Nature Photo of the Week: Violet-Green Swallow

Absolutely stunning photograph of a Violet-Green Swallow from the Nature Conservancy Photo of the Week. I did not take this picture, but I certainly admire GOD's handiwork. Look at that expression!

Mississippi River flooding: Residents build homemade dams to saves houses | Mail Online

Extraordinary measures by some individuals in the flood-ravaged Mississippi/Yazoo River basin to save their homes... Gives a new perspective on the old adage of a man's home is his castle... Also highlights those individuals who take to heart that they (not the government) are responsible for their family's safety.

Mississippi River flooding: Residents build homemade dams to saves houses | Mail Online

Hike - Mtn Creek - May 21, 2011

Hike: All trails Mountain Creek, Sat., 5/21/2011, 10:00-12:00
Distance: 4.0 miles  Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Mostly cloudy to clear.  Hot.  Humid.  Breeze light and variable.  Trails dry and clear.  Creek was low (typical summer condition). 

Thoughts/Observations:
Fighting a headache but a great hike nonetheless.  First opportunity to "get out" in over a month and did I need it.  Wildflowers, ferns, and vines were showing off today.  The forest is in full foliage - a Treasure Forest indeed!  Several gray squirrels chasing each other and a few cottontails in the hardwood bottom-land.  Observed many different types of ants at work, but was not greatly bothered by flying insects (good!).  Beautiful day to be out in GOD's Creation.  Kept thinking about the verse, "The heavens declare the glory of GOD, And the firmament shows HIS handiwork." (Ps. 19:1)  The firmament (mixed hardwood & pine forest in this case) was certainly showing HIS handiwork.  I am so thankful and blessed to be the recipient of HIS work. 

Iran to Build Missile Base in Venezuela - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

A very sobering thought... Iranian missiles based in Venezuela pointed at the United States. If they are allowed to be deployed, guess what area of the US is within striking distance... the South and Southeast.

Iran to Build Missile Base in Venezuela - Associated Content

Arizona Bobcat Climbs at the Sharp End

While I would not recommend trying to climb a Saguaro cactus, I suppose being chased by a Mountain Lion would make one rethink possibilities. I don't blame this little Bobcat for getting as high up as he could!

Arizona Bobcat Climbs at the Sharp End: "

You’re just minding your own bobcat business, like you always do, sniffing out rodent tapas in your desert home, keeping an eye out for Miss Bobcat, of course, when along comes a freight train of fangs and claws and fur, Felis concolor, who was a jerk and a bully when you were kits and still is, chasing you like nobody’s business until you nearly lost your dignity scrambling up this conveniently placed cactus. Conveniently placed, but ow freakin’ ow.

Southwest photography Curt Fonger received a call from friends who saw the cat atop the saguaro and quickly made his way out to the spot to grab these shots. The mountain lion was long gone, but the bobcat, likely freaked out and in no particular hurry, hung out for six and a half hours.

Then, according to Fonger, it came “down from the top about five feet or so, then the cat launched itself out into space (about three and a half stories up), came down on all fours, and vanished back into the wash, going back up into the Superstition Mountains,” he said. “It wasn’t hurt in any way.”

Maybe not in a visible way. But who knows what scars were left on the inside?

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Survival Survey: Picking up the pieces | The Survival Mom

Survival Survey: Picking up the pieces | The Survival Mom

Some interesting and sobering things to consider. If you are in the path of a mile-wide EF5 tornado, there is no "safe place". All preparations could be eliminated in a "heart-beat". Our ultimate preparation is a Real Relationship with JESUS CHRIST.

Those of us with families would do well to consider "what if"...

Christian Response to Yesterday's Storms: Pray, Do, Prepare

The super-cell spawned tornadoes of yesterday tore devastating holes in the State of Alabama, leaving over 125 confirmed fatalities.  As people wake up and walk around in the light of a new day, they will begin accessing the level of death and destruction and asking questions. 

Many people will ask why.  There is likely no definite answer to that question.  We can speculate and postulate, but GOD has not revealed everything to us.  We simply trust and continue in HIS love.  I believe a better question, particularly for Christians to answer, is "what now".

What can I do as a Christian?

Pray 

We are told to "pray without ceasing", to live in an attitude of prayer -- our communication link to GOD.  As a Christian this should be our first response (to all of life).  Pray for those who are experiencing grief.  Pray for those who have lost homes and jobs.  Pray for those involved in Rescue and Recovery.  Pray for individuals to be drawn closer to GOD and to each other.  Pray for healing, for love, for peace, and for direction.  Pray for GOD to grant you the wisdom to speak a "good word in due season", to open doors for you to share HIS love, and to direct you  to those that are hurting.

Do 

Practically demonstrate GOD's love to others.  Give to those who are in need.  Volunteer in your church and community.  Look out for the needs of those around you -- not just for yourself.  Support worthwhile disaster relief agencies (such as Alabama Baptist Disaster Relief, Red Cross, Salvation Army, etc.).  Gain the knowledge and skills you need NOW, while there is time.  (Redeem the time, because the days are evil.)

Prepare 

Don't wait for a disaster to strike you and your family -- prepare for those events NOW.  Do not rely on government agencies to provide for your security and safety.  Take responsibility for your family's safety.  As much as First Responders may care and try, they cannot be everywhere at all times.  We are living in Perilous Times. 

Is there anything noticeably different in your life from the rest of the world?  The most basic preparation we all can make is Spiritual!  Where will you spend eternity?  Do you have a personal relationship with JESUS CHRIST?  If we have prepared spiritually, then the Peace of GOD will rule in our hearts and minds no matter the "storms of life".

After securing our Spiritual (eternal) situation, then look at practical, tangible ways to prepare as GOD provides for your needs.  Do I have a "safe place" in my home in the event of severe weather?  Do I have emergency stores of water, food, shelter material, medicine, and other necessities to last for at least three days in the event I am cut off from supplies or have a prolonged power outage?  Do I have the knowledge and skills to adapt to emergency and post-disaster conditions?  Does my family have an Emergency Plan?  Does my family know what to do in the event of an emergency?  What if our family is separated and there is no communication -- what is our plan?

Use the time GOD has given you wisely.  Love HIM, love others.  Look and know the times, the seasons (spiritually and physically speaking).  Pray, Do, and Prepare!

Mountain Creek Hike after the Storms

Hike: Mountain Creek, Sat. 4/16/2011, 09:00-11:00
Distance: 4 miles   Rating: 5/5
Difficulty: Easy
Conditions: Beautiful day! Temp in 60s. Brisk wind. Ptly cloudy. 09:00-11:00
Thoughts/Observations:

Morning after fierce storms tore through Alabama.  Trails were wet and discharge in creek was near full.  Observed passarines, crow, & gray squirrel.  Fortunate to witness the courtship dance of Eastern Tiger Swallowtail! 

Had a brief (albeit exciting) encounter with 5 dogs!  Their masters had left them off-leash and they were a bit too aggressive.  Thankfully none got close enough to bite. 

I am thankful for the opportunity to get out in the wilds today.  I really needed it.  My schedule has been nothing if not hectic the last month.  Dad is recupperating from surgery nicely, though he is still in some pain.  I am conducting Larry McCord's funeral on Sunday.  Kathy has an appointment with the surgeon at UAB on this coming Tuesday.  And then the Spring Outage starts Easter Sunday.  Whew... Thank YOU, LORD, for YOUR peace in the midst of the storm.