“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth, find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts”.
Rachel Carson
Contemplate Beauty
Leaf Speak
Winter’s approach has stripped the forest whose fallen leaves display beauty in cryonic death, and silently speak endurance to the ‘naked’ wilderness.
“In every change, in every falling leaf there is some pain, some beauty.” – Amit Ray
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Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Dawn’s Splendor
Creation’s awakening at dawn spurs a grateful rebirth of joy in my soul. Here’s a few glimpses of dawn’s wonder that was mine to behold this morning.
“The whole earth is filled with the awe of your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy”.
Psalm 65:8
I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
Friluftsliv
SAD . . . Seasonal Affective Disorder is attributed to the long, cold, dark days of winter. Yet, Scandinavian countries, where cold-dark thirty resides for 5 months each year, are consistently ranked among the happiest countries . . . Why?
Friluftsliv – “free air life” – the mood-boosting Nordic concept of connecting with nature; breathing in fresh, frigid air; and embracing the beauty and simplicity of nature in the great outdoors. Promoting spiritual and physical well-being, it was popularized by Norwegian playwright and poet Henrik Ibsen in the 1850s.
As a far-eastern Scandinavian (AKA Alaskan), I can attest this icily inspiring therapy works! . . . though some may claim I’m merely delusional 😊.
“But I don’t have the parkas, snow boots, scarves ,mittens, long-johns, etc. to endure such harsh winter conditions.” . . . no attire excuses! . . . as my Swedish heritage says (my Ancestry profile claims I’m 8% Swedish), “There’s no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes.”
Soooooo . . . suit-up and get out there to enjoy some uplifting 3-F activity . . . Freezing, Frolicking, Fun 😊.
Here’s a few pics from Freddy’s refreshing, 22 degree, Friluftsliv day.
“They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty – and I will proclaim your great deeds.”
Psalm 145:5
I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
Flight School
Flight School needs to start soon if these cygnets are going to accompany their parents south before freeze-up. This young Trumpeter swan pair hatched their cygnets the end of June , much later than previous Trumpeter parents . . . Frosty Eagle’s watching.
“Love to Live, Live to Love” – Amy Carmichael
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Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Soul Therapy
Leaves and temperatures falling in synchrony with winter’s approach . . . invigorating soul therapy for wandering the Last Frontier’s wilderness reaches.
“Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.” Here’s a few ‘moments’ that left me breathless today.
I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
“But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Lord God my refuge, to tell of all your works.”
Psalm 73:28
Hik-‘ing’ Day
Leaves fall-‘ing’ – Moose rambl-‘ing’ – River freez-‘ing’ – Snow melt-‘ing’ – Sun blaz-‘ing’ . . . a day made for an Alaskan wilderness wander Hik-‘ing’ through Creation 😊
I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
“Love to Live, Live to Love” – Amy Carmichael
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Forever Young
While our birth days are 5 decades apart, wilderness wanderings with my son helps me forget my age and live life young again . . . undeservedly blessed . . . living each day as though it’s my last . . . grateful yesterday wasn’t . . . knowing His best forever young is yet to come.
“Love to Live, Live to Love“. – Amy Carmichael
I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
Snow Squalls and Sunshine
A short morning snow squall followed by brilliant sunshine made for an interesting wilderness wander today . . . . Gotta’ love the Last Frontier! 😊
“Love to Live, Live to Love” – Amy Carmichael
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Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!
Life’s Seasons
This after-the-storm picture of Winter invading Fall had me contemplating my mortality. From first to final breath, much like the changing of the seasons, life is a continuum of seasons.
The Spring of my life witnessed a carefree childhood morph into an adolescence of uncertainty and tentative teens before yielding to the Summer of adulthood, running the gamut of experiences and emotions from gain to loss; joy to sorrow; trial to triumph; happiness to heartbreak. Fall followed suit, but with slightly more intensity, enhanced by increased awareness of both life’s responsibly and appreciation.
Gazing on this scene today, I realized, albeit somewhat reluctantly, my life’s journey has entered Winter. Spanning nearly eight decades, my journey lies somewhere below life’s summit in Winter’s snows, above Fall’s fading colors. Given the genre of my life’s journey, I suspect my current location resides in that fog below the mountain’s summit 😊
Regrets? . . . many, most self-attributable. Blessings? . . . many more, attributable to God’s unfathomable Grace alone. And so, I gratefully journey on towards the summit, uncertain of my arrival time, but assured of a forever room at the top is waiting for me . . . Hope to see you there.
“My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
