"Give Thanks To Jehovah, For He is Good"
Psalm 106:1
2015 year text

Friday, October 31, 2008

I should have been an Architect-

Castles in the Sky

Castles are always interesting to me. So many different kinds! They are found all over the world! I have chosen the three below to highlight.


Peles Castle (Romania)

The building of the castle began in 1873 under the direct order of the Viennese architect Wilhem Doderer and was continued in 1876 by his assistant, Johann Schultz de Lemberg. During 1877-1879 because of the war they abandoned work. That's why the castle was inaugurated only on October 7, 1883. The location for the castle was chosen by the German prince Carol I de Hohenzollern, who was to become a king and it draws its name from the neighboring brooks which passes through the courtyard.

The castle was built in wood, stone, bricks and marble and comprises more than 160 rooms. The representative style used is German Renaissance, but one can easily discover elements belonging to the Italian Renaissance, Gothic, German Baroque and French Rococo style.

Chateau Usse (France)
The Sleeping Beauty Castle. Chateau Usse was originally constructed in the 15th century as a fortress, with complex steeples, turrets, towers, and dormers. Gradually, it was transformed into an aristocratic chateau. It's terraces, laden with orange trees, were laid out in the 18th Century. The Chateau was once owned by the duc de Duras, then Mme de la Rochejacquelin.
It is still privately owned, currently by the marquis de Blacas, who has opened many of it's rooms to the public.

Fenestrelle Fort (Italy)

This giant fort/Castle I had to include due to the greatness of it's size. The history is So very interesting!


Historical and architectural information:
The Fort of Fenestrelle, considering its overshadowing size, is a colossal military work made up of three different forts: San Carlo Fort, Fort delle Valli (of the Valleys, n.d.T.) and Fort Tre Denti (Three Teeth, n.d.T.), which cover a 3-kilometre length and have a 600-metre height difference.
The stronghold clambers up Monte Pinaia’s whole side and is placed as a defence to Val Chisone, important way of communication between France and Italy. It’s unique in Europe both for its morphological characteristics (there is a long covered staircase inside that links together all forts: it has 4,000 steps), and for its size (1,300,000 square metres’ surface).By virtue of its likeness to the Great Wall of China, it’s commonly indicated as the great wall of Piedmont, and today
is the only 18th century fortress still intact.
The entire fortified compound was built according to Vittorio Amedeo II of Savoy’s will, first king of Sardinia, in order to defend Turin from possible French incursions through the Monginevro pass.
Building works began in 1728 on engineer Ignazio Bertola’s plan, count of Exilles, and finished only in 1850, 122 years later.. Other famous architects took over Bertola’s work, such as De La Marche, Di Robilant, De Vincenti and Pinto.
Despite the long period of activity, the fort was never involved in warfare, and it can be asserted that its only presence was a very strong and evident dissuading element towards potential muggers. Several renovating works have been started since 1990, taken care of by Associazione Progetto San Carlo Onlus (San Carlo Project Association, n.d.T.).
Since 1999 the fort has been classified as symbol monument of the Province of Turin.

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Sunflowers a Source of Imagination!


Remember, when you were young, standing next to a sunflower made you feel like a ladybug?Kinda like living in a "Bug's Life".



"Bring me the Sunflower crazed with the love of light." -Eugino Montale



I Think I will enjoy the sunflowers this autumn and make plans to plant sunflowers for my grandchildren to enjoy next year!



Poet: Eugenio Montale www.geocities.com/noinoipinoy/

Monday, October 27, 2008

What Breed?


Th



You Are a Beagle



You are good natured. You enjoy spending time with people and animals.

You have a wild, independent streak. If you're left to your own devices, you get in trouble.



You love to eat and enjoy food of all kinds. If you don't get enough physical activity, you tend to have a weight problem.

You are very stubborn. You don't like authority, and you tend to do your own thing no matter what.

What Breed of Dog Are You?

Actually, I didn't think I had enough energy to be a Beagle! Stubborn?
I have always liked this breed. Yeah, Shauna that was fun!

Saturday, October 25, 2008

What is God's veiwpoint of Abortion?

How should the Source of human life affect our view of the matter of abortion? Consider:

Acts 17:28- "By him (God) we have life and move and exist."
Ps 36:9- "With you (God) is the source of life."
Romans 14:12- "Each of us will render an account for himself to God."
Does Jehovah view the life of a child as precious even during the very early stages of development after conception?

Ps. 139:13-16- You (Jehovah) kept me screened off in the belly of my mother ... Your eyes saw even the embryo of me, and in your book all its parts were down in writing."

Has God ever stated that a person would be called to account for injury to an unborn child?

Ex. 21:22, 23- "In case men should struggle with each other and they really hurt a pregnant woman and her children do come out but no fatal accident occurs, he is to have damages imposed upon him with out fail according to what the owner of the woman may lay upon him; and he must give it through the justices. But if a fatal accident should occur, then you must give soul for soul."

How serious is the willful taking of a human life for a reason not authorized by God?

Gen 9:6- "Anyone shedding man's blood, by man will his own blood be shed, for in God's image he made man."
1 John 3:15- " No manslayer has everlasting life remaining in him."
Ex 20:13- "You must not murder."

Does a doctor's opinion that allowing a pregnancy to go full term would be harmful to the health of the mother justify an abortion?
Medical opinions are sometimes wrong. Would it be right to kill a fellow human because that one might harm his fellowman? If at the time of childbirth a choice must be made between the life of the mother and that of the child, it is up to the individuals concerned to make that choice. However, advances in medical procedures in many lands have made this situation very rare.

This issue of abortion is not a new one. Have people voting in the past helped do away with abortions? Unfortunately no. Remember, part of the sign of our living in the last days is that "...because of the increasing of lawlessness the love of the greater number will cool off." Matt 24:12. Yes, these last days are "Critical times hard to deal with...For men will be lovers of themselves....having no natural affection" 12 Tim 3:1-3.

We may find ourselves asking as the faithful prophet Habakkuk asked, "How long, O Jehovah, must I cry for help...How long shall I call to you for aid from violence... Why is it that you make me see what is hurtful, and you keep looking upon mere trouble? And why are despoiling and violence in front of me, and why does quarreling occur, and why is strife carried? Therefore law grows numb, and justice never goes forth. Because the wicked one is surrounding the righteous one, for that reason justice goes forth crooked." Habakkuk 1:1-4.

Does that mean we must endure this wicked act forever? No! It pains our Heavenly Father to see such heartless acts. In His wisdom He will act in due time. "And just a little while longer, and the wicked one will be no more; And you will certainly give attention to his place, and he will not be. But the meek ones themselves will possess the earth, and they will indeed find their exquisite delight in the abundance of peace. (Ps 37:10 & 11)

By means of God's Kingdom government these prophecies will come true. We cannot force people to love Jehovah's standards. However, we may be able to reach hearts of individuals .

May this post be of encouragement to all who love life and hold it as a sacred gift from our heavenly father, Jehovah.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

God Created the Heavens... Genesis 1:1

Dennis and I have many times looked up into the starry night sky. One of the constellations that we can recognize is Orion. This group of stars can be seen in the northern hemisphere in the fall and winter months. We are happy to live where we can still see the stars. In times past we have sat outside late into the night and watched the sky, looking for falling stars.


Orion constellation

How do you feel when you sit quietly with your loved ones looking at the grandeur of the night sky, studded with glistening "jewels"? Are you filled with wonder at how God "has stretched out the heavens like a tent cloth," (Compare: Pslams 104:1,2) The dignity and splendor of the invisible, almighty Creator are evident in his visible works.



Crab Nebula
There are numerous clouds of gas or dust in interstellar space. These are called nebulas. They are filled with colors. These photos were taken by the hubble telescope. We can just begin to imagine how to see them from our Creator's veiwpoint.

V838 Monocerotis

The Milky Way galaxy contains 100 billion stars. Astronomers estimate that the Milky Way may be one of anywhere from 50 billion to 125 billion galaxies. How many stars are there in the entire universe? It is too mind boggling for me. Yet, Jehovah "is counting the number of the stars; all of them he calls by their names." (Psalms 147:4). What great wisdom and dynamic power we see in God's creation of the vast universe. "Raise your eyes high up and see. Who has created these things? It is the One who is bringing forth the army of them even by number, all of whom he calls even by name. Due to the abundance of dynamic energy, he also being vigorous in power, not one of them is missing." Isaiah 40:26. These scriptures further build up my faith in our Heavenly Father, knowing he has the power to bring his purposes to fullfillment and the wisdom to safeguard all those who love Him.


The Pleiades (The seven Sisters)

One of the most beautiful family star clusters in the sky has been captured by NASA's Spitzer Space Telescope.

The dazzling Seven Sisters are swaddled in a cushiony veil by clouds of dust and bathed in a green and orange light.

The 19th-century poet Alfred Lord Tennyson described them as "glittering like a swarm of fireflies tangled in a silver braid".

Tagged by Grams- 3rd folder, 3rd picture

It's a Box Jellyfish!

This particular Box Jellyfish (Tripedalia cystophora) is found in the Caribbean sea, not dangerous to humans. However, it's relative, (Chropsella bronzie) from Australia is extremely poisonous.

Box jellyfish are much more active swimmers than other jellyfish – they exhibit strong directional swimming, are able to perform rapid 180 degree turns, and can deftly move in between objects. So how do they manage to manoeuvre the obstacle course that is in the sea bed? Given that they possess an impressive 24 eyes one would think they would be well equipped for this challenge!

Friday, October 17, 2008

I Should Have Been An Architect-

So You Want to Live In A Treehouse!



Very Interesting!



This one is in Germany.



This treehouse is in Japan, both winter and summer pictures.
I guess people around the world are not that much different.


Many people around the earth have fanciful, artistic romantic thoughts of treehouses.
Won't it be nice when God's Kingdom destroys all political and national boundaries?
All the meek ones will be able to enjoy one another and all of God's creation!
-Isaiah 11:9


http://weburbanist.com/2008/02/10/10-amazing-tree-houses-from-around-the-world-sustainable-unique-and-creative-designs/



Here's a treehouse we can visit and stay the night! I hear you may even see an elephant.


Do you think there might be any monkeys around?









These treehouses are in North Kerala, which is in the southern part of India.










What an adventure! Who wants to go????






The rooms look pretty inviting.


Did I mention the bath rooms have flush toilets?




www.palmlandtours.net/kerala/treehouse/treehouse

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

A Happy Visit


Here' s the boy with the flowers he helped me plant. He was so surprised how big they grew!
Having fun at Grammy's House

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These guys move so fast it's hard to get their picture.

Thing 1 and Thing 2

Thing 1 and his Fish
I sure do love all the help I get around the house when Zane comes.
And who can resist Thing 2?

The best part of grandchildren is watching your children chase them!!!
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Tuesday, October 14, 2008

BIG Welcome to Joey -into our blogging world!

This is Joey and Kristy at the Falcone reunion. Nice looking couple!

Ok Joey keep us up to date on the happenings in Indiana!


Stop by his blog and say, "Hello"!

http://joeybls.blogspot.com/

Lil and Dal




Here is my first dance of the week! We are dancing to "Everybody wants to be my baby"
By the BEATLES
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Saturday, October 11, 2008

Subject to a Jealous King- David part 4




Events in David's life have been moving fast. From a lowly shepherd to champion warrior, David is now publicly noticed in all Israel. Saul places him in a position over men of war. When he returns from a victorious expedition against the Philistines, he is greeted with dancing and rejoicing, the popular song being, "Saul has struck down his thousands and David his tens of thousands.." (1Sam 18:5-7) Yes, all of Israel and Judah were lovers of David.

This popularity stirred up envy in Saul. Instead of rejoicing over the victory, Saul in his heart thinks, "They have given David tens of thousands, but to me they have given the thousands, and there is yet only the kingship to give him!" Twice when David was playing the harp before him, as he had done before, Saul hurls a spear with the intent of pinning David to the wall, both times Jehovah delivers him. (1Sam 18:11-16)

Saul, finally offers his daughter, Merab as a wife to David. However, David, a humble man answers,"Who am I and who are my kinfolk, my father's family in Israel, so that I should become son-in-law of the king?" In the meantime, Merab is given to another man. But it comes to Saul's attention that his younger daughter, Michal is in love with David. So, Saul hatches up a scheme to rid himself of David. Saul says, " I shall give her to him that she may serve as a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may come to be upon him." David though is still hesitate to agree to marry a daughter of the king, since he is but a lowly one, having nothing to offer a bride. Saul's servants encourage David to grasp this opportunity. David's answer to the servants, "Is it an easy thing in your eyes to form a marriage alliance with the king, when I am a man of little means and lightly esteemed?" When this answer is reported back to Saul, he instructs his servants what to say to David, "The king has delight, not in marriage money, but in a hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to avenge himself on the enemies of the king." But this was Sauls' scheme to have David fall by the hand of the Philistines. So, David went out with his men and struck down two hundred Philistines and brought their foreskins to Saul. Saul was obliged to give David, Michal as wife. Saul's wicked scheme did not work and worse for him is now two of his own children love David and entered into covenants with him. (1Sam 18:17-30)

Sometime later, Saul speaks to Jonathan his son and to all his servants of putting David to death. How do you think Jonathan reacts to this plan? Can you imagine his heartbreak? Jonathan remembers his formative years when he was influenced by his father who, up until the time of being chosen as king, displayed modesty, obedience, and a respect for Jehovah and his arrangements. Jonathan must be in a state of shock to hear this plan. Would Jonathan's close relationship with his father overshadow his zeal for God and loyalty to his friend, David?
When you read chapter 19 of 1 Samuel the love and loyalty Jonathan displays in trying to be a peacemaker is very endearing to me. You will read how Jonathan immediately warns David and tells him to hide while Jonathan pleads David's case before Saul. Saul then swears he will not kill David. David then returns home. Later on, David even plays his harp for the king, but again Saul throws his spear at David, who than flees to his home. His wife, Michal helps him escape during the night convinced that David will be murdered if he stays. So David, escapes into the night and finds his way to the prophet Samuel where Jehovah protects him from his enemies for now. So begins the fugitive years of David. (Read 1Sam 19 for details of this real life experience)

Will he ever see his friend Jonathan again? What about his young wife he must leave behind? How do you feel about the injustice David has been subjected to? Why do you suppose David continues to endure this unjust treatment? He is after all the anointed king designate. What can we learn from the actions of these three faithful servants of God? Will these three continue to be steadfast in loyalty to their God and to His arrangements?


Friday, October 10, 2008

I'm worn out!


I have had quite a week. I think it is all catching up with me! So much to do, too tired to do it! Thinking of you all, but I think I'll hit the sack.

Friday, October 3, 2008

This is one's for Sandy



This little home won't be to hard to clean! I love tiny houses!

Thursday, October 2, 2008

I Should have been an Architect -Victorian Homes


I like this home with it's big square tower.
I like to imagine the secret passage ways and maybe even a secret room it may have.


I thought this was a little different.
A little too square for me, but interesting none-the-less



This Victorian Home is my favorite of these three.
I like the curves and the bay windows and of course the towers!
I would probably paint it a different color.
I do like green, Though maybe needs a little white.
What do you think as far as color?
To live here though, I would need a large family to share it with.
So, for now, this is not the house for me.