There’s an old John Denver song that reminds us that “Some days are diamonds and some days are stone…” on this frigid November day, here are a few (but not all) of the diamonds I experienced today. Today’s gifts.
Month: November 2018
Gettin’ On the Thanksgivin’ Train
I’m sitting on Amtrak’s Lakeshore Limited outside the Buffalo, NY station. The wind is whipping. It looks like it’s about 10 degrees out, even though my weather app says 35. Those that chose to take advantage of the ‘fresh air break’ are certainly getting it, maybe more than they needed.
It’s an 18 hour train trip to our destination, if everything is on time, which at this point it’s not. The train’s about two hours behind. We’re about at the halfway point.
The train is full. There will be 150 more getting on in Rochester! Most, I figure, are heading somewhere for visits with family and friends for the Thanksgiving holiday. And, they prefer to hop on the train rather than drive the snowy (at least here) highways on this, the busiest travel day of the year.
From where I’m sitting, most people are engaged in some sort of activity on an electronic device. Me, too. I’m not hearing much conversation. It’s a pretty quiet car. There are few intercom announcements. Melissa, in the cafe car is a lot quieter than her colleague, Rachel, who works this train occasionally, and will clog the sound waves with all kinds of things we ‘need to know.’
The view outside is quite dull. There are no oranges and yellows punctuating the grayness. There’s no blue sky peeking around the the edges of clouds. Wildlife sightings? Nope, not even any deer near. It seems as if the scenery that makes looking out the train window worthwhile, is taking the holiday weekend off.
So, that’s what’s going on here this morning – pretty low-key. But, every train trip is different. Sometimes it’s just a way to get from one place to another. The destination is what’s important. Sometimes the ‘journey’ becomes the main event.
The main event this weekend, however, is giving thanks, wherever we are and with whomever we are. We are giving thanks for today’s gift and every day’s gifts, which are — . You fill in the blanks. You know better than I.
The Path … New Every Morning
This morning was cold and blustery…
The lake effect snow piled up enough overnight to require boots while walking the trail.
The look of the path was definitely new this morning. Here are some views…
This morning, this ‘new look’ reminded me that… “the steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22, 23
The Path
The Path
[Note: The photos that follow were taken with my phone, not the good camera. I know I can do better, but they’ll give the flavor of today’s walk down the trail.]
Now that I’m retired I take a long walk pretty much every morning, pretty much along the same path. Even though I’ve fallen into what may seem like a boring routine, today’s walk came with some surprises.
It started with the first snow of the season! 
I saw more deer today than I have in a long time. Sometimes they seem almost tame.
My goal today, laugh if you must, was to take a selfie with a deer along the way.
What about turkeys? I’ve seen them from time to time, but I never expected this!
Today it seemed as if there was something new, something unexpected around every turn in the path, deer, turkeys, splashes of fall color, not ready to give in to inevitable winter blasts.
I had a great walk… in the snow, with the deer, and the turkey’s and fall’s last lingering colors.
Praise to the Creator, the maker of deer and turkeys and snow and by whose providential care we walk our daily paths wherever they may lead. Today’s gift…
Things Along the Way
What I heard on the radio this morning motivated me to revise my plan for the day. Which is to say, actually make a plan for a seemingly empty dreary, rainy, gray-sky day. All it took to get me going was a weather report that included high winds and big waves. There were gale warnings for Lake Michigan and up to 11 foot waves!! It was time to take my camera for a ride. And, so I did. I made my way to the shore, winding my way along back roads to see big waves and whatever else I could find along the way.
I started out looking for big, bold, violent waves bashing into whatever was in their path. However, what I found along the way, was quiet beauty. The splashes of yellow and orange from trees that punctuated the grayness of the day. The farmer’s market, where one could still get apples and cauliflower and Brussel sprouts provided an opportunity to taste and see goodness. And on and on … the delightful music on the radio dancing around the car, the fall rain washing the face of the earth, the edges of a lake shrouded in misty rain, the empty back roads and much more all made for a wonderful afternoon adventure.
Walk as Children of Light 