The Whites

 

 

Through the dark green curtains
The snowbright dogwood floats
As a cloud of butterflies
Above the damp sunlit slope.

Heather Z. Hanna

In my last post I showed you the pink dogwoods, today I will show you the white ones. And something very special, this picture of one that is BOTH colors! And also look what I found...a chocolate dogwood blossom, yum!! What is your favorite, the pink or the white? American Indians used to make their arrows from dogwood. There is an Indian legend about a native princess. She was killed by a man she rejected, and as she lay dying she used dogwood petals to dab the blood from her wounds. The myth says that is why there is a small bit of red on the petals.

“Taking the chalice, he gave it to them, thanking God, and they all drank from it. He said, This is my blood, God's new covenant, Poured out for many people.”

Mark 14

Day Off

I'm taking the day off the computer today, I was up sick most of he night and feared I would have to go to the E.R. I am better now, but slept all morning and we are watching Anne Marie this afternoon. See you tomorrow!

Blushing

“When Christ was on earth, the dogwood grew
To a towering size with a lovely hue.
Its branches were strong and interwoven,
And for Christ's cross its timbers were chosen.
“Being distressed at the use of the wood,
Christ made a promise which still holds good:
'Never again shall the dogwood grow
To be large enough for a tree, and so,
Slender and twisted it shall always be,
With cross-shaped blossoms for all to see.
 
And in the blossom's center a thorny crown.
All who see it will think of me,
Nailed to a cross from a dogwood tree.
Protected and cherished this tree shall be,
A reflection to all of my agony.'”

The dogwood trees have just finished blooming, and here are some of the pink ones around our neighborhood. Who knew that some even grew polka-dot eggs? Legend says that dogwood trees used to grow as tall as oaks, and be mighty and strong. Until one was chosen for Christ's cross.  Because of this, God ordered that the tree would never be tall again, but be twisted and short. The white dogwood was blushed pink with embarrassment. But in fact this is only a legend, Dogwoods don't even grow in Israel. This is actually one story that needs no embellishment at all.

"The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
Acts 5

The Comeuppance Of Chuckie

 

Well well, what have we here? Do you remember my post about our son's partly feral cat, Chuck, biting Phil? If not, HERE is the link. Chuck is my header today. Chuck continues to bite and scratch Phil and anyone who tries to play with him. But I think he may have finally met his match.  My son and family got a new seven month old kitten, Berkely! He is a stray and is named after our granddaughter's school, where he was found. They came over to show us, and Phil couldn't resist a little snuggle. Unlike Chuck, Berkely loves people and is very sweet. He is also energetic and playful. He has unrolled the whole toilet paper roll, and jumped from the floor to the drapes, shredding them on his way down. He also chases Chuck all over the house, till Chuck retreated to the basement. Now Chuck, ears flattened, watches his new sibling only from a safe distance. I think if he could choose a bible verse right now, it would be this one:

Job answered:

"If my misery could be weighed,
if you could pile the whole bitter load on the scales,
It would be heavier than all the sand of the sea!
Is it any wonder that I'm screaming like a caged cat?”

Job 6

Memories Of Ellen

Phil's aunt Ellen passed away at the age of 88, and today we went to the memorial service. Here you see Phil and I, Phil with his three brothers, and with his favorite uncle and aunt.  Phil went to a one room schoolhouse, and his aunt Ellen was his first grade teacher. She went to college then lived abroad for many years as a peace builder in post-war relief. She was very talented and painted this oriental picture. She liked to talk using her hands, and one day she got to telling a very exciting story as she was holding a pie in each hand. Gesturing to make a point, both pies hit the floor.  The family dubbed this a tragedy! But the most touching story was when she was very sick in I.C.U. and was not allowed any food or water for days in case she might need surgery. Her only discomfort was extreme thirst, for days. And when at last they brought her a tiny three ounce glass of orange juice, she turned to her son and asked if he wanted some. But she won't be thirsty any more now.

“Jesus said, "I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever. I have told you this explicitly because even though you have seen me in action, you don't really believe me. Every person the Father gives me eventually comes running to me. And once that person is with me, I hold on and don't let go. I came down from heaven not to follow my own whim but to accomplish the will of the One who sent me.”

John 6

I will be taking a computer break today and not visiting...see you Tuesday!

Dark Shadows

 

"A pessimist sees only the dark side of the clouds, and mopes; a philosopher sees both sides, and shrugs; an optimist doesn't see the clouds at all - he's walking on them."  ~Leonard Louis Levinson

Tonight was the Super Moon, when it is at it's closest to earth, and here are my pictures.  It started out fine, but was soon obscured on and off by clouds! I took the second picture because I like the look of the streetlight beside the distant moon. And now I will tell you a secret, just between you and me. These were taken the evening before the Super Moon, last night. They were insurance, because I feared the weather would be too bad tonight, and it was. It rained all evening. So I am glad for my clouds now!

“The Chief Priest tried again, this time asking, "Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed?"
 Jesus said, "Yes, I am, and you'll see it yourself:
 The Son of Man seated
 At the right hand of the Mighty One,
 Arriving on the clouds of heaven."
Mark 14