Category Archives: shadow Shot Sunday

The Story Behind Saint Francis Dancing on Water

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We had our family vacation earlier this month. Our first stop was Santa Fe, New Mexico. The morning after we got there we were eager to get outside and walk around because driving from Tulsa to Santa Fe takes a long time. Our first stop was the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi which is in the middle of downtown and adjoined out hotel. We were a little early for the Cathedral to open so we walked around the grounds of the Cathedral. I’m always looking for shadows and I came upon this sculpture.

Saint Francis Dancing on Water Sculpture - edited

It made a great shadow and the adjoining plaque said it depicts Saint Francis dancing on water. And it was like, what!?!? I am not Catholic but every depiction I have seen of Saint Francis of Assisi is that he was a very serious guy. I have never seen a painting or a sculpture of him being joyful. So that kind of jarred my thought process and I thought I have to go check this out.

Saint Francis of Paola Dancing on Water

It turns out that it is a different Saint Francis, Saint Francis of Paola, a Franciscan hermit, who modeled his life after his namesake from Assisi. He is most known for his crossing the Straits of Messina. He didn’t have enough money to take a ferry so he prayed and blessed the sea and then laid his coat down and walked across the Straits. Because of this miracle, he is regarded as the patron saint of boatmen, mariners, and sailors. I call him the Joyful Saint Francis.

I love finding out stuff like this. The interwebs can be fun!!

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Shadow Shot Sunday – Shadowy Trails to You

Shadowy Trail

Hiking in Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain this time of year. Lots of shadows on the trail with all the trees.

Bicycle Crossover - Turkey Mountain

A bicycle crossover over the trail. Hikers are not allowed on the crossovers. After one crosses over the slope is very steep. I like to ride my bicycle but I am strictly a pavement kind of guy. You have to be a very good rider to this structure. If you are by yourself and get injured I don’t know what you will do. This is in one of the most remote areas of the park. Weekends are not so bad but during the week I rarely see anyone here.

Bicycle Jumpover

And a short ways later we have this bicycle jumpover across the trail. You better know what you are doing here. The crossover at least you can “roll over” the structure. Here there is no roll over.

I am linking with ShadowShot Sunday

Shadow Shot Sunday – Shadowy Trails to You

I saw some shadows while hiking earlier this week on Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area.

Deer in the Shadows

This deer was hanging out in the shadows.

Shadowy Rocky Trail

In places where trails get muddy frequently, one sees pieces of flat rock that are fitted together like a jig saw puzzle. When it rains the water flows over the rocks without eroding the trail and making a big mess. It is called “rock armoring” a trail. It’s a bit much for volunteers to do. One needs to have some machinery to move the rocks around. (Finding the rocks to use in armoring is called “rock farming.”) It’s hard work.

Trail Leaf Shadows

And I saw some leaves forming shadows on the trail.

In the summer, I look for the shadowy trails to hike, especially at midday.

I am linking with Shadow Shot Sunday.

And Happy Father’s Day to all the dads out there.

Shadow Shot Sunday!

Done with the backyard

Suburbia’s Heaven – Finished with the mowing. I dumped my ancient gas mower a couple of years ago and got an electric mower. No more buying gasoline, or changing oil nor air filter. Just roll it out and mow.

Walmart's pollinator garden fail

Went to our local Neighborhood Walmart. They had a deluxe pollinator garden for a few years but I guess they are off on new tangents. This nice fence and irrigation system is going to waste. I’m surprised copper thieves hadn’t made their mark.

Shadowy Deer Sculptures

At a rest stop on Tulsa’s Riverparks Trails during a recent bike ride. What are those deer looking at anyway?

I’m linking with Shadow Shot Sunday

Portal to The Sanctuary – Shadow Shot Sunday

The Portal to the Sanctuary on Turkey Mountain in Tulsa, Oklahoma

The portal to the Sanctuary on Tulsa’s Turkey Mountain Wilderness Area. The Sanctuary is relatively new addition to Turkey Mountain. Some people will work around the moon gate for some reason. I have no such qualms. To me it is welcoming and besides whatever bad happens to you when you go through is reversed when you come back through on your way out, right? That is the way I look at it.

I am linking with Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadow Shot Sunday – Garden Shadows

Yesterday, Heather and I checked out the Tulsa Audubon Society’s annual garden tour. It featured several residential gardens. It was a cool. The emphasis is not on bermuda grass or standard flowers. There were lots of wildflowers and the grasses were prairie grasses.

Backyard Patio

In addition to the plantings, the homes had an emphasis on shady areas for people to rest outside. In the summertime in Tulsa, you need great shade.

I love a Chiminea!

One home had a very nice water feature.

It was a great tour. With nominal cost.

And a bonus feature.

I finished this shadowy jigsaw puzzle recently. I though it would be easy but the decking about ate much lunch.

I am linking with Shadow Shot Sunday

Mother’s Day Shadows

That’s me, on a step ladder, the day before Mother’s Day. Working on a project.

Putting up a light string for some mood lighting for our back patio.

Project turned out nice. I’ll go ahead and say the other part. We bought these lights years ago for this. Better late than never is what I say in response.

I’m linking with Shadow Shot Sunday

Shadow Shot Sunday – Mid April Edition

An early morning (for a retired guy) shot Saturday morning. I love Spring mornings even when it is 42F. They warm up fast. That is our terrier mix adoption dog Sadie off to the left. Today (Sunday, the 19th) is her “Gotcha Day.” We brought her home one year ago today. She is a little sweetie.

A tree with its shadow during a dog walk in our neighborhood greenbelt. I’ve been playing around with the miniaturization feature in my IPhone’s Camera+ app.

A photographers blind with scattered shadows at Ray Harral Nature Center in Broken Arrow.