Puddle in the Pasture

A view of the Pacific Northwest from the back yard.




Saturday, December 6, 2008

St. Nicholas Day



Hurray, hurray for St. Nicholas day,
we can start reading his autobiography!
He loves goat cheese and chocolate chip cookies,
and would prefer it if we would all leave him some,
there is no goat cheese at the North Pole.

He started life in Lycia, in the third century,
was orphaned at nine years old,
his parents having had him in their fifties
didn't live long in his life.
He became known for being a secret gift giver.
When the father of the young women who received
Nick's legendary first gift of money for dowries,
confronted Nicholas, he was told that it was
God alone
that the father should thank.


St Nicholas is a good example of
Christian gift giving.
The thought of him inspires me to
give not only gifts but also
hope and the love of Christ
to those who need Him.
The credit going to God alone.





Isn't this cloud cool?

Can't you see this as Santa's hat
or the swirl of air
caused by his speeding sleigh?

It is an altocumulus standing lenticularis,
or lenticularis, because it looks like a lens.
Nicknamed lennies, they indicate large
vertical air movement, big lifts
where moist stable air moves over a
mountain or mountain range.
All that technical stuff
But it is still a
cool cloud.

6 comments:

A. Joy said...

Oh I loved your post on St. Nicholas's autobiography! I may need to read that to my kids!
We also saw that cool cloud over Mt. Rainier the other day, there was another one similar yesterday. That's exactly what I said - looks like a santa hat!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Wow. I can't remember seeing a cloud quite like that one. Quite a wonderful pic, quite beautiful.

Nice to hear of old Saint Nick, and I never cared for goat cheese either. Just never got used to it, though I guess it's good for you, or at least quite alright once you get used to it.

Marla said...

Hi! Lanny sent me your way! Great post on St. Nicholas. That photo of the cloud is really cool! Good Luck on your blogging. I just started blogging a few months ago! Stop by and visit me sometime.

KathyB. said...

You're right, it is a cool cloud ! Beautiful picture Bet.

I too enjoyed the short bit on St. Nicholas, thank-you!

A. Joy said...

I just got around to scrolling down to see all of your posts and photos and loved them all! Our kids loved the one on Kai! I liked the squeaky flower and the chicken best. Fun blog!

LindaSue said...

I'd be happy to give my lifetime share of goat cheese to St. Nicholas (love my goats - don't care for the cheese). Fascinating picture and I have also never seen lennies - but am glad you told me about them and what a great picture.