Lumen prints, revisited. A friend suggested that I "bleach" them with potassium ferricyanide, and it worked wonderfully. I have plans for these. I'll let you know when my plans come to fruition.
I have a favor to ask.
If you're reading this, please leave in the comments section your favorite encouraging quote, scripture verse, song, poem, whatever. Something that is HOPEful. Something that inspires courage and reminds you that IT WILL GET BETTER. something that you have called on in times of need.
I'll leave you with a few crappy cell phone pictures of sunsets that I've taken recently.
there's this color in sunsets and sunrises
i don't know what it's called
it's elusive
green gold blue
so calm
the color of purelove
no fear
just knowing courage
i want to be that color
-anon
Comments
Lord, you are Holy above all others, and all of the strength that I need is in your hands.
I am not asking, Lord, that you take this trial away. Instead, I simply ask that Your will be done in my life. Whatever that means, that is what I want.
But I admit that it's hard, Lord.
Sometimes I feel like I can’t go on. The pain and the fear are too much for me, and I know that I don’t have the strength on my own to get through this.
I know that I can come to you, Jesus, and that you will hear my prayer. I know that it is not your intent to bring me to this point just to leave me in the wilderness alone.
Please, Lord, give me the strength that I need to face today. don't have to worry about tomorrow.
If you just give me the strength that I need today that is all I need.
Keep me from sinning during this trial. Instead, help me to keep my eyes on you. You are the Holy Lord, and all of my hope rests in you.
Thank you for hearing my prayer.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
--
Forgive yourself for not being the richest, the thinnest, the tallest, the one with the best hair. Forgive yourself for not being the most successful, the cutest or the one with the fastest time. Forgive yourself for not winning every round.
Forgive yourself for being afraid.
But don't let yourself off the hook, never forgive yourself, for not caring or not trying.
-Seth Godin
Island where all becomes clear.
Solid ground beneath your feet.
The only roads are those that offer access.
Bushes bend beneath the weight of proofs.
The Tree of Valid Supposition grows here
with branches disentangled since time immemorial.
The Tree of Understanding, dazzlingly straight and simple,
sprouts by the spring called Now I Get It.
The thicker the woods, the vaster the vista:
the Valley of Obviously.
If any doubts arise, the wind dispels them instantly.
Echoes stir unsummoned
and eagerly explain all the secrets of the worlds.
On the right a cave where Meaning lies.
On the left the Lake of Deep Conviction.
Truth breaks from the bottom and bobs to the surface.
Unshakable Confidence towers over the valley.
Its peak offers an excellent view of the Essence of Things.
For all its charms, the island is uninhabited,
and the faint footprints scattered on its beaches
turn without exception to the sea.
As if all you can do here is leave
and plunge, never to return, into the depths.
Into unfathomable life.
--- Wislawa Szymborska
The gold photos are gorgeous....
What a gift!!
And FJ's right. Sunset photos can't compare to the real thing. I think I try to capture that sense of awe and wonder...and that only comes when you're looking at the beauty in real-time. :-)
sorry, i had to! :p
You Be Illin by Run DMC
day when I was chillin' in Kentucky Fried Chicken
Just mindin' my business, eatin' food and finger lickin'
This dude walked in lookin' strange and kind of funny
Went up to the front with a menu and his money
He didn't walk straight, kind of side to side
He asked this old lady, "Yo, yo, um...is this Kentucky Fried?"
The lady said "Yeah", smiled and he smiled back
He gave a quarter and his order, small fries, Big Mac!
You be illin'
day you won a ticket to see Doctor J
Front row seat (in free!) no pay
Radio in hand, snacks by feet
Game's about to start, you kickin' popcorn to the beat
You finally wake up, Doc's gone to town
Round his back, through the hoop, then you scream "Touchdown!"
You be illin'
The other day around the way I seen you illin' at a party
Drunk as skunk you illin' punk and in your left hand was Bacardi
You went up to this fly girl and said "Yo, yo, can I get this dance?"
She smelt your breath and then she left you standin' in your illin'
stance
You be illin'
dinner, you ate it, there is none left
It was salty, with butter and it was def
You proceeded to eat it cos you was in the mood
But holmes you did not read it was a can of dog food!
You be illin'
Thanks for sharing the Seth Godin quote.
I appreciate it. I've heard he writes some good stuff, very motivational.
Are you part of On Taking Pictures on G+?
p.s. we're all friends here. I have the best blog buddies.
that poem is absolutely beautiful. Talk about going straight to the heart.
I LOVE POETS!
Thanks for sharing Wislawa Szymborska.
Yesterday I read some out of Ephesians, and it was helpful too.
The Bible has so much to say about not letting fear win...having courage.
xoxo
The first video reminded me of a song by The Call.
check it out...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=to2KasivROc
...and I used to love Let the Day Begin! :)
That's so cool.
I didn't discover that band until I was in my 30's. I think they were one of the most underrated Christian bands in their day.
The lead singer's son fronts his own band now called Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.
Okay, it's been so long since I"ve listened to "Christian" music, now I've gone down a wonderful rabbit hole.
This is one of my old favorites...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVd7Hh5WCyc
Did you feel obligated to respond to each commenter? ;)
no.
I wanted to. :-)
I love that nearly each one was from a different source.
We have a Christian radio station nearby. I sometimes cringe when listening to it on the radio, but have found Christian bands to have gotten quite good. I still love the now disbanded "Flyleaf", Switchfoot, Evanesence, Casting Crowns...
From Albert Einstein. One of my favorites.