For today's pholog I am sharing a montage of this grand church building downtown that is a beacon for hope. I felt moved to honor her after attending virtual church this morning.
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4/15/2020 0 Comments Clear Skies Over the Inland EmpireCaptured this view on my walk this morning here in Riverside. That is the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance and Mount Rubidoux here in Riverside. The clear skies are, of course, a side benefit to the current Stay at Home order due to the Covid 19 Pandemic.
4/12/2020 0 Comments The Easter Bunny with BasketsI vaguely remember taking capturing this image at an estate sale in Loma Linda a while back. Just seems appropriate for the out-of-step Easter we are having this year.
4/10/2020 0 Comments Underwater For a WhileThis stepping stone with the sun, moon and stars is under the water from days and days of rain here in So Cal. It will still be there after the rainwaters have dried up and the sun comes out once again. Symbolic, I think.
4/9/2020 0 Comments Clouds Offer HopeIt's been raining here in So Cal for days and days. But there is always a break it seems and the skies seem so much much clear in these days where so many are staying home. I saw this vision and that is indeed the sun shining through. Perhaps there is still hope for better days ahead.
4/6/2020 1 Comment My Fantastical List of ListsWhat One Does During a Shut DownWhen I don't know what to do with the time I have, as during this externally imposed stay at home order, I go to my default mode. I make a list. The joy of making lists is that it makes me feel like I am really doing something. It's like laundry and washing the dishes: it's good to do, must be done; but like laundry and washing the dishes, one must actually do the things on the list for it to be effective. A good list and last a long while. I can post it, review it, check things off and feel good about accomplishing something on your list. I can make a list of my lists. My list of lists would include:
This list of lists can get very long. By the end of it, I will have accomplished something. I'll feel organized. I'll have something to work from. It helps me prioritize. It should work as something to hold me accountable! And, aye, there's the rub. I can make all the lists I want and commit to doing each one, but if I am the only one who sees them, well, I guess I can easily slack off and give myself wonderful excuses, which I won't go into here, but you get my drift. So, there you have it. In writing this post I have without much effort, made lists and a list of those lists. Now comes the moment of truth: sharing the list with the world. And if you are reading this here and now, I hit the share button. And what do you know? I have you maybe to help me be accountable. (I'm a crafty devil, huh?) 4/5/2020 0 Comments Triumphs and SorrowsI'm not necessarily a wholly holy believer, but I do believe there are many lessons to be learned from the story of Jesus as told in the Bible. On this Palm Sunday, I listened online in the time of COVID 19 to my church's* Palm Sunday Service. As always when I do listen to the pastor's sermon, I come away thinking about things in a different way. After all, one of this denomination's mottos is "Don't leave your brain at the door."
The reverend spoke of two stories from the Book of Mark. One about Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem and the other of the anointing of Jesus at Bethany**. My biggest takeaway from this sermon was in line with what the reverend spoke of: this is a story of triumph, a balancing in preparation for what was to come, sorrow, and the eventual triumph to some. Greeted by worshipping throngs, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, a humble "king of the jews", but really a great teacher. The woman at Bethany anointed him with a precious oil that was used to both celebrate the elevation of Jesus and to calm and soothe him in preparation for what was to come. Lest I get into sermonizing myself, this whole story for me opened my eyes again to the fact that in my life there are "wins" and there are "losses". It is a constant swing from highs to lows. The pendulum, as is oft said, swings both ways. That is what is happening now, I believe. Wildly to be sure. But eventually the pendulum will settle again in the middle, perhaps this time to stay. *First Congregational Church United Church of Christ, Riverside CA ** Mark 1:1-11 and Mark 14:3-9 4/4/2020 0 Comments Personal GuardiansThe is the gargoyle that stands at the entrance to my house. He has been in this spot for many years now. Most of the time I am inured to it. I don't even see it most of the time. And yet it sits there, day after day, night after night, watching the comings and going of the neighborhood and the postman and the visitor.
Then every so often he catches my attention again. And I thank him for keeping a watchful eye on things. Today this image reminded me that often there are people and things we take for granted who are always somehow looking out for us. Seems acutely true in this time of mysterious viruses and social isolation. Just when we think we are all alone, something like this gargoyle comes back to our consciousness and reminds us to take note and be aware: there is a force in the universe that is always on our side. Whatever that is for you, focus on it now. This too will pass. Only time will tell. 4/3/2020 0 Comments What Does the Bunny Know?A while back I captured this image of a bunny in the underbrush at UCR's Botanical Gardens. He seemed to be watching me, following me as I strolled. It was a different time then. Much has changed. I wonder if there are bunnies there now? I imagine for them, life goes on as normal. I also imagine them wondering, if bunnies do indeed wonder, where all the people have gone.
I am trying to keep that memory of normal times in my consciousness. Surely like nature, we, as a humankind, will get through this. Only time will tell and only if we remain together while staying apart. 4/2/2020 2 Comments Pandemic ParadoxIf you look close at the window, in the lower right you will see Sebastian, my bengal cat. He was watching me as I was gardening outside in front of my house. He is a house-cat. He will most likely always be a house-cat. He seems okay with it most of the time. The warmer weather ahead will be a trial for both of us I am sure. But I fear he must stay inside because I have lost cats to the outdoors and do not want to do that again.
On another note, looking at him sitting there, probably wondering why he can't join me outside, well, I have say I feel guilty. His world is limited, not unlike what we as humankind are experiencing right now in light of the coronavirus pandemic. I can relate. Being on restriction through no fault of my own, I, like Sebastian, the chafe of being denied our freedom. But it is ultimately for our own safety. And there's the rub. Do we want to be safe? Of course. Do we want to take chances? Not if it means risking the health and safety of others. For Sebastian, it's for me (and for him). For me, it's the world (and for me). My mom would probably have said about now, ultimately, "this is all for your, (and our), own good." And there you have it: the final paradox we are living in these days. |
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