A view of Christmas...

It's looking a lot like Christmas at the "Durrant Village" that takes up the better portion of two rooms in my parents' home. Merry Christmas! Enjoy!

Autumn fire...

I came home from work today as the autumnal sun bathed this tree in her golden light.
I couldn't help myself. 

I grabbed my camera and tried to capture the beauty of the moment...

Autumn

by: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882)

Thou comest, Autumn, heralded by the rain,

With banners, by great gales incessant fanned,

Brighter than the brightest silks of Samarcand,

And stately oxen harnessed by the wain!

Thou standest, like imperial Charlemagne,

Upon thy bridge of gold; thy royal hand

Outstretched with benedictions o'er the land,

Blessing the farms through all thy vast domain.

Thy shield is the red harvest moon, suspended

So long beneath the heaven's o'erhanging eaves,

Thy steps are by the farmer's prayers attended;

Like flames upon an altar shine the sheaves;

And, following thee, in thy ovation splendid,

Thine almoner, the wind, scatters the golden leaves!

And now for just a few more photos...

Life Through My Lens - Ray of light...

Though sometimes it is difficult to do, it's important to remember that even during the darkest days, somewhere there is a ray of light just waiting to break through... Watch for that tiny ray and cling to it... 

Better yet - be that ray of light for someone who needs it.

Media of the Week - In Christ Alone I Stand - Adam Young (Owl City)

I came across this song a few months ago quite by accident when I was searching for something else. I remember thinking it that I liked it. It was unexpected, not exactly what I was used to from this artist.

I'd almost forgotten the song until I ran across it again tonight. It seemed an appropriate post on this Sunday. A gentle reminder of where we should look for guidance, comfort, and strength.

"In Christ Alone"

- Owl City (Adam Young)

In Christ alone, my hope is found


He is my light, my strength, my song


This cornerstone, this solid ground


Firm through the fiercest drought and storm


What heights of love, what depths of peace


When fears are stilled, when strivings cease


My comforter, my all-in-all


Here in the love of Christ I stand

There in the ground His body lay


Light of the world by darkness slain


Then bursting forth in glorious day


Up from the grave He rose again!

And as He stands in victory


Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me


For I am His and He is mine


Bought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death


This is the power of Christ in me


From life’s first cry to final breath


Jesus commands my destiny


No power of hell, no scheme of man


Can ever pluck me from His hand


Till He returns or calls me home


Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand

Bloglovin

So... in order to give my legions (ha ha) of readers an opportunity to follow me in another format since Google Reader is disappearing, I've set up an account with Bloglovin. If you follow more than one of my blogs you'll probably see this post again since in order to "claim" my blog I need to create a post. Bear with me... :) I figure giving people options is good, right? :)

If you want to follow using Bloglovin click on the link below. :)
Follow my blog with Bloglovin

And thanks for reading...

Media of the Week - Brave - Sara Bareilles

When it comes to facing the world with it's choices and challenges it can be daunting to open up and put yourself out there. Often it seems so much easier to stay in the background, take a step back, and blend in with the scenery. Still, there comes a time when we all need to see "how big [our] brave is..." 

You can be amazing

You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug

You can be the outcast

Or be the backlash of somebody’s lack of love

Or you can start speaking up

Nothing’s gonna hurt you the way that words do

When they settle ‘neath your skin

Kept on the inside and no sunlight

Sometimes a shadow wins

But I wonder what would happen if you

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

Everybody’s been there, everybody’s been stared down

By the enemy

Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing

Bowed down to the mighty

Don’t run, stop holding your tongue

Maybe there’s a way out of the cage where you live

Maybe one of these days you can let the light in

Show me how big your brave is

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave

And since your history of silence

Won’t do you any good

Did you think it would?

Let your words be anything but empty

Why don’t you tell them the truth?

Say what you wanna say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave

With what you want to say

And let the words fall out

Honestly, I wanna see you be brave

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I just wanna see you

I wanna see you be brave

Life Through My Lens - Forgotten road...

Took a drive yesterday along a forgotten road... 

Along the way I found other deserted pathways...

Where they lead, I do not know...

Those discoveries must wait for another day...

As I traveled on I wondered...

What secrets would I hear if I listened to this forgotten highway...?

*By the way, for the first time in a VERY long time, I decided to link up to a couple of photo memes. You'll find them here at Sweet Shot Tuesday, Tuesday Muse, and Friday Finds.

Fathers...

The greatest gift I ever had

Came from God; I call him Dad!

~Author Unknown

Thanks to all the wonderful men in my life both here and gone who have been the examples of kindness and compassion, who are and were powerful influences for good regardless of whether or not they have children of their own.

I hope right now you'll take a moment right now to think of those who fill the important role of a father in your own lives.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

On Father's Day -

To dad - Thank you for giving me both roots and wings, for teaching me correct principles and setting me on the right path.  Thanks for the late nights and early mornings, the sleepless hours spent worrying and praying. Thanks for all you continue to do.

To my brothers both by birth and marriage - Thanks for being the men you are and raising your children with love and compassion in a challenging and sometimes scary world.

To my uncles and grandfathers - Thank you for your examples of care and devotion.

To friends both old and new - Thank you for your kindness and example, for "sharing" your families with me.

To all those who may not be fathers in the strict sense of the word - Thank you for sharing your time, talent, energies, and love with all those around you.

Happy Father's Day!

If you've gotten this far and you want to read on, I thought I'd share a poem I wrote last year as part of a talk I gave on Father's Day. It's not Shakespeare, but hopefully it'll do... :-)

Fathers

We honor you upon this day

For actions small and great

For courage to stand up and fight

And lead on the path that’s straight.

We thank you for your sacrifice

Your gentle, constant love

Your example to your family

With guidance from above

May our Heavenly Father bless you

As you lead with love and care

May you rely upon him always

As you go to Him in prayer

 - M. Durrant, June 17, 2012

Mothers and mothering...

A sweet friend wished me a happy "mothering" day. She explained that's what it's called in Europe and that it's meant to honor all who 'mother' in any way. So to all who are mothers, may be mothers in the future, or who give love, kindness, and compassion to those around you... Happy Mothering Day... May you be blessed with all you hope for.

"All that I am, or hope to be, I owe to my angel mother." - Abraham Lincoln

On Mother's Day -

To mom - Thank you for giving me both roots and wings, for teaching me correct principles and setting me on the right path.  Thanks for the late nights and early mornings, the sleepless hours spent worrying and praying. Thanks for all you continue to do.

To my sisters both by birth and marriage - Thanks for being the women you are and raising your children with love and compassion in a challenging and sometimes scary world.

To my aunts and grandmothers - Thank you for your examples of care and devotion.

To friends both old and new - Thank you for your kindness and example, for "sharing" your families with me.

To all those who may not be mothers in the strict sense of the word - Thank you for sharing your time, talent, energies, and love with all those around you.

Happy Mother's Day!

Media of the Week - Shine Your Way - Owl City and Yuna

There are times in all of our lives when it may seem easier to hide our light under a bushel. It feels as though there is less likelihood of failure that way. And yet there is also less of a chance for growth, less ability to help or inspire others. I came across this song today and I thought that it was a great reminder for all us
to

SHINE....  

Shine Your Way

Owl City and Yuna

Just before the dawn,

When the light's still gone,

Shine, shine your way,

And you may not know, where to go,

Shine, shine your way

Open road but it's still dark,

Build a fire from a spark,

And shine, shine your way,

Feed the feeling in your heart,

Don't conceal it then you'll start,

To find, find your way

No one can stop, what has begun,

You must believe when I say

All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,

Starting today,

Shine, shine, shine,

Shine your way

There's an open sky,

And a reason why,

You shine, shine your way,

There's so much to learn,

And now it's your turn,

To shine, shine your way

There's a feeling deep inside,

You can let it be your guide,

To find, find your way,

And there's no time for us to waste,

Got to take a leap of faith,

And fly, fly away

Don't have to walk,

Now you can run,

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/shine-your-way-lyrics-owl-city.html ]

Nothing can get in your way

All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,

Starting today,

Shine, shine, shine,

Shine your way

Morning is breaking,

Darkness is fading,

We found a way to the light,

It's such a beautiful sight

Any time, anywhere,

Turn around and I'll be there,

To shine, shine your way

Like a star burning bright,

Lighting up the darkest night,

I'll shine, shine your way

Now I can see,

You are the one,

Sent here to show me the way

All of your tears will dry faster in the sun,

Starting today,

Shine, shine, shine,

We're on our way,

Shine, shine, shine,

That's what we say,

Shine, shine, shine,

Shine your way

There's a reason why

You shine, shine your way

All of our tears will dry faster in the sun

Shine your way

None were with Him...

On this Easter Sunday may we all remember He who paid the ultimate price so that we might see our loved ones - our family and friends - again some day. 

What a blessing to know that despite the trials we may face there is more to our lives than this mortal sphere.

Shooting Star - Media of the Week

There are times when we all feel discouraged and less than we know we can be.
 It is at those times that we need to remember that we all have a divine spark within us, urging us to become more than we already are, to take the beauty and majesty that dwells inside each of us and share it... 

No matter who we are...
No matter where we are...

"Shooting Star"

Owl City

Close your tired eyes, relax and then

Count from 1 to 10 and open them

All these heavy thoughts will try to weigh you down

But not this time

Way up in the air, you're finally free

And you can stay up there right next to me

All this gravity will try to pull you down

But not this time

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out

Then it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light

'Cause it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight

Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh

Brighter than a shooting star

Shine no matter where you are tonight

Gaze into my eyes when the fire starts

And fan the flames so hot it melts our hearts

Oh, the pouring rain will try to put it out

But not this time

Let your colors burn and brightly burst

Into a million sparks that all disperse

And illuminate a world that'll try to bring you down

But not this time

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out

Then it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light

'Cause it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight

Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh

Brighter than a shooting star

Shine no matter where you are tonight

A thousand heart beats beat in time

It makes this dark planet come alive

So when the lights flicker out tonight

You gotta shine

When the sun goes down and the lights burn out

Then it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are

Fill the darkest night with a brilliant light

'Cause it's time for you to shine

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight

Woah-oh, woah-oh, woah-oh

Brighter than a shooting star

So shine no matter where you are tonight.

Life Through My Lens - Walking Through Woods on a Snowy Evening...

I captured this crystalline covered copse a few weeks ago when our town was covered in frost and snow. It brought to mind a poem by Robert Frost.

Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening

By - Robert Frost

Whose woods these are I think I know.   

His house is in the village though;   

He will not see me stopping here   

To watch his woods fill up with snow.   

My little horse must think it queer   

To stop without a farmhouse near   

Between the woods and frozen lake   

The darkest evening of the year.   

He gives his harness bells a shake   

To ask if there is some mistake.   

The only other sound’s the sweep   

Of easy wind and downy flake.   

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.   

But I have promises to keep,   

And miles to go before I sleep,   

And miles to go before I sleep.

Born of Goodly Parents

43 years ago  - January 30, 1970 - my parents were married. Thanks for all you do for our family.  Thanks for continuing to be there for all of us. Love you! 

Happy 43rd Anniversary!

A New Year...

The sun has set on another year and with it have come moments of great happiness as well as the deepest of sorrows.

As we enter a new year, these are my hopes - even my prayers - for those with whom I share this mortal journey...

I hope this year is filled with blessings for those around me.

I hope that we will be courageous enough to go after our dreams.

I hope those who are burdened with sorrow will be blessed with comfort.

I hope I might be a blessing to others, instead of a burden.

I hope that I will live a healthful and healthy life. 

I hope I will follow good advice, ignore bad advice, and know the difference between the two.

I hope I will end the year a better person than I began it. 

To all... 

May your blessings be more numerous than your trials, and may your trials turn out to be blessings in disguise. 

Happy 2013!