(*Photo of the Month)
OK, please forgive me,
but this month’s POTM and this week’s blog is going to be somewhat more ‘down
home’ than normal. That’s because I did something today I’ve never done before:
my son-in-law invited me to go hunting with him. Well, actually, it wasn’t ‘a hunting WE will go,’ I went with him
while HE hunted. But I have to say
that I could not possibly have enjoyed myself more. What a beautiful day to be
outdoors, cloudy but lovely; and what an enjoyable time I had watching him do
his thing. The good conversation we relished whenever in proximity to one another
only added to the enjoyment.
Parenthesis. Jer and I
had talked these last few days regarding some conversation he and a few friends
were having on the prospect of trying to do something intentionally memorable
each week all year long, fifty-two notable acts or experiences over the next
twelve months – nothing intentionally extravagant or epic, just memorable.
Well, I guess I may have had my first of the year today. Come to think of it
though, I can’t say it was intentional on my part, all I did was say yes to an
invitation! So maybe it’s just his first intentionally memorable act! But I was
sure glad to be a part of it. End parenthesis.
And the sounds? Equally
marvelous. Ducks calling, responding to Jer’s imitations. The whoosh of a
hundred teals and their two hundred beating wings screaming past like the sound
of a freight train. The passing blips, caws and chatters of eagles, crows and
kingfishers. The plop of a bird hitting the water after a successful shot,
followed by the blast’s echo off the valley hills. Even the sound of Jeremy
slogging through slough and backwater, breaking through thin ice in water up over
knees while retrieving.
Finally, I’d be remiss
if I did not mention the feel, the touch, the palpably holy texture holding a
freshly fallen bird. I struggle to fully describe this. Sure, it’s bound
for
the stewpot or grill, but the splendor of the animal up close is stunning, The intricacy
of its wing and tail feathers, the softness of its down, the smoothness of its
head and bill, the complexity of its coloring from every angle, sometimes
iridescent. I was struck with a reverence, a sacred hush of gratitude, to see
it in this way.
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“Look at that now… And to think that God should
plan to bring us feckless creatures here at just the right moment, and then
flash such glories at us! Man, we are not worthy of such honor! Praise God from
Whom all blessings flow!”
~~RGM, January 2, 2015
P.S. Happy New Year!
Thanks, Brendan. it was good to meet you while at it. God bless you, Rick
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