Category: Around Town

new day in the nook

Morning workout at the gym… check! Taking time to give thanks for a new day and enjoy a sunrise… check! Have a great weekend. “The nook” is a nickname for my home town, Minooka, IL. Thanks for stopping by.

winter 2021

For most of February the temperature has been below zero. We are currently above freezing, and it looks like we will stay there for a while….say, for the rest of the year! These are some images taken at our home. We had a ski slope in the front and beautiful snow diamonds in the back. Thanks for stopping by.

winter beauty

Ice fog + frigid cold air + the morning sun + our beautiful town = a spectacular morning!

gentle words

gentle words are a tree of life*
is there gentleness
in your heart today
kindness in your soul
meekness in the tones
of your voice

what impact do we have on others
do we justify the very attitude in us
that we condemn in others
do we demonstrate the very hate
we call out in others
gentle words are a tree of life

are we willing to love
before we declare how right we are
do we see our blindness
as we call out for justice and judgement
all the while marginalizing
diminishing
tearing down
feeling so good
all because we possess unquestionable wisdom
gentle words are a tree of life

and pride will be our ruin
each of us deceived
holding out our torch of truth for others
beckoning the world to listen and follow
content with the darkness inside our hearts
gentle words are a tree of life

LORD
have
mercy

* Proverbs 15:4

winter moments

Just a couple of winter scenes near home.

Thanks for stopping by.

the lonely bean

The pandemic has left what usually is the most crowded spot in Chicago, empty and a bit sad. There was a small crowd gathered with appropriate social distancing so that The Bean can remain COVID free. So far, it’s working.

what i saw on the riverwalk

We have lived in the Chicago area for 16 years now and these images are from my first visit to the Riverwalk in Chicago. You can read about the history of this beautiful part of Chicago here.

color and light

Just a few images of light and color. November is being rather kind by sharing mild temperatures. The Illinois River and my home are the locations for these images. Thanks November!

and He is love

the beautiful sadness of fall
colors singing proudly
before cascading to the earth
creating a carpet
of emerald crimson and lemon
to welcome the solace and solitude of winter

the humility of each season
is the common theme of the songs they sing
each season happily surrenders its beauty
to the charm and grace of the next
and so all creation sings to the Creator

let us do the same
welcome the constant change
that this life brings
and be alive
to all that must die within us
and be willing to surrender
to all that must be reborn
through confession
forgiveness
and the grace and mercy
of our Lord

"Yes, grass withers and flowers fade,
but the word of our God endures forever." *

and
He
is
light

and
He
is
love

* Isaiah 40:8

oh that midwest sky

Took a short ride with rain to the north, and rain to the south. I was able to stay in the middle and enjoy the beautiful Midwest sky. Thanks for stopping by.