Monday Memories: Big Sky Moments

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Waking up on a cold, frigid, winter morn

Looking like one more day with a storm

Pulling the warm covers over my bare head

Let’s fast forward to a new season instead

 

Always dreaming big at night

Never alone, perfect delight

 

Fast forward to a hot summer day

Sensational, unblemished blue sky

Feeling an urge to jump up, shout and say

Have you ever seen a more beautiful sky?

 

Seeing a Big Montana Sky

Morning sun climbs high

 

Traveling to Montana brings pure pleasures

Experiencing a saddlebag full of treasures

Shining high above, a cloudless view

Bringing a smile to God, always true

 

Always dreaming big at night

Never alone, perfect delight

 

Western hospitality, the Big Sky way

Filled with warmest smiles, no haste

Be certain to come back as we always say

Montana’s Big Sky, the Last Best Place!

 

Seeing a Big Montana Sky

Morning sun climbs high

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Both photographs come from my private collection of images from southwestern Montana.

Originally published June, 2019.

Monday Memories: Treasured Pleasures

Sunrise at Walnut Woods

Sunrise at Walnut Woods Metro Park in central Ohio. 

Every day, filling with precious moments

Life’s simple pleasures, love-filling treasures

Never again, take any for granted

Traveling life’s long road, each step measures

 

Darkened dawn sky, erupting with bright hues

Granddaughter taking first tentative walk

Life sometimes slows down, bringing a replay

Neighborhood sidewalk, hopscotch drawn in chalk

 

Neil Diamond lyrics, harmony through song

Mother calls, reminding me her love cares

Favorite novel, author’s words smile back

Trio of daughters, sweeter than a pair

 

Evening sunset, brings awesome pleasures

Tomorrow, witnessing simple treasures

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Sunset in Columbus, Ohio.

Originally published April, 2020.

Perpetual Treasures (Haiku Series #223)

Breathtaking Vistas

Wonders of nature

Endlessly magnificent—

Leaving us speechless

Montana’s Yellowstone River.

Living Classroom

Exploring today

Nature’s defining lessons—

Always teaching us

Montana’s Madison River Canyon Earthquake site.

Another Taste

Delightful buffet

Appreciate nature’s fare—

Nothing can compare

Montana’s southeastern plains.

Savoring Grace (Elfchen Series #145)

Embrace

Accepting

Christ’s teachings

Humble and gentle

Reaching out to others

Grace

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Treasure

Receiving

God’s love

Eternal, flowing grace

Let ours always shine

Patience

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Reciprocate

Sharing

Father’s grace

Following His example

Our turn to share

Love

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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.

Another Day (Haiku Series #218)

Quiet Perseverance

Reasons to finish

Overcoming challenges—

Never giving in

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Yesterday’s Peace

Time’s quiet moments

Opening each memory—

Never forgotten

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Treasures Waiting

In searching life’s depths

Finding intended nuggets—

Few others shall see

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Ben Okri Quotes

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Don’t neglect the gold in your own back yard.

A dream can be the highest point of a life.

Ben Okri (born 1959) is a Nigerian-born poet and novelist.  Much of his writing focuses on African post-modern and post-colonial traditions.

Charles Stanley Quote

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When our top priority is to please God with our life, we can expect treasure in heaven.

From Luke 12:20-21:  “But God said to him, ‘You fool!  This very night your life is being demanded of you.  And the things you have prepared, whose will they be?’  So it is with those who store up treasures for themselves but are not rich toward God.”

Oswald Chambers Quote

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If we are children of God, we have a tremendous treasure in Nature.  In every wind that blows, in every night and day of the year, in every sign of the sky, in every blossoming and in every withering of the earth, there is a real coming of God to us if we will simply use our starved imagination to realize it.

From Isaiah 40:26:  “Lift up your eyes on high and see:  Who created these?  He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because He is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.”

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.

Paulo Coelho Quotes

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Remember that wherever your heart is, there you will find your treasure.

One is loved because one is loved.  No reason is needed for loving.

Paulo Coelho de Souza (born 1947) is a Brazilian lyricist and novelist.  He has published over two dozen books, with THE ALCHEMIST being an international best-seller.

Hey Neighbor!

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Fred’s backyard shed is filled with his treasures.  When he is busy tinkering and grooming his immaculate yard, he is often seen heading to his shed to find another tool or implement of some kind.  Because he works from sunup to sundown every weekend, he is known around the neighborhood as “Farmer Fred.”

His next door neighbor, Milt, is a sociable and friendly sort of guy.  However, he has one irritating flaw.  He doesn’t own too many tools and such to help with his own yard work.  And of course, he feels a need to keep up with Fred’s pristine garden oasis.

Every day or so, Milt walks over to Fred’s backyard.  With a smile and a familiar voice, he calls out, “Hey neighbor!” 

He asks Fred if he can borrow one of his precious tools from the shed.  Fred always gives Milt the “okay” and watches him take it back to his place.

Over the next several days, Milt borrows a nearly endless list of Fred’s treasures . . . shovel, rake, wheelbarrow, trimmer, and even his brand new lawnmower.

On Saturday morning, Fred walks out to his nearly empty shed.  He thinks to himself, “Yes sir!  Milt has just about taken every piece of my valuable equipment and more to his place.”

With a scowl hidden by his ever-present smile, Fred swiftly marches over to Milt’s yard. 

“Hey neighbor!”