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About bigskybuckeye

Born in the Big Sky Country of Montana and now living in the Buckeye State of Ohio, Richard is the creative mind behind Big Sky Buckeye. Retired after 40 years of teaching, I enjoy writing, photography, traveling, and following a healthy lifestyle.

From My Journal (9/15)

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From Big Sky Buckeye

Our faith is blessed with eternity’s heavenly river of infinite grace.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 15)

John Greenleaf Whittier Quote

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Thine to work as well as pray, clearing thorny wrongs away; plucking up the weeds of sin, letting heaven’s warm sunshine in.

From Isaiah 61:11:  “For as the earth brings forth its shoots and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.”

John Greenleaf Whittier (1807-1892) was an American poet.  His Quaker background entrusted him to advocate for the abolition of slavery in the United States.

Trivia’s Facts and More (9/14)

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This informative post will be published on Saturday in place of my regular one.  You are invited to participate with the opening question.

Brain Teaser Question

My attitude seems to change daily, sometimes in the very next hour.  Please pardon my windy breath, cold touch, hot temperament, and moist fingers.  Who am I?

(answer found at the end of this post)

Featured Facts

One of North America’s most curious creatures is the diminutive kangaroo rat, which lives in the dry and semi-arid deserts and grasslands.

Here are a few quick facts about the kangaroo rat:

  • Body length:  about 4-6 inches
  • Tail length:  about 7-8 inches
  • Weight:  about 5 ounces
  • Diet:  seeds, leaves, stems, grains, fruit (herbivores)
  • Lifespan:  averages 3-5 years

As one of the smallest of rodents, the kangaroo rat is related to mice and rats.  It is sometimes called the desert rat.  It possesses a large head with big eyes and small ears.  Usually its color is a sandy brown.

Being called a “kangaroo” rat, the nearly 20 different species borrow some characteristics from the Australian kangaroo.  Equipped with long rear limbs with four toes, they are able to hop like tiny kangaroos.  They also use their muscular hind legs to drum the ground.  

Being most active at night, the kangaroo rat benefits from the cooler temperature as well as using the darkness to avoid interactions with predators, such as owls, snakes, bobcats, foxes, badgers, and coyotes.  Its ability to hop up to 9 feet proves to be another asset in its necessary defense from predators.

Males and females remain separate except during during the breeding season.  Each kangaroo rat acts quite territorial as it protects its burrows and food storage.  The underground burrows provide an escape from the heat of the sun, and its kangaroo-like pouches in its large checks act as an efficient way to carry food back to store.

The life cycle of the kangaroo rat allows for breeding once or twice each year.  The gestation period lasts for 3-4 weeks.  Litters of pups average about five in number.  Pups are weaned after 2-3 weeks, and they reach sexual maturity in about 2-3 months.

top left and moving clockwise:  close-up of mature kangaroo rat, a series of underground burrows are nestled in the hillside’s sandy-like soil, a kangaroo rat entering a burrow, notice the length of the tail in contrast with the body size of the kangaroo rat, and a kangaroo rat preparing to hop.  (Images courtesy of Pinterest)

 

Answer to Brain Teaser Question

The weather

From My Journal (9/14)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

God’s creation connects us daily with nature’s precious ribbons.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 14)

Samuel Beckett Quotes

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Ever tried.  Ever failed.  No matter.  Try again.  Fail again.  Fail better.

The creation of the world did not take place once and for all time, but takes place every day.

Samuel Beckett (1906-1989) was an Irish writer who enjoyed crafting short stories, poems, and novels.

Messiah’s Presence (Elfchen Series #217)

Reassurance

Refreshed

Faithful spirit

Walking with Jesus

Following His righteous path

Guidance

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Sustenance

Renewed

Journey’s outlook

Boldness in faith

Fed from Christ’s grace

Hope

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Deliverance

Trusted

Resurrection’s light

Faith meets Eternity

Peering into Savior’s eyes

Promises

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This series of poems (written in the German-inspired style of Elfchen or Elevenie) shares a total of eleven words in each poem, with a sequence by line of one, two, three, four, and one words.

From My Journal (9/13)

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From Big Sky Buckeye

The darkness shall never hope to thwart the plans of God Almighty.  His light shall always overcome.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 13)

Oswald Chambers Quote

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There may be any number of things dark to your understanding, but they do not come in between your heart and God.

From John 14:1:  “Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God; believe also in Me”

Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) was a Scottish evangelist and Christian teacher.  Following his death from an illness while in Egypt during World War I, his wife took on the task of transcribing the detailed notes she had written from his lectures and sermons.  Gertrude Hobbs Chambers’ efforts resulted in the publication in 1924 of MY UTMOST FOR HIS HIGHEST.  I frequently read from this devotional, and it has greatly deepened my faith and understanding of God’s Word.

Resilient in Leadership

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Stormy clouds now gather

Reins held with steady hand

Confident in leadership

Vision meets each demand

 

Horizon sets choices

Consistency calls out

Dynamic in leadership

Navigates faithful route

 

World hungers for balance

Tempered with compassion

Gentleness in leadership

Efforts filled with passion

 

Opportunity breathes

From time-tested flagship

Decisive in leadership

Never loses its grip

 

Journey’s expectations

Surpassed with every test

Resilient in leadership

Finishes one more quest

 

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From My Journal (9/12)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

When we are afforded the opportunity to read about wisdom and insight shared from significant people from the past, our perspective is blessed with appreciated treasures.

Do you write a daily journal?  This inspiring thought comes from my journal, and much of what is written in my journal comes from reading and commenting on other bloggers’ posts.  Thanks to many of you for adding so much to my journal.

(Updated September 12)