WEEK 4 – Creative – Quiet Moment. 
A bluebird day in February is an invitation to take a drive. The sky was unbelievable. The air sparkled. Just off one of the back roads near here, a little flock of Canada geese were enjoying the relative warmth of Battle Creek, which steamed in the frigid air. The sunlight caught in the mist and in the golden grasses, and gleamed on the fresh snow. Hardly a breath of wind, not a disruptive sound. All was quiet, except for the quiet murmuring of the creek.
Category Archives: Photography
A lingering look at life
Photography Challenge 2018 | Week 3 of 52
WEEK 3 – Technical – Full Manual.
Since I always shoot full manual, I had to decide which photo opportunity to use for this week’s challenge. (Well, last week’s challenge. I’m a little behind in posting.) Although it isn’t the greatest photo, I chose this picture of my uncle burning a slash pile, and then also had to throw in one of the actual pile – it looks so toasty. Last Sunday, we had enough snow cover that we were able to burn seven slash piles, a couple of them fairly good sized. I wasn’t there for the igniting of them, but I helped chuck later that afternoon – that is, consolidating the piles by “chucking” in the edges, after they have burned awhile. This reduces risk of the fire spreading by pulling in all the fuel from the edges, and also makes the burn more efficient with less leftover.
Nothing like playing with fire on a cold afternoon. And everyone who is available gets in on it, making for a productive and satisfying family afternoon. I love the heat, the work, the camaraderie, the snowy pine needles sizzling, the sparks whizzing up, the brilliance of the hot spots beneath the bigger logs, the smell of smoke, the soot. One of my favorite parts about living on a registered tree farm. Too bad burning doesn’t happen more often. Just plain fun.
Photography Challenge 2018 | Week 2 of 52
WEEK 2 – Composition – Color Harmony. 
Winter coziness. A cup of hot tea and a good book. Nothing else is needed.
How Much I’d Miss
A lot is sacrificed for the sake of convenience. And certain conveniences, I’m more than happy to enjoy. For instance, a vehicle that runs and actually has heat in the winter (no air conditioning in the summer, I’m afraid) is a convenience I enjoy. And having a piano in my house rather than in the Miner’s Cabin, that’s a convenience I enjoy. Having quick access to hiking trails, that’s a convenience I enjoy. But I’m afraid that living close to town is not a convenience I enjoy. It isn’t a convenience I want to enjoy. And I am so thankful to God for having gifted me this opportunity to live in the place I love the most. 
This was my drive to Custer yesterday to teach piano. Highway 244 is scenic already, but with clouds and fog drifting in and out of the spires and trees, shrouding and uncovering the landscape, it had a feeling of mystery. It is a 45-minute drive that is never a chore. In moments like these, with views like these, with winding highways and granite spires lost in the fog and soaring views of valleys and further peaks, that I am drawn in thankfulness to the reality of God’s goodness. He created all of this beauty! He didn’t need to, there was no requirement that he do so, and yet he did. And I am so thankful for inconvenience. It would be convenient to live closer to a town, no doubt about it. It would be convenient if I tried to fit myself into a normal 9-5 job routine, rather than doing multiple things on a part-time basis. It would be convenient if I didn’t have to drive a minimum of 35 minutes one way to get to church or work or Bible study or the store. But how much I’d miss. How much I’d terribly miss.
Photography Challenge 2018 | Week 1 of 52
WEEK 1 – Vision – Look Ahead.
I look ahead at the beginning of this year, and I see a stretch of my road clearly, complete with all the challenges and hazards and beauty, and then the road disappears out of sight. It is intimidating on the one hand, but that is where the adventure starts. What happens next? I also look back at the old year and see things I want to fix, heart attitudes, habits, and disciplines that I want to mend, establish, or strengthen. So with optimism and faith, I turn my eyes back to the New Year, with trust in God’s grace to teach me what I need to be taught and to strengthen me for whatever trials He allows, and with confidence that God will work all things for my good and for His glory.
Socked In
A heavy fog bank. A lonely lane. A beautiful morning. 
Song Dog Journal 