We knew Sunday was going to be a fairly pretty day, so Jon suggested we head to the ranch for church. We left later in the morning and bounced our way up Hansell Road to the Upper Place for a sermon on the mount.
This first one is actually a later pic, but it makes for a good header photo.
Following Jon. There appear to be a great many little trees that need thinned! Jon had been up here since fall, there were still spots of snow here and there, and tire tracks. We did converse with a couple who drove in to walk around while we were there.
We walked around just a bit before settling down to Acts and a recorded sermon from 2010. It was a Wednesday night lesson by Brett Meader from Athey Creek.
Steve and I are not as familiar with this teacher. He reminded us a great deal of one from the Athena church, Dan. Bunny trails and obscure bits of interest were dropped here and there while Brett shared from Acts. It appears it also takes him a while to get through a chapter or book! It was also a good choice for today. This odd virus has sometimes choked hope, yet there is a LOT of hope. Death isn't final and life is hidden inside. We were surrounded by awakening life. Pine cones who hold seeds of tomorrow, crazy buntings (probably Lazuli) who were briefly interested in Jon's Bronco, parasitical ticks who cling and suck life from others (Like Simon the magician), and high flying hawks playing in thermals. What a blessing to be reminded of hope in this time of paying close attention to where the head leads us. Facts, numbers, dying, and fear are all over. The heart leads us to One who is more. The lesson didn't have music, but I'll end this particular post with one that was a favorite when the boys were littles.
Eastern Oregon Blue Mountain squirrel are picturesque. Especially in a rainy woods- Because it was so wet, Jon took quite a few forest photos.
It also snowed above the guys and both decided it was a cold way to hunt.
Jon went out again on Monday. Steve worked. Jon got his deer and Tony celebrated from afar with a couple of quips. The first one is rather apt since Jon actually discovered the deer he was watching was a buck duo sitting in the tall grass and brush. After Jon shot the nearer deer, the other sort of stood around and then wandered off. Jon really wished his dad had been there!
Jon dragged it across the grasses with a four wheeler and then got it into a trailer (I think this is how the story goes. However, I'm sure he'll tell anyone who asks!)
He got it out of the trailer with Bob. Definitely a good use of different sorts of tools and truly a Red Green sort of handiness..without the duct tape!
This sunset is from a couple of days BEFORE deer season, but it always good to end with one.
More of Steve and Jon's first weekend of deer season in Eastern Or on the ranch. It was a stunning warm weekend with days full of sunshine and nights full of stars.
Jon took many sky photos. Clouds are always keepers~
They did a great deal of hiking with their rifles this year. Jon said when he came home, the stairs to the craft room where Kila was hiding were hard to climb!
He took several photos of this little owlet--thankfully one of them was a clear shot. Jon said the little guy kept moving!
And in this photo, Jon caught an elusive mythical creature. He didn't realise it til he got home, but after I showed him, he was convinced. This is a white dragon sitting in the sky on his haunches like a cat. The dragon's head is on the right.
After intense discussion, it was surmised this must be Mt. Adams in WA.
Kazul has decided to retire to the Mountains of Morning and so Kris is taking over for the King of Dragons. We'll miss the work Kazul has done, but she does have several grandchildren now and needs to spend time with them. We have replaced the family photo with just Moses, but as he is a major part of the family, it should suffice!
