Waiting in line…apparently everyone else wanted some Giovanni’s today too.

Amazing shrimp scampi..thank you Josh for my two hot sauces!

After we stuffed ourselves with shrimp, we continued north to Haleiwa to wander around and eat an açaí bowl. I like to think of it as a slightly healthier version of ice cream. The bowl consists of a frozen blend of açaí berries, strawberries, blueberries, bananas and rice milk topped with granola, apple bananas, coconut flakes and drizzled with honey. SO GOOD! You order at a cute little stand/hut and then enjoy your treat on the small patio in the back. We also wandered around the different shops and boutiques and then headed home.

You order at this stand.

Towards the end of our time in Haleiwa, and on our drive home, we saw either three different rainbows or a few different versions of the same rainbow. I have never seen an entire rainbow end to end until today. It. Was. INCREDIBLE. I was completely in awe at how brilliant the colors were. One of them (the last picture below) I could literally see where both ends hit the ground. If you look closely at the last picture, you can see the beginnings of a double rainbow on each end. I will say, this state continues to amaze me and am incredibly thankful to be continually experiencing amazing things such as this!

First rainbow we saw as we were leaving the açaí bowl hut.

The second rainbow (or a different version of the original) as we were leaving a few of the shops.

You can see the double rainbow here pretty well. This was driving down the road on the way home.

A full rainbow end to end. You can see the double rainbow on both ends. The picture does not do the beauty of this rainbow justice.

The term ‘waterman’ is an old one, and is only used on the Thames River in England and on the Chesapeake Bay, and refers to those who make their living on the water. Nowadays, it is used in reference to those involved in the harvesting fish and shellfish, people whom other areas of the country would call commercial fishermen. Traditionally, however, the term was also used for boat workers, ferrymen, boat and ship pilots, and any others whose occupations took them on the water year round.

On this Christmas morning, all was quiet along the docks where the watermen keep their boats.

The local gas station (only one on the island) is the center for all matter of business and gossip throughout the day.    This is the first time since I’ve moved here that this place was closed.

Oysters, crabs, herring, and numerous other fish large and small are harvested from the Chesapeake and the rivers that feed it.    Below are two pictures of types of “tongers” which are used to harvest oysters.      Oyster season is drawing to a close, at which time some of these watermen will switch to catching perch and bass.

I often hear the boats heading out early in the morning, chugging their way through the Knapp Narrows, out to the Choptank River and the Chesapeake Bayon.   This time of the year, the fishing days are shorter and the catch less prolific, but unless there is a prolonged cold spell, some type of fishing goes on year round.    It is a unique and challenging way to make a living, but most who do it would have it no other way.  It is a livelihood that is often passed down from generation to generation.     So the next time you have Maryland Blue Crabs or Oysters on the half shell – give a silent thank you to the watermen.

Well maybe the thing I am most excited about is being a Hawaii resident…but it will be nice to look like the ID I am carrying around .

Goodbye blonde hair!

Please note the Big Island in my throat. That’s not awkward looking at all.

The foggy, damp weather seemed appropriate to learning more about how people make their living from this large body of water.   We learned the history of Oystering, Crabbing, Waterfowl hunting and the evolution of boats used in these endeavors.

One of the more enjoyable exhibits was exploring a screw pile lighthouse that was relocated from its original location about 40 miles south of the museum.    We were able to explore the living and working quarters  of the lightkeepers and climb the steep, winding staircase to where the prism was located.

We also learned about how rising water temperatures and sea levels are affecting the health of the wildlife in and around the bay and how once populated islands are slowing sinking into the water.  We marveled at old photographs showing a frozen bay and boats coated with ice that looked more like Alaska than Maryland.   Ice on the bay is virtually unheard of now.

Even during the off-season, there were enough interactive exhibits to keep everyone in our group entertained regardless of age.

After a delightful afternoon exploring the museum, we found our way home through the fog to a hot meal and a warm fire.

The official Island Car has been purchased. 2012 Fiat Sport. Super in love with it!

I was able to drive the length of the gravel road that winds through the area and hike a short trail out to the beach of the Wye River.

I enjoyed seeing a variety of birds here, including blue birds, pileated woodpeckers, which for the first time I saw flying with a three-foot wing span, and a red tail hawk who kept his head hidden behind a tree branch (see below).    I did manage to get off one decent shot of a blue bird, and even after close cropping I see that I will need to add a bigger lens to my Christmas list.  

And new (to me) was finding this outhouse along the trail.   Guess you never know when you’re going to need a “pit stop”.

I preferred the color image for this last shot.   The only bits of color left.

One way consumerism is evident in the church is in the classic church-growth act of going around the local community and asking people what their greatest need is. The church can then create ministries to fulfill those needs. It sounds great in principle. The local church is taking care of the needs of the community, which in turn should bring people in the doors and cheeks in the seats.

But what if the local church fails to meet those needs anymore, or another church or organization does a better job of meeting those needs? What happens is the bulk, if not all, of the people who came on account of their specific need being filled go somewhere else. Do not get me wrong here, the principle of meeting the needs of the community is solid, but I think it errors heavily when it is used expressly to “grow the church.” It can’t sustain growth or maintain people in the church in a culture based upon consumerism.

You know what every person needs and the Church should have in spades?

Jesus and his grace.

No need to poll the neighborhood on that one. If the Church wants to be a player in the open market we need to offer people something that they simply can’t get anywhere else.

What is that you say? Jesus and his grace don’t bring people beating down the doors? Hmm, you know, I have noticed that too. Perhaps there is something wrong with our marketing strategy. No, I don’t think a mailer campaign is the answer. I’ll dig into what I do think next time. Until then, any thoughts?

In the garden of a lovely bed and breakfast located at the very tip of Tilghman Island stands a weathered statue/bird feededer of St. Francis of Assisi who is considered by the Catholic faith to be the patron saint of animals and the environment.

In this setting he is surrounded by a perennial flower bed, with a view of the water in three directions.

To all my American readers, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!!

Reblogged from Jenna Pope:

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Tonight, I honestly don't know what to write. Different place. More devastation. More suffering. Many still without power and running water. I'm speechless.

Check out my photos below. If it breaks your heart, then go to OccupySandy.org to find out how you can help with the hurricane Sandy relief efforts.

Read more… 195 more words

After an afternoon and morning shoot, I came up with the following series of black and white photographs that I think capture the mood of some of the landscapes near my new home.   I chose the black and white because when I compared them to the color images I produced, I just found the black and white to be more interesting.  Perhaps, I’ll post some of the color ones later and let you decide!