Glistening Snowflakes and What's Happening Beneath
Lots of photos and videos below, so one of those “too long for email” posts. Also, a reminder that MaryAnn and I are talking Pluribus on Monday, Feb 9 at 12pm ET. “Hello Carol…”1
The last few days have been a gift of winter beauty around here. A few mornings ago, I was heading out when a brief snow squall came up while the sun was shining brightly giving a sense of thousands of glittery lights falling from the sky. There’s no photograph or video that can adequately represent the sense of what that was like but I have shared a few below.
And then Friday morning was winter beauty in another way. It wasn’t sunny but it was in the low 20s (so not miserable for Scout or me) during our walk. As we were walking, snow started falling once again in earnest and it was just a beautiful walk in the snow for both of us (although a photo of Scout below might be her communicating the opposite). As we walked, I closed my eyes a few times to simply feel the flakes falling on my face. I’m smiling about the feeling as I write this.
As we wrapped up our walk, we went by a few of the small waterfalls there - now largely frozen over since we’ve rarely been above freezing since the beginning of January. But even though it looked from a distance like it was frozen solid, water was still moving beneath. It was a reminder to me that, even if things look one way, there is likely something else happening that might not be seen. Reminds me of the realm of God parables that we read in the Gospels when Jesus talks about the realm of God being like a mustard seed or tiny cell of yeast - it is about how these tiny things work their magic in ways that are often unseen...until they aren’t. I needed this reminder in lots of areas…
And finally, while driving to/from the woods on Friday with Scout, I listened to a podcast that was just so deeply moving, encouraging, and challenging - How to Talk About Peace from the TED Radio Hour. It was a combination of two conversations. One was with activist Aqeela Sherrills who helped to forge a literal peace treaty in the 90s between the Bloods and Crips gangs in Los Angeles. The other is between Aziz Abu Sarah and Maoz Inon - one a Palestinian and the other a Jew as they talk about their friendship and the realities of the hard work of peace.2 I cannot recommend it highly enough. So rather than a book recommendation in this post, I commend this podcast to you. As you listen, remember these words that were shared by Aziz Abu Sarah in the second conversation... “I learned that the first step in reaching a shared society and a shared future is knowing the other side’s narrative.”3 Deep wisdom there.
So that is what I have felt and heard the last few days...here’s what I’ve seen (and tasted as several as I caught them with my tongue):
Thursday Morning - The Glistening Snowflakes
Friday Morning - The Gentle Beautiful Snow
And of course the ever expressive Scout…
Grace, Peace, Love, Hope, and Joy,
Ed
If you have watched Pluribus you know what I’m talking about here…Sorry for the inside Pluribus baseball…
Do note that the conversation was recorded just days after the October 7 attacks by Hamas where Maoz Inon’s parents were killed and Aziz Abu Sarah‘s home in Gaza was under furious and unrelenting bombardment in retailiation by Israel.
When I was driving on 471 on Thursday morning it looked like a black and white movie scene except for the green exit signs. Great pictures but I am so glad to see the snow go.
Cool photos. God/ the universe is a constant revelation. The snow, a mustard seed, your pictures. Scout.Thank you