Wise Enough

Greetings readers. We live on the south of the hill pictured. Our side escaped the recent forest fires, but the north side was greatly damaged. All thanks to barbecue wielding fools.  

Fire services from many counties lent their services, and were forced to remain for days. Many neighbours were evacuated too, but fortunately, all their homes were saved. 

Throughout the emergency, squadrons of swallows swooped in from all directions, and feasted on the clouds of insects fleeing the smoke. Only this solitary blue butterfly was wise enough to wait it out in our garden.

While all this was going on, our son, along with hundreds of fellow travellers, was stranded abroad due to flight cancellations, which took days to fix. 

I am happy to report that all’s well now. 

Thank you readers, and followers, for your ongoing friendship. I sincerely hope the times aren’t troubling you too far beyond the evils of the hour. Also, we have many more pics to share, so if heaven permits, I will be back soon.

Peace from Amras. 

This is what our Scriptures come to teach: in everything, in every circumstance, do to others as you would have them do to you.

Jesus

Screenshot taken from local news. 

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Contemplating Daisies

Here we go again, with freshly picked pics from our garden. I hope you enjoy them. The golden fellow seen contemplating daisies is Kato, one of our rescued greyhounds. Ironically, unlike his famous namesake, our Kato isn’t a very brave fellow. 

This final pic is a cross-eye 3D double. If you are comfortable using this technique, then please enjoy the result. If on the other hand you have trouble doing this, then please don’t try – it’s not worth a headache.

Until next time… keep seeking peace.

What was it like to wake up after having never gone to sleep? That was when you were born.

You are something that the whole universe is doing in the same way that a wave is something that the whole ocean is doing. The real you is not a puppet which life pushes around; the real, deep down you is the whole universe.

Alan Watts.

Easter Day

I’m back. Happy Easter everybody. This day is even more significant than Christmas. It’s been a whole year since our last post. My sincere apologies to all our friends who enquired about my welfare. Due to a combination of health, and complex WP connection difficulties, I’ve been unable to reply before now. So this is my first opportunity to say thank you – may the wind be always at your back.

The Greek church was photographed many years ago, while I was out strolling in the neighbourhood.

I hope to return soon, when I will update you on my current adventures. Until then, Peace from Amras.

Every sacrifice made to help another, honours Christ.

On The Surface

I hope all readers are growing in strength of spirit, and remembering that for sudden, the worst turns the best to the brave. When we know one or more who grieve, our duty is to give them what comfort we may. It is fitting to rejoice too, if grace allows, for the sake of those who have departed in righteousness. However, and despite how difficult this might be, I feel that perhaps we should also take a moment to pray earnestly for those about to depart in unrepentant wickedness. 

When my immune system was compromised, in 2004, I was forced then to adopt a form of ‘social distancing,’ as a way of life – which I’ve practised ever since. It has kept me incarnate. I used my scarf for a face mask throughout this time, and it’s worked very well.  Habitual cleanliness should go without saying. I dare say I will continue to live thus when the world has recovered. Although we are born without any choice but eventually to depart, what happens next belongs to the balance of the choices we are making here and now. If we gaze for too long at the the dancing reflections on the surface of things only, then fear will creep triumphantly in. Where there’s faith, there’s no fear. Faith and fear refuse to exist side by side. Faith fosters courage. Courage reminds us that our duty is to each other – and lends us the strength to do right. Even when we are stuck indoors all day long. 

And now, it’s time to change gear, by introducing a little levity…

“Two hunters are out in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t seem to be breathing and his eyes are glazed. The other guy whips out his phone and calls the emergency services. He gasps ‘I think my friend is dead! What can I do?’ The operator says: ‘Calm down, I can help. First, let’s make sure he’s dead.’ There is a silence, then a shot is heard. Back on the phone, the guy says ‘OK, now what?'”

I want to thank all readers and followers. I do appreciate your dropping by – and if I’m slow getting back to you, please bear with me. Finally, before I forget, the above pics were taken in March 2007. Be well everyone. 

Now we know that for those who love God all things are working together for good…

Romans 8:28

Photography ©Francis Moloney.

 

From Beginning to End

Greetings. Here’s a fresh post, for a new year. I’ve chosen one photo from each month of 2019. The atmospheric featured image, like the forest, was taken in January. October’s pic captures an upside down rainbow – a common phenomenon of late. December’s mysterious pic is of the moon, shining through the leaves of a close-by palm tree.

With that, I shall leave you in peace. May your life be blessed.

When winter beleaguers my troublesome bones, too often exhaustion will outweigh my pen.

“I closed my mouth and spoke to you in a hundred silent ways.”

― Rumi

 

Photography ©Francis Moloney.