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.

One Day

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Last month we took an extended vacation to one of our most beloved places: the Oregon coast. Almost as a last minute thought, we decided to take our 3 oldest grandchildren along (ages 14, 13, and 7). To be honest…I had my doubts that we could successfully endure 17 days. There would be a lot of driving on several days, probably 8+ hours, and those kids usually complain after 1-2 hours! And, I’m not sure they really are into appreciating scenery. Will we be able to have enough for them to do? Enough to EAT? Will they fight and quarrel to the point of driving us insane? We both decided to give it our best effort, and to really try to show them how much we love them. And now, looking back on it, I think perhaps it is one of the best trips we’ve ever taken. Those 3 were a positive delight. Their exuberance at their first ocean sight and encounter forcefully reminded me of how wondrous the ocean really is. I saw it all through different eyes, the eyes of children.

There is definitely something about being together, away from home, for more than just a few hours. Bonds were reinforced, connections made, and love grows. Memories will fuel me for a long time, and I hope that will also be true for them. I hope in years and decades to come, that they will reflect upon events of this trip, and find comfort and strengthen in them because they know of our love for them, and they will know that they are important, valued and treasured, just as was expressed by Russell M. Nelson, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He shared a profound family acronym about his feelings for his children and grandchildren: LAWN: Loved, Adored, Wanted, Needed.

The following short video expresses the value of spending time together as a family. I can strongly relate to the comments at the end by the grandparents, expressing that phone calls just don’t take the place of time together.

http:///www.lds.org/media-library/video/2013-09-015-our-fun-family-vacation?category=mormon-messages/mormon-messages-2013&lang=eng

There is so much beauty in one day,
If man can open up his eyes,
To look at God’s great canvas,
From a flower, to the skies,
From the delicate color
In a butterfly’s wings,
The the majestic blues and greys
On the mountain side.
For here lies God’s creation,
My testimony and eternal progression
To those who follow love.


Child of Indifference

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Child of indifference
Please open up your eyes.
The eternal now awaits you.
So many different flowers shout in colors,
Sing in silence, touch in fragrance.
Child of bitterness
Please open up your ears
To hear the cries of morning as each new day appears.
So many different love songs are waiting to be heard,
From the cooing of a white dove,
To the thunder of a storm,
From the laughing of a young child who feels both safe and warm.
Child of many sorrows
Please open up your heart,
For only you can understand what part in life you play.
Child of tomorrow, let’s work for you today.

http://www.lds.org/friend/2018/03/heavenly-father-listens?lang=eng

Love Unafraid

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Overcome space and we’re faced with a place we call “here”.
Overcome time and we’re left with the hour of now.
Live while the rivers still flow and the sun lights today.
Tomorrow’s too late and we’re faced wrong to see yesterday.
The moment we’re in is alive if we live it right now.
It withers and dies if we set it aside for tomorrow.
Look at me now and hear what my song has to say:
Now is the time, here is the place for living today.

Overcome fear and all that we’re left with is free.
Overcome blindness to create reality.
Open your eyes and see all the real that is there.
Set your mind free to be yours and to be aware.
Life’s not a game, but there’s rules to direct destiny.
We’re bound by our fears locked inside, now set them free.
You can put peace in your mind if you reach out unafraid,
To discover a world full of truths God, with nature, has made.

Overcome pride and you’ll find in it’s place there is love.
Overcome hatred and feel what true peace is made of.
First be your own friend then give of your friendship and share.
You and your brother can learn understanding through care.
It never was meant that your ship is to be sailed alone.
Find a seaworthy crew and together is better than one.
Now is the time to tear down the walls we have made,
To be everyone’s brother, to share, and to love unafraid.

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

Doctrine & Covenants 67:10 “And again I say unto you…that inasmuch as you strip yourselves from jealousies and fears…the veil shall be rent and you shall see me and know that I am…”

http:///www.lds.org/media-library/video/2017-01-0004-live-by-faith-not-by-fear?lang=eng

True Courage

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So, the New Year is upon us…another page, another day.. I really disliked New Year’s Day as a youth. It was the last day of Christmas vacation; back to school the next day, and, worse than that was that I had usually done NONE of the assignments due, which meant that I’d have to spend the entire evening racing to get them done, and mentally beating myself up because I’d let this happen again this year! And, we took out the beloved Christmas tree and accompanying decorations. I think that it is sometimes hard to face a new year because we drag so much baggage with us from last year; all of our failures and disappointments, and we beat ourselves up by telling ourselves that we never change, we never keep resolutions, and the new year does not really symbolize any form of HOPE. But, it should. We need to have the courage to have faith, which breeds hope. That’s what this poem is about:

True courage is found beyond our fear and our worries in this life.
Hope builds true courage to do what’s right in our times of strife.
Real courage is not thrill-seeking found in foolish vanity.
With hope, courage stands for the right, against inhumanity.

True courage is to speak up when we feel something is unfair.
True hope gathers allies, if we seek in sincere prayer.
The Holy Ghost will help us to grow strong, firm and true.
If we have faith in Jesus, His light will see us through.

True courage comes with knowing we are in the right.
When we stand for righteous goals, we will win the fight.
Let us gain true courage through each humble prayer
And we will have hope, when hate fills the air.

We choose true hope and courage; it heals each troubled soul.
As we give our fears to God, He helps us to grow.
He gives us strength to stand against hate, sin and insanity
And gives true courage to us to help save humanity.

We read in the Book of Mormon (Ether 12:4) that, “whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world…which hope cometh of faith…which would make them sure and steadfast..”

The Bible (2 Timothy:7)…”For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

And, finally, Elder Neal Maxwell, a former apostle stated, “Hope stiffens, not slackens, the spiritual spine.”

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-12-21-new-years-look-not-behind-thee?lang=eng

May you all find joy and love in 2018!!!

Wind Chimes

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Wind has many moods, in force and intensity.
We see it in a summer breeze, or at a storm at sea.
We feel it in a brisk, cool wind, as winter stings each soul,
Or in the warm, hot summer, as sweat cools it’s hot flow.

Like wind we each have many changes that temper and steel our soul.
Sickness, injury and death can burn and freeze our flow,
Yet there are many times when we feel wind’s pleasant breeze.
Our memories can ease our hearts with such a gentle ease.

http://www.lds.org/youth/video/learning-through-trials?lang=eng

Wise Men and Camels

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Last week some of our family attended a live nativity. I have never done that before and was excited to see if they would really do sheep and camels, and was not disappointed. The sheep were very wooly and had to be coaxed for their appearance. I was standing so close to the pathway where they entered that I could have reached out and and greeted them with a tender touch, but, I restrained myself. As the story unfolded, the anticipated camels began their trek, each one led by a wise man. Again, I was still very close to the path, and hemmed in by the crowd and a makeshift building at my back. When I saw them coming, I squeezed against the building to make room for their surprisingly massive bodies. The first one filed past me, and I marveled at it’s immensity, especially when it seemed to balk at the crowd and whatever instructions it was receiving. Suddenly, it pulled against it’s halter and came swinging backwards toward ME! There was nowhere to go, except to brace for the impact of a huge camel’s butt bolting directly my way. In a flash it swooped past me, arighted itself and continued on it journey to the manger. Breathlessly, I said a silent prayed of thanks that I would be able to emerge from the nativity in one whole, unbroken piece! What an adventure. The animals added a delightful dimension that I shall never forget.

Animals are delightful. I would like to include some photos taken just 3 months ago in Teton National Park…Just remember, don’t get too close!




The following link is a video of the nativity:
http://www.lds.org/bible-videos/videos/glad-tidings-of-great-joy-the-birth-of-jesus-christ?lang=eng

Into The Woods

Jeanne 1 Comment

Being close to Thanksgiving, I should entitle this, “Over the River and Through the Woods, To Grandmother’s House We Go.”, but that isn’t where they are going, nor is it the title of the painting, although, it is Thanksgiving time, and I am very grateful for all of my grand children seen in this painting.

Let us call it, “Into the Woods”. And it is a scene of my 6 grand children walking up a path. Some of the prominent intentions are:

1) They are walking into what appears to be a nice place.

2) There are 2 bears to be seen along the way. Are they friendly? The far one seems to be, but one wonders about the sneaky one on the right. Life is tricky and is not always easy to distinguish right from wrong or good from bad. The bears illustrate this.

3) Ammon sees the sneaky bear. He is holding Allie’s hand, giving him the role of protector. Ammon and Parleigh seem to be leading the group down the path. They are taking responsibility for the younger ones who follow, just as I hope they, and all of them, will do always and forever. Care for each other. Watch out for each other. Love each other. Help each other.

4) There is a bird flying high. This represents the Holy Ghost that will help to decipher the good from the bad and lead this little party safely to where they are going.

5) Now, the sad part of the painting. Notice that the children are all walking away from me. I am not with them, nor can I always be. But, nevertheless, I care and worry about them always and forever. And so this painting is dedicated to the last verse of my poem, “Give Them Wings”.

You stand at the threshold
Where I once stood,
With your back to our home
And the world in your face.
And I am glad
I am your mother (Or Grandmother).

I will miss you and wish
You were back home again,
But still I will help you
Fashion the best wings I can make
As you fly away from me.

http://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2010-11-23-thanksgiving-daily?lang=eng

Remember, Remember

Jeanne 1 Comment

I just finished a book, “The Time Keeper” by Mitch Albom. Since I have always been intriqued by ‘memories’, this book was also intriguing. It dealt with ‘time’. One quote from the book:

“You marked the minutes,” the old man said, “But did you use them wisely? To be still? To cherish? To be grateful? To lift and be lifted?”

Think of each moment as a grain of sand in the giant hourglass of our lives, and we hold that one grain right now. All the sand above and all the sand beneath–the past and future cannot be dealt with right now. Only one grain at a time.

Make memories, for that is what life is made of. Spend time with those you love while you have the time.

I remember precious moments in the past that give the present hope and light.. I love to collect memories and wish I could add to my collection every day. Days when I fail to do this are barren, and if there are too many ‘barrens’ in a row, life begins to feel meaningless.

We have nothing to remember if we do not savor life now. Memories are the acts of the present that bear fruit in the future.

Remember! Remember! from whence we’ve come, on trails of glory, from Thy Holy Son.
To prove on earth, our own true worth, This is our purpose, while here on earth.
Remember! Remember! to turn to Christ, so we may obtain eternal life.
Remember! Remember! The Holy Ghost, that He may guide us through Satan’s host.

Remember! Remember! Without our Lord, we could not follow His sacred word.
Nor understand His one true way, to lead us home to God one day.
Remember! Remember! His one true church that teaches us to pray, seek and search.

Remember to seek Christ when we are weak, with humble heart, sincere and meek.
The Holy Spirit will lift our soul, and help us know which way to go.
Remember! Remember! without God’s Son, we cannot return to the Holy One.

Remember! Remember! We have chosen Christ to guide us through earth’s trials to eternal life.
We need Thee, Lord, every hour and day; Thou art the light, the truth, the way.
Remember! Remember! To fast, search, serve, seek and pray,
And we will be lifted home to live and serve in our Father’s perfect eternal love one fine day.

Remember, Remember, Remember…….

http://www.lds.org/blog/think-to-thank?cid=HP_WE_1-11-2017_dOCS_fBLOG_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng

The Old Roan Who Sat Alone

Jeanne 3 Comments

Last week we toured one of our favorite spots, Teton National Park and Yellowstone. While on a drive in the Pelican Valley in Yellowstone, we spotted a couple of roan buffalo, and commented on how alone they looked. I do hope they were not really as dejected and depressed as they looked! They did inspire the poem that follows:

The old roan who sat alone, spoke volumes to our souls,
As he sat in silence in the glen, we felt for this tired bull.
His horns were worn, from the years of uncounted war-tossed days,
When heads and horns would clash, to win some cow’s sweet praise.

Like tatonka (buffalo), we too must face our own great battle field.
With sorrow, pride or sin, we can use Christ’s wondrous shield.
And when we’re tired and worn out, we never are alone.
Our Master’s but a prayer away. He longs to bring us home.

So when we’re tired and feel alone, look for some tired soul,
And try to help and lift some one, and then we both can grow.
Then as we sit in silence, we can join in mighty prayer,
Through our Great White Father’s Light, we learn, give and share.

www.lds.org/media-library/images/mormonad-you-are-never-alone-1118441?lang=eng&_r=1

The White Line

Jeanne 3 Comments

Thirty Four years ago, Bob brought me a small, gray stone with a narrow white line straight around the circumference. As he proposed to me, he explained that the dark gray of the rock represented the unavoidable and unpleasant darkness we encounter in life. The white line is us, traveling together in the light. I still have that little rock, and everywhere we go we are always on the lookout for dark stones with white, continuous lines. Over the years we have quite a collection. This year, on our 43rd wedding anniversary, we camped at Teton National Park. I was standing on the beach of Jackson Lake at Colter Bay, enjoying the incredible scenery of majestic mountains, abundant spring wildflowers, and the clear lake waters lapping on the shore. Soon I noticed a rock out some 15 feet or so. It caught my attention because it was dark gray with a wonderful wide white line belting it. I tried to ignore it and snap photos of the birds and mountains, but my mind kept drawing me to the rock. I considered. How far out? How deep? How cold? I’d need to wear my shoes because the small surrounding stones were apt to be sharp to walk on. I’d get very wet. Was it worth it? After intense deliberation, I finally decided that it was worth it. Bob would be immensely pleased and surprised, and so, I ventured out, shoes and all. The water was only chilly, and maybe mid-calf deep. I arrived at the rock, but suddenly realized that it was much larger now that I was close. I reached for it, but found I couldn’t even budge it, let alone carry it out. Reluctantly, I bid it farewell and returned to Bob cooking breakfast. And so the moral to the story is….? You tell me.

Well, that’s not too inspirational. For ultimate inspiration please search lds.org. There is much gold there!