Amongst Brightest Stars

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Another school day, found in learning’s shrine

Thoughts seeking adventure’s breath of escape

Youth deserves to fill tomorrow’s headlines

Endless visions gathered, flight plan takes shape

 

Looking up into heavens’ blackened sky

Seeking to travel amongst brightest stars

Dreaming of final frontier, flying high

Searching incessant mysteries afar

 

Piloting starship of latest design

Fascinating discoveries in view

Transforming as universe redefines

Unlocking galaxy’s intimate clues

 

Departing from mankind’s earthly cocoon

Reading Jules Verne’s “From the Earth to the Moon”

 

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This poem has been crafted as a sonnet:  Note the four stanzas filled out  with 14 lines, each line contains a total of 10 syllables, and the consistent rhyming pattern connects every other line in each stanza.  It is doubtful that William Shakespeare ever considered designing a sonnet around this theme.  Renowned French writer Jules Verne published one of literature’s earliest science-fiction novels, From the Earth to the Moon, in 1865.  

From My Journal (4/11)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

A writer’s journey taps into an endless well when words are drawn from the child’s imagination in each of us.

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 April 11)

Jules Verne Quotes

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Man is never perfect nor contented.

The human mind delights in grand conceptions of supernatural beings.

Jules Verne (1828-1905) was a French novelist, poet, and playwright.  Several of his novels became classics, and two of his finest works are listed in the quotes above.  His writings were highly skilled in their technical aspects, even though his vision was years ahead of his lifetime.

Promised by God

From Psalm 107:1-2:  “O give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.  Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, those He redeemed from trouble.”

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Overcoming one more trial

Patience seeking unsteady heart

Navigating life’s endless miles

God’s light insuring faith’s fresh start

 

Bringing lost sheep to green meadows

Darkness replaced with mercy’s hope

Meeting truth, forever aglow

Savior extends light’s righteous rope

 

Giving thanks to Christ’s steadfast love

Redemption proven, empty tomb

Releasing grace from high above

Spirit’s light, transforms every room

 

Fulfilling Word, promised by God

Thirst now quenched, hunger at last fed

Witnessing His love, never flawed

Light at cross, enemy has fled

 

Transforming life, away from sin

Faithfulness renewed, finding grace

Blessing Resurrection’s linchpin

Savior’s light takes its righteous place

 

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From Ephesians 2:4-5:  “But God, who is rich in mercy, out of the great love with which He loved us even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.”

From My Journal (4/10)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

When we trust in what God promises, our faith journey takes the high road.

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 April 10)

Charles Swindoll Quote

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God puts us in the wilderness to test us, to stretch our spiritual muscles.  Our earthly wilderness experiences are designed to develop us into men and women of faith.

From Deuteronomy 8:2:  “Remember the long way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep His commandments.”

Dignity Intact (Haiku Series #274)

Resolute

Solid character

Bracing against every storm—

Always standing tall

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Sincere

Genuine remarks

Appreciating others—

Integrity speaks

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Resilient

Fame’s fleeting limelight

Humility covers heart—

Enduring respect

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From My Journal (4/9)

agriculture countryside daylight farm

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From Big Sky Buckeye

Walking with character and humility out front, one’s dignity remains intact.

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 April 9)

Marc Benioff Quotes

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Out of clutter find simplicity.  From discord find harmony.  In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.

Life grows relative to one’s investment in it.

Marc Benioff (born 1964) is an American entrepreneur and philanthropist. 

Monday Memories: Ridgetop Treasure

From above the ground, a trellis provides a fertile place for grapes to grow.

From a ridgetop garden

Nature’s treasure hides out

Offering its harvest

Flora lives all about

 

Flowers blooming early

Winter now disappears

Colorful bouquets reign

Sweetest fragrances cheer

 

Warming springtime sunshine

Changes the ground cover

New, tender shoots of grass

Young deer will discover 

A young deer finds the tender grass to her liking.

Trellis roof shelters grapes

Ripen in summer’s sun

Fill with juicy flavor

Birds enjoy tasty fun

 

Apple and black walnut trees

Shading nature’s grand shrine

Fruit dropping to the ground

Squirrels and deer will dine

 

Former home site lives on

Garden paradise waits

Coming alive each spring

Winking back at its mates

Apples ripen in the warm summer sun.

All of the photographs were taken during a couple of recent morning walk at Chestnut Ridge Metro Park, which is just minutes away from Canal Winchester, Ohio.  The hilltop garden remains long after the house (built in the 1930s) was abandoned.  I was blessed to spend several minutes photographing a very cooperative deer while I was quietly standing near a tree.  

Originally published July, 2020.