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 Romans 12:2: “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.”
If anyone needs evidence of God’s presence, just witness a sunrise. His creation trusts in His light every day.
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.
Think it over. Are you living every day as if it’s your last for His Glory? Do you remain balanced, cheerful, winsome, and stable, anticipating His return?
From 1 Thessalonians 4:16: “For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
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
A plane crashed between the border of France and Belgium. Where were the survivors buried?
(answer found at the end of this post)
Featured Facts
The wild turkey of North America is a wary and magnificent bird. While domestic turkeys fulfill America’s demand for Thanksgiving dinners, the wild turkey freely intermingles with deer as they frequently share the same habitat.
Here are a few quick facts about the wild turkey:
Habitat: woodlands, grasslands, swamps (prefer mixture of woodlands and open clearings)
Wingspan: 4-5 feet
Weight: male, up to 24 pounds; female, up to 12 pounds
Diet: nuts, seeds, fruit, insects, small lizards (omnivorous)
Lifespan: 3-5 years
One of the American Founding Fathers, Benjamin Franklin, is said to have preferred the turkey over the bald eagle as the nation’s choice of national bird. Of course, the eagle’s fortunes have soared while the turkey’s have stayed closer to home.
Turkeys are found in nearly every region of the the lower 48 states of the United States. Conservation efforts have allowed the turkey population to recover from reduced numbers because of hunting and loss of habitat. In the early 1900s, roughly 200,000 turkeys roamed America’s woodlands and grasslands. Today, their number has ballooned to 6-7 million.
Sometimes nicknamed the “bird of courage,” the turkey is a related species to the ring-necked pheasant. There are five subspecies of turkeys in North America: Eastern, Osceola, Rio Grande, Merriam’s, and Gould’s.
Turkeys are not migratory, but they may wander during the autumn season. They are most active in foraging during the early morning and evening. Their nests consist of shallow dirt depressions, surrounded by vegetation. Natural predators of the turkey include coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, Golden Eagles, and Great Horned Owls. Turkeys must defend their nests from other predators, including raccoons, opossums, skunks, snakes, foxes, and woodchucks.
A male turkey features more colorful and distinctive features than a female. Their distinctive red wattle hangs from the beak, and a dark tuft of feathers covers the breast. A female’s colors are more muted, subtle, and duller.
Turkeys will roost overnight in trees, which provide greater protection from predators. Mature turkeys are capable to running up to 20-25 miles per hour, and they can fly short distances at speeds of 50-55 miles per hour.
clockwise from top left: mature male in his colorful attire, female hen (note smaller size and more subtle colors), flock gathering, in flight to escape predator or seek SAFETY in tree, comfortable among deer’s presence, female with her brood. (Images courtesy of Pinterest)
Answer to Brain Teaser Question
They weren’t buried because survivors don’t need to be buried.
Even a sliver of hope will keep us searching and eventually finding the Light.
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.
There is always hope when people are forced to listen to both sides.
Both teachers and learners go to sleep at their posts as soon as there is no enemy in the field.
John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) was an English philosopher, civil servant, and political economist. He was a member of the British Parliament from 1865-1868.
The German hymn, “We Plow the Field and Scatter,” was written by Matthias Claudius in 1782. The lyrics were set to music in 1800 by Johann A. P. Schulz. The hymn was translated into English in 1861 by Montgomery Campbell.
As you listen to this song, focus on the lyrics as they appear on the screen. They add a meaningful visual image to this series of poems. The hymn’s piano melody is played by Mary Munson.
In Christ, our imperfect faith transforms through His new creation.
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.
In my weakness, I have learned, like Moses, to lean on God. The weaker I am, the harder I lean on Him. The harder I lean, the stronger I discover Him to be. The stronger I discover God to be, the more resolute I am in this job He’s given me to do.
From Joel 3:16: “The Lord roars from Zionand utters his voice from Jerusalem,and the heavens and the earth shake. But the Lord is a refuge for his people,a stronghold for the people of Israel.”
Joni Eareckson Tada (born 1949) is an American Christian author and radio host. Much of her work has focused on ministry in the disability community. Her life journey is a living testament to this quote.
Big Sky Buckeye 