Thy Heavens

[Photo By: KPA]

Psalm 8:3-4

3 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4 What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

Flower Status

Watering the flowers, which have become quite an attraction with the kids, who update us on their status!

My Three Ps

Patience, Perseverance and Prayer.

Christmas Lunch

Christmas lunch on the 47th floor, with a view of Addis.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas

The Adoration of the Magi

c. 1440/1460
tempera on poplar panel
overall (diameter): 137.3 cm (54 1/16 in.)
framed: 188 x 171.5 x 12.7 cm (74 x 67 1/2 x 5 in.)

Fra Angelico and Fra Filippo Lippi
Fra Angelico
Florentine, c. 1395 - 1455
Fra Filippo Lippi
Florentine, c. 1406 - 1469

Samuel H. Kress Collection
National Gallery of Art , Washington D.C.

Christmas Eve

Nature’s Prayer on Christmas Eve

From The Thinking Housewife

December 24, 2023

THE weeks of hectic preparation end.

The mad, rushing rivers of traffic come to a halt. The parking lots empty. The stores finally close.

Human activity seems to cease. The famous stillness of Christmas Eve descends.

But there is something more — or rather something less.

From that very first moment, nature expressed its reverence. The ox and the ass lay by the crib in sacred stillness. The rock walls of the cave, with the immovable gravity and wordless wisdom of all stone, represented the mountains and hills of this wondrous earth.

The stars were so unlike any other that peasant shepherds, humble in heart, were struck dumb.

Nature is witness to God’s artistry every day. But on Christmas Eve, the very respiration of the trees slows, small creatures cease to stir in their winter lairs, the birds want for no food, the flames of candles leap upward and in this mysterious silence we can hear the majesty of God and the peacefulness of his love.

O Holy night, silent night, when creation itself adores and throngs of angels sing.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
A Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the second day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the third day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fourth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the fifth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the sixth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the seventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eighth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the ninth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the tenth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the eleventh day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me
Twelve Drummers Drumming
Eleven Pipers Piping
Ten Lords a Leaping
Nine Ladies Dancing
Eight Maids a Milking
Seven Swans a Swimming
Six Geese a Laying
Five Golden Rings
Four Calling Birds
Three French Hens
Two Turtle Doves
and a Partridge in a Pear Tree

Breakfast of Champions All Local Ingredients

  

Lilies in the City

Lilies of the City

[Photo By: KPA

An Addis Rose

An Addis Rose

[Photo By: KPA]

A Christmas Party

Fezziwig dances with his co-workers

Illustration by John Leech

Fezziwig’s story, from A Christmas Carol written by Charles Dickens. At The Thinking Housewife’s blog.

Fezziwig

It is just under two weeks before Christmas.

A Rose Among Thorns

A Rose Among Thorns

[Photo By: KPA]

This rose is from our building compound, and is by the palm trees, which have had their thorns cut.

It IS a rose among thorns.

Purity

 

[Photo By: KPA]

I am not sure what this white flower is, but it looks like a Nerium Oleander, as described in this site.

https://plants.canadale.ca/11110004/Plant/17226/White_Oleander/

Timothy 5:22

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

Flowers for my Mom

“Ye Wef Kolo”

Bird’s Grain

[Photo By: KPA]

The flower pot we planted for our Mom, which she has committed to water every day (hopefully).

The Addis residents do tell us we shouldn’t  over-water them.

There is one pot on each side, named by my Mom: Andegna Abeba, Huletegna Abeba; First Flower, Second Flower.

Common Lantana

A Rose

A Rose

[Photo By: KPA]

Psalm 40: And He Hath Put a New Song in My Mouth

Robin Song
[Photo By: KPA]

Psalm 40

1 I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

4 Blessed is that man that maketh the Lord his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.

5 Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast done, and thy thoughts which are to us-ward: they cannot be reckoned up in order unto thee: if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.

6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.

7 Then said I, Lo, I come: in the volume of the book it is written of me,

8 I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.

9 I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.

10 I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

11 Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy lovingkindness and thy truth continually preserve me.

12 For innumerable evils have compassed me about: mine iniquities have taken hold upon me, so that I am not able to look up; they are more than the hairs of mine head: therefore my heart faileth me.

13 Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: O Lord, make haste to help me.

14 Let them be ashamed and confounded together that seek after my soul to destroy it; let them be driven backward and put to shame that wish me evil.

15 Let them be desolate for a reward of their shame that say unto me, Aha, aha.

16 Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified.

17 But I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me: thou art my help and my deliverer; make no tarrying, O my God.

God's Wrath is Palpable

If we are to save our civilization we have to put a higher standard to the words we use.

Words are the outward manifestation of our thoughts (and feelings) and sometimes (and more often than not) display our own particular truths, how we see the world.

Wars have started because of words. Unions have been broken because of words, and sometimes even just one word. And as my google spell check tells me, unions have been "born" (a clumsy effort at correcting my misspelt bron "broken") because of words .

At a recent entry at the Orthosphere, Kristor writes: Be Not Afraid.

And proceeds with a long article on how God is there for us.

But somewhere in the middle he slips:

If God exists, the battle is won already.

If

If God exists.

God's wrath is palpable in this time of those who deign to doubt.

He that is not with me is against me

Matthew 12:30

Monthly Feast of Mariam

Monthly Feast of Mariam

Jacaranda Tree Flowers

Jacaranda Tree Flowers

[Photo By KPA]

Dawn in Addis

Dawn in Addis

[Photo By: KPA]

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Norman Rockwell’s Freedom from Want.

St. Michael

Saint Michael, at the Toronto hospital, 

St. Michael’s Hospital.

[Photo By: KPA]

Kidus Mikael

Kidus Mikael (on the left, with Kidus Gabriel on the right).

Kidus Mikael’s annual Saint’s day today in Ethiopia.

Image from the Walters Art Museum Collection

Birthday Prayers

Early morning birthday prayers 

from a hill-side church.

While wishing my mother a “Happy Birthday!” this morning, the early morning Sunday prayers just started from the hill-side church we can see from our apartment.

It was the perfect start to her day, her birthday, her second one in Addis.

Another Birthday in Addis!

Happy birthday to my sweet Mom!

Another birthday in Addis!

Remembrance Day: November 11

Remembrance Day, November 11

Firefighter Joel Glaude

with Bagpipes

Mississauga Civic Centre

November 11, 2015

[Photo By: KPA]

Sunshine in Addis

Pool patio in Ghion Hotel, Addis Ababa

Photo By: KPA

 

Addis Shool Bus

Addis School Bus

“Yetemariwoch Awtobus” 

- “Students’ Autobus”

[Photos By KPA]

Addis is a play on words for Addis Ababa, and also for its meaning - “new.”

These can be future counter-revolutionaries!

Psalms 91:11-12

Psalms 91:11-12

For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.

 

Leonardo da Vinci, Virgin of the Rocks 

c. 1483, oil on wood

Louvre, Paris, France

Sous le Ciel de Paris

Sous le Ciel de Paris

[Photo By: KPA]

"For he shall give his angels charge over thee"

11 

Notre Dame de Paris

[Photo By: KPA]

Psalm 91:11-12

11 For he shall give his angels charge over thee,

to keep thee in all thy ways.

12 They shall bear thee up in their hands,

lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

12 

St. Joan in Paris

Jeanne d'Arc at the 

Places des Pyramides, in Paris

In my "Prayer to Joan of Arc" I didn't add this very special Joan of Arc, the one in the Place des Pyramides, in Paris. Yes, it is a little traitorous that I, who spent my primary and secondary education in beautiful England (see "bio" here), would shill for this French saint, who went to battle to fight the English!

But, remember, my first introduction to life outside of Ethiopia was beautiful Paris, where I spent a full six months before entering the beautiful Betteshanger (then called) School as a boarder (and would return every "1/2 term," every six weeks, to beautiful Paris for 1 week to three-month stays).

So, my first love is Paris. And the Catholic St. Joan is a testament to that!

Above is the bronze statue, where she is in full, stiff, armor.

And here is Parisian politics at its best.

Prayer to Saint Joan of Arc

This is a photo that I took of the Joan of Arc statue on the edge of Central Park, in New York City. It was a cold, cold winter's day, as the photograph shows of snow still lying on the ground. And very early morning.

Prayer to Saint Joan of Arc

In the face of your enemies,
in the face of harassment, ridicule, and doubt, you held firm in your faith.
Even in your abandonment, alone and without friends, you held firm in your faith.
Even as you faced your own mortality, you held firm in your faith.
I pray that I may be as bold
in my beliefs as you, St. Joan.
I ask that you ride alongside me
in my own battles.
Help me be mindful that what is
worthwhile can be won when I persist.
Help me hold firm in my faith.
Help me believe in my ability
to act well and wisely.

Amen.

Take Three: School Playground: Morning, Noon, Evening

Take Three: Playground: Morning, Noon, Evening
Photo By: KPA

Take Two: School Playground: Morning, Noon, Evening

Take Two: School Playground: Morning, Noon, Evening

[Photo By: KPA]

School Playground: Morning, Noon, Evening

School Playground: Morning, Noon, Evening

[Photo By: KPA]

Resume - with a focus on artistic background

Resume - with a focus on artistic background

About Patterns

Trillium and Queen Anne's Lace

Textile Design by Kidist Paulos Asrat

[Image Source: Well-Patterned: Designs by Kidist Paulos Asrat]

Textile designers have a wealth of design tradition to draw on. Patterning our designs after our heritage is about pursuing excellence.

Past designs nourish our present ones. Tradition provides a launching board for our own innovations and creations. Tradition is the foundation for the patterns of our thoughts and our ideas. It is ultimately the basis for the patterns of our designs. Thus, I use such guidance and examples to shape my patterns. I look to the past to direct me to the present, with the ardent hope that my designs will in turn positively influence my, and others’, future endeavors.

Well-followed, well-conceived, well-designed. That is the goal of “Well-Patterned.”

Tradition is the basis for the patterns of our thoughts and our ideas. It is ultimately the basis for the patterns of our designs.

Tradition is the basis for the patterns of our thoughts.
Tradition is the basis for the patterns of our ideas.
Tradition is the basis for the patterns ultimately of our designs. 

Tradition, if we follow it with care and intelligence, guides us to the future.

Text from: Well-Patterned: Designs by Kidist Paulos Asrat

Proverbs 6:19-19

Proverbs 6:19-19

16 There are six things that the Lord hates,

    seven things detestable to him:

17 snobbish eyes,

    a lying tongue,

    hands that spill innocent blood,

18 a heart set on wicked plans,

    feet that run quickly to evil,

19 a false witness who breathes lies,

    and one who causes conflicts among relatives.

Bird on Balcony: An Iridescent

Tacazze Sunbird

(Nectarineia tacazze)

More here, including sound

[Photo By: KPA]

(From a previous post)

 

Identification:

A large, dark highland sunbird. Breeding males look black in poor light, but show extensive purple iridescence and a coppery-green head in good light. Non-breeding males lose most of their iridescence, but usually retain their elongated central tail feathers. Females are dusky olive-green with a pale eye-stripe and a limited dark mask. Found at middle and high elevations along the edges of montane forest and in gardens and cultivated areas. Similar to Bronze Sunbird, but males are separated by their purple iridescence and females by their duller, unstriped underparts. Female also similar to female Malachite Sunbird, but less yellow below. The common call is a series of several “tew” notes, and the song is a frantic and high-pitched jumble. [Source] 

Mountain Ranges

Fall Hills

Greyhound Bus Through the Mountains

October 2009

[Photos By: KPA]

I'm not sure which mountain range I was just approaching in the above photographs, or which I just left, while traveling through northern-eastern United States in New York state and Pennsylvania, but here is a brief account of the bus, and the maps I used to orient myself, posted at my original blog: Camera Lucida: A Place to Explore and Shed Light on how Art, Culture and Society Converge:

Two Mountain Ranges: In One Trip

It was early autumn, and the scenery was spectacular!

The photos above are from my photograph files I kept of that trip (in October, 2009), which included about a week in New York City. Here's a brief summary of my time in New York, and also an afternoon in Princeton University (New Jersey).