Visit to Bernheim Forest with the family today. First stop was this giant 27 foot Tin Man statue. Kids loved it. Makes me want to read Wizard of Oz again.
Reading
Planet Narnia
Michael Ward
trees
sky
photos
BernheimForest
Tin Man
trees
sky
autumn
photos
j
A Grey Autumn Walk with j
Oranges and browns mostly.
surgery
thanksgiving
Cancer
Today’s surgery roundup:
A mediport for cancer treatment. A hysteroscopy resulting in a more than likely diagnosis of uterine cancer. A craniotomy for tumor removal – which turned out to be a high grade glioma.
Not a good beginning to the week of Thanksgiving. But, it definitely throws a different perspective onto some of my recent problems. What’s some leaky toilet drain pipes next to terminal cancer? Nothing. Lots to be thankful for in this season.
Christianity
health
To Love
So what are bodies for? When we stop ignoring or idolizing bodies, their telos or purpose comes into view: to love. We’re God’s image-bearers, and “God is love” (1 John 4:8). The great commandment is to love God and love neighbor (Matt. 22:37–39). Health and longevity aren’t ends in themselves. They’re means to an end: to glorify and enjoy God by loving him and others. Our call is not to optimize health for its own sake. Our call is rather an echo of the Christian wedding vows: to love, in sickness and in health. Knowing this truth frees us from the slavery of always needing to get everything right, obsessing over our fitness and body image.
reading
science-fiction
LeGuin
Hainish Post 1
Finished reading: Worlds of Exile and Illusion by Ursula K. Le Guin 📚
I enjoyed these three stories — Rocannon’s World, Planet of Exile, and City of Illusion. Probably my favorite was Planet of Exile, I think, because the planet and environment were so different from what we experience. The idea that you could only ever see a season one time in your life is such a new and weird thought.
autumn
photos
Fallen Leaves
No hike today because of rain, but the leaves in the grass near the library are still fantastically colorful.
reading
science-fiction
salvation
LeGuin
Logs and Specks
Finished reading: The Books of Earthsea: The Complete Illustrated Edition by Ursula K. Le Guin 📚
I read through all of these… maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Re-reading again a little slower. So far in this go around I’ve read A Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan. I had forgotten, or never noticed, or never articulated to myself, the spiritual dimensions present in these works. Sparrowhawk must confront his own spiritual darkness, mostly in the form of pride, in the first one. Not until he can face his own evil can he be set free. In The Tombs, he is then free to help someone else battle and be free from their form of spiritual darkness. It calls to mind Matthew 7:5 — “You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.” I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series with an eye out for these themes, but I’ll probably give some time in between. For now I’m reading some other works of Le Guin for the first time — Worlds of Exile & Illusion.
church-history
family-read-aloud
Currently reading: Saints and Heroes to the End of the Middle Ages by George Hodges 📚
Another family read aloud in church history.
trees
trails
autumn
sunset
photos
fauna
IroquoisPark
Deer in the Woods
Left work 15 minutes late then got caught in a 30 minute traffic jam. Worth it for this encounter with a deer in the slanty afternoon light on my weekly hike at Iroquois.
trees
sky
autumn
photos
ClarkPark
Family Walk
Went to George Rogers Clark Park this afternoon. Another beautiful autumn day. These two trees — oak & cypress I think — really perfect in shape and contrast with the blue blue sky.
photos
A Small Gift From Marseille
hymns
in-memorium
He Leadeth Me, O Blessed Thought
He leadeth me, oh blessed thought, O words with heavenly comfort fraught! Whate’er I do, whate’er I be, Still ‘tis God’s hand that leadeth me.
He leadeth me, he leadeth me, By his own hand he leadeth me! His faithful follower I would be, For by his hand he leadeth me.
Lord, I would clasp thy hand in mine, Nor ever murmur nor repine, Content whatever lot I see, Since ‘tis my God that leadeth me.
And when my task on earth is done, When by thy grace the victory’s won, E’en death’s cold wave I will not flee, Since God through Jordan leadeth me.
I sent this to a friend after the death of her brother. Praying for God’s leading and comfort during these difficult days. He is good, even when the providence is hard.
autumn
photos
IroquoisPark
j
t
Iroquois Park, Again
Back for another hike at Iroquois, with two of the three kids in tow. A beautiful Fall afternoon. We were there a little earlier and the light was a little brighter. I tried to get a little closer to the leaves this time around.
trees
autumn
sunset
photos
IroquoisPark
These Days Seem So Short
Last one from this hike– sun already setting behind the hill at 3:45pm.
trees
autumn
photos
IroquoisPark
North Overlook
View of Louisville in the distance.
trees
trails
autumn
photos
IroquoisPark
Summit Field
Dry grasses surrounded by maples, oaks, and beech trees. Not sure about peak color in the trees, but the sky is amazing.
trees
autumn
photos
IroquoisPark
Maple Tree in Full Color
In this light, black branches silhouetted against yellow.
trees
trails
autumn
photos
IroquoisPark
Stone Steps
Stone steps on my favorite trail, view of the bright blue autumn sky where it opens out near the top.
trees
autumn
photos
IroquoisPark
Afternoon Hike
The time change makes a huge difference in the light slanting over the landscape.
photos
kids-crafts
T asked me to help him make a stickman. This is what we came up with. Very entish.
photos
fauna
LouisvilleZoo
At the Louisville Zoo with the kids. African Bullfrog.
trails
autumn
photos
1.5 mile hike this afternoon. Trying to get back in shape and recover from a week of night shifts. At Iroquois Park:
trees
trails
autumn
photos
LouisvilleNatureCenter
Short hike with the kids and friends. Fall is still just a hint in the leaves, but the temperature is nice and cool. At the Louisville Nature Center:
Currently reading: How to Lead Your Family by Joel R Beeke. 📚
I started this a little while ago. Really good so far, but I need to finish it and then read it again with more attention.
Finished reading: Cry, the Beloved Country by Alan Paton 📚