The view from my place

stillsmoking · January 18, 2009, 04:25:02 PM

Thanks HCT very appropriate, your comment reminds me of a story about my great granddad. Grampa lived in a small town in Idaho for many years and was well known in the community. There was a particular preacher that would come by and visit grandpa from time to time. The preacher wasn't pushy and he and grandpa enjoyed each other's company. One day the preacher had stopped by to visit for a few hours and on his way out asked grandpa if he was going to see him in church Sunday. Grandpa told him probably not. When the preacher asked why grandpa didn't come to church grandpa replied, "I have always felt closer to my god standing in the middle of a stream with a rod and reel in my hand than I have ever felt in a church." Guess it is genetic. I have always felt more at peace in the silent places than anywhere else. Give me room lots of room, don't fence me in..........

HCT · January 18, 2009, 05:15:20 PM

Stillsmoking, you just can't help feeling the Presence

Smoking Duck · January 18, 2009, 05:50:30 PM

Quote from: stillsmoking on January 18, 2009, 04:25:02 PM
Thanks HCT very appropriate, your comment reminds me of a story about my great granddad. Grampa lived in a small town in Idaho for many years and was well known in the community. There was a particular preacher that would come by and visit grandpa from time to time. The preacher wasn't pushy and he and grandpa enjoyed each other's company. One day the preacher had stopped by to visit for a few hours and on his way out asked grandpa if he was going to see him in church Sunday. Grandpa told him probably not. When the preacher asked why grandpa didn't come to church grandpa replied, "I have always felt closer to my god standing in the middle of a stream with a rod and reel in my hand than I have ever felt in a church." Guess it is genetic. I have always felt more at peace in the silent places than anywhere else. Give me room lots of room, don't fence me in..........

You ever watch "A River Runs Through it"? Great movie and the story reminds me of it.

SD

stillsmoking · January 18, 2009, 06:29:20 PM

HCT, you have it entirely my friend. If you can't feel something greater than yourself in that setting you are lacking something important. I have had the pleasure and priviliege of spending a good deal of my life in places other people never get to see. I have been above 14,000 feet in a few states (under my own power) as well as flying to mountain tops that other people never visit. Have spent much time on the water in various places from desert canyons to Alaska. It all makes me feel small but at the same time connected to the whole big, wide, mind expanding entirety of the real natural world. My dogs have always been a part of that too.

Duck, have seen the movie and catch your drift. I have never felt more myself than when I am on the water. As I explained to my mother and niece one day as we were fishing off my boat, " The other stuff is just what I do to fill up the time in between when I can be out here. This is where I live!"

Smoking Duck · January 18, 2009, 06:35:00 PM

Well, from my point of view, you know what you got and you appreciate it. Glad to see the world and its wonders is not wasted with you.

SD

HCT · January 19, 2009, 04:30:38 AM

ss, You have really been bessed. Great to see.

"My dogs have always been a part of that too."

I wouldn't want it any other way, sharing it with creatures that enjoy it as much as I do, without speaking. That's what makes it more intense in appreciation. Just to watch them do their exploring and having them come back to share it. Alot of their time they just sit and look out into the open space, for hours if I let them. Always reminds me of the Beatles song, "Fool on the hill". Just watching the world go round. They are great teachers of life. :)
One thing I enjoy the most, is when it's so quiet, it hurts your ears.

Duck, great movie. It was great to read your posts under the 'eagle' thread. You have alot of heart. :) ;)

Kummok · January 19, 2009, 02:18:33 PM

My back door faces uphill but the front is always enjoyable:

I understand what you're saying about feeling His presence while out in His creation. Been many special places above/on/under the earth and sea in the last 58 years and still have the same "The mountaintop is my chapel!" experience when out and about there (that's be "oot and aboot" to my Canadian and midwest friends! ;) ). But nowadays, I can't wait until Sunday when I get to go to worship with church family....a LOT different than the old days when I had to go! ;) :) Still go out everywhere and love the creation as much as before but now have the "extra" blessing of shared worship of the Creator with my other "mountaintop chapel" buds!

pensrock · January 19, 2009, 02:37:12 PM

Wow Kummok, that makes me even more want to visit Alaska. :)
I was hoping to do it this year but with work the way it is I'll have to hold off at least one more year. :'(

westexasmoker · January 19, 2009, 02:43:41 PM

Simply stunning, how I would love to move or at least visit! Heres my view as you can see flat as a pancake and cotton fields as far as the eye can see!

C

Smoking Duck · January 19, 2009, 02:51:34 PM

Gosh, if I got to look at those views every day, I would feel much more ALIVE than I feel like I'm just living. I've always felt that being ALIVE was being in a moment that took your breath away. When I measure my life by that standard, I realize I've been living for a long time but I haven't been ALIVE that much. I feel like I would be ALIVE a lot more if I had the views you guys do. Thanks for sharing!

SD

Caneyscud · January 19, 2009, 03:08:33 PM

Quote from: westexasmoker on January 19, 2009, 02:43:41 PM
Simply stunning, how I would love to move or at least visit! Heres my view as you can see flat as a pancake and cotton fields as far as the eye can see!

C

I expected that from your part of the country ;D But what a great sunset! God Beams and everything!

Shakespeare
The Bard of Hot Air

stillsmoking · January 19, 2009, 03:12:42 PM

Nice Kummok, love the colors! Pretty handy having a chapel wherever you are.

WTS, your picture reminds me of the high desert where I grew up. Only difference is I couldn't look anywhere without seeing mountains.

smokeitall · January 19, 2009, 04:51:34 PM

I would post the view from my home but I think you guys would not be so impressed. Let me see house in front, house to the left, house to the right, oh and a church parking lot 30 feet behind :( :( :( Had plans to move to a better view but got stuck because of the kids and the schools. Hey but at least its not an apartment or worse yet steel bars.

Smoking Duck · January 19, 2009, 05:19:25 PM

Quote from: smokeitall on January 19, 2009, 04:51:34 PM
I would post the view from my home but I think you guys would not be so impressed. Let me see house in front, house to the left, house to the right, oh and a church parking lot 30 feet behind :( :( :( Had plans to move to a better view but got stuck because of the kids and the schools. Hey but at least its not an apartment or worse yet steel bars.

Sometimes, smokeitall, the best view is from the front porch looking in ;) If you're providing for a family and putting a roof over their heads and food in their bellies, well, there's no greater calling than that, IMHO.

SD

stillsmoking · January 19, 2009, 07:07:00 PM

Smokeitall, I have lived in some pretty scenic places but what made it all look good was my wife and for the last almost all six years my daughter. The wife and I had to live apart for four months at one point for me to complete my education and set the stage for my future career. We did it but will never do it again. I don't want to miss a day with my daughter and the simple truth is I prefer to be at home although my job requires some travel. It all looks good if you have the ability to see it!