first, and we were hoping to get some good sleeping shots, but she woke up, was fed and burped by her mommy, and decided to stay wide awake and active.  Besides the shot of her little 'piggies', my favorite shot is of Gracie wrapped in a scarf, looking straight into the camera.  I also love the last one, because she looks so much like her daddy when he was a baby.  So while we may not have gotten some of the posed sleeping shots we were hoping to get, I'm so glad she was awake and alert.  Be warned though, when you see her looking back at you, you might need to grab a mop after finding your heart melted on the floor.  (^_~)

Book Review: I Am Hutterite

Book cover image used with permission

I Am Hutterite  is a young woman’s account of her life as a little girl living in a religious colony, a group whose beliefs fall somewhere between the Mennonites and the Amish.  She reflects on her idyllic and simple childhood, as well as her struggle to adjust and be accepted by the outside world when her parents leave the colony she loves.  The story begins with a visit back to her childhood home and recounts her family’s heritage and personal journey.  It’s a story of faith, hope, and love in the midst of politics, intolerance, and unforgiveness.

Reading the book brought back memories of my own struggles.  Although I never lived as part of a religious colony, my family and I briefly worshiped and fellowshipped with a fledgling group having similar beliefs and practices as the Hutterites and looking to form their own community.  While there were many similarities between the fledgling group and Hutterite colonies, because people are different, each group is also different and usually assumes the personality and convictions of those leading them.  As Nicodemus admonished his fellow Pharisees by asking, “Doth our law judge any man, before it hear him and know what he doeth?” (John 7:51), we, too, should not judge a group of people before talking with and getting to know them.  Some well-meaning friends tried to dissuade us from fellowshipping with the group, but because they offered no personal experience, scriptural foundation, nor tried to get to know the group, our friends seemed disqualified as counselors and we didn’t listen.  While I do have some regrets from the experience as a whole, I am grateful for what I learned about life and relationships and through the exposure of my own heart.  I encourage you to read the book, and I think you, too, may discover the appeal and joy of living in community and the potential snares and heartache of trying to govern your life according to tradition and a strict religious code.

After writing a review for Same Kind of Difference As Me, I was contacted by Thomas Nelson Publishing and asked if I would like to receive a complimentary copy of two other books with no obligation to write another review.  Thank you, Thomas Nelson Publishing, for giving me the privilege and opportunity.  (^_^)

In the Quiet Misty Morning

I was so blessed to have the opportunity to do a little camping this past weekend.  It had been years!  Michael, a friend from church, organized a group to get together at a local campground.  Each of us had individual campsites, but we traveled back and forth to one another’s site.  We also went swimming together, went on a boat ride, and the guys played horseshoes.  The time was nicely spent.

During the night and the wee hours of the morning, I could hear loons calling out to each other.  The sound was hauntingly beautiful as it blended with the symphony of other creatures.  I got up to walk down to the lake in hopes of seeing a loon, taking some pictures and simply enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the morning.

Eli, an eleven-year-old young man, was already there.  He had caught a large bass the day before and had risen with the sun to catch another.  His father was not far behind me when I arrived, and we began to chat as Eli continued to fish.  It’s always nice sharing the beauty of God’s creation with another person.

The rising mist and the sun’s reflection upon the water was breathtaking.  A verse from the song Homeward Bound came to mind.  “In the quiet misty morning, when the moon has gone to bed, when the sparrows stop their singing, and the sky is clear and red...”  I had sung the song one summer on a town common with a church group.  It’s so beautiful and very fitting in a military tribute entitled Until Then... 

Blueberry Buttermilk Tart

My daughter made this Blueberry Buttermilk Tart from the organic blueberries we'd picked a few days ago.  She found the recipe at Epicurious.com.  If you could taste it, you'd never know it was her first tart.  It was scrumptious!!

Blueberries and T

My daughter and I went to a pick-your-own organic blueberry farm today.  She plans to make blueberry cobbler with them.  Yum!

Afterward, we stopped by a natural food store and picked up some lunch from their little café.  Then, we drove down the road a ways, stopped at a river access, and ate while we watched some people jump off a large boulder and into the water.  What a blessing!  God has provided us with such natural beauty and wonderful resources.

Along Came a Spider

“Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?”  --Luke 14:31

While outside photographing some flowers using my 100mm macro lens, I came across an interesting sight.  A tetragnatha pinicola spider appeared to have sensed movement.  It slowly made its way to the center of the flower where a honey bee was gathering pollen.  As both the spider and honey bee drew closer together, the spider carefully stretched out one of its legs, drew it back again, and backed away.  It appeared to have examined its potential prey and counted the costs before attacking.  The bee on the other hand seemed quite undaunted by the spider’s presence or covert probe.  The encounter reminded me of Jesus admonishing a great multitude of followers to count the cost of becoming His disciple (Luke 14:25-35), and just as He used common examples, we, too, should count the cost before venturing into a potential unknown.

Sleeping Cutie

Just having fun playing with textures and layers on this shot of my first grandchild, Gracie.

My First Grandchild!

My son and daughter-in-law, Max and Emily, welcomed their first child into the world today... Grace Elizabeth.  I'm a Grammie!  (^_^)

Me & Gracie

Daddy Kisses

Jesus Saves

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ...”  --Philippians 1:27a

My daughter wanted to take her new puppy for a nature walk in a local park that is home to a stone observation tower.  Knowing a lot of people and pets use the trails, she wanted to offer ‘Sally’ an opportunity for socialization and practice on her leash in a different environment.  It was a gorgeous day, and we encountered a Schnauzer and a dachshund, both unleashed who excitedly ran up to greet Sally.  As they bounded off after their owners, Sally wanted to run with them, but she was very obedient and stayed with us.  We also encountered a little girl who, despite being told Sally was very timid, chased her around and around our legs to pet the cute puppy.

When we’d first reached the tower and saw the words “JESUS SAVES” scratched into the outer, surrounding wall, being believers of Christ ourselves and wanting others to hear His message of forgiveness and hope, it was a pleasant sight.  At the top of the tower, we found the usual additions of sentiment one might find in such a place... declarations of having been there and romantic expressions of love to another.  The notes at the top seem almost fitting, but as I was processing the photo of my daughter and her puppy, the big, bold letters etched into the wall  below were recognized for what they are... graffiti.

While it may be satisfying to some well-intentioned believers to proclaim that 'sound byte' about the Gospel, I wonder if those same folks realize that obedience to authority and respect for property are aspects of the entire package of 'Good News'? And I considered my daughter's puppy, Sally. She had been excited to run and play with the other dogs we'd met, but she was also aware, in her little puppy mind, that she must be obedient.  I began thinking that many Christians enjoy the excitement of proclaiming the immediate message of the only way of our salvation, but they forget that obedience to authority and the property of others is an important means to demonstrate our love for Christ. Just as my daughter's puppy showed her love for my daughter by obedience and respect, we demonstrate our following the Lord the same way - obedience and respect.