The Eternal Promise

In the dark days of Winter, 

Daffodils persevere.

So must we all;

So must we all.

 

Daffodil Dizzy

 

Pink and White

 

And About the Bible . . .

                                                                                       

 Some years ago, we had a lovely couple as long-time tenants of the house where Justin and family now live. They were excellent tenants, not only keeping everything in good repair, but making needed improvements. They were also committed Jehovah's Witnesses.

                                                                                       

They asked, at our first meeting, if that would be a problem and we said of course not--but we're not interested in Watchtowers and Bible study. 

That understood, we had an excellent relationship. Then, some years later when Ethan was getting ready to go to college, the wife of the pair gave me a book for Ethan to read. All about the Bible and what it means and how to lead a biblical life.

I thanked her and said I'd pass it on to him. But, I warned her, we don't "believe" in the Bible as anything more that a collection of old stories and songs, passed down and changed over and over in the passing.

She was gobsmacked. Around here, the prevalent religion was Baptist and those folks take their Bible seriously. Or pretend to.

                                                                                        

Now I'm the one who's gobsmacked--at the rise of Christian Nationalism in this country--which was founded by people escaping the lack of religious freedom in England.  

Alabama's Chief Justice and Speaker Mike Johnson are two recent examples of politicians basing their decisions on the Bible--which is a lot like using a map from 1700 to drive to California. 

I am wary of a government run by folks who care less for the here and now than a hoped-for heaven. Why worry about the environment? The Rapture will be coming any day.

When John was in grad school at University of Iowa, studying Comparative Religion, I had no job. So I  typed all his papers and, having an interest in the subject, read most of his textbooks. 

It was fascinating to learn how errors in translation and doctrinal disputes had shaped the Bible over the years. Man's work made the book what it is.

In the King James version, it rises to poetry in places. Some of the New Testament, the Beatitudes for example, is pretty darn woke. But the Inerrant Word of God? Give me a break.

Running a government based on the 'Holy Book' of a subset of the population is wrong. It would be wrong if it were the Queran, the Vedas, the Analects of Confucious, the Torah, the Tripitaka. . . or Atlas Shrugged or the poems of Rod McKuen.

And it's wrong when it's the Bible.

Goodbye to the Daffodils?

So far, the daffs have endured some very cold nights but the next few may be a challenge for them. So I brought a few inside for us to enjoy--and for the pictures that I may use as subjects to paint later on.

 

I've Always Wondered...

                                                       

These tousle-headed daffodils are the ones I see most often around old homesteads here. I have quite a few myself--descendants of some bulbs given me by a neighbor when we first moved here. I've always wondered what their name is but never found them in catalogues.                                                        

And now I know. They are Van Sion daffodils--at least 400 years old, and their extreme hardiness has contributed to their proliferation. And that proliferation probably explains why they're not in catalogues--everyone who grows daffs already has them or can get bulbs from a neighbor.

                                                     

More info about Van Sion HERE 

                                                  

Oh Joy!

These daffs are always the first to open. With their long trumpets and swept back petals, they herald a fast-approaching Spring.

Yes, I know it's too fast and these babies may have a freeze or snow ahead of them. But it doesn't stop me from feeling a surge of delight when first I see them.

Or from taking far too many pictures.

Only a few days ago I was taking pictures of moss--which has its charms-- but these shots of yellow are so nice to see.

Despite a plethora of crocus foliage, we have at present only this one modest bloom up here at the house. Too shady? In need of thinning? Probably. 

 

The First Daffodils

 

Daffodils and Crow

 

Daffodil Rescue

Hard freeze predicted so I brought in some daffodils to enjoy.

 

A Host of Golden Daffodils