Saturday, August 22, 2009

A Day at the Beach

My art loving friends and I went to do some sketching at the beach. I wanted to get some ideas for a beach painting I want to do. It was so windy. Every time we started to draw, our paper and pencils were blown away. It reminded me of another time I went to the beach with my family to eat a relaxing dinner and enjoy the scenery. As soon as we parked, got our table and started to put the food on the plates, the sky darkened and the wind suddenly started blowing so hard our plates, plastic ware, and napkins went flying before we took a bite! We struggled to pack it up again to go home to eat. Skirts, hair, bags and we were blown back to the car, laughing all the way home. Sometimes our plans or good intentions get changed through no fault of our own. It just happens. I have learned to be flexible.
Well, our intention to sketch at the beach was also changed. But, I still wanted to get an idea for a beach scene painting and spend time with my friends. So, I pulled out my camera to take pictures of possibilities for a painting. I said, “Let’s go for a walk and let me know when you see a good shot for a picture.”

Come along and walk with us…


I loved all the bright colorful umbrellas dotting the shoreline.



Be careful ! The yellow warning flag is waving! Waves were high and the surfers were having a great time.

Even though our plans changed, we still had a wonderful time walking, talking and enjoying the fresh air and our friendship. We are happy you came along, too!

Sunday, August 2, 2009

A Window...


Lets
you see inside… out… and satisfies your curiosity…
Gives a view…
Lets light shine in…out…
Reflects and casts shadows…
Protects against the elements- rain, snow, wind...
Let’s air in… and out
Can relax…or alarm
Creates the mood…
Is a place for cats to sit…for birds to rest or lay their nests
Is a perfect place to put a potted plant…
Of opportunity
Of heaven
In nature
Of hope.
(If you can think of any more, please leave them in the comments below!)

(Picture on the right: My kids back in the Chicago days.)
Unusual windows always catch my interest. A couple of years ago, when Peter and I visited England, we found out that the designer of the lobby of one of the old hotels in London was the same man who designed the main lobby and ornate staircase of the Titanic. Since we were walking by, we had to see it for ourselves. The resemblance was there right away! (We had seen it in the movie…) The ornate stairs were lit by the natural glow of light coming through these beautiful windows. Each one had a different emblem on it: a Crest, a flowered heart and a cross.
The crest reminds me of family and honor. All my actions reflect on my name and family. The flowered heart reminds me of compassion. May I always have compassion for those in need. The Cross, which I was delighted to see, reminds me of my faith. May I always be a “window” in which the light and love of Jesus can shine through.
Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”
John 8:12

On another day, while visiting the Lawnswood Cemetery in Leeds, I took a picture of this window, as it gave me a spooky feeling. It reminds me of the seed sown among the thorns in the parable of the sower.

“And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.”
Mark 4:19

What a contrast to the staircase windows above! I know I don’t want my life to reflect a window like this. Lord, help me keep the “window” of my mind and heart clean in your Word!
Amen.
(Photographs will be available for download at www.PraiseExpressions.Com)