‘Climate’ Change

Posted on by Fred D

Kermit

Yesterday Kermit was relaxing at his VRBO (Vacation Rock By Owner). Overnight ‘climate change’ set-in dropping 4 “ of white stuff and the temps 40 degrees.  Kermit quickly abandoned his rock, checking into Muddy Bottoms to hide out for the remainder of the winter.

Uncertainty is a certainty of Life. The new year has arrived with devastation . . . surging pandemic numbers; tornadoes; blizzards; hurricane force winds bellowing raging fires, all wreaking a wake of destruction and tragedy. Tomorrow, but for the grace of God, could find any of us ravaged by such unforeseen ‘climate’ changes.

Thankfully, unlike Kermit, we have the option to face this world’s ‘climate’ changes and avoid checking into in Muddy Bottoms to hide out . . . we can permanently book a VRBO (Verified Rock By Owner), verified since the dawn of creation to withstand any disaster . . .

“Rock of ages , cleft for me,

May I hide myself in Thee.”

Augustus M. Toplady

First Snow

Be Blessed, and Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!

The Gift of the One

Posted on by Fred D

From our Smoky Mountain home up on the mountain – down in the ‘holler – by the ‘crick’ . . . to wherever you and yours may be this Christmas . . . we wish you the Gift of the One who left Heaven for earth 2,000 years ago to bring “Peace on earth, good will to men” to everyone who chooses to accept the only eternal promise of hope and joy this world has.

Merry Christmas !

Mind-Boggling Travel

Posted on by Fred D

Cloudy Day in the Great Smoky Mountains

Last week, some 5,000 miles north-by-northwest, found me gliding through freshly fallen snow. Shortly thereafter, some 35,000 ft. above terra-firma, found me zooming through the skies at 600 mph in high-speed-aluminum tubing. This afternoon, some 2,000 ft. up in the Great Smoky Mountains, found me shuffling through fall’s fallen leaves . . .  fictional Star Trek travel fantasy a mere century ago.

Walking on the moon is old history. Today, there are people are living above the earth in a high-tech mini-condo, and some everyday citizens (admittedly wealthy ones 😊) are taking short jaunts into space for a quick, high-altitude adrenaline rush.

As mind-boggling as  today’s travel would have been to Lewis and Clark trudging through the wilderness in the early 1800s, imagine the travel future our children will experience … living on the moon … up close and personal exploration of  our solar system’s other planets … traveling the expanses the Milky Way … ???

Yet, each of us has already accomplished 2 of the 3 legs of the most mind-boggling travel journey of all … Heaven to Earth. The last leg of the journey remains to travel, and has but one of two final, forever destinations . . . the choice is ours alone to decide.

It was already accomplished some 2,000 years ago, and multitudes have since followed:

“In My Father’s house there are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I, am you may be also.” – John 14:2-3

The third leg of our journey has been paid-in full for anyone who accepts the offer and trusts the One who has already made it. Mind-boggling? … For Sure! … Prove it! … Can’t! … that’s why it’s called Faith. Hope to see you there someday.

Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come! . . . Mind-Boggling!

“The Manuscripts of God”

Posted on by Fred D

A ½” of virgin, unmarked snow . . . a cool, gentle breeze . . . a pinking hour sunset brushed across distant snowcaps  – the wilderness wonder postcard God created for me to glide through before hanging up my skis and heading off to rejoin my life partner in the Great Smoky Mountains tomorrow.

I’ve missed her, and Lord willing, come Spring we’ll return together to the solitude of this awesome corner of creation with its vast wilderness reaches, rugged magnificence, and primal beauty John Muir once called  “The Manuscripts of God”.

My Front Yard – Chickaloon, Alaska

I M Blessed . . . May U B 2

Keep Looking Up . . . His Best Is Yet To Come!

Happiness is . . .

Posted on by Fred D

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

Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!

Happy Ole Dude
Talkeetna Range snowcaps
3:30 PM Sunset

Midnight Sun

Posted on by Fred D

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


“Nevertheless I 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


I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
 
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!

Lunar Eclipse

Posted on by Fred D

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? ” 

Psalm 8:3-4
           
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!

Sunrise Splendor

Posted on by Fred D

My soul was awed at sunrise . . . a glimpse of God’s majesty . . . proof that He exists

“How great are your works Lord” -Psalm 92:5

Matanuska Valley Palmer, Alaska

Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!

Sub-zero Wonder

Posted on by Fred D

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

I M Blessed . . . May U B 2
                              
Keep Looking Up . . . His best is yet to come!

Chugach Range Panorama
Matanuska River Valley Palmer-Butte, Alaska
Brrrrrr!
Matanuska River Chickaloon, Alaska
Subzero Solitude

Antique Snowplow

Posted on by Fred D

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 😊


Stay warm and be blessed.

Antique Snowplow