A psalm for winter

Ah Lord, you are the Artist.

It's never more obvious than in winter

when your attention to the most intricate of details is plain for all to see.

If, indeed, we will see.

Or can see.

But why must you test our resolve so with your sensory deprivation?

Where is your light, your warmth, your aroma?

You test not only our resolve, but our character and good sense as well.

And so often find us lacking.

Woe to us.

And also, you test our wakefulness

and watchfulness.

We are working so hard to keep our eyes open, Lord.
But it's not that easy.
There are things we would rather not see.
We are weary.

Even so, you reward our feeblest efforts to stay present

with glimpses of life

and light.

Reminding us that this is but one season.

We will put our best face on as we are able.

Sometimes we will convince ourselves and forget that we were faking it.

Then, Lord, let the joy spill over onto others.

And sometimes we won't even bother to fake it.

But our hearts will find abiding hope in knowing that underneath it all,

you are at work in us.

You are, after all, The Artist.

And we are your art.

Selah.

Photographer's Prerogative (zoo edition)

At the end of all the summer activities, 

it's always good to return to our old favorites.

Photo 52, Week 35:  Photographer's Choice

Of course, the zoo's photo contest was soon to close,

and I knew I needed to make my photographer's choices for that too.

Ben was my date, and he was willing to wait patiently while I shot a few more.

The highlight was these lynx kittens.

I totally get that mama right there.

They were so much fun to watch.

Then there are the flamingoes.

Colorful, graceful.

Photo 52, Week 36:  Back/Behind
We sat behind this guy at the bird show.
It's always so fun to see the expressions of the people who get surprise visits from the birds,
and also those around them.

Does that rack not make you want to call and schedule a chiropractic appointment?

This photographer's choice is clearly to keep taking pictures, 

even if there is not time to process them all.

Urban (Chicago, to be exact!)

Photo 52, Week 32:  Urban

One good thing about being in charge of Photo 52 is that I get to set the theme schedule.

Believe me, I am not above choosing "urban"
(although it was suggested by another participant)

when I was about to head out to Chicago with my family.

A girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do--

within reason.

I have come to love cities by exploring my own.

Of course, the biggest cities are all on rivers or large bodies of water.

For Chicago, it's beautiful Lake Michigan.

Our first stop was Navy Pier the evening we arrived.

In one direction, the fabulous skyline…

…and in the other, the lake.

One of the highlights of that evening 

was finally meeting my friend Laura face to face

after a few years of online photo projects together.

We just picked up as though we had seen each other a week ago.

Another place we chose to visit was Shedd Aquarium.

I love how stately all the old museums are--

and beautifully state of the art on the inside.

Next stop, Museum of Science and Industry.

I went here twice as a little girl.

It's grown up a lot!

The kids loved the science experiments.

I loved experimenting with having long legs.

Since it's our tradition to squeeze one too many things into the time we have,
we walked up Lakeshore Drive, past Buckingham Fountain
to The Bean and Crown Fountain at Millennium Park.
Thankfully the fountain was more than willing to pose for me
with or without the family.

If you go to Chicago, you need to relax and enjoy Millennium Park!

Thankfully my family managed a smile for the nice lady who volunteered to take our picture.

They had tired feet.

But it was worth it!