Monday, August 23, 2010

The sunset caught me, turned the brush to copper,

set the clouds to one great roof of flame above the earth.” Elizabeth Coatsworth


We drove some evenings back on empty roads through rolling hillsides, freshened by monsoon rains. The desert sparkled a bit with rain, the Eastern horizon grew dark and velvetty and oh, the Western sky.

The clouds glowed with colors and the sky changed and shifted with the breezes so that each moment seemed more amazing then the last.

We drove like that for awhile and then passed through Florence.

I wonder if the prisoners can see out of their cells? I wonder if they can still be moved by the grandeur of so much beauty? I wonder if the sunset inspires them as it does me...to make my life count...moment by moment by moment?

I'm not sure why I thought about those prisoners so much. But I did. The thoughts made me both sad and hopeful.

And it also made me wonder why everyone wasn't pulled over beside the road rejoicing in a sky such as this.

As we did.

In the creosote-scented fresh desert air driving home from Tucson.

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36 comments:

RoeH said...

I hear ya'. Great post! We have to take those quick moments in life to see the beauty. Funny...but when I ever get out to Florence and go by the prison, those same thoughts hit me. And one completely selfish thought.....they are in there and I'm so blessed not to be. I guess it's a big picture of the choices each of us make in life.

Wow.. too deep for three in the morning. :)

jeff campbell said...

Good morning Jenny...spectacular clouds! Hope your weekend was as spectacular as that setting...Peace

Anonymous said...

A very descriptive post, and I am sure the prisoners do think about it often. We are blessed to be able to see such beautiful sights.

CJ xx

Nancy's Notes said...

Wonderful post Jenny and your photograph is absolutely breathtaking!

Nancy

Busy Bee Suz said...

It is amazing isn't it? The beauty of our skies...our vistas...our oceans. We are lucky and lucky when we take a moment to appreciate it.

noexcuses said...

What a spectacular picture and incredibly visual post! We recently drove back across a few states and I had similar thoughts of gratitude for the beauty of the sky, as well as my ability to see it!

Thanks so much for sharing!

Unknown said...

Am I the only one that when I see majesty such as this I see God at work. It gives me hope.

People Who Know Me Would Say: said...

God creates this breathtaking art every day...and so many miss it.


He smiles brightly when He sees someone stop to take it all in.

Cheryl said...

The universe provides breathtaking abundance every single moment of the day. Living with eyes and heart wide open is the only way we humans can witness this.

Susannah said...

Aah, beautiful! I so enjoyed your descriptions I felt I was there.

Wonderful writing.

Deb said...

beautiful photo...nice post

Chatty Crone said...

Maybe if the prisoners stopped to take a moment to breathe and see the good - maybe they wouldn't be inclined to do wrong - and then again - we have to make sure we stop and breathe too!

Beautiful pictures Jenny.

Sandie

amelia said...

Beautiful!!! :)

Linda @ A La Carte said...

Wonderful to be able to take the time to enjoy the moment! They are all around us but we speed through most of them! This was quite beautiful Jenny!!

Amy said...

The sky is one of my favorite art pieces. You never see a boring sky, it is always a masterpiece.

Theresa said...

Oh what a vision I see thru your words:) about the beauty of the sky!

Prisoners?... some have changed their lives while behind bars and some perhaps are there by mistake! I don't know but I would think you should enjoy the sunshine whenever you get to see it wherever you are!

Have a blessed day! HUGS!

Sue said...

Beautiful photo and beautiful words. Isn't it nice to be reminded that there is certainly something bigger than we are desigining this thing we call life!

Jo said...

it's those everyday moments that are spectacular ... that i think of as heaven here on earth ... it's all peace, beauty & love.

Susan Anderson said...

My son is at the U of A in Tucson and we have seen some amazing sunsets in those beautiful desert skies.

=)

Melissa Miller said...

Miss Jenny you are a true talent!

Tina said...

I love sunsets and sunrises. Your post was beautiful and thoughtful.

Marlene said...

Gorgeous photo. Kinda makes me *sigh* that beautiful summer evenings are soon coming to an end.

One Photo said...

I think aside from having a child, the greatest miracle on earth is just that, this earth and it's amazing natural beauty. Lovely post and a wonderful picture, a scene I could easily gaze at for hours.

Ames said...

Just awesome. Our God really is awesome! Kind of reminds me of the quote "I think it pisses God off when you walk by the colour purple in a field and don't notice it." from the movie The Color of Purple.

Thanks for noticing it Jenny, and thank you for sharing it too! So beautiful. ~Ames

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Ames said...
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Melinda said...

Simply beautiful!!!

Melinda

Kelly said...

Nice post. It is amazing how our minds can really think deeply about some things we wouldn't expect to.

J said...

Everything about this post was wonderful.

La Petite Gallery said...

I look up and wonder how long this beautiful earth will last. I am
always thinking how we are destroying it. I am 73 and have seen too much change.

yvonne

Donna B. said...

Oh Jenny, I totally agree!! I love taking pictures of beautiful sunsets and sunrises. I used to live in Tucson and I thought they had the best sunsets! I always enjoy God's spendor. I love the ocean and the mountains too.

Lourie said...

That's really cool of you to think of the prisoners. And do they appreciate it? I know I do. How can I not? Beautiful!

NatureGirl said...

I am completely honored to have you as a follower. I your blog is one of my very favorites! You are a very creative woman...

Unknown said...

that photo is amazingly beautiful!

Unknown said...

Since I work in retail I hear a lot of people talk poorly of Phoenix, especially in the summer. I have this secret love of where I live. Shh, don't tell anyone I might get beat. But your picture just made me even more proud of this beautiful state that is SO under appreciated by the one's who live here. Prisoners or not.

Pondside said...

When beauty catches you unawares like that it's really something - it causes me to think along the same lines as you.
Lovely post.