The People of Nepal

Some quick facts about Nepal: It is the 93^rd largest country, in the way of land mass, in the world. It has the 47^th largest population in the world, and has more than 27 million people. I had no idea! More than 81% of the people are Hindu, and about 9% are Buddhist. This means that Nepal has the largest percentage of Hindus of any country in the world. However many of the people consider themselves both Hindu and Buddhist. Nepal also has smaller numbers of Muslims, Christians, and other religions.

Please remember to pray for our brothers and sisters in Nepal. They truly are a beautiful people.

 Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

“If you love nature, you will love people.”

Commentary © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

video from youtube

A Lighthouse

A lighthouse does not crumble in a storm,

it is the epitome of strength,

regardless of whatever rages,

regardless of the rain pounding,

of the sea roaring,

there is no shifting sand,

it is rock solid, embedded deeply,

into the earth,

and there is always, always,

the light.

In the day of calm,

the lighthouse stands, a reminder,

that hard times will come,

but there is no fear,

no worrying about the storm,

because we have,

the light.

Make me a lighthouse God,

that’s all I ask,

so I can be,

strength and light.

Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

“If you love nature, you will love people.”

Poetry © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

Break Away

Sometimes, when I break away,

I can hear Your voice,

see you in the purity,

of the creation,

not like Moses did,

but in the song, of a cricket,

the stillness of the wind,

the tenderness of a deer.

Speak to me, of Your wonders,

wash me with Your water,

not like a sermon,

but a conversation,

like the Cheyenne,

around the fire,

the sky watching.

You are not distant,

You are here, in the silence,

holiness,

strengthen me, and protect,

this part of creation,

so that I can live,

in the nature, the life,

you have given me.

Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

“If you love nature, you will love people.”

Poetry © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

images from google

My Heart Will Go On

I love this song because it is so, so inspiring! The words and music are incredible. It makes my spirit soar up into the heavens.

When natural disasters and terrible things happen, I do the natural thing and wonder what good can come out of it. I pray and wonder, and sometimes there is no easy answer. If nothing else, terrible things happening can be opportunities to reach out and help, with prayer, and money, and anything else we can do. So please pray for the people of Nepal, and send money! Get the checkbook out!

I picked this song for everyone facing difficulties, regardless of what they may be. Stay strong, keep looking up, and maybe soon you can say – “my heart will go on”.

Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

“If you love nature, you will love people.”

Commentary © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

video from youtube

When the Morning Comes

When the morning comes,

drawing you close in a warm embrace,

you stir and awaken, a stretch,

I’m grateful, for another smile,

not noticing our bad breath,

our eyes are gleaming now,

pools of eternity,

realizing, we’ve been given the gift,

of another day, with each other,

another chance,

more time,

holding, strengthening,

each other, with love,

healing,

encouraging each other,

without words, sometimes,

and another day,

of rejoicing in the sun,

if there is rain,

then we will still rejoice.

And when we are strong,

together,

we can face the day,

with His help,

love as our shield,

 walking with flowers in our minds,

learning more of what love is,

and giving of ourselves,

first to each other,

then giving,

to make this world a better place,

filled with,

strong love.

A lot can happen,

when the morning comes.

 

 Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

“If you love nature, you will love people.”

Poetry © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

images from google

In the Middle of the Day

In the middle of the day,

the cherry blossoms reach,

their full potential,

bursting with color,

while the rabbit nibles,

on some dandilions,

but what caught my attention,

today, was the auto mechanic,

whistling, singing a tune,

impact wrench, changing a tire,

hopeful, praying somehow,

he could pay the rent this week.

The manager at McDonalds,

smiled and was helpful,

through the worry, the pain,

over her teenage son,

she had to work, but didn’t know,

where he was, lost, was it drugs?

And the security guard at the office building,

making minimum wage,

had the courage to say, he liked the U.S.,

even though he had never been to a restaurant,

or a movie, feeding babies at home,

instead,

each one had the strength of hope,

tremendous ability, to make it,

through the day and beyond.

As much as I love nature,

there is nothing stronger,

than the human spirit,

nothing more courageous,

than the spirit,

of a person with hope.

A whole heck of a lot, takes place,

heroes walking the earth,

every single day,

in the middle of the day.

 

Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

 “If you love nature, you will love people.”

Poetry © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

photos from google

The Mountain Lion

The mountain lion, also known as the cougar, puma, catamount, and panther, is a solitary, ambush type hunter, that ranges from the Yukon in Canada, and the western United States, down into Central and South America, as far south as the Andes Mountains! They once ranged the entire U.S., as many animals did, but very few if any are found in the eastern part of the country now. An exception is, the Florida panther. Some mountain lions have been making a comeback in the northern U.S., moving east, and have been found in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

These cats are also huge and fast. The weigh almost a 150 lbs., and can run 40-50 mph! They stalk their prey, like your cat at home does, chasing a mouse. Before you know it – they attack! They are in fact more closely related to the ordinary house cat, than they are the lions of Africa. If you look closely they do look similar to house cats, but these cats don’t play! As far as food is concerned they primarily go for large game, but are very adaptable, and will eat smaller animals, even rodents.

When I say large game, I mean deer, bighorn sheep, elk and even moose! There must be tremendous power in the mountain lion in order to bring down, an animal as big as an elk or moose. Have you ever seen an elk? Talk about large! They can weigh as much as 1,000 lbs. It’s no wonder that elk were sought after by First Nations people, they meant a lot of food for hungry families. Moose are also huge animals, and are the largest species in the deer family.

I have included a short video of mountain lions. There is no hunting in this segment and no other animals are hurt, it is simply photography of this magnificent animal!

 Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

Commentary © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

images from google

video from youtube

Dreamwalker II

When he saw the red rocks, he knew he had made the right choice. With Standing Bear’s advice, he had not officially quit his job in New York – not yet. Taking a leave of absence though, allowed him to enjoy nature again. He was regaining some sanity.

Seventy hour work weeks had taken a toll on him, in more ways than one. He was in Northern New Mexico now, near Taos. He was hiking, and camping with a tent, which he had not done in years. It took just one day for the healing and restoration to begin. The days were filled with intoxicating sunlight, and the nights were cold, which made for great sleeping, as he hunkered down in his sleeping bag.

As he was carving, and sanding down a walking stick one day, he started thinking about his job. How could he quit when so many of his people looked up to him? He was a huge success. Maybe that was the point, he didn’t need to be a millionaire, and it was time to get back to his people. It was time to give to his people.

He could not live apart from them anymore. If he did keep his job, he would do so out here, close to nature, attending the Pow Wows, and yes even dancing, like in the visions he had. He needed to feel whole and complete, and that meant living out here.

That also meant he could seek out relationships. Was it wrong to seek a woman? Of course not. Even his mother and father (both gone now) would approve. Later, when he took a break from walking, he sat on some rocks and looked at the sky. The sun began hiding behind some clouds. He smiled to himself, realizing he needed the physical and the spiritual in his life. It felt good to be alive again.

After five days of being in the wilderness, he came to a trading post, in a little town called Big Stone Gap. They had supplies, a restaurant, and an inn. He thought it would be good idea to eat someone else’s cooking for a couple of days. While he was in the restaurant, he read some of the local newspapers. Under the help wanted ads he saw something that caught his eye. There was a teaching job open at the River Rocks Community College, in the Economics Department. The more he read about it, the more he wanted to work there.

He was about to reach for his phone and call Standing Bear, to tell him about it, when he noticed his waitress, for the first time. How did God make such beautiful women? They talked for a while, and later she took her break by sitting down with him. He found out her name was Linda, and noticed that she looked more Mexican, than First Nations – but so what! Yes it sure was good to be alive again…. 

Note: I have decided not to call this a “conclusion”, because I’m leaving it open for future possibilities. I would like to see more of James Dreamwalker (and his relationships) in the future!

Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

Writing © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

photos from google

At Night

At night,

the wild horses shift quietly,

breathing in the moonlight,

an occasional snort, and head shake,

watching the lights of the ranch,

with a weary eye,

wondering if they will be next,

broken or worse.

The buffalo have a memory,

pondering their history at night,

asking where the people are,

that use to give them honor,

singing and dancing,

around the campfire.

A lonely First Nations wife,

cries at night, sick with fear,

heartbroken,

her angry husband, leaving again,

she watches the door, wondering,

if he will be alive in the morning,

she prays he will return, to his people.

An executive watches his wife,

sleeping at night in their mansion,

worried, did he do the right thing?

gone for weeks at a time,

does she even know him?

does he even know her?

He wants to love her again,

will it work?

He is hopeful.

A lot can happen,

out on the Great Plains,

in the quiet,

at night.

 

 Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

Poetry © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

top photo from pinterest, bottom photo from google

Traditional Irish Music

Happy Saturday! I’m in a mellow mood tonight. When I think of being mellow, I often think of Irish music. If you are worn out and in need of some rest, may today and tomorrow give you the rest you need!

Blessings to everyone and PEACE!

Writing © Copyright 2015, nicodemasplusthree

video from youtube