Sitting On the Back Porch

The altostratus clouds stretched out in drifts like sand on a deserted beach. Random waves of wispy white lie against a backdrop of baby blue. They appeared motionless, frozen in an abstract painting of ghost white smeared on a canvas of Bleu de la France.

A light breeze rustled through the trees. The sparrows, doves, and pigeons chirped, cooed and warbled as they found their roost for the night. The temperature was perfect…while the thermometer said eighty four it felt like seventy two and the air was as fresh as if it had just rained.

The early evening’s sunlight pierced the atmosphere at a low angle and the suspended particles filtered out the shorter wavelengths leaving the longer ones to illuminate the underside of the clouds in shades of crimson and pink.

I sat there mesmerized until the last ray of light had faded and a mosquito whispered in my ear “it’s time to go inside”

It was that magical hour before sunset…the perfect end to a perfect day…the Lord ’s Day.

News Flash

Here is another breakthrough in solar technology. The solar clothes dryer is most economical of all appliances known to date. Its low initial cost and zero cost of operating make it the most efficient renewable energy and eco friendly device yet to be invented. Construction of this device should the restricted to the serious DIYers. Parts are readily available at Wal-mart (bag of 50 wooden C Ps for 97 cents)

The Spiral Notebook

I opened my single subject wide-ruled spiral notebook and paged through the scribbling and scrawling looking for a blank page on which to write. It occurred to me that I had been derelict in my duties of transcribing the notes and atrocious penmanship into a readable and logical sequence of events. Now, I must go back through all these pages of nonsense and try to figure out what I was thinking or if I was thinking…searching for some special nugget of wisdom in my incoherent rambling and writing. The editing process is like panning for gold…a laborious and painful process…there’s a lot of worthless silt, dirt and gravel that must be tossed aside.

Upon finding a blank page I realized that I had absolutely nothing to write about. So…there I sat in the wee hours of the morning, in the last pew, in an almost vacant chapel staring at the golden monstrance that holds the Lamb of God. It’s kind of humbling to be in the presence of the One who is responsible for all of my undeserved blessings. We all have different gifts…undeserved blessings, graces and charisms. I must recognize that they are not for me to hoard, but to share…to share with others. They must be given away if they are to be of any benefit to me.

This part is easier said than done…for me…someone who is a bit possessive with stuff and has some difficulty swallowing when it comes to pride. My preference would be to receive credit when it’s not due and enjoy the proverbial pat on the back…never acknowledging the true source of my gifts but rather to wallow in the admiration of the wide-eyed fan. Truth be known… it is you Lord Jesus that deserves all the credit…you are the One who is responsible for all I have.

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all the wonderful blessings, graces and charisms.
Please give me the courage to acknowledge their true source
As I look forward to the best and most undeserved reward of all.
For nothing compares to the promise I have in YOU.
Amen

Solar Project Update

Received my heat transfer plates today…how exciting!! Now, I can complete the construction of the "third generation" solar panel. I had no idea how much fun could be had with such a simple project…at least in theory. Turns out I have learned many things “Not To Do”. So many things it would be impractical to include the list here. The biggest accomplishment was overcoming the mountain of skepticism from a member of my family who does the washing, cooking and child bearing. Comments like, “I can’t take a hot shower any time I want?” have subsided as the refinement to the system have improved.

My next challenge will be selling her on the yard art and roof decorations. I feel that all the piping, pumps and panels add a certain abstract quality to the house that breaks up the tidiness and stuffy straight lines. Besides…who wants to live in a house that derides their neighbors?

Thank you, Lord Jesus, for all of my blessings.
Not just for the sun that warms us and heats our water
But for You who warm our hearts even on the cloudiest of days.
Amen