The Heavens Declare

Amid the fallen below, in the midst of ongoing despairing, the exhultation of some, the downtrodding of others, the grand choir above continues in praise, unaffected by our minor chords of disharmony.
We can only look up and bow the head in wonder, how the proud can be so humble, the humble so proud. The great paradox all about.
Deceptions and illuminations going on all about. Knees bending, knees breaking. Heads puffing, heads emptying.
All we can truly say is, Christe eleison, "Christ, have mercy!"

Contrails to the Moon

Christ's Fellowship

Taking the verse from I John that our fellowship may be one another and Christ Jesus, the Christ's Fellowship Church has been created by Russell Taylor, former Pastor the last eight years at Grace Church. The church currently meets Sunday's at 10:30AM in the shed at Russell and Christina's home off County Line Road near Wellborn. At 3PM, the youth meet. Following each morning service, the members bring lunch and fellowship during the afternoon. The women and men meet every other Wednesday at 7PM as well.

And Crown him

This past Thursday I had a pocket draining two crowns installed for a total of 2200, due to not going to an in network dentist. Thus, my perturbed expression. This will be my last visit to Dr Marks replacement, Dr Baittle. Melanie said there was no excuse for the receptionist not telling me to check with an in network provider instead of just telling me my insurance does not cover crowns. Not the full information.
We have been going here for years. I will have to send them a letter expressing our frustration with them, though I should have known better myself. But, when I did the first work for these crowns, two years ago, with the root canal, we were in a different dental plan that did not have out and in of network. Still, no excuse. Could have saved at least half of this cost.

7 Days Outdoor Concert

This past Saturday at 3pm we attended the 7 Days Group outdoor concert at David Hamilton's mothers house. David's mother, who has poor eyesight, no longer lives there, so the 7 Days Band uses it for their practice site and a place to keep their equipment. With the recent split up of the Grace Church and Russell Taylor, the Pastor resigning, it was an opportunity to fellowship together. Russell formed a church currently out of his home called Christ's Fellowship. Three of the band members, Scott Hamilton, Tony Register and Tyler Elder now attend this Fellowship. Lani and Tim Clark and Gary Byerly of the band stayed at Grace under Brandon Elixson and Gary, the elder.
The Hamiltons provided chili and desserts. A good group of over sixty attended, though many we had hoped to see did not attend.

Melanie has a birthday!

This past Friday evening at 5:15 Meme Clara, Jordon and Hannah, Landon, Amber and Nathaniel met Melanie along with Gerald and Bille Earl, Melanie's parents, at the Olive Garden in Gainesville. We took our PT Cruiser and Pathfinder, Jordon and I in the Pathfinder to meet Hannah at Grace Church. We had the private booth which made it easy to hear one another. Nathaniel sat in his booster chair but mostly was passed around. We had a velvet cake afterwards that Amber bought along, with the Olive Garden waiters singing to her.
Afterwards, I rode home alone, Hannah and Jordon and Meme with Melanie in her Camry. They all arrived home before slow driving me.

Fishing upon Alligator Lake

This brother and sister duo were with their father today at Alligator Lake. The father had his hands full. One he said, was manageable, but together, a different story. They were fishing at the sink behind the Tiger stadium. I broke the cardinal rule of photojournalism and failed to get their names. It is hoped we will cross paths again, and I shall get their names. They were, even without names, quite the cute pair.

Anhinga Hideout

Beyond the vegatation growing thicker and thicker is an anhinga. The Alligator Lake Park series of dikes are an excellent means of exercise and wildlife observation, especially the large waterfowl, like heron, coots, pelicans and various other migratory birds. As the vegetation grows to maturity, the views are being obscured. Efforts are being made we see to keep the vegetation in check, though a continual effort is needed.

A dry lake

This is a view of the sinkhole in Alligator Lake that recently opened and drained the water from the lake. The only water remaining are on the south end, which is quite low, and the Alligator Lake Park basin which retains water due to two dams. Sometime in the near future, the Game Commission plans to dredge the deeper canals near the dikes in the lake, throwing the dirt on the dikes and making them more of a gentle slope. After that, they plan on mulching the bottom, riding it of aquatic vegetation which is evasive when the water levels are low.
They hope to try and maintain a fish population, which in low water times, is decimated by the cormorants, anhingas and now the wintering White Pelicans and myriad of other water fowl.

A study in Clover and Cypress

Mexican Clover

There is a patch of Mexican clover in the shade of the cypress trees at the Alligator Lake Park behind the Department of Transportation headquarters. I have gone here the last few days at varying times, weather conditions, attempting to photograph these little pink flowers with the large clover leafs. The challenge is to expose the background cypress trees at the edge of the lake, and keep the small flowers in the shade exposed properly and in focus. This calls for flash on a low setting, a small f-stop and a low angle. I have yet to get all the elements as I want. In some, the background looks good. In most, the flowers are not in good focus, or the flash too strong. Then, when the elements both seemed to work, I notice in the background, on one of the cypress trees, a sign.
I will continue to photograph these Mexican clovers until I feel I have gotten it right. That is what usually keeps me coming to an area over and over, never tiring of the location. There is always plenty of subject matter, lighting conditions and improving upon past efforts to keep one going for a long time.
This particular photograph is not representative of what I am trying to attempt. This was taken with little of the trees in the background, allowing for an easier exposure. The white spot in the left corner is the result of this, and what happens when you attempt to meter the close up clovers or the cypress.

Gadarene

Must I place the posts as close as those at the zoo,
in order to keep my Gadarene in,
or do I place a single post for you to run a cabled circle?
What color shock collar should I choose for you?
And the muzzled bite bit?
And where shall I find the raw hindquarters you prefer?
Or do I simply have mercy and take you back to the tombs?
It was not a good time to take on possessed things
But still we scheme
And try to convince the neighbors we must have
balanced natures
That too many cats and dogs roam
That too many predators leer upon our little ones
That too many Witnesses, politicians and
Latter-Some day Saints knock continually
Swine herds procreate on our lawns
That we need peace
Quiet
Help natural selection along
It was a noble thought
A Gadarene in every neighborhood.