The Silent Distance

Scents of dust

And juniper

And dry grasses

Fill me with longing

For the far horizon --

Not as a destination

But, as a journey

Into the known

And unknown --

Beckoning

Ever onward

Into the silent distance.

Opening of "Texas"

One of my favorite places in the country is Palo Duro Canyon which is conveniently located about 20 minutes from where I live.  The photo above was taken from the overlook before driving down into the canyon this past Saturday for the season opening performance of Texas.  We went with a friend and his wife from Wellington, Texas, and one of his co-workers from Australia.  The performance, as usual, was outstanding.

We went early and enjoyed the steak dinner before the show (which, if you go, I highly recommend that you get tickets for the dinner as well as the show).  Our friend from Australia remarked that portions in the U.S. are unusually large.  In Australia, restaurants serve much smaller portions.

This year's program is filled with the art of Jack Sorenson of Amarillo.  You can view his web page here.  It just so happened that Jack was at the performance and signing autographs.  I was sitting next to him and his wife Jeanne.  They were very open and friendly and a joy to meet.

The play this year was very impressive and the talent outstanding.  It had been a couple of years since I saw the play and the changes to the script are excellent.  One scene gave me a little heartburn though.  The prairie fire.  I know it was well contained, but, with all the fires we've had this year and the extremely dry conditions of the area, I was more than a little nervous as the very realistic fire scene played.

People from all over the world view the play "Texas" each year in Palo Duro Canyon.  At each performance they give away a small gift to the person who traveled the farthest distance to be there.  In fact, Dave Yurik, the Director, announced that in the history of the performance, the prize has never been given to someone from within the United States.  We felt certain that our friend, who is from Brisbane, Australia, would win the prize.  He didn't.  It went instead to a couple from South Africa.

Y'all go see it!

Chris

The Call of the Day

As I drove to work this morning I had the overwhelming sense that I needed to spend some time outdoors today. After the storms which passed through last night, the air had a special quality. The richness and depth of the blue sky was highlighted by the few remnant clouds on the horizon. It called to me.

It was a call -- not for working out in the sun -- for hiking, exploring, soaking in the vibrancy of the day. It has been a long time since I went hiking. Maybe I should head to Palo Duro Canyon and spend some time. I could go out to Buffalo Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

The problem is that my task list is long. It seems that I have allowed the "little things that need done" to accumulate into a lengthy ordeal. If I was to take the afternoon off I would feel guilty if I didn't spend it "checking a few items off" from my list. It would detract from the enjoyment of the day. Or would it? Maybe I should find out.

Instead, I go to the office. I enter into another day of work. Opportunity lost?

The Lighthouse

Shaped by the hand of time,

The Lighthouse stands.

The enduring symbol of the Palo Duro,

The Lighthouse stands.

Through the ravages of wind and rain,

The Lighthouse stands.

In spite of the adoration of man,

The Lighthouse stands.

May we each stand as

The Lighthouse stands.

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." __ Ephesians 6:13