Optical Illusions

Once in a while, you just come up with a photo that is an optical illusion. I recently made the wedding cake for a friend and one of the pictures I took of it looks like it is ready to fall over.

In actuality, the cake was just fine although shortly before, someone had taken it upon themselves to put their own flowers on the cake.

Such meddling! Needless to say, I was not happy with their "additions" to the cake I had made and immediately set out to provide first aid. In the end, the cake was beautiful - especially with the dimmed lights to "hide" little flaws. And the bride and groom were delighted both with the look of the cake as well as the taste. Now that's success!

Mist on the Water

There is something about wings that just fascinate me. Maybe it is because they remind me of angels. This is a close-up of a seagull from the ferry that takes you from Bremerton, WA to Seattle. I've made that trip twice and was enthralled both times with the experience.

The second time, it was early morning with thick fog. As the sun came up, the fog slowly burned off and the pictures were quite mysterious with sunlight only occasionally shining through on the water.

As we came close to the shoreline, the fall foliage peeped through the morning mist.

How can anyone say there is no God? This could never exist out of pure chance.

On the Shores of the Sea of Gallilee.

A restaurant in Tiberius on the Sea of Gallilee

The Eternal Now

I don't know why, but I have always liked this photo I took in Assisi, Italy in 2008. This was taken in front of the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels. Like a photo I posted of a nun outside of the Church of St. Mary over Minerva, I just hit it at the right time. These religious are in the world but not of the world. That is the way we should be too. Sunday's Gospel about not worrying over what you are to eat or wear - that God will take care of us because we are of greater value than the birds of the air or lillies of the field - concentrates on just that. We must focus only on God and all will fall into place. Worrying about tomorrow solves nothing. We are guaranteed only now and God is enough for now since He is the Great I AM - the Eternal Now.

Inspired Word

First of all, I have to admit that this isn't my photo, but my husband's - taken with an inexpensive Sony point and shoot at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. But the result is awesome. The lamp used to illuminate the pages of the Lectionary seemingly glows with the inspiration of the Word of God. AWESOME!

Was this co-incidence? I think not. More like God-incidence!

Introducing My Granddaughter

How could I forget?!!!!! Last September, I became a Gramma for the second time and I haven't posted any photos. Shame on me!!!

My grandson has a baby sister. Although these photos aren't especially flattering to my beautiful granddaughter who was only about 3 weeks old, they do tell a story. Big brother loves his baby sister and when asked to give her a kiss, he did so without hesitation. But when you really just want to watch "Thomas the Train" and you've had enough of Gramma taking pictures, well . . . the photo below absolutely says it all.

"O.K. I'm done! You can have her now."

Oh Say, Can You See . . .

It is amazing what you can do with pictures using manipulation. This picture was taken on the sea of Galilee in November, 2010. The sailing crew raised the American flag for us and we sang the Star Spangled Banner. What you do not know is that I was on the opposite side of the flag and so the flag was backwards. By flipping the photo around digitally, it is as though I am on the other side of the boat taking the picture from the correct side of the flag. Nice trick, huh?

Again, it is in the eye of the beholder which is the better photo. The composition and camera settings are the same, but in the original picture, the perspective says, "This is wrong" because the flag is backwards. Which one is better in my eyes? Take a guess. Here is the original photo before flipping:

Ever Faithful and True

This photo was taken of the stained glass window behind the alter where we had Mass at the Church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor. Peacocks were a theme that ran through our pilgrimage to the Holy Land.

Originating with an ancient legend that the flesh of the peacock did not decay, Christians adopted the symbol of the peacock to represent immortality and the incorruptability of the soul. Because it sheds its old feathers and grows new ones every year, the peacock is also associated with the resurrection of Christ. The peacock also symbolizes fidelity since they are faithful to one partner. Sometimes, the peacock is shown drinking from a vase. This symbolizes a christian drinking the waters of eternal life. In addition the " multitude of eyes" upon its stunningly beautiful fan tail, suggested the all seeing eye of God. Wherever I saw the symbol on the pilgrimage, it was associated with the Eucharist as it is in this photo of the stained glass window.

Mosaic floor in a church in Galilee where the multiplication of loaves and fish took place.

Top of one of the alter pieces in the Orthodox Church of Mary's Tomb in Jerusalem

where it is believed that she was assumed into heaven.

On our last day, we actually saw some real peacocks in Jericho.

And finally, we found prayer shawls with peacocks on them

 - a nice souvenir of our travels through the Holy Land.