Give Thanks...The Skies Of Palm Sunday

 Yesterday, several storm fronts blew into Utah, leaving rain and snow across the entire state. Thankfully, we suffered no wide-spread damage, or none that I've heard of where we live. If we have a rainy season, I'm guessing we're in it now.

Utah is one of the driest states in the country, and I'm not talking about alcohol. Growing up here I thought it always snowed (and snowed a lot...) in the winters. I remember there always being snow on the hill and we could go sledding and tubing whenever we wanted. I know that's not true, but as a kid, you remember the things you remember. 

Because it's the rainy season now, the skies are full of clouds, sometimes big, puffy, and white...sometimes so thick you can't see the sun. Today, Palm Sunday, we had both. Years ago I worked with a man who was also a photographer. He showed us some of his photos and much of his best work included pictures of clouds. He said he loved clouds because without them, you have just blue sky and that can be a little boring.

He's right.

This morning, I snapped a picture of the eastern sky. So dark and so light at the same time. This afternoon the huge white cumulus clouds rose into the sky and it was beautiful. I am thankful for the rain and the snow. Without it, nothing survives, nothing grows and everyone would be forced to leave. And on a day of reflection, where thoughts turn to an ultimate sacrifice I'm thankful for so many things, so many good things in this world. I'm also thankful for the skies where we live...

They're beautiful, too.

Give Thanks...For Living In A Winter Wonderland

 The snow caused problems, canceled church (for us...), and took a lot of man hours to clear.

It's also beautiful.

That's undeniable.

Last year in our area we had a record-breaking winter. I don't know what specific records were broken, but I do know that I shoveled/moved more snow last winter than I have in any other winter my entire life. It was tough on us, but we survived. This year, instead of being responsible for eighteen driveways, sidewalks, and approaches, we've only ours.

So thankful.

This year brought me a new perspective. In December our family took a vacation to Southern California. We had a great time. On one of our last days, we drove up to Solvang, a little town north of Ventura that's known for having a little slice of Denmark within its borders. We walked around, talked to some of the locals. At one store, they asked where we were from and the saleslady said we must be enjoying the warm California weather.

It got me thinking. Was I? Was I glad I was in California where it was 80˚ on the beach the day before, or in Utah where it was close to freezing? I seriously hadn't thought about it. I wonder if I would like living in a world without seasons. Because of that trip, I've considered this question a lot this winter.

This morning I spent an hour clearing the eight to ten inches of snow from our driveway and not eighteen. I'm thankful it was only one. Tonight I stepped outside and took a few pictures of the neighborhood. It was quiet, the only stillness that exists after a snowstorm. Lights from homes and cars reflected off the cloud cover above. I'm thankful for the snow, and I hope that never changes. I'm thankful for the home that keeps the snow outside. I'm thankful to be able to see and enjoy the beauty that only exists in winter, with snow on the ground. I'm thankful we live in a winter wonderland.

Taking Pictures...Of Flowers

What is it about flowers that make us want to look at them? I say "what makes us" but what I really mean is "what makes me," and I say "look at them" but what I really mean is "photograph them." In this digital age, I could take a thousand pictures a day (and sometimes it feels like I do...). 

This morning as I waited to get into the building where I work, I took out my camera and snapped a few shows of these cute little purple flowers. I have no idea what they are, but they were beautiful, of course.

On Monday I could have taken reams of pictures of the flowers at the cemetery. I did get one that I felt best captured the spirit of the day.

Then a few weeks ago when the irises were in bloom, I got some pictures of our purple flowers after it had rained.

There's just something about seeing a flower in bloom. We're drawn like bees. And as long as the flowers continue to be captivating and I have a camera, I'll probably be captivating their images.