Barnegat lighthouse

Lighthouses are pretty.
They are often in some of the most beautiful settings with wide seas and wider skies.

The era of lighthouses has passed into history, though.  Modern navigation systems can "see in the dark" and find their way unaided by lighthouses.

The Barnegat Lighthouse hasn't been a working lighthouse since 1927, but the people of Long Beach Island still make sure the light turns on.
It's been there since 1856 and a hundred years later, it was turned into a park area.

Maybe ships no longer need lighthouses, but people do.

Arizona road trip

Driving through Arizona with it's massive skies and endless horizons makes for a very satisfying road trip.

Flying over history

I love this view of the ancient standing tall and strong--same as it has for eight centuries--as modern travelers fly over it.
Some towers stand a long time.

Painting in the sky

Any takers on working with this guy?
You get to hang from bamboo poles while you paint in the sky.

Sky

If ever I mention missing the sky, this is what I'm talking about.
Better than any fireworks or light display.

Hay bales

How many times have I wanted to stop and take pictures of the freshly rolled hay bales?

Well today: I did.
It was sunset. Mist rising from the fields fresh after a storm.
It was a moment not to be missed.

Blue

First, the blue sign:
There is all sorts of new signage going up around the city. Commonwealth Games promotion.
...they are coming...
...14 days, 1 hour and 58 minutes...

Secondly, the blue sky:
I would have cropped this picture to focus in on the sign, but the friend who took it text-yelled at me not to. The blue sky is monumental, she said.
And well, yes, it is.
We've had several days of no rain, but it's back again today.
And so are the leaks and water spots on the wall.
So a sunny blue sky is a beautiful sight.

It is well

It's been... one of those days.
Near the end of it, I went up to the roof to see the sunset. Because I could see from my balcony that it promised to be a good one, and a rare glimpse of sky in these overcast monsoon days.
It was.
Beautiful.

In the noise-ridden city of Delhi, the rooftop was a sanctuary of quiet. Perhaps the traffic and people sounds don't echo off the buildings as much when you're above them.
Whatever it is that makes the hush, my whole being welcomed it.

The last rays of September 10, 2010 lit up the sky.
And it. Was. Glorious.

Yet...

Inwardly, I groaned.
There is a gaudy temple in my view of the skyline. It was blocking the sunset I wanted to see in full.
It's spires marred the beauty I longed to be unblemished.
I wanted perfection.

I wished for a view from higher up, so I could see over the temple silhouette.
But I was already on the roof. And I am earthbound.

Sigh.

All is not well with the world.
But in this moment, all is well in this place.
In this moment, all is well with my soul.

I can choose to set my gaze on things higher.
And I can remember that no matter what turmoil is around me or within me, there is a deep Source of Peace which calls to the depths within me.