In the Stillness... Revelation

Coming Home to The Derrybeg B&B in Pitlochrie

2010-12-13T21:38:00.000-05:00

This is the Breakfast in a Scottish Bed and Breakfast! No blood pudding or haggis on this our first day. Good thing. We might have hied home!

We feasted on toast with Scottish marmalade, but that was just the beginning. Yogurt, fruit, granola, stewed prunes, cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage and more... And the coffee was filtered not instant.

Going back for more.

Scottish Hillsides

2010-12-11T12:26:00.000-05:00

Sheep are on every hillside. The scene may be pastoral and utterly sublime but be very careful. Watch where you step! :)

Shepherd's Croft

On the Way to Pitlochry - First High Land

2010-12-10T20:07:00.002-05:00

Kirkliston Churchyard

2010-12-06T01:46:00.002-05:00

Creaky iron gates led to a creepy old cemetery...

The church at Kirkliston, within ten miles of Edinburgh and very close to the Forth Bridge... It dates to the 12th century.

One of these headstones, dated 1706, reads:

"If ye would live & die in peace

then love God mercy & justice.

And keep from guilt your conscience clear

as strove this man who lyeth here."

Skull and crossbones... Is a pirate buried here? No, a little research on Wikipedia taught us that the symbol belonged first to the Knights Templar... a religious political force before and during the Crusades... Originally endorsed by Rome, they eventually became too powerful and fell into disfavour. When the Holy Land was lost, so went the popularity of the Knights Templar and their secret initiation ceremonies... The Jolly Roger symbol of skull and crossbones had its roots in the Knights Templar as early pirates were sometimes associated with the order...

Not sure what these symbols mean... We could have stayed here and taken photos all day....

Kirk at Kirkliston

2010-12-04T21:50:00.000-05:00

Scottish Windows

2010-12-03T00:26:00.002-05:00

Blanket

2010-03-17T00:00:00.000-04:00

Closed for the Winter

2010-03-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Sky Lace

2010-03-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

From Hardwood Trail Summit

2010-03-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Snowcap

2010-03-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

Poking Through

2010-03-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

Slippery Slope

2010-03-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

Icy Repose

2010-03-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Brittle Windchime

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

Stuck in the Snow

2010-03-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

Leftover

2010-03-07T00:39:00.001-05:00

Deer Tracks

2010-03-06T23:55:00.001-05:00

Winter Green

2010-03-05T23:53:00.000-05:00

Sunshine

2009-10-07T00:00:00.000-04:00

Moon

2009-10-06T00:00:00.000-04:00

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? Psalm 8:3,4

A Hint of What's Coming

2009-10-05T02:07:00.002-04:00

Wild Asters

2009-10-04T00:00:00.000-04:00

Treasure in the Swale

2009-10-02T00:51:00.000-04:00

On the Leaves of Bulrushes

2009-10-02T00:00:00.000-04:00

Bulrushes or Cat Tails?

2009-10-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

Evidence

2009-09-30T01:03:00.002-04:00

The spider. How can a brain that is smaller than the head of a pin, conceive and plan the engineering wonder that is a spider web? How does it know precisely where to place it? And which strands to make sticky for catching unwary prey, while leaving other strands non-sticky so that it can makes its own way about without getting caught in its own trap? How does it know just where to sit and wait? How does it know what to do with a hapless fly, once caught? How does it know?

Harvest Time

2009-09-29T00:00:00.002-04:00

Magical Morning

2009-09-28T11:03:00.001-04:00

Gossamer Light

2009-09-27T21:42:00.001-04:00

Sandy Loam

2009-09-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Ready for Harvest

2009-09-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

Left Behind

2009-09-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Liquid Lenses

2009-09-21T00:00:00.000-04:00

Sticking Together

2009-09-20T00:49:00.002-04:00

Crown of Glory

2009-09-19T11:22:00.001-04:00

Lake Bernard

2009-09-18T20:23:00.001-04:00

Just Gone Summer

2009-09-18T08:23:00.000-04:00

Summer's Last Stand

2009-09-04T00:00:00.002-04:00

Turning Brown

2009-09-02T21:00:00.000-04:00

The goldenrod is yellow

The corn is turning brown

The trees in apple orchard

are bending to the ground...

Lone Sentinel

2009-09-01T22:03:00.001-04:00

Can you see the bird?

Weeds Along The Sod Sea

2009-08-31T22:36:00.001-04:00

Looking Up

2009-08-30T00:00:00.001-04:00

Breaking Wave

2009-08-29T00:00:00.001-04:00

Summer's Waning

2009-08-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

Starburst

2009-08-27T00:00:00.001-04:00

Goldenrod

2009-08-26T22:33:00.003-04:00

Beckoning

2009-08-26T09:01:00.002-04:00

Thistle - a different perspective

2009-08-25T00:00:00.001-04:00

Thistle

2009-08-24T00:00:00.000-04:00

Bird on a Wire

2009-08-23T22:57:00.000-04:00

Under the Elm Tree

2009-08-23T00:00:00.001-04:00

Nearing Harvest

2009-08-22T22:40:00.003-04:00

Just a Hint of Glory

2009-08-19T09:30:00.002-04:00

Young (as trees go) Elm

2009-08-18T00:47:00.001-04:00

I pass this solitary tree as it watches over corn and sod fields most days on my way to work. There are a number of trees, including this one, that I think of almost as old friends and who I watch for on my travels. I have thought for years that this was a maple by its shape and arrangement of branches. I was surprised to realize only a few days ago when I happened to take a closer look and it's saw-tooth edged petal shaped leaves told me that it is actually an elm.

A Picture of Meekness

2009-08-16T00:00:00.000-04:00

Her eyes say it all. She may not be the prettiest dog in town, but my dog Peach is easily the most lovable.

Nature's Own Topiary

2009-08-15T00:00:00.004-04:00

Ruffled Feathers

2009-08-14T00:00:00.001-04:00

Though the image quality is poor, I'm glad I captured this moment in time, however ineptly. I couldn't help feeling sorry for the poor, wet, bedraggled sparrowhawk on the telephone line, it's wings spread to dry in the still dank air after a storm. He wasn't too wet to fly away from me, though, as I approached to try to get a better shot. Maybe next time.

Listening to the Corn Grow

2009-08-13T00:00:00.003-04:00

People scoff when I talk about listening to the corn grow. But on a hot muggy day in late July, when there's been a good soaking rain the night before, and the air is still, you can crouch between the corn rows (be sure to avoid the banana spiders who string their webs from stalk to stalk waiting to snare any unsuspecting living thing that dares to enter their secret lair) and listen as the leaves begin to unfurl, a rustle here, a squeak there. There's nothing quite like it, and everyone should try it at least once in their lives. Take it from me...

In the Woods

2009-08-12T08:53:00.001-04:00

Old Stump

2009-08-12T00:16:00.004-04:00

There's no telling how many years this old cedar stump has been buffeted by winter winds and scorched by the summer sun. I hope I grow old as beautifully.

In Good Hands

2009-08-10T20:00:00.002-04:00

Wild Red Berries - Not Currants

2009-08-09T00:00:00.001-04:00

Field of Beans

2009-08-08T10:48:00.001-04:00

I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor. For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. I Cor 3:6-9

Queen Anne's Lace

2009-08-07T22:54:00.002-04:00

What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us. Romans 8:31-34 NLT

Perspective

2009-08-06T08:03:00.005-04:00

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin: And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith? Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:8-33 KJV

Transparency

2009-08-04T23:19:00.000-04:00

Cedar Rail

2009-08-03T18:27:00.001-04:00

At the Brink

2009-08-01T00:00:00.000-04:00

From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another...

John 1:16

Water 8 - Awe!

2009-07-31T00:00:00.001-04:00

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm; though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand. I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.
Psalm 37: 23-36 NIV

Water 7 - Joy!

2009-07-30T00:00:00.002-04:00

No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.

Isaiah 54:17

Water 6 - Oxtongue River

2009-07-29T00:00:00.002-04:00

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. Isaiah 43:2a

Water 5

2009-07-28T00:00:00.001-04:00

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Psalm 46: 1-3

Water 4

2009-07-27T00:00:00.000-04:00

Water 3

2009-07-26T00:00:00.000-04:00

Water 2

2009-07-25T00:00:00.000-04:00

Water 1 - Treasure Trove

2009-07-24T00:00:00.001-04:00

The next few posts will feature one of the simplest, and most wondrous elements of creation - water. The recipe is simple: two atoms of hydrogen and one of oxygen - combining to make the substance which is essential for life from the simplest to the most complex forms.

Encircled

2009-07-23T22:22:00.000-04:00

Steppin' Out

2009-07-22T00:00:00.000-04:00

Old Crow

2009-07-21T00:00:00.003-04:00

Kindred Spirits - Owen's Hand in Justin's Hands

2009-07-20T00:00:00.000-04:00

Lil Green Apples - The Promise of Harvest

2009-07-19T00:00:00.000-04:00

Trillium 5

2009-07-18T00:02:00.000-04:00

Trillium 4

2009-07-18T00:01:00.000-04:00

Trillium 3

2009-07-18T00:00:00.000-04:00

Trillium 2

2009-07-17T20:00:00.000-04:00

Enlightened Leaf

2009-07-15T00:00:00.000-04:00

Frog Huntin'

2009-07-14T00:00:00.002-04:00

Auntie Ab rallies the troops and entices them to join the adventure.

The dogs, Daisy and Peach are thinking, "What are those crazy humans up to this time???"

Mikey runs down a victim...

Abby closes in for the catch.

She finally gets her fingers around one of the slippery things.

The children are curious, but careful.

Awwww!

Mikey the brave touches it first.

Could this one be a prince? Nobody would kiss him to find out!

Good Dog

2009-07-13T00:00:00.001-04:00

Georgia Peach joined our family in mid-June. She was adopted so that I could take her to work with me, where she has a ministry of her own with the children who receive services there. She is the perfect dog for that purpose... excellent with children, non-plussed by commotion, as calm as a cucumber in any situation. She's an answer to prayer. Here she is being approached by grandson Josiah, almost 2, who isn't quite sure yet what to think of dogs. He picked a good one to start with.

Daisy-days

2009-07-12T12:48:00.004-04:00

Lengthening Shadows and Ripening Wheat

2009-07-11T00:01:00.001-04:00

This Way, Please!

2009-07-10T00:01:00.001-04:00

Umbrella Tree

2009-07-09T00:01:00.000-04:00

Ontario Woodlands

2009-07-08T09:57:00.004-04:00

Kindred Spirits

2009-07-07T23:15:00.004-04:00

It was a large party - nearly 20 of us sprinkled here and there over a couple of acres on a summer's evening. Some were swimming in the pond, others hunting frogs, and others roasting marshmallows. But these two cousins, grandchildren of ours, Nolan, 5, and Elizabeth, 4, always seem to find each other...

Lamps of Owen's Soul

2009-07-06T23:32:00.004-04:00

I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven. As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God... Psalm 123:1,2

Paul's Garden

2008-06-16T23:51:00.002-04:00

I Peter 1: 22b-25
"...love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."

Revelation 1

2008-06-11T01:00:00.004-04:00

Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. When I saw it, I fell facedown... Ezekiel 1:28