Abba's Art

Tag: Art

  • Brrrrrrrrr!

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    Fred D
    in

    50 Degree Rhododendron Zero Degree Rhododendron The Great Smoky Mountains has joined much of our nation’s pre-Christmas frigid cold snap . . . the coldest temperatures recorded here in a quarter century! At our digs up here on the mountain > down in the ‘holler’ > over the ‘crick’, the temperature plummeted from near 50…

  • Never Alone

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    Fred D
    in

    A 2018 UK survey of loneliness during Christmas revealed that 17% of people felt lonely during this festive time. I suspect it may be even more in our tragically divided nation. This morning at a men’s breakfast the issue of Christmas loneliness came up. It brought to mind a story I once read regarding the…

  • Nature’s Soul Therapy

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    Fred D
    in

    Sunlight shafts illuminating ethereal mists of a thundering mountain stream; a 6-point whitetail buck stealthily crouching in a thicket to avoid detection; me silently crouching to avoid detection as a black bear saunters by 😟 😟 😟 . . . Nature’s soul stirring wonders to embrace wandering through the Great Smoky Mountains. “The Lord has…

  • Harmony

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    Fred D
    in

    Way back when I was a ‘wee’ one and dinosaurs roamed the earth😊, America was generally a ‘We’ society. Not perfect for sure, but an ambiance of respectful cooperation, collaborative resolution, and unified patriotism prevailed. Sadly, today’s American finds itself embroiled in a polarized “I’m right! – You’re wrong!”, violently combative, angrily divided ‘Me’ society.…

  • Forest Bathing

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    Fred D
    in

    For the past several years the Great Smoky Mountains has been America’s most visited National Park. Travelers come from all over the world to enjoy Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg’s endless venue of entertainment attractions, and to explore one of Mother Nature’s premier wonders . . . next to Alaska of course 😊 Living here makes…

  • Lotsa’ Bears

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    Fred D
    in

    There’s always an adventure pending with our feral friends here in the Smokies up on the mountain . . . down in the ‘holler’ . . . by the ‘crick’. Two days ago Mr. Smokey came by to check things out. I was ‘bearly’ awake early this morning when Mrs. Smoky and her triplets wandered…

  • Great Smoky Mountain Splendor

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    by

    Fred D
    in

    “Earth’s crammed with Heaven, and every common bush afire with God, but only he who see takes off his shoes.” Elizabeth Barrett Browning Today, in the Fall splendor of Great Smoky Mountains, I gazed amazed in barefoot wonder. “This is my Father’s world:I rest me in the thoughtOf rocks and trees, of skies and seas—His…

  • Smoky the Bear

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    Fred D
    in

    Been kinda’ dry here lately in the Great Smoky Mountains. Today Smoky came by our cabin to wade in the creek out front and remind us . . . Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires! Always an adventure sharing the forest with our feral friends up here on the mountain > down in the ‘holler’…

  • Creation Miracle Moment

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    Fred D
    in

    Yesterday I stood mesmerized in the forest, immersed in a golden rain. Like a child jubilantly blowing bubbles, a puff of Divine breath launched a thousand gold flakes into the air on their memorial journey to earth . . . a Creation miracle moment. Embraced in total peace, my soul rejoiced in freedom knowing .…

  • Nature vs. Civilization

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    by

    Fred D
    in

    On each flight into and out of SEATAC I’m inspired by a mountain. Towering 14,410 ft., Mt. Rainier pierces through the clouds in silent sentinel watch in over the cacophony of Seattle’s nearly 3 ½ million souls 59 miles to the southeast . . . a bittersweet contrast. On this flight it was as though…