Happy new year everyone! I’m sure you all had a festive week full of unconditional joy. Some of you may have regrets of 2016, though. I know I do. Sometimes the coming of a new year is a much-needed “fresh start,” so to speak. Many of us resolve to do better in our lives with this second chance.
I have a very long list of things to change about myself that I pored over in a local café a few days back over a wonderful hot cup of coffee. (Yum!) Some of these things I want to change I know will never change. But, alas, I write them down none the less with a faint spark of hope. Do my resolutions ever work out? Most of the time, no. Some of the time, yes! It can sometimes be hard to realize if what you wanted to change did or didn’t over time. I know new year resolutions can be discouraging and unprofitable. That’s why I don’t usually (USUALLY) go crazy over them. Sometimes I don’t even write down anything, and just try to keep a mental note of what needs to change. This doesn’t always work, but sometimes it’s worth a shot. This year my new year’s resolution is to spend more time alone with God’s creation. Doesn’t seem that difficult, does it? But in this busy life of ours it can feel impossible to get time to do what you love. In my case, I would love to go out into the woods on a crisp winter day with my new camera. Can I do this anytime? No. Will I ever get to do it? Why, yes. I can find time if I plan for it. This new year, I hope, will be full of chances to see God’s world the way he saw it about 6,000 years ago when he made this earth. I want to see it and be with it and make memories with it, but this can’t all happen at once. I can’t just say, “This year, I want to spend more time with nature,” and BAM your wish comes true. No, nearly all of the time it doesn’t work that way. But I’m not saying it is impossible. Even the little things God let’s us see are wonderful and are meant to be cherished. My wish can come true if I just change the way I think. What if “seeing more of nature” isn’t only going on more nature walks or traveling to New Zealand. What if where God put me is where I should stay? What if what God gives me to experience is what I should see? That’s some food for thought. Well, have a wonderful, nature-full new year!
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Merry Christmas to all my wonderful readers! You have given me a wonderful gift: a reason to write. I thank you all for reading my blog, and I wish you a merry Christmas with all my heart. We all are familiar with the story of Santa. How he “sees you when you’re sleeping,” and how “he knows when you’re awake.” But we also all know that this is just a story. That the happy feeling of a merry old man who gives us pleasing gifts is fraud. We made this story up, but Christmas holds the wonder of another story. This one is true. Thousands of years ago, nearly 2017 years in fact, our savior was born on this earth. He came to us in the humble body of a baby boy, and grew with his parents in a poor home. He didn’t seem like a king, but he was the son of God. He was God, and he came to rescue his creation. His people. How did he rescue us? By setting us free from our sins. He came to give us a way to heaven. Not an easy way, but an easier way. And how can one be saved? By giving your heart to your creator and God. By setting aside your pride and excepting that He is not only your LORD, but also your savior. This Christmas, allow yourself to be born again in a humble way just like Jesus was born in a humble stable.
Think about that this Christmas. Jesus is waiting for you. Well, it feels good to sit down and write about what I love. A busy week gone, and an even busier one on its way. Sometimes I wonder if I can continue to write and publish every week in such a busy time of year, but alas, I must make time. So, here it goes. I thought this week I might talk about my favorite kind of bird: the parrot. These birds have held a special place in my heart for years. They are truly amazing creatures, and they deserve much more than a cracker! Here is my somewhat spoiled Black-Capped Parakeet, Dukey: Let’s dig deeper into how these birds have won my love and admiration. Parrots are one of the most loved and well known birds in the world. This is probably because of their radical colors and habit of mimicking the sounds around them. These birds are equipped with the perfectly colored feathers that a tropical bird needs to blend in with the surrounding vegetation. Their strong beaks give them the power to crack open the tightly closed nuts that are one of their main food sources in the wild. They also serve as a powerful weapon and as a way to tell their owner that they want something. (Ouch!) There are many different kinds of parrots that are worthy of studying deeper, but I will only cover a few today. Popular Parrots: The Scarlet Macaw: These birds are probably the most popular type of parrot in the world. Their stunningly crimson feathers and their size make them a much wanted pet and a beautiful bird to observe in the wild. The Budgerigar (Parakeet): These birds are also very popular all over the world. Their colors and mimicking abilities make them great pets, but also their price and easy management make them loved by parents. They also don’t have as loud of a voice as a Macaw does. These birds travel in stunning flocks of thousands, and often resemble a swiftly-moving cloud. The African Gray: These parrots are one of the best talkers and are greatly loved for that ability. Their body feathers are a dull gray, but their tail feathers are a stunning scarlet, giving them a wonderfully beautiful look. These birds also travel in flocks, but much smaller than the Budgerigar. The Sulfur-Crested Cockatoo: These pure white birds are simply gorgeous! They have a crown of a wonderful yellow which resembles a Mohawk when they are startled or excited. These birds are also known for their nippy attitude and loud voices, but if trained correctly they can make wonderful pets. They sometimes travel in small flocks in the wild. Parrots are fabulously created birds, and should be respected and cared for by all of us. If you feel like you want to rush out and buy your own parrot, think twice. They are wonderful pets, but need a lot of attention. At least as much as a dog or cat. If you have the time they need, I’m sure there is a perfect bird waiting for you! Whose woods these are I think I know. |
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