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It had been years since I first saw the Towers. After picking up a relative from the L.A. Airport we decided to go by and take a look at these curious creations on the way back. It really is an impressive sight. The imagination of one man and the years of labor he put into... only to walk away!

I recommend visiting these if you are ever in the vicinity. Just make sure it is during the daytime hours because they are located in about as rough a section of Los Angeles as there is. But in the daylight hours the monument itself seems to bring out the best in everyone as though it were on hallowed ground. It is a surreal experience! Everyone has a reverential attitude. God Bless!

Watts Towers 1 Aged Effects (2 is below)



A Short History

The Watts Towers or Towers of Simon Rodia in the Watts district of Los Angeles, California, is a collection of 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet (30 m). The Towers were built by Italian immigrant construction worker Sabato ("Sam" or "Simon") Rodia in his spare time over a period of 33 years, from 1921 to 1954. The work is an example of non-traditional vernacular architecture and American Natve art.

The Watts Towers are located near (and visible from) the 103rd Street-Kenneth Hahn Station of the Metro Rail LACMTA Blue Line. They were designated a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

Rodia reportedly did not get along with his neighbors, some of whom allowed their children to vandalize his work. Rumors that the towers were antennae for communicating with enemy Japanese forces or contained buried treasure caused suspicion and further vandalism.

In 1955, Rodia gave the property away and left, reportedly tired of the abuse he had received. He retired to Martinez, California and never came back. He died a decade later. (Wikipedia)

Watt Towers 2 Painted Effects



Watts Towers 3 Pastel Effects



A Short Video

Ended up blindly going to the Cherry Festival in Beaumont Ca. Saturday. I had envisioned it being a day of Harvesting from the bumper crop but ended up Paying $5.00 per person to enter into another opportunity for vendors to sell their wares to me. No harvesting because that went out when the water rights became too expensive and the festival dwindled to a fair in some small park in a not so taken care of neighborhood. Well, we wandered through all the vendors... the circus park and such and landed in the bandstand area where a Rolling Stones cover band (that sounded like they had practiced once) was playing. They chased us away for awhile! Finally getting hold of a program we noticed that the Alan Parsons Project was playing at 6 P.M. Honestly, I was not excited because I had not really followed Alan Parsons. We made no plans to stay but wandered back to the band area and listened to the Jimmy Buffet cover band... who were very good. We were just about to leave when the couple in front of us asked if we had come for Alan Parsons and mentioned they were shocked that he would be there. Then another person sat down next to us and parroted the same sentiment. We decided to stay. A good decision. It was a rock opera from a group of polished veterans that seemed completely out of place. They made the best of the confining stage and played a two hour set without break. Yeah, it brought back lots of good memories of music that I knew... but never really attributed to Alan Parsons. I hadn't really realized how much of a mover and shaker he was to so many great bands as their engineer. That $5.00 entry fee seemed paltry now. I recommend seeing this act if you have the opportunity!



inspirational photos

Creating controversy is just what happens when His name is brought up in conversation. I believe He is the dividing line between talking about God and pinpointing God. Thought I would pass along this thought I found while searching about his name. The link to find out more is at the bottom. God Bless!

The Name of Jesus

Over the past 2000 years, more people on planet earth have known the name of Jesus than any other name. Since 33 AD, over 8 billion people, by one estimate, have claimed to be followers of this Jesus—or Jésus or Isus or whatever the Christ is called in your language. Billions more have heard of his name. Presently, the name of Jesus can be found in over 6000 languages and more are being added every year.

On the one hand, it’s strange that this single name has dominated the last 2000 years of world history, especially Western history. For most of us, Jesus has a sacred ring to it; it sounds holy and divine. But this wasn’t the case when Mary and Joseph followed the angel’s instructions and gave their baby his name. Granted, it had a special meaning, but it was not an unusual name. The first century Jewish historian Josephus mentions at least twelve different people he knew with the name Jesus, including four High Priests. In Acts 9 we read of the Jewish false prophet, Bar-Jesus. In Colossians 4, Paul mentions one of his fellow workers, Jesus, called Justus. And some ancient manuscripts of the gospel of Matthew call the robber released by Pilate, Jesus Barabbas, which can be translated, ironically enough, “Jesus Son of the Father.”

Jesus was a common name, like Jim or John or Jerry. When Mary and Joseph called their son Jesus, there were no prayers in his name. No one used it as a swear word. No one sang songs about this name, just like there is no religion I am aware of that sings songs to Jim (except that he’s not to be messed around with). We don’t name our sons John with the expectation that over the next 2000 years 8 billion people will pray in his name. We don’t croon, “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry, there’s just something about that name!”

But common as it was, Jesus was “Jesus” by design. In Greek it is Iesous, in Aramaic, the language Jesus spoke, Yesu. Both are derived from the Hebrew, the name is Yeshua or Joshua. Joshua is made up of two parts: Ya which is short for Yahweh, and hoshea which means salvation. Hence, Mary and Joseph give their little baby the name Jesus, “Yahweh is salvation.”

Which he was. And is. Through Christ alone. Ever since the first Christmas, Jesus has been more than just a name. It’s been our only comfort in life and in death, our only hope in a hopeless world. When you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God, you may life in his name (John 20:31). There is, in fact, no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved (Acts 4:12). So naturally, whatever we do, in word or deed, we ought to do in the name of the Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:17). For God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:11-12).

But let’s be clear: the name of Jesus is not a magic wand. Chanting it does not give one special powers. The power in the name is the person behind the name. In the Old Testament, names meant something. They were more than badges of identification. They often told others who you were and what purpose God had for your life. So Adam was the first man. Eve was the mother of all living things. Abraham was the father of many nations. Benjamin was the son of his father’s right hand. Moses was drawn out of the water. Peter was the rock. Barnabas was the son of encouragement.

And what about Jesus?

“And you shall call his name Jesus,” the angel told Joseph, “for he will save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). More than a great teacher, more than an enlightened man, more than a worker of miracles, more than giving us meaning in life, more than a self-help guru, more than a self-esteem builder, more than a political liberator, more than a caring friend, more than a transformer of cultures, more than a purpose for the purposeless, Jesus is a Savior of sinners.

“The name of Jesus charms our fears and bids our sorrows cease; tis music in the sinner’s ears, tis life and health and peace.” That’ll sing. “All hail the power of Jesus’ name! Let angels prostrate fall. Bring forth the royal diadem, and crown him Lord of all.” That’ll work too.

I guess there really is just something about that name.

No, not just something: make that everything.

Read The Article from the source here - Click

I was a big fan of the "Twilight Zone" and the "Outer Limits". Both had their "what if" science fiction mentality with that Black and White film composition. I read the scriptures a great deal and find that God has this sense of hide and seek with reality to it. The parables of Christ, the opening stanza of the book of Proverbs, the references to finding him in the secret place, and the Apostle Paul telling us that he saw things that he could not even mention to us while caught up in the Spirit. The book of the Revelation Of Jesus Christ is still such a great mystery to us and to many of those scholars that have studied it out. The Apostle John trying to describe things in the best way that he knew how as he moved his writing instrument while looking upon the scene.

Yeah, the Bible has the most interesting "what if's" and mysteries to ponder. They have frustrated us and motivated us throughout the last several thousand years. None have been found to be untrue... and many a prophecy has been fulfilled... and still many more on the block.

Yes, I had a dream that impacted me greatly. It changed my whole perspective strictly because I am not a dreamer. I like to see things in a practical way. Tangible, hands on, physical possibilities. I like to see principles and physics rule the day. But when something is impressed upon your soul and you cannot shake it what else can you do but follow the lead? And if it is God doing it... where could you go to escape? He is everywhere!

So... I decided to not worry about the "God-a-phobes" of this life anymore... a multiplying group. No matter who you are you have to make up your mind about whether eternity exists and whether or not there is a Creator that you will one day see. And since you are reading this there is no way that you can say that you have never been challenged to find out the truth about it. It is just a choice... do I pursue to find out if God is real or do I just write this guy off as a nut job? Your choice... but regardless the clock is ticking.

"And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13



TIME>>> By Phil Keaggy

I've just gathered a couple of Easter thoughts here for the season. The one thing that I would add is this... for any professing Christian it is a travesty when the powerful Resurrection is not one of the uppermost thoughts in their mind... everyday. It is the crux of even confessing your Christianity!

Does God really love us? I say: “Look to the crucified Jesus. Look to the old rugged cross. “ By every thorn that punctured His brow, by every mark of the back-lacerating scourge, by every hair of His beard plucked from His cheeks by cruel fingers, by every bruise which heavy fists made upon His head God said: “I love you!” By all the spit that landed on His face, by every drop of sinless blood that fell to the ground, by every breath of pain which Jesus drew upon the cross, by every beat of His loving heart God said, I love you. - Billy Lobbs



Easter means that this life on earth is not all there is. Jesus went “to prepare a place for us” in His Father’s heavenly mansions for all eternity. Jesus died for our sins, paying our penalty, so that we could be forgiven. He was resurrected, to prove that death has no hold on those who repent and accept Him as Savior. This life on earth is a prelude to eternal joy with our Lord. Easter is a celebration
of our eternal destiny. ~ Joanna Fuchs

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
(Rom. 10:9)



The Apostle Peter preaching on the day of Pentecost of the risen Savior, says,"God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." And He speaks of Him as the anointed One, exalted at God's right hand. The Gospel is the Gospel of the Risen Christ. There would be no Gospel for sinners if Christ had not been raised. So the apostle says, "If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins" (1 Cor. 15:17). - H.A. Ironside


The entire plan for the future has its key in the resurrection. -Billy Graham

"A man who was completely innocent, offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act." --Mahatma Gandhi



If you would like to add to this... please feel free to leave a comment

It's time for that long awaited siesta from this project. It has been a sprint for two and one half years... with the Internet highway and all of it's changes being all consuming. It truly is an amazing way to communicate and share what we are doing with our lives.

This Easter season has been one of much reflection about what is important in my life. Perhaps the loss of a good friend has taken a toll, or watching another long time friend struggle in his marriage... or the expectation of a new addition to my family. Perhaps the grind of conversation over the cyber waves has taken a toll, or the lack of it in spurts. It's so easy to be emotionally unattached here and forget that there are some that are truly made of flesh and bone. I've always tried to keep a demeanor that realized this... knowing that for the Grace of Christ I would be swept up into the world of "I'll say whatever I want and get in your face whenever I want" attitude that seems to be so over the top in today's world, and magnified in this medium.

I love creating... and I love it when someone else likes it and relates to it. I'll still be involved... just much less for this moment. It's a time of reflection... a time to take a pulse reading.

Here are my latest releases and Re-works as of 4-5-2012

Learning is a never ending and pressing issue. Especially in a day when technology grows faster than the speed of light. I recently revisited some of my older photos and reworked them with some of this new knowledge. It refreshed memories of my real life experience of this wonderful place also. Here are the four that came first in this new rotation of refurbishment. I only wish I was standing in God's Masterwork right now!

I will continue to refresh these earlier offerings and post them here. My gallery that they are located in is here : Mountainscape Gallery

HALF DOME



BRIDALVEIL FALLS



Half Dome From The Bridge 3/17/2011



Mountain Cathedral 3/17/2011



The Valley Of Inspiration 3/19/2011

I don't usually open up "forwarded" messages to me. But I did today to find this story. I guess I was in a storybook mood. Besides, it reminded me of my favorite guitar player who is missing a finger... claimed by an old water pump. (Reworked his image below to update it)

A king who did not believe in the goodness of God, had a slave who, in all circumstances would say: “My king, do not be discouraged, because everything God does is perfect, no mistakes!”

One day they went hunting and along the way a wild animal attacked the king. His slave managed to kill the animal, but could not prevent his majesty from losing a finger.

Furious and without showing his gratitude for being saved, the nobleman said "Is God good? If He was good, I would not have been attacked and lost my finger."

The slave replied only "My king, despite all these things, I can only tell you that God is good, and he knows the "why" of all these things. What God does is perfect. He is never wrong!"

Outraged by the response, the king ordered the arrest of his slave.

Later, he left for another hunt and was captured by savages who made human sacrifices.

While on the altar, ready to sacrifice the noble, the savage found that the victim had a missing finger and so he was released. According to them he was not complete so he could not be offered to the gods.

Upon his return to the palace, the king authorized the release of his slave to whom he said very affectionately:
"My friend, God was really good to me! I was almost killed by the wild men, but for lack of a single finger, I was let go! But I have a question, if God is so good, why did he allow me to put you in jail?"

"My King, if I had gone with you in this hunt, I would have been sacrificed for you, because I have no missing finger. Therefore, remember: everything God does is perfect. HE is never wrong!"

Often we (me) complain about life and the negative things that happen to us, forgetting that nothing is random and that everything has a purpose.

Every morning, offer your day to God. Ask God to inspire your thoughts, guide your actions, to ease your feelings. And do not be afraid. God is never wrong!

You know why this message was sent to you? I do not know, but God knows, because he never makes mistakes.......

The path of God and his word is perfect, without impurities. It is the way of all those who trust in him, as he says in 2 Samuel 22: 31.

I'm not someone who would be a touchy-feely sort. I have go to extra lengths to get in touch with my softer side, even in moments of grief and despair. Sometimes it takes the aftermath of the drama before it sinks in and really grips my inner being. Today is one of those days. Over the weekend this surreal occurrence unfolded with a phone call that one of my daughters was going to have surgery to remove a pregnancy. It wasn't voluntary by any means. She and her husband have been trying to have children for several years and this is the first time that a possibility appeared. Unfortunately it was under circumstances that put her life in peril and left them with no other alternatives. It also left them with what doctors claim to be a slim chance of it ever happening again.

There are lots of things that I cannot cope with... the greatest being to see the hopes and dreams of one of my children being taken away. The last three years have been the toughest. Being unable to do anything aside from supporting and standing in the gap praying can sometimes just leave you feeling empty. Being empty and feeling helpless is hard to bare. This too will pass... and in the end I know that God has something greater for them. I hope to be able to ask Him one day why it is that some of the most qualified and loving (...in my estimation) do not have the same chance as those many who take it for granted and really have no business being blessed with children (...in my estimation). But then again, I'm speaking from one of those times when my emotions have been touched. So... my estimations may not be worth the cyber-page that I have written on.

Last night I dreamed of horses
Coming for my soul
Taking me to places
I wasn't ready yet to go

Last night I dreamed of silence
The silence that I keep
All the things I could've said
Well, they stole away my sleep

I need to remember
The horses will come
I need to remember
How quickly they run

I want no regrets
When the horses come for me
I cannot forget
That the horses come for me

-Margaret Becker






Margaret Becker's Website is: Margaret Becker