Abba's Art

Category: Photography

  • Paths

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    Shinrin-yoku, ‘forest bathing’, is a Japanese term proclaiming the peace of body, mind and soul found in Nature. Today mine was found wandering mile-high paths along the TN/NC border in the Great Smoky Mountains. Immersed in mountain vistas wonder, my journey was shared with a lone Cervus canadensis. “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your…

  • Free Lawn Care

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    We’re truly grateful for the quiet sanctuary from the cacophony of the everyday hustle and bustle our Smoky Mountain digs provides. Up here on the mountain most of the friendly neighbors we share the forest with don’t have lawns.  Those who do are eligible for free lawn care services by roaming groups of feral neighbors…

  • Wild Serenity

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    Tucked away in the Smokies, each day we delight in unexpected visits from neighbors who have roamed these forests for eons. Gracefully wandering the woodlands, the gentle Odocoileus virginianus are among our favorites. Today a family’s silent, streamside  procession in the fallen snow was yet another blessing to enjoy. We R Blessed . . .…

  • Snow-Ma-Geddon

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    “He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes.” Psalm 147:16 This weekend’s winter snowstorm with single digit temperatures was a local meteorological anomaly. While the Smoky Mountains higher peaks above 5,000 ft average 70” of snow each winter, Knoxville, TN at 900 ft. 30 miles east of us averages 4”-8” each…

  • The Scene – The Sign – The Sermon

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    The sign silently proclaimed a sermon of the awesome  wonder of God’s creation we glimpsed today in panoramic splendor in our Great Smoky Mountains backyard . . . We are Blessed . . . May you be too. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1 Keep Looking Up ^ ……

  • 2025’s ‘Goods’ and ‘Gooders’

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    2025 wasn’t a particularly good year for my spouse. Ellie broke both of her arms requiring taking up residence in hospital and rehab facilities for 2 of 2005’s 12 months, and had a pacemaker installed on my birthday … so what’s the ‘Good’ news ☹??? . . . So what’s the ‘Gooder’ news😊??? . .…

  • Christmas Truce

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    Besides the Christmas story of our Savior, the Christmas Truce of 1914 during WW1 is among my favorites, encouraging me that, even in the division and turmoil of today’s world, peace on earth remains hopeful. If you’ve not heard it, here’s the Christmas Truce story as told by Robert Petterson . . . What happened…

  • Hear the Bells, not the Dissention

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    Peace and good will are prevalent during the Christmas season, but not for everyone. Tis’ a season of conflict and enmity for some. Christmas day 1863 found Henry Wadsworth Longfellow grieving over his son wounded in the Civil War battle of Gettysburg. Two years earlier his wife had burned to death in a fire. Consumed…

  • From Diapers to Depends

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    Yep, that’s Litl’ Freddy 38 years ago (delusional dyslexia), grateful I’m not yet clipping Depends coupons to redeem 😊 . . .  and here’s a sketch of Ole’ Freddy today . . . Notice any changes other than the hat covering the shiny bald patch on my noggin’? 😊 Before snuggling under the covers tonight,…

  • Thankful Perspectives

    —

    by

    Fred D
    in

    The First Thanksgiving It’s estimated Americans will gobble down some 40 million turkeys this Thanksgiving . . . good time to be a chicken 😊 A customary Thanksgiving meal tradition is having each person seated around the table share one thing they’re thankful for . . .  family, friends, faith, health, material blessings, etc. .…