I recently saw a special on Johnny Cash. He is one of my all-time favorite singers, and I love the message of God’s love that his life exhibited. I also love the words and message of Billy Graham. Two classics, one in song, one in word, and both men of God.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Monochromatic.”“This week, share with us your monochromatic images. Be calculating and creative in choosing your subject and focal point; resist the urge to simply take a photo of something with a single color range.”
Salt Marsh in Greens with Texture. My photograph is a close-focus capture of a salt marsh on the Atlantic Coast in New Jersey, taken along the Delaware Bay. I have also included several panoramic shots and additional close-ups of the various plants and herbs that make up a salt marsh.
“A salt marsh or saltmarsh, also known as a coastal salt marsh or a tidal marsh, is a coastal ecosystem in the upper coastal intertidal zone between land and open salt water or brackish water that is regularly flooded by the tides. It is dominated by dense stands of salt-tolerant plants such as herbs, grasses, or low shrubs. These plants are terrestrial in origin and are essential to the stability of the salt marsh in trapping and binding sediments. Salt marshes play a large role in the aquatic food web and the delivery of nutrients to coastal waters. They also support terrestrial animals and provide coastal protection.” ~ Wikipedia
Can you make out the gigantic bird nest atop one of the trees in the photo below?
I recently viewed two movies on DVD. Both were quiet, thoughtful, and completely satisfying. Cedar Cove, a series on the Hallmark Channel, has also been a nice respite this summer.
“Far From the Madding Crowd,“ by Thomas Hardy, is a beautiful love story. I have never read the novel, but will remedy that situation after watching the movie based on the book. The film was beautiful; the story satisfying and believable.
I loved the ‘Age of Adaline”, a story of a young woman who lives her life without aging. The premise might be way out there, but the storyline makes it all believable. It was interesting to see Harrison Ford in a non-leading man role.
Cedar Cove is a television series on the Hallmark station based on the books of Debbie Macomber. I missed the first two seasons, but was able to purchase the first through Amazon at a great price. Andie McDowell is terrific as the heroine and small town judge.
I give to you every burden I carry in my heart this day, and have faith as I leave them upon your altar, all will be well. In each moment and circumstance, help me remember to give thanks for the blessings you have given to me and my family. Thank you for this life, and best of all, salvation and the promise of eternal life with you in your Kingdom. I think of heaven and dwell for a moment in a flood of pure joy, much like the waves washing over me when I am within the ocean. Sometimes your Spirit is a powerful surge, other moments a gentle touch of purest love, but always Lord, your love moves me, and reaches the inner recesses of my spirit. Hallelujah! What a Savior, what a friend…always…and forever…and like the song…Amen!
Every Spring/Summer the garden beds are full of the previous year’s fallen tomatoes. These forgotten tomatoes self-seed and send up new sprouts by the dozens. Why then are tomato seeds so notoriously hard to save?
Tomato seeds are surrounded by a gelatinous sac that allows them to adhere to the garden soil for sprouting. This same gelatin works against growing the same seeds in pots. The gelatinous moisture is a perfect environment for disease to thrive in.
This year I decided to mimic nature and save the seeds without spending time, or dealing with the mess of fermentation.
The steps I followed are explained in this short video.
For more information on different ways to save tomato seeds visit this link: Saving Tomato Seeds
If you are in the habit of cutting away your spent rose blooms, begin now to leave a few intact to stimulate the formation of rose hips. This signals the plant that winter is approaching.
Many more good tips on preparing rose bushes for winter can be found at Heirloom Roses.
Sometimes you have to do something just for fun. This nubbly tomato presented the perfect possiblity, and so…with a pair of googly eyes, and a felt heart for a mouth, we created a tomato lady with a lot of personality.
I am always inspired and uplifted by groups from all around the world who are dedicated to praising God in song. What terrific examples of people all across the world who are serving God. A good reminder that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus. Here are a few new songs I’ve recently come across.
You Are My Hiding Place – Golden Angels – South Korea
Wa Hamba Nathi (Siyabonga Jesu) – South Africa
How Great is Our God/Gadol Elohai – Israel/Joshua Aaron/Messianic Praise and Worship
Israeli musician Yaron Yerahmiel Cherniak on the Persian Tar.
United in Christ’s Love all around the world. Hallelujah! What a Savior.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Forward Drive.” “What is the one thing that drives you to wake up in the morning and do whatever it is you do? Is it writing, family, friends, or something else entirely?”
I have coffee with my Beloved Friend and read The Book of all Books.
“A player piano (also known as pianola) is a self-playing piano, containing a pneumatic or electro-mechanical mechanism that operates the piano action via pre-programmed music recorded on perforated paper, or in rare instances, metallic rolls, with more modern implementations using MIDI encoded music stored on floppy disks or CDs. The rise of the player piano grew with the rise of the mass-produced piano for the home in the late 19th and early 20th century.”
I recall seeing, and listening to, player pianos when I was a child. The sample video I’ve included in the post, shows how the piano was pumped with a person’s feet. What is that tune? “Let Me Call You Sweetheart,” was the favorite song of my dear grandparents. Enjoy!
September is here…school begins…the bliss of summer ends. Happily, Autumn has its own joys…and apples are tops on my list of seasonal favorites.
I bought a small basket of Gala apples at the local farm market. Galas are one of my favorite apple varieties. I enjoy using them to make a delicious side dish of baked apples. (With whipped cream on top, baked apples can also be a delicious dessert.)
Core and slice the apples thin. No special measurements, slice up as many as you think you will eat in one sitting, or cut a few extra for leftovers.
I like to cook baked apples in glass bakeware. Place apples in baking dish, dot freely with butter, sprinkle top with brown sugar, and add a sprinkling of cinnamon. I sometimes also add a pinch of salt. Bake at 350, covered with foil or a lid for about forty-five minutes. Enjoy!
“When I consider your heavens,
the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
which you have set in place,
what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
human beings that you care for them?”
~ Psalm 8:3-4
The Moon was beautiful last night. “The full moon of August 29, 2015 is the first of this year’s three full Supermoons. It’s a full moon near perigee, or near its closest point to Earth for the month.” ~Earth Sky.Org
My Moonflower Vine, earthbound, unfurled one of it’s large buds and mirrored the beauty of the moon under the nighttime sky.
While walking the beach at Fortescue, New Jersey, on the Delaware Bay, I spotted this shell. It looked just like a fish to me. I saved it and hope to create a pendant with it one day.