Tetons, the Snake River, and God.

"Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter."  
~Ansel Adams


So this quote really quite inspired me.  I have heard that they suspect that Ansel Adams had autism, but I have yet to confirm this from any reliable source.    He was a highly talented pianist and had chosen that as a career until his discovery of photography.  He was very close to his father and encouraged to live a modest, moral life and to respect the relationship between man and nature.  When I look at his photographs, I feel so inspired.  You can feel his passion and excitement for nature when  you look at his photographs.  You can see how much he respected nature through them.  The high contrast in his photos makes you feel a great respect for the extraordinary power of water, sky, mountains and trees.  When I look at his photos I definitely feel a strong respect for God as well.

Ansel Adams "Tetons and the Snake River" courtesy of Rockadventuremovie.com

I know several people who struggle with their faith in God.  Look at the Ansel Adams photo "Tetons and the Snake River" and tell me God does not exist.  I personally see God in everything everyday.  I do not believe that the earth is a random accident that formed all of creation.  I think it is absurd.  Why do trees grow up towards the sky?  Why do flowers bloom into glorious colors?  How is it that He even came up with these beautiful colors?  Next time you see any color think about what made God choose that hue of color?  He created it.  He gave us the opportunity to wear it, look at it, and attempt to recreate it in everyday life.    How is He not real.  Now these posts are not meant to diminish or humiliate anyone or their feelings on creation.  Merely to give a glimpse into the way I think and see things.


When I walk around everyday, all I'm doing is taking pictures with my eyes and mind.  I feel frantic when I walk away.  Convinced I will never actually be able to remember it clearly enough.  I feel bereft as I end my day.  Many times I have wished to have a high resolution camera built in my eye so that all I have to do is blink to take a photo of anything I choose.  How convenient would that be?  We could all see exactly how one another sees the world around us.  I often wonder if we see colors in the same hue and saturation that one another does.  Does everything really look the same through every pair of eyes?  I highly doubt it.  I have a feeling that God gave us all a special color spectrum so that we can see the world in the way he meant for us each to see it.  


Well, I'm taking quite a random turn of thought here.  Braids.  How many times have you seen an exquisite braid and thought wow, that is just breathtaking.  Every time I see someone in a braid, some more than others, I wonder, "why is that sooo beautiful to me?".  I believe I have finally come to a conclusion as to why it is so incredibly extraordinary to me!  Finally!  It needs no modern day device.  It is an ancient art.  I have been trying to research it but have found very little information on it.  I have seen that some believe it started as early as 3500BC in Egypt and West Africa.  Hair braiding was apparently a social event for women in Africa.  What I find so beautiful about braids is the simple yet elaborate and unique ability to adorn a womans hair.  It can so drastically change a look!  A braid has the ability to look elegant and graceful.  Yet, they can seem very functional and practical.    Giving off a sense of primal benefit.

My beautiful baby sister (you'll see a lot of this one girl).

Wearing one of my plaited creations.

I love braiding hair.  There are hundreds of different techniques.  So many useful and creative ways to do a plait.  May you have a blessed day.  Until next time.