The world is going down the tube. Sin has become politically correct. People flock to religions which offer imaginary false gods, who will tolerate their sin, and deaden their conscience. No-one is immune, even me. There was a time when I would welcome all of this as a good thing, but I now have a problem. My spirit was brought to life by the living and true God, and the world now gives me a feeling of nausea, overlaid by a feeling of concern about inevitable doom of those not spiritually alive. Last rounds, ladies and gentlemen. it’s closing time.

All this time God screams at the world that it is fallen, and offers salvation in the death and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. The world is  not listening. Now many “acts of God” are needed to wake people up. How many floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, epidemics, famines, and wars must happen to make people see? Or maybe these things are just warnings to be recognized only by the elect of God?

What should I do? I share the Gospel but no-one believes it. Some say they believe it but it is obvious that they do not. Is it possible to be born again and have no desire to read the Bible, worship God, fellowship with the brothers and sisters in Christ?

There are two options to take. Stop caring about the result and just minister to the lost in obedience but without really knowing what will happen. The other is better but harder to find. I need to know what God is doing, and join in His work. I need to join Him in His work, and not improve on mine. I need to listen to the silent voice of God.

I am going on a retreat sometime in December, in Tagaytay, a tranquil place near Metro-Manila, Philippines, next to Taal volcano. I need to discern God’s will. That means being disconnected from the internet, TV, radio, books, entertainment, and even Study Bibles. Just God, the Bible, and me, for 5 days, alone. I really do not know what will happen. I am scared that nothing will happen. I am also scared that something might happen. Since this scary feeling can only come from Satan I am resolved to proceed with this plan. I leave it all to God. I really do not know what to do. I really am unable to commit the stupid mistake of recommending a solution to God. Please pray for me that I hear the silent voice of God, and obey what He says.

I took a walk in the woods with my son and his friend. I talk about my plans for a retreat and other random stuff. Here it is. Enjoy! Be strong in the Lord, who is coming soon! After all, it is written…

Was that the silent voice of God just then? I wish I knew for sure…

God bless,

George

Last week i created a series of product on zazzle based on my photo, Early Morning Sun Rays #19. The early morning sun beams its rays from the azure winter sky through the leafless maples to the cedars and forest below. The sky is a pristine light blue with a hint of thin white clouds in the background. Darkened outlines of bare branches in the foreground and cedar trees in the background provide stark contrast with the early morning sun. As the rays travel from the sun through the forest, several large sunspots a of lighter and darker red radiate from the sun. One small green sunspot floats like a small orb in the midst of the trees.

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Postage

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Photo Cards

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Make personalized stationery on zazzle.com

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Magnets

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Mugs

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Many more Keychain designs at zazzle.com

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View more Forest Buttons

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
See more Forest Stickers

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Design custom tee shirts at Zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Create custom t shirts at zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Shop for another greeting card on zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Make post cards on zazzle

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Forest Mousepads

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
View other Forest Aprons

Early Morning Sun Rays #19 by dlmtleArt
More Forest Bags

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

hey! sorry it’s been so long since my last update. Had a mad weekend and couldn’t get around to any photo editing. But I am now ready to bring you the second to last installment in the critters section from Madagascar!

Scincidae

Skinks are found quite easily in most of Africa, but in Madagascar some have evolved some really peculiar habits. There are numerous fossorial species (dwelling underground), several leaf-litter swimmers, and even acquatic species. The only ones I was able to photograph, which we found in our bucket traps, were leaf-litter swimmers. Typical of skinks, they show dramatic limb reduction, though unlike species I’ve found before, they have not completely lost any limbs. They also have extremely elongated tails, helping them swim through the undergrowth.

Amphiglossus tanysoma

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/125s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/6.3

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/11

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

Madascincus intermedius

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/5

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/200s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/13

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

D300 + 105mm VR + R1 Flash Unit @ 1/60s f/8

And that is unfortunately it for the skinks! I apologise for the monotony of it all, it’s very difficult to get photos of skinks in situ, seeing as they do sort of slither through the undergrowth and the only times we really saw them were in buckets and in hands.

Anyways, next time is what I hope to be the most awaited installment, and the final one – Mammals! Lemurs, tenrecs, and all that jazz! stay well tuned, it should be out by Saturday!

Last week I created a series of products using my photo,  Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5. As the sun rises over the Columbia river, a masonic lodge and church steeple rise above the forest of the surrounding hills in Rainier, Oregon. Silvery gray and luminescent white in the early morning light, the clouds blanket the pacific northwest sky.

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View more Church steeple Magnets

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Browse more Church steeple Keychains

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View other Church steeple Mugs

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View other Church steeple Buttons

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Design a custom sticker at zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Browse Church steeple T-Shirts

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View more Church steeple T-Shirts

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
More Church steeple Cards

,
Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
Design photo mugs with zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #5 by dlmtleArt
View other Church steeple Postcards

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

One of the projects completed last week was a series of products on zazzle which feature my photgraph,  Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4. The Columbia River shines radiantly in the sunrise as it flows tranquilly towards the pacific ocean bordered by dark silhouettes of evergreen trees standing like sentinels on the Oregon shore and mist shrouded mountains beyond in Washington.

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
View more Columbia river Stationery

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Get your own magnets on zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design a custom travel mug at zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Create a custom made key chain on Zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
buy buttons at zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
View more stickers on zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Browse other bumper stickers on zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
See more Columbia river T-Shirts

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design customized tee shirts on zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Create a coffee mug with zazzle.com

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
See more Columbia river Postcards

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design a personalized mousemat at zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Make aprons on zazzle

Sunrise Over the Columbia River #4 by dlmtleArt
Design canvas tote bags from Zazzle

Dawna’s Gallery of Greeting Cards, Matted Prints, and T shirts

Dawna’s Fine Art Prints at

Dawna’s Zazzle Gallery of items featuring her Art and Photography

Après je vous laisse tranquille avec mes mousses

NEWS
My cousin Harindranathan never reads newspapers.
He never sees TV, nor hear radio.

The purpose of terrorists is to spread panic. If no one will hear about their exploits, they will lose interest in terror.
When we go to live in forest cottages, provided by Tourism department, we too forget this familiar world of politics and intrigues, scams and terror, flash news, breaking news and endless advertisements, all meant to keep our blood pressure at the required level, to induce all kinds of ailments; as otherwise, Capitalism cannot survive.
If I am the DITATOR OF ALL THE WORLD, total news black out will be enforced, just to enjoy a glorious sun set!

HAIKU

Pine needle carpets

embrace the cold forest floor

before the first snow

3/18/90 Phyllis VanVleck

Someone suggested this looked like it was taken from the point of view of the prey, and exuded a feeling of feral panic. Not exactly what I was aiming for, but it kinda fits. And feral panic just sounds cool, so we’ll go with that

Another lovely use of the Lensbaby, which I took out for a walk recently at a nature preserve in Danby. More to come!

Stream in Chantilly forest

I went to Chantilly with Serge Ramelli (photoserge.com) to try and shoot some autumn photos. By the time we arrived, the clouds had covered the sky entirely and we had a grey and rainy setting. Pretty boring.

As we left though we saw this little stream which I found quite interesting. As the street lights came on it gave it a warmer orange glow which fit perfectly with the blueish light that the sunset was giving us.

I shot this in HDR because I wanted to get all the light of the background behind the grids but I took out the “glowy” or painterly effect.

I particularly liked the effect of the water.

Details are:  Aperture: f/9  –  Exposure: 25 sec  -  Focal lengths: 18mm

I wish I’d had a chance to see this myself.

The Ghost Forest is an art installation on the Trafalgar Square aimed to highlight deforestation and climate change.

Learn more about the artist Angela Palmer and why she had embarked on this project. In case you’re wondering, the tree stumps fell naturally from adverse weather from a reserve in Western Ghana. The stumps will travel, but the project is carbon neutral.

More beautiful pictures from Flickr from Where the Art Is’ photostream.

I’ve published a new book filled with puns and wordplay called “A Forest Through The Trees.” The front and back cover artwork are based on photographs from scenic Madera Canyon in the Santa Rita mountains of southern Arizona. Currently available on Lulu.com in paperback and ebook. It will be available on Amazon.com in 6-8 weeks.

Front cover:

Back cover:

Elle essayait de se planquer …

J’aime bien la mousse surtout avec une jolie lumière comme ça

Yes! The Institute of Physics has reached the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire. In fact, they have appointed me as Network Coordinator for that area!

Network Co-ordinators are practising physics teachers paid a small honorarium by the Institute to provide support for other physics teachers in their area.  They may organise workshops and short INSET sessions, events for pupils & teachers and help create links & share information between schools etc – whatever is most appropriate really. (See the Teacher Support page on the IOP website: www.iop.org/network for more info).

The modulated laser pen workshop at the Brecon Conference

I am teacher at Croesyceiliog School in Cwmbran and very keen to forge new links around the area of Gloucestershire and the Forest of Dean.  I have a number of tried & tested workshops for teachers (such as ‘Build a modulated laser pen’ and ‘Build a Giant Air Bazooka’ which I blogged about in this blog) and will be developing more according to demand and needs.

So, if you are a Science Teacher involved in the teaching of Physics in the area of the Forest of Dean and Gloucestershire, please help me know a bit more about you by filling in the form in the link below!

Click here to complete my form!

Thanks,

I’m really looking forward to working with you,

Alessio.

Alternative solution to cutting all the trees down:

Living in the woods

Download the free print version here

Illustration by Frits Ahlefeldt - HikingArtist.com

Barnsley Vs Cardiff

There should be plenty of goals in this one. Cardiff have scored 10 goals in their last 3 away fixtures, including a 3-2 reverse in the derby against Swansea while their hosts have scored and conceded with regular occurence at Oakwell. Barnsley are of course a much improved side under Mark Robins and they can count a home win against West Brom as a notable scalp. I’m convinced the Tykes will be a mid-table side this season and should stay clear of the relegation zone as they create plenty of opportunities home and away. Meanwhile in Cardiff it will have been a long two weeks. The loss at Swansea was preceeded by a lacklustre display at home to Forest and the team will be desperate to get back on track. The break might just have allowed Dave Jones men to re-group and start another push towards automatic promotion. They welcome back top goalscorers Michael Chopra and Peter Whittingham for a fixture where Cardiff are unbeaten in 8 games, winning 6. It could be the case that the Bluebirds might feel the extra pressure in their brand new stadium so a trip to Oakwell might be just what they need.

1pt Cardiff to beat Barnsley (7/5 Coral)

Middlesborough Vs Forest

Forests away record reads like this, played 8, won 2, drawn 6. Surely this run cant go on? There are reasons to think it might do this weekend against an out of sorts Middlesborough side. Gordon Strachan has resided over 2 one nil defeats since he took over and its possible he has spent the last two weeks in training making sure Boro’ become harder to beat, keeping a clean sheet will no doubt be a priority on Saturday. I always think part of the problem is the lack of atmosphere at the Riverside, Boro’s away record suggests they enjoy playing away from home where they have scored over twice as many as they have at home. Forest on the other hand are a side on the up. Billy Davies knows this league inside out and there will be no side better prepared than a Forest team who have drawn their last 5 games at Middlesborough. Unbelievably 9 of the last 12 matches between these two have ended honours even so prices around the 12/5 mark might represent some value. If this game was played 2 weeks ago I would be keen on Forest to go and get all three points but the break might just have allowed Middlesborough to get their act  together to get a draw.

1pt Boro and Forest to draw (12/5 Coral)

Good Luck with your bets this weekend, I’ll be at the Ricoh hoping City can turn the corner. Let me know your best bets this weekend by posting a comment below.