Category: Nature

That which uses the beauty of the earth as it’s subject matter, including plants, animals, astronomy, geology, and anything not made by mankind.

Eclipse

Jeanne Leave a comment

Last October our family traveled to central Utah (Palisades State Park) to view a solar eclipse….a ring of fire.

Today, April 8, 2024, I’ve been watching a total eclipse on TV, and am reminded of the awe we felt last October. I especially remember how remarkably colder it got, and we scrambled for our coats. My camera equipment is not phenomenal, and so the images I took are not the best, but, nonetheless are good reminders of our experience 6 months ago.

News casters on TV have referred to the event as being “bigger than us” and “spiritual”. It is a testimony to me of the incomprehensible majesty of the creation of our earth, and how nurtured we are by God. Think of how cold it got when we were without the sun for just a few minutes, and imagine what it would be like it the sun stopped shining for us, or the earth stopped moving in it’s orbit around the sun, or just stopped spinning?!

…and I am grateful that there is a power far beyond what I can imagine, that can create in such beauty and harmony. And so, I am committed to look for it everyday: every time I take breath, every morning when I open my eyes and they can see, and my brain can interpret what they see, and I can taste, and feel a warm breeze, and the tulips bloom…..billions of miracles right in front of me.

And I am glad the sun is shining in it’s fullness today, warming the planet to just the right temperature, and night time will come, but so will a sunrise tomorrow, and tomorrow. Plants will grow and rain will fall; all in perfect harmony.

A New Year

Jeanne Leave a comment

Well, 2023 is almost gone. Somehow, when unpleasant and stressful events seem relentless, we blame the ‘Year’ for it. That’s been my year: broken bones, surgery, family divorce, heartache, car wreck, hard drive crash, data breach….one on the tail of the other. I’ve been a complainer. Many days I have not been able to see anything to be grateful for. I should be ashamed.

Last week our family spent time together to celebrate Christmas. On one occasion when we were all crowded into the living room, we passed around the question: What do you hope for in the new year? All thoughts were meaningful. I was impressed. I was going to say that I hoped the new year would be more free of those stressful, unpleasant events….

…until my grand daughter said a very impressive thing. She said that she hoped that all would work out for the good, just like it had done so far this year. Those profound thoughts sunk deep in my heart. I could see her faith and her grateful humble heart. I contemplated 2023 events, and as I did so, was impressed at the ‘PATTERN’ they demonstrated; the pattern of disturbing events followed by a period of time ending in a good resolution. Time after time. And I felt grateful. I saw the lessons I learned, or perhaps should have learned. I saw the hand of God that was always there, and I saw 2023 a bit differently, and realized that perhaps I have just a bit more faith for 2024.

May we all look for the peace and light and joy waiting for the taking in 2024.

I like the hope illustrated in a poem written by my daughter, Valoree:

Mother Earth moves us into the shadow
The icy cold could penetrate to bone
In the darkness and the heart of Winter
We shelter in the warm hearth of home
Let us celebrate the coming of a New Year
The creeping approach of the return of light
With songs, thoughtful  gifts and pleasantries
We may bring out the unwilted mistletoe
A reminder to forgive and let go of grudges
And holly, with berries of bright red
For the strength of the deep roots of family
Our Evergreens stand beautiful and tall
Bedecked in ornament, Cheery and twinkling
And in the great, wild forests of the world
The sparkling, snow-covered, majestic pine
Stay green and resilient despite storm and frost
Each day the Sun will stay a minute longer
Reflect on the year!  Visualize your wishes!
Now is the time to cherish and look forward.






                  Patience is knowing the snow will melt and glorious spring will indeed come.





Alma 7:27 (from the Book of Mormon)  “and now, may the peace of God rest upon you, and upon your houses and lands, and upon your flocks and herds, and all that you possess….from this time forth and forever.”




































































































































































































							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
Easter


								

					   Jeanne				1 Comment
				
				
				

							


						


				




This video and many others are found on churchofjesuschrist.org





Springtime is a grand showcase of New Life.  Daffodils and tulips push their green stems up from newly thawed ground, a symbol of rebirth.  The cold grip of winter with it’s lifeless landscape gives way to a miraculous splendor of life and color.  It’s a parable!  The tulips shed their dried up petals as the summer heat seems to dry up their very lives.  The bulb lies hidden in the cold, dark earth until that glorious spring morning when it rises again.  Resurrection.  The resurrection of Jesus Christ has broken the grasp of death.  He lives today, and His power can enable us to become both new in spirit in our dark times in life, and new in body as a resurrected and eternally living person, a gift given to all of us, and celebrated again this Easter.  Easter is truly a message of deliverance for all of us.  







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
At Samhain


								

					   Jeanne				4 Comments
				
				
				

							


						


				

Samhain is a Celtic ancient ritual celebrated October 31-November 1 to bring in the dark part of winter, to recognize the fall harvest, and also to honor the dead, much like is done in the Aztec tradition of ‘Day of the Dead’.  This year, instead of focusing on the trick-or-treat candy gatherings, we chose to focus on remembering those dear to us who have left us through death.





My daughter wrote a poem about this occasion, and, with her permission, I have featured it in this post inasmuch as it speaks of setting “a place at our fest table for those remembered most dear, in hoping to feel the warmth of their company once more.”  We did set two places at the table for Mom and Dad, and included foods they especially liked on the menu.  It was (as is) good to include them in our daily lives both in remembrance and also in knowing we can feel them near on many traditional occasions.





Our lovely Mother travels around the Great Sun as She always has
She carries human kind, the mountains, the oceans, our homes
We turn away from the Sun, and sense the cold vastness of space
The darkness comes.  Stark final harvest and bloody first slaughter
Ponder a time before the progression to modern convenience
Consider what you can give to those with less fortune
Step into the browning, fallen crunchy leaves to share in
Ancient traditions of costume, fare and lighting lanterns
The barrier between this life and the next becomes liminal
Set a place at our feast table for those remembered most dear
In hoping to feel the warmth of their company once more







Sorry this post is a few days late!  Life seems to be running faster than I can keep up.  Slow down and make memories.







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
Teton Respite


								

					   Jeanne				1 Comment
				
				
				

							


						


				

I had forgotten that Spring Break would provide a window of a few extra days without obligations, and, on a snap decision, we decided to extend our trip to Twin Falls to see Kids and GrandKids.  We drove on roads we had never seen before.  New vistas were so refreshing after so much isolation.  We drove back into winter in Teton National Park.  It was relaxing to have no schedule to follow.  No set plans.  And we were richly rewarded with a surprising variety of wildlife sightings.  Bob penned this poem:





We decide to take a trip to our children and beyond.
We load up our golden van and then we're gone.
We look for all the miracles of life along our way-
Of birds & deer & antelope.  Then family makes our day.

We celebrate birthdays with those we love.  Then we are gone
On the way to Jackson Hole, Wyoming, is our song.
We fly across the valleys, mounts, canyons, lakes & streams.
We watch all the living miracles along lakes as rivers sing.

We find a special place at Antler Inn to stay 3 days.
We took off to see the Elk Refuge.   To our surprise that day
Thousands of Elk spotted the meadow right in front of us.
Swans, geese & big horn sheep came close within their trust.

We then drove to the Tetons and saw moose, deer & fox,
Coyotes and bald eagles in 3 days in different spots.
We looked for the buffalo & bear (our summer friends).
We left before we saw them, but we will come again.


































							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
Gratitude


								

					   Jeanne				1 Comment
				
				
				

							


						


				

This is the last and 5th psalm of Thanksgiving:





Gratitude is the gateway to Christ's pure charity.
Let's strive to be grateful for all we know, taste, touch and see,
Like rainbows & different flowers, insects, mammals, reptiles, 
birds, fish, lands and sky,
Let our hearts by filled with gratitude, and let us share it by and by.











#givethanks







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
The Little Things: like pigs


								

					   Jeanne				1 Comment
				
				
				

							


						


				






The summer weather had finally dropped in temperature, allowing me to stroll my 10 month old grandson around the block without overheating.  And so I did.  It’s the first walk we ever had taken, and he seemed very interested in the whole process.  As we passed  a near-by house with a chain-link fence, a black pot bellied pig trotted eagerly up to the fence.  This did not go unnoticed by my grandson.  He immediately screamed with delight and then giggled at every move the pig made, especially when he pushed his messy, slimy nose up to the fence.  But it was when the pig turned around a wildly wagged it’s small tail that my grandson totally ‘lost it’ with delight!  Oh, to be that excited about a pig wagging it’s tail!





I don’t recall ever being that excited for anything, ever.  But, here he was in total unrestrained delight.  His bright eyes scrutinized every movement, every snort, every blink, and found it all totally delightful.





Time stopped, and for a fleeting time, we both lived entirely in the moment.  The cares of the world were flung from my mind.  All was well with the world.  There were no problems, no fears, no Covid, no politics, no deadlines, no chores, no bills, no pressures….just joy.  I will reflect on that walk again and again, and be refreshed every time I do.  I will see the world in a renewed awe, and, hopefully will look through the eyes of a child as I view the world around me.





My Mom used to call that ‘smelling the roses’!





Bob wrote a poem entitled “Spiritual Treasures” that applies to this experience:





Spiritual treasures are all around us, if we have eyes to see.
The dawn's first light is filled with grace as light touches each tree,
On through each day, as trials come, prayer guides us who listen clear,
Until eve's colors kiss the clouds, as we feel God's love grow near.



							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
IN EVERY SOUL


								

					   Jeanne				2 Comments
				
				
				

							


						


				

In every soul is a piece of ourselves, if we look with eyes to see.
If we listen with ears that hear, we learn to grow more free.
Only those who strive to know another's heart and mind
Will ever find the pearls of truth that help us love mankind.

Those who judge another's ways before they strive to see,
Walk in blindness to others light that help our souls grow free.
Please, Dear Lord, give us the strength to listen with mind and heart
And overcome our vanity so we can learn Thy art.

Some souls teach us what NOT to do as we go through our life,
And show show us where NOT to go while going through our strife.
"We shall know them by their fruits," are words the Master said.
"Judge not least ye be judged," adorns each true seekers head.

So when we see another who is different from ourselves,
Let's take the time to search for pearls & increase our own true wealth.
Only then can we grow from all we choose to see.
Each soul of God on this earth can add to you and me.







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
46 Years Together


								

					   Jeanne				2 Comments
				
				
				

							


						


				

On Saturday, June 20th, we celebrated our 46th Wedding Anniversary in Teton National Park.  That’s where we took our honeymoon.  We kayaked and camped, and have returned there for many of the other 46 years!





Our daughter sent us a text:  “Happy Anniversary to my favorite lovebirds!  46 years later you’re back in the Tetons.  Still having adventures.  Still best friends.  If that’s not true love I don’t know what is.  Have a wonderful day you two!”





Gros Ventre Campground 2020





Bob wrote us a poem about true love–it’s called “Our Greatest Gift”





Our greatest gift is You, Lord, for all we know and see
From mountains unto deserts, from rivers, lakes and trees,
From a sparrow to an eagle, from an elk unto a mouse,
All life does astound us that passes through Thy house.

In God's house are many mansions, worlds beyond our eyes.
We share His grace together; through Christ, we grow more wise.
God has given you to me, Dear, for time and eternity.
You are my greatest gift of all I know and see.

You help me to remember our God's love is eternal.
You lift me when I'm down, caught in hate's inferno.
You are my greatest blessing our Lord gives to men on earth:
A righteous caring wife, Mom and Grandma is of an untold worth.

May I live always worthy to walk close by your side
And live with you forever and in God's love abide
And have our special family always in God's sweet love,
With Mom and Dad, kids and grand kids, forever up above.







And so, I thank God for all that is good, and for his tender love that has carried us(me) through these 46 years.  Love that has lessened pain, steeled us against the cold blasts that come to us all, deserved or undeserved…and has helped the unpleasant things to work out for our good.  I’m reminded of a scripture in the Doctrine and Covenants (D& C 123:17)  ” Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed.”





And thanks be for our family, our children and grandchildren, who are a constant source of joy, who make life worth living, and who make us laugh and smile!







							

					

	






	

				
							
		

			


				
March 19


								

					   Jeanne				2 Comments
				
				
				

							


						


				

First day of Spring
My steps should be light,
With mind full of hope.
But, alas, reminders everywhere
Of sickness sweeping o'er the earth,
Who shakes and trembles,
Filling minds with fear;
And just in case
We manage to forget--
It shakes again, and again,
Reminding us
And holding us fast
In it's grasp.

Not I.   
I will Avert my gaze
From pressing fears
To look up.
I see the clouds
Unchanging  and steady
Blue sky
Beckoning to take my thoughts
And fling them far away,
Replaced with fresh
Breeze, or rain, or sun--
Wrapping me
With that love
Always there,
But often masked.
Today I will let it in
To warm my heart
And renew my hope
Expand my view
And see all the love around me.