Stars and things . . .

  

The Northern Lights, Scotland

I have been in places with night skies wide and brilliant with stars, so many that one could never fathom how very many there are.  I have lay in my bed of a night and watched the Northern Lights dance across the broad expanse of sky, in undulating waves of brilliance and colour.  I've sat in the back garden on a lawn chair with friends and watched the night sky on the banks of the Georgian Bay . . . as the stars shone and sattelites passes over our heads.  Yes, these places still exist . . .  although it's been a very long time now since I have seen them in such abundance . . . modern light pollution keeps them hidden, for the most part . . . from my eyes.

The poet Longfellow called them the "forget-me-knots of angels."  Thomas Carlyle referred to them as "street lamps of the City of God."

Stars have always brought out the best in thinkers and writers.  Matthew Arnold was inspired to write, "Still, let me, as I gaze on you, feel my soul becoming vast like you.  

 

Heaven's Trail, Ireland  

My favourite star quote of all is the one which the late President of my church, Gordon B Hinckley told  in an address to the youth of our church a number of years ago . . .

I have mentioned before the experience of my youth when my brother and I would sleep outside during the summertime. We would lie down in the bed of a big farm wagon and gaze into the heavens. The whole sky seemed to move . . . all but the North Star, which remained in its permanent and predictable place.

It was a thing of stability in a world of shifting values. It became an expression of a desire to pattern one’s life after the Polar Star, this astronomical wonder, to be true and dependable . . . true to God, true to self, and true to fellowman.

It is true . . . even though all of the artificial light pollutes the sky I gaze upon of an evening, making the stars I seek scarcely visible, I can still find the North Star.  Light pollution or not, it always remains in the sky, glowing bright as a beacon, reminding me of the promises and the covenants I have made to my Heavenly Father, and the promises He has made in return to me.  

 

There is so much light at night where I live in a highly urban area at the edge of a city that we don't really see a lot of stars where we are.  Also it is overcast a lot of the time, so much so that a clear starry night is a rare oddity.  I have always wanted to visit a planetarium where you can really see the stars and get up close and personal with them. 

It is an amazing thought to think when I do look up at the night sky, that

those very same stars and moon I am watching are the very same

stars and moon my loved ones can also see

halfway around the world.

  

I received the most amazing little gift basket yesterday.  There is a big food festival in Liverpool this weekend and the promoters of it had sent me this basket filled with goodies, which I had completely forgotten about so it came as a huge surprise to me.  

  

My favourite things in it, aside from the lovely basket itself, were these chopsticks and rests, some French Macaroons, a gnocchi roller and this sweet little red tea pot for one!  There were lots of other goodies as well . . .  hot sauce, cookies, breadsticks, small bottles of port, brandy and tequila,  Earl Grey loose tea,  BBQ sauce, etc.  Alas, no chocolate  . . .  sigh  . . .  lol 

  

The prize that I won on Instagram also arrived, this food chopper.  Its very different than anything I have seen before.  The motor is in the top, and it has two speeds. The bowl that you put what you want to chop in is made from glass and has a removable rubber table grip on the bottom.  That lid is plastic and with the exception of the motor part, it's all dishwasher proof. To operate you just push down on that thing on top.  I was so excited when I was opening the box.  I felt as excited as Ralphie's father, old man Mr Parker (Darrin McGavin), in that movie "A Christmas Story," when his genuine award arrived  . . . 

 

And Todd was about as excited as Mrs Parker was about the "leg lamp."  I dare say my award is a bit more useful than a leg lamp might be. 

  

I asked Todd to bring me back some spring onions when he went out yesterday morning.  He came back with spring onions, but they are the Paul Bunyan of spring onions.  More like smaller sized regular onions with the green bits still attached.   I had to laugh.  He does try.  Bless him . . . 

And with that I will leave you with a thought for the day  . . . 

° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~＼。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ ｜ 田田 ｜門 ★
 *Life is a series of tiny little miracles.

Notice them. ~Unknown  •。★★ 。* 。 

 

In the English Kitchen today.  Strawberry Cupcakes.  There are mashed berries in the buttermilk batter as well as in the cream cheese frosting, for a lovely moist cupcake with beautiful strawberry flavour!

Have a wonderful Saturday. We are off to a Baptism today!  Whatever you get up to, don't forget!

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And I do too!