The thermometer registered an ‘invigorating’ minus 15 when sun peeked above the horizon at 9:30 AM today, but by 11 AM has risen to a ‘balmy’ minus 5 😊
Noting the impending heat wave, Grant and I layered-up headed out to romp through the wilderness around Girdwood, AK, where lotsa’ white stuff has fallen.
We enjoyed our frigid father/son day together, but were somewhat perplexed why we didn’t encounter lotsa’ of other folks along the trail on such a lovely day ??? 😊
Here’s of few frigid fun pics from our adventure. Be blessed . . . and stay warm 😊
Happiness is zero degrees and a pair of skis . . . gliding over a wilderness lake, snow whispering beneath, winter’s sun above sinking behind distant mountain monarchs . . . Life is Good! . . . wish you could have joined me.
“He gives snow like wool; He scatter the frost like ashes.” – Psalm147:16
Before you pass the gravy . . . as you celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow I’d ask you look around at those who have gathered with you, your children, and thankfully contemplate but for the undeserved grace of God . . . you – they – we . . . could each be among those outside our door today living in a world where:
Most people in live in poverty – 85% of the world live on less than $30 per day, two-thirds live on less than $10 per day, and every tenth person lives on less than $1.90 per day
These poorest in our world are hungry; lack clean water; medical care; access to education; freedom of worship
Perhaps the most tragic, nearly half of those living in poverty are children
As Americans, we are all truly blessed, and have much to be thankful for.
Before you pass the gravy . . . I’d ask you to contemplate the three things you are most thankful for. For me it’s:
I was born in America
My children and family
What I will never fully comprehend, deserve, and will endure for eternity . . . my Salvation.
Why God – after this ole prodigal had “… journeyed to a far country, and there wasted my possessions with prodigal living…” before I “…came tomyself…” and turned back towards Home.
That God – when this ole prodigal “…was still a great way off…” He “… saw meand had compassion and ran and fell on my neck and kissed me…” and said “…bring out the best robe and put it on him and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry, for this my son was dead and alive again; he was lost and is found. (Luke 15:11-24)
I thank God for rescuing me from this Life’s Lost and Found, and literally loving me to death!
Now . . . please pass the gravy . . . and all my best for a thankful, blessed, Happy Thanksgiving together.
The Land of the Midnight Sun is rapidly entering its Midnight Moon season, as seen in this 4 PM/4-degree wilderness wander picture.
Watching the sun begin to silently slip below the distant Chugach Range conjured a somewhat ambivalent thought of peaceful melancholy . . . this scene is somewhat analogous to my life . . . my Midnight Sun season is slowly slipping below life’s horizon, yielding to the Midnight Moon. But there’s only peace . . . no remorse . . . as I stand alone in the frozen silence.
Life’s joys have been my sunshine, and the dark clouds of failure have taught me the past is a place of reference to grow from, not a place of residence to live in. I’ve been undeservedly blessed beyond measure, and know a Sonrise awaits that will never set.
Fish Lake Sunset – Chickaloon, Alaska
“NeverthelessI am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day”. – II Timothy 1:12
Last night, for the first time since I hired on as a water boy in the construction of Machu Picchu, the longest partial lunar eclipse in 580 years occurred. Yep, I snoozed through it.
However, the adage, “You snooze, you lose” is totally valid . . . miss the moon, shoot for the s😊n . . . the next total solar eclipse, the only one of the year and the last total solar eclipse until 2023, is set to take place in a couple weeks on my birthday . . . I’m honored 😊
Unfortunately, it will only be fully visible from Antarctica, with folks in South Africa, Namibia, the southern tip of South America and some islands in the South Atlantic getting a partial show. Anyone wanna’ crowd-fund me a plane ticket? Antarctica would be my first choice, but if you can snag a better deal for Namibia, I’m OK with that 😊 . . . did someone just say, “Maybe, ONE WAY!”?
Anyway, last night I ventured out on the deck again in my bathrobe and slippers at -9 degrees to snap this ‘rare’ after-the-eclipse full-moon picture over the mountains . . . Yes . . . I did remember to leave the door unlocked 😊
Full Moon over Talkeetna Range
Last Frontier Full Moon
“When I consider Your heavens,the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained,what is man that You are mindful of him, and the Son of man that You visit Him? ”
Everyone has a special place of comfort, peace and inner healing their soul calls home. What’s yours?
Living in Alaska, where this morning the temperature begins another day of residence below zero, it’s a question I’ve often been asked, and now sit here pondering before a blazing wood stove.
A myriad of reasons flash to mind . . . the raw, rugged, vast stretches of wilderness . . . the majesty of snow-capped mountain sunrises, and brilliant ocean sunsets . . . abundant, really wild wildlife . . . etc., etc., etc.
Long summer’s calm water’s reflections – longer winter’s frozen landscapes . . . clouds floating on blue skies above – purple fireweed sprouting from the earth below . . . mountain storm rainbows – massive glacier azure-blue ice . . . falling snowflakes. Uncluttered by civilization’s burden of stressful busyness, Creation survives and thrives in the quiet, unhurried power of Silence.
It’s the Last Frontier’s immense SOS . . . Solitude of Silence . . . that soothes and heals my inner being, soul therapy at its best! For many Alaska is a bucket-list tourist destination. For me it’s the place my soul calls home, until He calls me Home.
Albert Einstein once said,”Look deeper into nature and you will understand everything better.” Jesus said it even better . . . “Be still and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10
Here’s a couple SOS scenes from yesterday’s wilderness wander along the banks of the Matanuska River.
We’ve been locked in an Arctic Deep-Freeze here for the past several days . . . single digits below zero at night, rising above zero by day. This ‘refreshing’ spell is projected to continue until the weekend.
Last night I arose to throw another log on the fire and noticed a faint Aurora glow over the mountains. Although far from a spectacular display, I thought it worthy of a pic and grabbed my camera. Attired in my slippers and bathrobe, I stepped out on the deck for a quick point-and-shoot photo. Things rapidly deteriorated when I shut the door and heard it click locked behind me!
Leisurely point-and-shoot Plan A suddenly transformed into frantic find-or-freeze Plan B, scrambling to dig out the spare house key. After one of the ‘chilliest’ 3 minutes I’ve ever experienced, the key was successfully located, and I let myself back in . . . mere seconds from frostbite beginning to affect some rather sensitive areas . . . definitely not my finest photo opt, although it might have qualified as a contender for America’s Funniest Home Videos 😊
I did manage to quickly snap the attached photo of the Aurora. However, the fuzziness and faint star trails speak to the difficulty in holding the camera steady when donned in your slippers and bathrobe at -7 degrees 😊
I attended church twice today. Following this morning’s indoor service, I attended an outdoor service alone, embraced by Nature’s unspeakable, pristine, sub-zero splendor . . . sensing my infinitesimal smallness . . . silently worshiping my omnipotent Creator and keeper of my soul.
“How great Thou art!”
“I would like to have seen the whole world with eyes incapable of anything but wonder, and with a tongue fluent only in praise.” – Pat Conroy
The thermometer registered – 4 this morning, assuring my PTSD day (Plow The Snow Dude) would be a ‘refreshing’ task. Suiting up in thermal-ware, my snowplow greeted the frigid winter wonderland.
Fortunately, this antique 1942 model, self-propelled snowplow, outfitted with a snow-scoop attachment still functioned to successfully remove nearly a foot of frozen fluff from the ½ football field length driveway. Its got lotsa’ dings, doesn’t run as fast as it once did, and original replacement parts are no longer available. However, it remains basically mechanically sound, although some of its memory components are shot. Best of all, it comes with a forever warranty, and I fueled it up this morning with 2 oatmeal-raisin cookies and a cup of coffee 😊
Task accomplished, I’m giving it a hot shower, hot cup of Ovaltine, and retiring it for the evening . . . pondering why long driveways no longer hold the appeal for me they once did 😊
Abba's Art 