To your death we will part

We spotted three large alligators on the upper Suwannee today. These two were above Bell Springs. A bit further up just below Big Shoals another basked upon the late afternoon Hamilton County bank.

Ascension of the dogwood petals

After returning from Big Shoals with Jordon, I made the evening walk to the end of Tevis for another attempt at the Dogwoods. I have the most difficult time focusing the Canon S100, wishing it had the control that a SLR does in focus. Returning, I spoke with my neighbor, offering a play tool set to Nathaniel. I explained they had left for eight months. I said, if you can find another who would get use from it, that would be better. Beside, I would be sad seeing it.
Nathaniel and I would make this walk or ride in the wagon up to these dogwood trees. He liked to run under the pines and gather up the cones. I am not dealing too well with this silent separation.
Pray for me.

Farewell Nathaniel

The last photograph of Nathaniel. I went over to Julia's on Sunday to confront Amber about her long silence. After finally getting in, I learned that Nathaniel had been at her mother's all along since last week, that Amber never returned from Texas, but following Landon to Biloxi. I was beside myself, but composed. I spent several hours with Nathaniel at Julia's, as Amber had left strict instructions not to let him out of her sight, like we would be of harm to him!
I was able to hold him and he fell asleep in my arms. I gently laid him down and left. I tried on Monday to plead with Julia that Mamma, Melanie and Jordon needed to see him. She was too afraid of Amber. She never called me back. She too has been brainwashed by Amber, as has Landon our son.
Amber has managed to take from Landon everyone in his family, his friends, leaving only her and Nathaniel in this fatal like attraction she has for him.
She most of all needs prayer. Landon needs prayer that he will see the importance of family and overcome her attempts to ruin his family life.

Under Grace

Went by old Westside Baptist today to read the meter. Walked up under the porch to view the nice concrete etching work that was done several years ago. It was voted to sell this church on US90 and build a new church on property west on Turner Road down from Harvey's.
Tom Bart and I were the only two men present who voted against the move. And as it turned out, it would have been best had the other men followed our leading. For what was once a unified group at Westside, is now a split group, Christ's Fellowship and Grace Life Church.
Most unfortunate.

Thomas Tobacco Barn

How did I derive at this? First in Picassa(poor mans free photoshop), I took the color photograph taken today and enhanced the color in saturation. Second, I turned it into infrared and slide the focus to the right to bring some color back, just a touch. I then chose the HDR button, again sliding the amount back to the right to decrease the affect. I then ligthened the overall scene in Highlight. It gave it more of a graphic affect, less a photograph.

March

by john clare
I do not like this third month
that comes with such stern
command to March!
March whether you are
ready or not
March to Orange Hill
March to Biloxi
March right out of our lives
And who dares disobey
The strongman's command?
And so we March
In rank and file
abreast around the
parade ground
Until late into the night
when all have gone
and all is silent
And we ease up for but
a rest
Only to hear from the
darkness
the strongman command
March!
March!
MARCH!

O Heli

It is not known if Jacob(Matt 1:15) or Heli(Luke 3:23) was the grandfather of Jesus, as both are listed in his family tree. Could be that both were, one on Mary's side, the other, Joseph's side. Either way, one was. I chose Heli.
Today I all but gave up on trying again to see Nathaniel before Amber and her mom move out to Biloxi this week in the rented U-haul. Repeated texts and phone calls to Amber and Landon have gone ignored. Amber left strict instruction with her mother while she stayed out in  Biloxi these past two weeks not to let Nathaniel out of her sight.
I called her yesterday in hopes of taking Mamma and Melanie over to see Nathaniel, pleading that Mamma will not always be with us. She could not let her fear of Amber overcome her. She never called back. I called her today and left a message, apologizing for making her uncomfortable.
This is beyond my comprehension, that a son and a daughter-in-law can be so callous. So what if they feel they were in some way wronged. Get over it. We all slip up in family and do things that we regret. But we do not, at least up until now, cut off all lines of communication.

Little Nathaniel

My heart is so sad tonight for my little grandson. I so miss that joyful laughter he displayed when my son Jordon was tickling him, I miss that little hop and skip happy walk with the arms behind his back, I miss his little blue Kentucky shirt, matching the bright blue eyes.
There is so much as grandparents we did. He loved to have us read to him and loved to point out the characters in the Disney dictionary book. Loved to gather the chicken eggs. Loved to play in the sand pile. Melanie loved to buy him clothes and dress him up.
All this is fast becoming but a memory as this week he moves with Landon and Amber to Biloxi and then on to who knows where, out of our lives.
To see him today broke my heart. That laughter and joy upon his face was missing. Shoeless with ant bites between toes. Old worn out tee and homemade hand me down pants. A large scab above the ankle. Hair straggly in need of a trim. Seemingly something hurting in his mouth. Fingernails I would cut growing long. I could go on.
I am praying diligently that this week some reconciliation is made with us and Amber, and then Landon. The two, in their strong infatuation with one another, have pushed everyone out of their lives.
While the only crime Melanie committed was going to Landon's Air Force graduation against Amber and Landon's wishes, it is not a crime deserving of the death sentence.
I am so weary of Christians, especially my own son and daughter, who claim a walk with Christ, walking so far from the truth, yet expecting everyone else to toe the line.
Father, bring us all to a family again.

Near to Pappa

this poem is adapted from the hymn, Near to the heart of God.

There is a place of quiet rest
Near to the heart of Pappa
A place where love is best
Near to the heart of Pappa.

There is a place of comfort sweet
Near to the heart of Pappa
Hold me, who loves so greatly
Near to the heart of Pappa.

There is no place he'd rather be
Near to the heart of Pappa
A place of love and full safety
Near to the heart of Pappa.

O Saviour, blest protector,
Sent from the heart of God
Hold him who sleeps so quietly
Near to your heart, O God.

Today was a lead up to several weeks of much, much sadness. Today I finally was able to visit my little grandson, Nathaniel Manoa at his grandmother Julie's house. With Amber his mother in Biloxi with my son Landon, for the past many weeks, all lines of communication has been cut off to Melanie, Jordon and I. It is too long a story, but suffice to say, it has been quiet unsettling and dispiriting to us.
Now I learn today that Amber never came back from Landon's Air Force graduation in Texas, but went to Biloxi where they are to live.
Amber is returning this week early, taking a U haul back with most of the furniture we gave them, plus the Pathfinder we gave them to live for the next six or more months while Landon is in tech school. While I am grateful they are securing a home, it greatly distresses me that they are leaving and at this time, have no interest in keeping the lines of communication open with us.
I cannot fathom going months without knowing about them, especially Nathaniel.
If anyone reads this blog that is a praying person, please pray that the Holy Spirit will soften and convict their hearts and they will repent of this estrangement.

oak of lona

this is oak of lona before the transformation into monochrome.

Oak of Lona

playing around in Picassa. First made the color image infared. then I darkened over-all scene slightly. then i used the cross process to add a touch of color, to make it look hand-tinted. then i put on the border and the signature. voila.
the color image was good too. i just like the black and white for landscape as well.

Stormy day

The day was grey and in the afternoon strong winds with intense rain and lightening made its way across Lake City. This SUV was not one of the fortunate ones. About an hour earlier, Melanie and I were returning from my sisters house in town in the driving rain. It had to be moments after we passed that a large oak fell on this car, crushing the roof. We do not know if anyone was hurt, but it sure looks like they were.
Jordon and I rode back through town to observe the damage, which was widespread. Those photographs are on my Facebook page.