Tag Archives: nature

The Ugly Is Beautiful

Another day of gray smudged sky and cooler temperatures. On my way back across the yard I noticed a single turkey vulture flying in slow loops over the llama field across the road. He didn’t appear to be looking at anything in particular, but instead was enjoying the ride on the cool morning breeze. Although turkey vultures are not attractive birds, this one looked almost majestic as he glided over the farm fields. I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have the ability to fly and glide on the wind.

A couple of weeks ago I was taken aback by a large group of vultures sitting on a tall piece of dead tree on the edge of the pasture. There were about eight or so vultures sitting on the branches and one sitting on the top of the old tree. It resembled a vulture totem pole. They were perched on the branches, but had their wings out spread…a little unsettling to happen upon. A few weeks earlier, i had seen what I will assume is the same group of birds, sitting on the peak of the barn roof…lined up in a row. Just watching. They were probably taking a rest or maybe meeting up with friends to discuss plans for later on in the day.

Although, turkey vultures are not very attractive birds, they are important in the big scheme of things. They are wonderful scavengers, and play a necessary role in nature.

Taking the time to stop and watch the vulture fly in lazy loops in the late morning sky was nice. Often times the simple, ordinary, mundane things of life get overlooked, but if we take the time to stop and notice even the smallest things—we are left in awe of the wonder of it all. Knowing that even the ugly can be beautiful.

 Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Matthew 6:26 NIV

turkey vulture picture

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Savor The Closeness

At Five Minute Friday.…..today the word is CLOSE.IMG_1107

One, two, three…….GO!

The sun sank down on the horizon, exploding the last vestiges of evening light.

The blaze, caused the shadows from the barn to fall long across the yard.

I stopped and stared across the back field, to where the fence posts butted up against the neighbor’s farmland.

The cottony wisp of clouds contrasted against the rosy pinks, bright blues and lavender purples of the sky.

My eyes snapped a picture and immediately filed the image in my memory.

I listened to the quiet and savored the closeness I felt with the Creator of all this beauty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I See His Fingerprints

I stand in the yard, on the way to the barn, knowing that a decade ago I never would have thought I’d be here. I enjoy living in rural America. Yes, the pace of life is slower and I can’t get to the nearest restaurant or store in two minutes anymore. That is okay, because nothing takes the place of what I do have by living in the country.

I wish you could see what I see……I look out across the back field and am impressed by the fence my husband toiled over…straight lines of wood and metal. The cats climbed and perched on the posts, whispering meows to the horse standing nearby. The sun hangs low in the sky as I carry the buckets over to the barn. The rays of the late day sun spread across the sky, reflecting on the metal roof of the barn. Colors are dimmed by this cold winter sky, muted perfection.

 

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I hear the sounds of the geese before I see them coming over the horizon. The feathered family honks to each other as they fly overhead, preparing for their landing at the winter lake across the road. I follow them until touch down, their formation is incredible.

 

 

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The sudden warm up caused most of the snow to melt and be replaced by mud. Lots of mud. My boots sink down into the ground, making a loud sucking sound as I put one foot in front of the other. I love Spring temperatures, but I do not love our mud season. I’ve almost lost my boots to the muck, on more than one occasion.

The chilled breeze caresses my cheeks, giving me a rosy glow as I go about my chores. I pull my winter hat further down on my head, wanting to keep my ears covered…after all it is still February. I see the breeze blowing the bare, scratchy limbs of the trees across the road. I notice a red hawk perched high in the tree, his regal gaze surveying the surrounding fields for his next meal.

There is such beauty and creativity in nature. I see the fingerprints of the Creator every where I look.

 

 

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Last night, I got home after dark. I parked the car and slammed the door shut. As I crunched across the gravel driveway, I was forced to stop, and stare, my gaze tilted heavenward. The stars were vivid against the cold velvet sky. Honestly, there is no better place to look at the night sky than out here in the country on a brisk winter night. Yes, summer sky is beautiful, but winter sky has no humidity or haze to distort the view. The winter sky is crisp and perfect. I stood amazed at the twinkling lights set before me. I could even see the swirl of the Milky Way amongst the stars. Oh, how I wish I could share the splendor with you, my readers! My humble words could never do the scene justice.

The verse, from Luke, about even nature crying out to praise its Creator echoes in the night. He answered, “I tell you, if these were silent, the very stones would cry out.”  Luke 19:40 NIV

“Oh, Father how great and glorious You are! You are creative and mysterious. The works of Your hands are amazing. I am in awe of You. Thank you for this beauty You created for us to enjoy. You could have created all of nature and us and then left, but instead You chose relationship with us. You are not a cold and distant God. You are here, among us. Thank you. Glory and honor to You forever and ever. Amen.“

 

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Thankful Today

Deep sapphire blue sky, tinged with the beginning of morning.

Vivid pinks and indigo leak onto icy blue.

The shiver of a new day.

Honking… I hear them before I see them. The dots on the horizon take shape.

A “V” flying towards the winter lake across the road, a noisy family reunion.

Frosted grass, crunchy under my feet, looks like a million diamonds in the early morning sun.

A feast for the eyes before melting into a new day.

Thank you, Lord.

This is another Monday morning. Yet, not like any other.

Each day brings with it something new to be grateful for…

It is beautiful and I am thankful that I can experience it.

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Today I am thankful for:

* warm bed

* quilts

* brilliant sky

* frosted ground

* furry pets

* my husband’s help–I so appreciate it!

* laughing with him–sharing inside jokes.

* kiss from my son

* good kids

* Thanksgiving week

* blessed with a full table

* Hallmark Christmas movies

* music

 

Saying Grace

The world is soft gray, as the daylight winds down at only 3:30 in the afternoon.

Soft light filtering through the panes of glass.

Autumn clings, not yet ready to give up… winter only a short month away.

I gaze out my kitchen window. The fields surrounding my house are brown.

Dead or dying. Brittle.

Leafless trees…but, not lifeless.

I see their barren limbs silhouetted against the late November sky.

The air is crisp, and I breathe it in.

The faint smell of someone’s wood stove, working hard to shake the chill.

This time of the year is a favorite.

The world seems quieter at this time.cropped-img_0160.jpg

Thanksgiving, next week.  All the blessings acknowledged. Heads and hearts bowed.

Saying grace.

Needing grace.

Living grace.

Amazing grace.

 

Some Of My Favorite Things

From my blog archives…..

 

 

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Ode To Autumn

A chill in the air
Canadian geese I hear?
Time for sweaters
autumn is here!

Pumpkins, and corn shocks
hot chocolate mix
football and soccer
My autumn fix!

The smell of chimney smoke
is in the air,
A fire in the fireplace
the perfect pair.

This season is a favorite
because of family together
holidays that bring us close
No matter the weather.

I love this season
it truly is the best
snuggling in before
the long winters rest.

 

Written by: Dawn Gibson

 

 

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Their Voice Goes Out Into All The Earth

For Take Me Home Tuesday, I’ve made a compilation of  “sky” pictures that I’ve taken over the past year.  (also one that my daughter has taken) All these pictures are from my home…or just down the road.

I realize that God is so much more than His creations, but every time I look at the heavens I am reminded of what a creative God I serve. He didn’t have to make nature beautiful,  He chose to do that.

The sheer brilliance of a new day… sunlight splashing across a sleepy sky. When I took this early morning picture the Hallelujah chorus was playing in my mind. Can’t you hear it?

Muted shades of gray before a summer storm.

Angry, darkness in the middle of the afternoon. Black clouds rolling as if waves in a vast ocean.

The heavens declare the glory of God.

If I can appreciate the works of Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Renoir and Monet, then how much more should I be in awe of the Master Artist?

Even a glimpse of His work, shouts aloud that there is, indeed, a Creator.

The luminescent pinks. The indigo blues.

With His hand the sky begins to fade.

As night descends…

As the sun sets on another day, the sky will not sleep…because God does not sleep.

Now begins the breath taking views of the night.

I could stare at the sky forever.

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
   the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
   night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
   no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice[b] goes out into all the earth,
   their words to the ends of the world. Psalm 19: 1-4  NIV

The sky is unique, in that all people can see it. All countries, all continents, all races, all nationalities and tribes…

Lift up your eyes and see.

 

 

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God Is In The Storms


He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills.  Psalm 147:8  NIV

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Nature In Flight

Red-Tailed Hawk

Image via Wikipedia

My husband and I were out this morning when we saw a hawk in flight.

He dove right in front of our van.

We think he had breakfast in his strong talons.

Majestic.

Beautiful.

Powerful.

I watched him race across the air.

Nature is harsh, even brutal

It is also beauty

Etched into the moment.

 

 

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