The picture below is not taken from a scene of an upcoming Sci-Fi movie.
It's a natural formation called a supercell.

This one was taken in Montana, USA.

Read more about it Here

ENJOY!

Sometimes I think there's nothing but ugliness in the world

Then I realize there is plenty of beauty...I just hadn't been looking for it.

We only find what we seek.

 

Photo by dsevilla

Why leaves lose their trees

The following is a Native American story...

A Cherokee Legend:

In the early times, the trees and animals were always able to talk to one another. They lived close to each other and shared many things; but every year, the cold time came and the birds would fly south to where it remained warm and would return with their families in the spring, when the warm season returned.

One year, as the cold season approached Sparrow was injured. He would not be strong enough to fly to the warm lands with his family by himself, so he made his family fly south to the warm lands without him.

Injured, he knew he would not survive the cold season. So he sought the help the trees. He approached Oak. "Oh, Oak, I am injured, and cannot fly, the cold season approaches, and if I do not find shelter before then, surely I shall die. Please, Oak, let me shelter among your leaves and branches during the cold times, that I may heal and greet my family on their return in the spring."

But Oak was a crusty old tree, and did not relish the idea of having a guest in the cold time, so he told sparrow: "Sparrow, go find somewhere else to spend the cold time. I do not wish you to spend the cold time with me."

And poor Sparrow was hurt in his spirit to be turned away.

So Sparrow went to Maple and asked her. "Maple, I am hurt and not able to fly to the warm lands with my family for the cold season. Please let me shelter among your leaves and branches during the cold time, or surely I will perish. And Maple, though a very sweet tree, did not enjoy the thought of a guest for the cold time and she too, turned Sparrow away. "you,....., you go ask someone else to shelter you, Sparrow. I do not wish you to spend the cold time with me."

And again, hurt in spirit, Sparrow was turned away.

Sparrow went in turn to each of the trees and asked each for shelter in the cold time; and each, and every time, Sparrow was turned away...... until there was no tree left to ask, except Pine.

With no hope left..., but not willing to accept death...., Sparrow approached Pine.

"Pine, I am injured, and not able to fly south to the warm lands with my family. If I do not find shelter before the cold time, I will surely perish. Please...., let me shelter among your leaves and branches during the cold time..."

Pine thought to himself, ("I am the least of the trees, what can I do?") ....but his heart heard Sparrow's plight. "Sparrow... My leaves are tiny... more like needles... my branches are not as many as other trees... but what I have you are welcome to share."

And so, Sparrow spent the cold time with Pine. And when the warm times returned in the spring, Sparrow's family returned also. And Sparrow had healed over the cold time and flew to greet their return..

Creator had seen and heard all that had happened between Sparrow and the Trees. And Creator called a great council of the Trees and spoke to them..., "You, who were given so much......, who had so much, would not share the least of what you had with Sparrow in his need. Because of this.., from this day forward, when the cold time is upon the land, your leaves shall wither and die and blow away."

Creator then spoke to Pine. "Pine, you, who had the least of all the trees, gave so much, have touched my Spirit. When the cold times come, You of all the trees shall keep your leaves they shall remain green through all the seasons for the gift you have given me, through Sparrow."

And that is why, to this day, that when the cold time comes to the land, all the leaves wither, and die, and blow away.... Except for Pine.

The story above found at First People.

First People has a wonderful collection of Native American information.

Photo by SteveJM2009

Autumn is my favorite season.

The passing of summer helps me better appreciate any warm days that remain.

The approaching winter reminds of the inevitable cold for which I must prepare.

I really should set aside more than one day a year to give thanks.

Photos by Algo

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I hope you each enjoy plenty of food, family, friends, and fun today.

Robert Brault - Top Ten List

There are many wonderful places to find inspiration, guidance, and insight on the internet. But, very few of these places provide these services with the genius and humor of Robert Brault.

Here are ten of my Robert Brault favorites:

"There are moments every day in family life that in and of themselves would suffice as the whole purpose of the enterprise."

"It is not happiness until you capture it and store it out of the reach of time."

"If your life were a movie, which Oscar would you most like to win -- best actor or best film?"

"I value the friend who for me finds time on his calendar, but I cherish the friend who for me does not consult his calendar."

"A parent's love is whole no matter how many times divided."

"Ever wonder where you'd end up if you took your dog for a walk and never once pulled back on the leash?

"What is the fire in our belly but the eternal flame of a thousand ancestors."

"The advantage of growing up with siblings is that you become very good at fractions."

"We look at the smiling faces in an old family photo, and we think how happily innocent we were, which is exactly what those smiling faces wanted us to think."

"Do not judge yourself until you're done. And if you judge yourself a failure, you're not done."

Take a look at  Robert Brault's blog -- you will not regret it! 

CHEERS!

CARPE DEALUM - Sieze the Deal!

I don't do the Black Friday (BF) thing.
The Friday after Thanksgiving is for more important stuff....like doing nothing that takes me far from my couch or the left-over turkey.

However, I have enough people in my life that do the BF ritual to know that it's pretty serious stuff.
But, why do things the same old way mom used to on BF?
Thumbing through sale ads looking for the best price on the perfect gift is so "yesterday".

Hardcore BFer's rejoice...the tech-world knows what you need and gives it to you.
These apps let you KNOW you're getting the best price while out shopping for that perfect gift.

PriceGrabber

snaptell

ShopSavvy

Sccope

This is no longer your mother's  Black Friday.
CARPE DEALUM!!