My star word for Epiphany-- enthusiasm

A colleague posted yesterday about the star words she was giving out on Epiphany Sunday. She mentioned if anyone wanted one, let her know. 

This is her post:

The word that was picked for me: enthusiasm. 

I wonder how this word will show up in my life, what it will mean for me, how it will unfold.

I look forward to leaning into enthusiasm.

Deb

The 12th Day of Christmas

This morning I was reflecting on today being the 12th Day of Christmas.

I wrote and posted this: 

"On this 12th day of Christmas I give thanks that a human being so different from myself shows me how to live, love, and lead. Jesus reminds me that the color of my skin, hair, or eyes is not what makes me a kind and compassionate human. That comes from within. Jesus teaches me to love all God's children. Can I look beyond the skin, hair, eyes, gender, sexual orientation, attraction, language, finances, etc. to see the person inside? Can I take time to get to know the person that God created regardless of what my preconceived thoughts tell me? Maybe, if I listen, really listen, barriers will be destroyed--- barriers of language, ignorance, fear, mistrust, lack of knowledge, etc. 

As Epiphany nears and I reflect on the gifts brought to the Christ child and the gift givers who brought them, may I be willing to continue to journey to see, to be in the presence of the Holy.

May the Christ child continue to draw people together to bring hope, peace, joy, and love into the world.

Rev. Deb"

At church, I was reminded that I am loved, that Jesus came to love and that we are to remind others that they are loved.

I can't think of a better lesson as we move into Epiphany. 

Love. Jesus was and is about love. He taught us to love God and love neighbor as ourselves. 

As I rejoice in the birth of a brown-skinned, Middle Eastern, undocumented immigrant, I reflect on how I might live, love, and lead like him. 

How are you going to celebrate this 12th day of Christmas? 

How does the birth and life of tbe Christ Child offer you insight into how you will live into 2025?

Deb

If you would like to know more about the 12thday of Christmas, check out link: On the 12th Day of Christmas.

Trail Marker Trees

I have heard of "trail marker trees" before, but I've not done much research on them. When a friend pointed out that one of the trees I photographed on my 1st day hike was a Native American trail marker tree, I decided to do some research.

Here is the photo of the tree I took yesterday on the Green Gorge Loop Trail on Signal Mountain, TN:

Green Gorge Loop Trail

Signal Mountain, TN

In hindsight, I wish I had spent more time with the tree. How old is it, I wonder?!?! How long has it been showing the way?!?!  Is this tree truly a trail marker tree?!?!

Also in hindsight, I wonder how many of these I've seen on hiking paths over the years. I may go through my photos, simply out of curiosity.

Here are some links I have found on "trail marker trees":

• The History of Marker Trees (Deep Root Blog)
• Indian Marker Trees: Separating Folklore from Fact (Steve Jones)
• Trail Trees: Fact or Fiction? (Outdoor Chronicles)
• Oaks as Native American Trail Marker Trees (PDF)
• Trail Marker Trees--What's Old is New
• Indian Trail Tree Project

I find trees fascinating.

I find trail marker trees even more fascinating. 

Trees have much to tell us, to teach us, if we will observe and listen.

Happy trails!

Deb

The Six Triple Eight--reflections from the movie

I just finished watching "The Six Triple Eight" tonight on Netflix. I had seen it advertised and I wanted to watch it. 

I saw a little while back where a dear friend and colleague posted that she had watched it. 

Wow. Read that backwards--wow.

Until I started seeing advertisements for the movie, I didn't know there was such a thing as this troop. Did I miss that in history class? That is possible. I struggled to learn history. Maybe I learned but forgot. That is also possible.

Having seen the movie, I want to learn more.

These women were incredible soldiers, trained and ready to serve their country. A country that treated them poorly, even those in the military, their colleagues treated them poorly. (Not everyone was this way-- there were lights of kindnessand respect.)

What caused the poor treatment? In my humble opinion, it was racism. It could have also stemmed from fear or ignorance. Both of these things cause racism and bigotry to live and thrive.

I could be wrong. If there is a good explanation that I am missing, I am open to hear it.

But what causes a human being to treat another human being poorly?

While watching the movie my emotions were all the place. I felt joy to see young love. I laughed when one of the characters said things.  She seemed to be comic relief in some ways. She was raw, said it like it was, yet also showed compassion. I felt sadness and anger when overt racism reared its ugly head. I felt admiration for the captain who became a major and later a lieutenant colonel. She spoke truth in tough love and led her people well. 

The war scenes at the beginning were difficult, but so was the racism.

I was amazed at the end when one of the main characters, Lena, was reading a document, as herself, at 100 years old. 

The 6888th Battalion accomplished something no one else had done. They weren't expected to be able to do it  

They showed grit and determination despite all the situations against them.

At times I had tears.

As I write, I am attempting to not give away any spoilers, in case you haven't seen it.

If you have seen it, share what struck you.

It did not escape my attention that the troop started off in Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia. I found that interesting. It made me want to learn more about the days of it being an active army post.

It was a powerful and poignant movie. 

It was definitely worth my time to watch it and reflect on it.

Links for more information:

• The Six Triple Eight (Netflix)
• The Six Triple Eight (IMDb)
• Honoring the Six Triple Eight: WWIIs Unsung Heroes (Wounded Warrior Project)
• Lena D. King
• LTC Charity Adams

There are MANY more links, videos with interviews, etc. out there about the 6888th Battalion, its members, their service. 

I invite and encourage you to research this incredible history. 

Deb

First Day Hike-- Green Gorge Loop Trail on Signal Mountain

hiking with the retired guy on the first day

Thanks (Gracias) to Bart Stewart for sharing about this trail yesterday on social media. It's a new (to me) trail. I knew I wanted to get out and hike somewhere today, so trying out the trail he posted yesterday seemed the perfect idea.

It was!

The loop has several access points, 3 bridges that cross Shoals Creek, goes close by the creek for much of the hike, has a great tree canopy, and has rocks and other fun things to check out.

The gurgling of the water, the singing and chirping of birds, the fresh air and the cool breezes today made for a perfect hike for the first hike of 2025.

Additionally, we ran into someone I knew from Welcome Home of Chattanooga. We chatted for a few minutes. Then a family passed us by that I recognized, but it took a moment for me to recall their names. That's the age thing. :) There were other people on the trail, but no one else that I knew. 

Though it was 37 degrees Fahrenheit while we hiked, it was not too cold. I dressed in layers and had one of my hiking hats on.  

To be so close to homes and streets, yet have the full feel of being in nature was a true gift. How have I not heard of this trail before?!?! If I lived on the mountain, it would definitely be a go-to hike. 

There were spots where the water was so still and serene.

My favorite bridge was the first one. When we got to the other side, there was a sign that told us "no running or jumping". Thankfully, I didn't break that rule..... today. :)  Truthfully, it's not a bridge I would feel comfortable running over.... it dips. As for jumping... I see the temptation. 

I saw some really neat trees along the path. (see the photos below)

Not everyone is a nature person or one that enjoys getting out in the colder weather. 

No shame. No condemnation.

We live into our unique beings.

Below are a few links I've found for the trail:

• Map of the trail
• Seeing the Scenic City
• Green Gorge Trail-- All Trails
• Patten Park, Signal Mountain (video by Pam, the hiking nurse)

My photos from today's adventures:

first bridge-- we went over it and went counter-clockwise

plaque on rock to left of map kiosk

"Patten Park"

The Green Gorge Loop Trail allowed me to try a new trail, get into creation, breathe in some air, and enjoy the Creator. There was some good silence and solitude time too. Outdoor and nature therapy is a huge part of my being. I'm grateful to have gotten some of it in today!

May the adventures continue, 

Deb

My Stained Glass Journey-- it's only just begun

I have always loved stained glass.

I grew up in a church that had beautiful stained glass windows (St. Mark's Episcopal, Dalton, GA).

I traveled to Spain in 1984 and saw LOTS of stained glass windows on a tour of cathedrals there.

Churches that I have served have had cool stained glass in them. Interestingly, there were two churches in my first appointment that had similar stained glass. I am thinking it was a popular scene.

I started buying some stained glass pieces and have a colorful butterfly (made by a friend), a Celtic knot, a Celtic cross with the liturgical seasons around it (Riley commissioned it for me from our friends in Lake Junaluska), a bamboo piece for Bamboo Encounter, a lighthouse, some smaller pieces. We were gifted a cool Celtic cross this Christmas that is now hanging in our sunroom.

I don't know how or where this love for stained glass began. However, as I reflect on it, I remember the windows that lined the building on both sides of St. Mark's Episcopal. Maybe that's where my adoration for the beauty of the light came, the creativity, the craft. 

The first piece I made was a honeycomb in a class. We had a choice of two projects. I chose the honeycomb one because "bee" is what my name means in Hebrew. In that class we learned how to cut, grind, foil, solder. We left that evening with our creation. 

I didn't think about it too much after that. I hung my creation in the window with a suction cup (like you are NOT supposed to do, but I check it often and "pop it").

I don't know what came over me to make me want to make stained glass ornaments for the family for Christmas, but it did. So, I contacted the person that had offered the class I took and the adventure began.

I needed simple patterns to start my new adventure. I chose a Santa hat to start my new craft. I changed the pattern after making a few of them. Then I added a stocking pattern to the batch. I really liked it. It was a simple 2 piece design. I did a couple of trees for a few people at the end. I didn't cut these pieces, but I did grind and foil some of them. 

I found that the time doing stained glass was therapeutic for me, calming. I also came to realize that it was becoming a spiritual practice for me because it drew me closer to God, the Divine. How, exactly, I don't know. I only know that it did and does. Maybe it's the Creator connecting with the creativity in me, the creation. Again, I can't fully explain it. All I know is that there is a holy connection when I am working on the glass pieces. 

As I continued my ornament making, I found myself thinking ahead to "what's next". One thing that I wanted to do was to start making pieces that I could use as a fundraiser for PFLAG Chattanooga. Before I sold anything, however, my teacher wanted me to make a larger piece. So, my next project is Cliff. I have a 38 piece pattern that I will be working on. I will also likely start some smaller pride pieces.

Here are some photos of my stained glass journey-- from cutting the pieces, to foiling, to soldering. 

I played around with where to place the "2024" and used fish swivel hooks for placement and for the hooks for hanging. I bought "S" hangers to hang them. 

the first ornament I made-- my first Santa hat

my only attempt to put "fancy" dots

my only patina project

the 2nd Santa hat pattern

I am grateful to my teacher who has answered my questions, helped me fix my mistakes, taught me that glass is forgiving... that there is no major "mess up". You can fix almost anything. That has helped me grow in grace--- who knew that stained glass would teach me about grace?!?!

I am a beginner. In truth, I hope to keep a beginner's mind. That way I will continue to learn, to be open, to try new things. 

I will share my progress and projects as I continue.

Deb