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!

more fall moments

Starved Rock State Park, in Oglesby, IL, is filled with hiking trails, canyons, high cliff views of the Illinois River and, in the Fall, the beauty of all those fallen leaves. My colleagues and I go to this park for our annual hiking trip to celebrate birthdays on our staff. We enjoyed a cool, beautiful day! Thanks for stopping buy.

all hallows eve chicago style

As seen in Chicago on a beautiful, unusually warm All Hallows Eve.

fall moments

Always enjoy an opportunity to return to Devil’s Lake State Park for our annual staff retreat.

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

darkness framed in beauty

My wife has been diagnosed with a clival chordoma, a rare cancer. She has surgery scheduled for Nov. 24. Thank you for your prayers.

dwight correctional center

On a recent motorcycle ride I went past this property, and because I love old, abandoned structures, it caught my eye, and I decided that I was going to return, so, I did. This was the Dwight Correctional Center, located just west of Dwight, Illinois. It was the state’s only Level One maximum-security adult female facility. It was opened in 1930 and closed in 2013. The buildings are beautiful, in a sad way, and I will return to further explore this 160 acre location.

lakeshore moments

Spent some time with family at Van Buren State Park in Michigan. The park is beautiful with camping for giant RV’s and tents, and it is located close to beautiful South Haven, MI.

9/11

we must tell the stories of this great land
the stories of our struggles and flaws
the stories of tragedy and suffering
of all that needs to be healed and restored

we must also tell the stories of valor and bravery
the stories of unimaginable courage
in the face of unspeakable evil
stories of men and women
who represent
our highest ideals
our best selves
men and women
who through their character
their love of country
and their other centered hearts
remind us that we must live for others
that we must reach beyond self

with gratitude for those who protect and serve
for those who rescue and heal
we sing
America! America!
God shed His grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer strain
The banner of the free!