Five days outdoors

Last Thursday I got off work at 3, and by 6 o'clock Bernie and I were packed up and heading up Big Cottonwood Canyon to a campground near Brighton. The weather was clear, with light breezes, sunny in the sunshine and cool in the shade.

A half hour later we were unpacking our tent and gear, building a fire beside a stream with moose tracks on the muddy edges.

The next morning we drove ten minutes down to a lovely lodge for sour dough pancakes before heading out for a hike up the nearby mountains.

First we came to Lake Mary...

Then Lake Martha...

We kept climbing (Lake Martha in the background there)

And finally to Lake Catherine near where Bernie has often begun a ski run in winter.

We hiked up about 2.6 miles with an altitude gain of 1675 feet.

Of course we began at 8,740 feet above sea level to begin with. Huffing and puffing wasn't only due to not being completely in shape.

We saved Dog Lake for the trip back as it was only a bit off the trail and we weren't sure how much energy we would need for the hike up.

Dog tired at Dog Lake...time for a little siesta in the shade.

Meanwhile a marmot was taking a siesta in the sun.

Dog Lake panoramic view.

Back at camp I admired the artistry of long dead insects.

We tried out a slightly bigger tent for this trip. It will be perfect for summer camping, but was not really up to the challenge of below freezing night time temperatures as witnessed by frozen water in a cup left on the camp table.

Sunday we climbed to Lake Solitude, a much shorter one hour hike. Easy!

Around our campsite I spotted the butterflies of the future in colorful display.

While we hiked to Lake Solitude the local moose mommy and baby clomped around our campsite. People dropped by to tell us of our missed visitors; I have to admit each night I wondered if there had been moose right outside our tent as we slept. A daytime visit never occur ed to me.

Just as the sun began to set on our last night, Mother and Jr. dropped by for a peek at us. The sun shone through their huge ears as I fumbled with my camera and caught a single shot with the last of my camera's battery energy.

Look in the upper left corner to see Mom as she lumbered off to the woodland.

Darn.

At least my brain battery worked. I will always have that memory even if I don't have a picture to prove it.

I tried my hand at doing a bit of painting; I haven't attempted a watercolor in over 16 years. Guess what? It isn't like riding a bike. The painting proved that while my eye for camera composition has improved over time, my ability to do the same via a sketch has not.

I also read the book "Eat, Pray, Love" from start to finish. So many things to think about, and talk about. Anyone else read the book yet? What did you think about some of her answered prayers?

Leave Israel as it is.

Update: Apparently Martha's Vineyard is likely to be heavily hit by Earl. Past situations like this curent one has oddly had Presidential "home base" destruction. Since President Obama doesn't currently have a home aside from the White House, he has stayed at Martha's Vineyard for his R&R time. I'll be watching to see what happens.

I'm watching the news of Hurricane Earl. Ever since it was named and its path announced, I was interested in how its timing would match up with the Washington DC "Peace Talk" events that are happening even as I type.

The stated goal of the meetings between Israel and the Palestinian leader is to tidy up plans to divide Israel into a two nation state.

For the past eight years I have been following one guy, Bill Koenig, who tracks US disasters in weather, earthquake, financial and political disasters as they occur and also US lead Israeli peace talks.

Koenig's documentation has been proven to be reliable by independent researchers. Each time the US starts getting involved with Israel "peace" talks that involve splitting up Israel, the US has very costly disasters.

Remember: God's promises to bless those who bless Israel but curse those who slight Israel.

October 30 1991 As President George Bush (senior) is opening the Madrid Conference to consider "Land for Peace" in Israel’s Middle East role, the "Perfect Storm" develops in the North Atlantic, creating the largest waves ever recorded in that region. The storm travels 1000 miles from East to West (instead of the normal West to East pattern) and crashes into the New England coast. Thirty five foot waves crash into the Kennebunkport home of President Bush.

August 23 1992 When the Madrid Conference moves to Washington DC and the Peace Talks resume. Hurricane Andrew, the worst natural disaster ever to hit America, comes ashore, producing an estimated $30 billion in damage and leaving 108,000 homeless in Florida.

January 16, 1994 President Bill Clinton meets with Syria’s President Hafez el-Assad in Geneva. They talk about a peace agreement with Israel that includes giving up the Golan Heights. Within 24 hours a powerful (6.9 on the Richter Scale) earthquake rocks Southern California. The Northridge, earthquake becomes the second most destructive natural disaster to hit the United States, behind Hurricane Andrew.

January 21, 1998 Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu meets with President Clinton at the White House and is coldly received. Clinton and Secretary of State Madeline Albright refuse to have lunch with him. Shortly afterwards on that day, the Monica Lewinski scandal breaks into the mass media and begins to occupy a major portion of Clinton’s time.

September 28, 1998 Secretary of State Albright works on the final details of an agreement in which Israel would give up 13% of Judea and Samaria. Hurricane George slams into the United States Gulf Coast. Winds of 110 MPH gusting up to 175 MPH. Hurricane George stalls. Clinton meets with Arafat and Netanyahu at the White House to finalize this land deal. Later Arafat addresses the United nations about declaring an independent Palestinian state by May 1999. Hurricane George pounds the Gulf Coast causing $1 billion in damage. At the exact time Arafat departs the country, the storm starts to dissipate.

October 15-22, 1998 Arafat and Natanyahu meet at the Wye River Plantation in Maryland. The talks are scheduled to last five days with a focus on Israel giving up 13% of Judea and Samaria. The talks are extended and conclude on October 23rd. On October 17th awesome rains and tornados hit Southern Texas. The rain and flooding in Texas continue until October 22nd and then subside. The floods ravage 25% of Texas and leave over $1 billion in damage. On October 21, Clinton declares this section of Texas a major disaster area.

November 30, 1998 Arafat comes to Washington again to meet with President Clinton to raise money for a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital. A total of 42 other nations were represented in Washington. All agreed to give Arafat $3 billion in aid Clinton promised $400 million, and the European nations $1.7 billion. On the same day, the Dow Jones average drops 216 points, and on December 1, the European Market had its worst day in history. Hundreds of billions of market capitalization were wiped out in U.S. and Europe.
December 12, 1998 Clinton lands in the Palestinian-controlled section of Israel to discuss the "land for peace" process. The House of Representatives votes four articles of impeachment against Clinton.

May 3, 1999 The day Yasser Arafat is scheduled to declare a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital. The most powerful tornado storm system ever to hit the United States sweeps across Oklahoma and Kansas. Winds are clocked at 316mph, the fastest wind speed ever recorded. The declaration is postponed to December 1999 at the request of Clinton, whose letter to Arafat encourages him in his "aspirations for his own land". He also writes that the Palestinians have a right to "determine their own future on their own land" and that they deserve to "live free today, tomorrow and forever."

October 11 1999 Jewish settlers in 15 "West Bank" (Israel) settlements are evicted from the covenant land in Israel. Dow Jones financial averages loses 5.7% in the worst week since October 1989. On October 15 the Dow lost 266 points. A hurricane slams into North Carolina. Next morning, October 16, a magnitude 7.1 earthquake rocks the Southwest in the fifth most powerful earthquake in the 20th century. The earthquake was centred in the California desert and did little damage but it was felt in three states.

August 2005 Jewish families were evicted from their homes in the Gaza communities as part of Ariel Sharon's "Disengagement" plan. This disengagement was a response to the American Foreign Policy pressure being exerted by Condoleeza Rice. As the world watched the Jews being removed from their homes, a weather system was forming in the Atlantic. This storm became Hurricane Katrina, which destroyed New Orleans, Louisiana - and an area the size of Britain, rendering thousands of Americans homeless and leaving thousands dead.

August September 2008 - The United States has been participating in “behind the scenes” peace negotiations on the future boundaries of a Palestinian state and the city of Jerusalem and a letter that would bind the next US Administration to an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement.
During this time period the US has had record rains from Tropical Storm Fay, an intense Hurricane Gustav which cost multi-billions of dollars and disrupted life in Louisiana, and massive Hurricane Ike which ruined Houston, Galveston and other adjoining areas and US oil supplies.

Information from Bill Koenig http://www.watch.org/ All these disaster / coincidences (up to July 2005) are discussed in William Koenig's book, "Eye to Eye - Facing the consequences of dividing Israel"
Bill Koenig also points out disasters linked to the Annapolis conference
In 10 days, the United States experienced the largest flood in the state of Washington’s history, hurricane-force winds up to 127 mph in Oregon. Also, the largest ice storm in Oklahoma history produced the largest power outage in that state's history. These were two separate, back-to-back, $1 billion-plus disasters bringing the 2007 total to four billion-dollar disasters that coincided with U.S. pressure on Israel to divide her land.

What isn't mentioned above is the timing of Tropical Storm Allison which put Houston underwater. Look at this timeline:


6/6/01 Pres Bush sent Tehnet (CIA Dir) to broker cease fire with Israel and Palestine. Mission: Israel to stop building in settlement areas that was already Jewish land)

On 6/8/01 Wm Burn (assistant sec state) meeting with Arafat at same time Storm was reforming into Tropical Storm Allison in the Gulf.

6/8-9/01 Tropical Storm Allison, one of greatest rainfalls in US history in Texas.
28 in. in Houston in 24 hrs.

Crazy “weird” storm pattern:

June 5-11: a total of 3 ft ( yes THREE FEET! I WAS THERE!) of rain fell in one day.
This storm formed over 1 day in Gulf, went up to Houston, back to Gulf and reformed into tropical storm Allison.
Houston closed down 3 days, cost 3 B in Houston, 4 Billion to State of Texas.

THEN, storm went NE from FLA thru PA.
Note that Texas is Bush’s home state. The National Weather Service later gave a talk in Houston, saying that they have NEVER seen a storm act like TS Allison did, and that they would be studying it for years to come.

8/9/01 Pres Bush (43) pressuring Israel to give up land and return to Madrid Peace Process. Mitchell Plan and US Resolution 242, 338, which demanded Israel retreat back to pre 6 day war borders. Give up Jerusalem, Golan Hts, all settlements on West Bank. In essence Bush telling Israel to retreat to INDEFENSIBLE POSITIONS AND BORDERS
Just 32 days after Bush’s 9 Aug speech:

9/11/01 Greatest attack EVER on American soil, 40 B in damages, attacking the financial heart of America.

There is more, you can read it here.

Meanwhile...I'm going to keep flipping my news watching between the Hurricane(s) and the White House. Maybe it is all just a coincidents.
Or maybe not.

Because they are also loved.

There are the people who daily are fasting then celebrate right now.

I must remember that they are loved by God and He desires that they know their Savior.

These pictures helped me to do that.

Take a look by clicking on the link.

I think you will see what I mean.

Peek-a-boo!

LOVE this idea.

I could have my photoshopped picture printed on my hand bag, then head out the door looking like fresh heck knowing all I had to do was hold up my purse to make me look lovely!

OR maybe I could put Tig's face on it when I feel catty.

Michelle Obama for...um...I don't know.

My mind is spinning.

From Pink Villa website.

I am still addicted to fashion news from India. Can't explain it. Just riding the phase for all it is worth!

Curly Top

Our acorns have curly tops right now.

Maybe they have curly tops every year at this time, but I have never noticed this phase in acorn development before.

Is this normal?

Is it a form of an oak "sport" ? (A sport is a genetic variation that spontaneously occurs in plants. When one is found in ivy, it can be named after the person who first finds it. I look at ivy all the time hoping to see a sport!)

Is curly acorn cap a sign of viral or pest issues?

Anybody out there seen something similar on the oak acorns in your area?

(Kinda cute isn't it? I do hope it is nothing to worry about!)

PS: Trying to find out about these things and saw this fun post with a great idea for making beeswax acorns. A bowl full would smell wonderful!

hensley

watch here

Scarlett and I both use...

Two o'clock Thursday afternoon.

I was bored and so ready to go home.

I took a walk outside to see the weather, and when I swung back into the office, a flock of girls in the school's skin care program met me with a "Jill! You'll do it won't you???"

"It" being a volunteer for a beauty make over.

They were right, I would.

Totally would!

I didn't even bother to think about why they thought of me when they thought of "make over". Around where I work, it is not a cause for dismay if someone in the hall way to flags you down to undergo a wax or facial peel.

(In fact, I had just gotten flagged for a peel on Tuesday evening, and I was indeed peeling nicely while the make-up artist-to-be was working on me.)

Apparently each student was assigned a movie star's picture, and were to apply make up to a classmate to mimic the star's look.

No...it wasn't so much that I brought to mind Scarlett...there was just an odd number of students and by co-incidence the left over student had drawn SJ's look to duplicate.

It would take more than make-up to make me look like the luscious Ms. Scarlett J. But I have to say, I do like the make-up palette that she was wearing in the "inspiration" photograph.
That's what's so fun about a make-over. You get to see how something different would work on you.

Had to take some "After" pictures in the hat I was wearing that day.

The skin care girls are all about sunscreen.
I am all about not re-applying sunscreen three to four times a day...I apply a hat instead.

They nag me to remember to put sunscreen on my neck, arms and hands too. Tuesday I also had an arm peel as the summer sun had left that skin looking pretty old. I may have to consider wearing opera length gloves in the future if I want to have nice hand and arm skin without slathering sunscreen there too.

Back home I was a bit disappointed that B. was working quite late. I wanted him to see the make-over too. I consoled myself
by playing with the "after" pictures a bit. Adding sepia to one image was an interesting make-over too.

The thing about digital camera: you can take as many shots as you want, and even try out new expressions.
I call this the: "Don't mess with a middle aged librarian in a hat if you know what is good for you" look.

The friendly and approachable librarian in a hat look...

The "I'm listening" look.

Cropping pictures is fun too...straighten and tip the image for a different look. When Bernie came home I showed him the pictures. He said I looked sixteen again! Or more accurately, I looked sixteen again in the pictures. You see, a make-up make-over can only do so much. For real make-over satisfaction, it is important to use what the movie stars use:

Photo editing up the whazoo!

(Above: a picture before photo editing. EEEKKK!)

Forget make-up.

Forget diamonds.

Blemish fix in Picasa really is this girl's best friend!

What Iran is up to...

Anyone up for a bit of thinking and Bible study?
Oh come on...I know kid and flower and food pictures are a ton of fun, but occasionally a bit of thinking beyond "That is so cute!" is good too!

First of all: everyone caught that Iran loaded up their nuclear power plant last week, right?

I myself was particularly interested in the fact that the power plant is situated over a fault line. I do hope they planned and made the "power plant" earthquake proof.

Iran also proudly announced and demonstrated its new drone named "The Ambassador of Death".
Happily, some authorities say the scariest part of the thing is its name, rather than its capabilities.

I saw this Bible study on Iran by John McTernan on THIS site, and thought I'd share it as it was pretty insightful and best of all, shows how merciful God is to even those who fight against Him.

It is a fast read; I think you will be glad you spent a moment to understand who Iran is in the Bible.

Elam/Iran in the Latter-Days
Jeremiah 49:38 And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.

Elam is an ancient geographical location mentioned in the Bible. Today its location would be mainly in Iran with a small section in Iraq. It bordered with the ancient Babylonian Empire. The actual location of Elam would be the very northern end of the Persian Gulf and down along with the west coast of Iran. Today one of main sections of ancient Elam would include Bushehr Province with the capital city of Bushehr. On a map of the Persian Gulf, Bushehr would be directly across from Kuwait (it is the red area of the picture.)







Bushehr is very important today because it is the location of Iran’s nuclear facility and has the attention of the world. Thus, the physical location of ancient Elam is critical today.
It is feared that Iran would use this plant to help build nuclear weapons to destroy Israel and threaten other nations. Israel has stated that it will not allow Iran to become a nuclear power, and it is very possible Israel will attack Iran to destroy this nuclear complex at Bushehr. It is also possible that World War 3 could start over the Bushehr nuclear plant. Thus, ancient Elam has become a focal point in dealing with Israel and fits directly into God’s prophetic plan as the world heads toward the day of the LORD.
Modern Location of Bushehr
In the Bible, the word Elam seldom appears. The name was derived from Noah’s grandson from Shem (Genesis 10:22). In Genesis 14, a battle is recorded between Abraham and a confederation of Kings. Chedorlaomer was listed as the king of Elam and part of the battle. In Isaiah 11:11, Elam is listed as one of the locations the Jews will return from just prior to the Second Coming of the Lord Jesus. In Daniel 8, the prophet was in Elam.
Elam was listed with the nations that assisted the Assyrians and Babylonians in their attacks against Jerusalem. The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel all write blistering judgments against Elam.
The Prophet Jeremiah speaks the most about Elam, as he describes a severe judgment against Elam. In very powerful language God describes His fierce anger and judgment against Elam. The judgment against Elam is very intense with language that is only found in these verses. These verses found in chapter 49 follow:
Jeremiah 49:34,35 The word of the LORD that came to Jeremiah the prophet against Elam in the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Behold, I will break the bow of Elam, the chief of their might.
(36) And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven, and will scatter them toward all those winds; and there shall be no nation whither the outcasts of Elam shall not come.
(37,38) For I will cause Elam to be dismayed before their enemies, and before them that seek their life: and I will bring evil upon them, even my fierce anger, saith the LORD; and I will send the sword after them, till I have consumed them: And I will set my throne in Elam, and will destroy from thence the king and the princes, saith the LORD.
(39) But it shall come to pass in the latter days, that I will bring again the captivity of Elam, saith the LORD.
The context of Jeremiah 49 is judgment on nations that will be fulfilled during the Day of the LORD. The judgment against Elam was not fulfilled but will be in the future. The prophecy speaks of the people being driven off the land and scattered into all the world. This has never happened in recorded history. It also speaks of the God of Israel setting His throne in Elam. This has never happened. This is all future because this prophecy was never fulfilled. It appears that with Elam now the focus of world attention, God is about to fulfill it.
According to Obadiah 1:15, God judges nations in relation to what that nation does to Israel. The judgment as recorded in Jeremiah 49 indicates that Elam was a fierce enemy of Israel. It participated in two attacks on Jerusalem. Elam was with the Assyrians and assisted the Babylons in their attacks on Jerusalem. Now, Israel is once again a nation and ancient Elam/Iran is again trying to destroy Israel and capture Jerusalem. Iran wants to destroy Israel and drive the Jews into the entire world; therefore, Elam is going to be destroyed and the people scattered into the nations.
Right now Elam/Iran is a fierce enemy of Israel and wants to wipe Israel off the map. Literally, a nuclear reactor sits in Elam for the purpose of destroying Israel. Elam is Israel’s most dangerous enemy.
Elam/Iran is also the center of Shiite Islam which wants to conquer the world for Allah. It is the center of belief in the Mahdi (Jill: the 12th Iman) who the Shiite Muslims believe will lead Islam to conquer the world. Elam can be viewed as the number one enemy of the God of Israel. Shiite Islam led by Elam/Iran is about to violently collide with God's End-Time prophetic plan as stated in the Bible.
Mahdi Mosque in Iran
Jeremiah records in verse 35 that God is going to break the bow of Elam which means its military power. In verse 36, the prophet states,
"And upon Elam will I bring the four winds from the four quarters of heaven..." This is the first time the term "Four winds" is used in the Bible. Later the Prophet Daniel uses this expression . It means fierce judgment. God is going to bring judgment from every angle and drive them off the land. A special judgment is decreed against Elam.
In verse 38, God is going to set His throne in Elam. This is an astonishing verse! This is the only nation other than Israel, where God states He is going to set His throne! It is clear from many scriptures that God is going to set His throne in His Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It appears that this verse is indicating that God's authority will be over Elam.
Right now Islam is the authority over Elam as Iran is the center of militant Islam and the promotion of the Mahdi to rule the world. Is God singling out Elam because it is the center of Islam's attempt to destroy Israel and take over the world? This verse shows that Islam will be broken and the nation that wanted the Mahdi to conquer the world will be under the authority of the God of Israel.

In verse 39, Jeremiah wrote that in the "Latter-Day" God would bring the people back to Elam. This means that during the reign of the Lord Jesus, God is going to show His mercy and bring the Elam/Iranians back into the land.
Awesome events are about to break over Elam. They have a nuclear reactor and are making plans to destroy Israel. Elam is preparing for the Mahdi and world conquest. The prophecy recorded in Jeremiah 49:34-39 is waiting to be fulfilled. It appears the time to judge Elam/Iran and Islam is at hand. The throne of the Lord Jesus will be over Elam.
Revelation 11:15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

Jill here again: I have to wonder if a broken nuclear power plant would be the reason for all the people of Iran to scatter all over the world. It seems reasonable to me that every nation would accept such a need for relocation.

I'm really curious why God says in the one passage that He will set His throne in Iran.

An Aware Citizen

I had a wicked thought when I saw this home.

Wouldn't it be funny to sneak over in the middle of the night and add a few more lawn signs for imaginary candidates running for imaginary positions?

Do you ever feel overwhelmed with keeping up with local and regional issues?

I sure do.

Then there are the non-votable issues like reading up on speakers at the local six mosques, what is happening in the stock market, job market, and housing market.

And there are the personal issues like keeping up with hair cuts, skin examines, weigh gain, and household and garden needs.

Plus keeping up with family life, via phone and facebook.

How many of these details can be safely ignored?

And for how long?

What is the longest you have ever "ditched" life for a vacation?

What issues have you permanently turned a blind eye to?

What issues do you secretly feel like you to take up?

I have questions.

Weekend field trip to Huntington Reservoir and River, the site where in 1988 a Mastodon elephant's body was found, intact, after 11,000 years in a bog. The reservoir was under construction when a backhoe operator dug up what at first looked like a log.

Upon further examination, it was determined to be bone and a paleontologist was called in. The mastodon body was so well preserved that it was possible to tell what he had last eaten (pine needles) his age (65, with a lot of arthritis) and lots of other details.

Question: Is it possible that more such bones are lurking under the wildflowers in the hills?

Question: Wouldn't it be amazing to start digging a cabin foundation and come across another mastodon?

The area had flooded three days earlier and mushrooms were everywhere!

Question: Is this mushroom safe to eat?

Question: What does it look like underneath the cap?

Answer to that second question: It looked like this...

(Still don't know if I could have cooked it up...)

The last of the season's flowers were going to seed.

Question: What is this thing?

Pretty pods...

The pine beetle has been in the area.

Question: Can that clump on the skeletal tree remains still stay alive if it is parasitic like holly?

The Huntington river was running crystal clear and I could count all the trout as they swam about. This was a brook trout.

Question: Why are Huntington trout so uppity that they ignore every kind of fly that Bernie cast RIGHT IN FRONT OF THEM???

(Answer: I think they were just full of bugs that the rain and flood had washed into the river earlier.)

Question: How can such slimy looking stuff produce such pretty flowers on the water?

Question: So, like...do the mushrooms completely open underground and then push up through the moss?

Question: Could I eat these mushrooms?

We hiked up a trail aside the river. You can see the sedimentary layers that formed over time. See the tiny thin layers towards the top?

Question: If the great sea that went from Arizona up to Idaho was formed during the Biblical flood, then why were there layers formed?

(No question here. It is just beautiful to look at.)

I liked the little peek-a-boo window beneath this boulder.

Question: When did this boulder fall into the river?

Question: How long will it take for the river to knock the rock off its perch?

The thistles were starting to bloom.

Question: How can something be so prickly and yet have such soft flowers?

The field asters were blooming nicely too.

Question: Why were some asters pale lavender while others were deep purple?

A fallen tree with fantastic root structure that looks like a dragon chomping down on something.

Question: How could such delicate roots not be more broken up from being ripped from the soil?

More mushrooms. I had no idea that their stems were bright yellow until I pushed a couple over.

Question: Can I eat THESE mushrooms?

End of the day...the sun setting on the river bend.

We saw deer and a badger on the drive home.

Question: Why is it that I have now seen two badgers in one month after 56 years of never seeing even one before?

PS: I will be getting a field guide to mushrooms. There were soooo many of them and so many types I thought it was awful that some of them might have been delicious and I didn't know it.

I've seen people out harvesting mushrooms all the time around here.

There must be some good ones out there but I'm not going to dare to eat any of them until I know how to tell a safe mushroom from a deadly one!