49/365- Hospital for Sinners

 

A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints. 

 -Pauline Phillips

Silent Finger to the Sky and Stars- Digital Art by Tracey Grumbach

An instinctive taste teaches men to build their churches with spire steeples

which point as with a silent finger to the sky and stars.

-Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Just as I have an obsession with barns, I also have an obsession for the architecture of churches. The subtle differences in details between each of them intrigues me. I am particularly fond of steeples and bell towers. One day I plan on making a collage of all the different barns I've photographed and separately, all the churches I've photographed. I think it will be cool to see them all together. I don't have any clue just how many different ones I've taken. Probably dozens!

I have my monthly doctor appointment today with my Lyme specialist. Except for last week, my pain levels have been a lot better while on this restricted diet, which is a plus. I am still dealing with ridiculous levels of exhaustion, but hopefully I can find answers to that at today's appointment. He will be presenting the results of my ALCAT blood test and helping me fine tune my diet so that I can avoid trigger foods for my system. Frankly, I am petrified that my digestive tract is so screwed up that all I'll be able to eat is lettuce and cucumbers. I will find out for sure today and let you know on tomorrow's blog. I will also find out the results of my liver function tests. I pray that my liver is holding up to the onslaught of antibiotics I am still on. I would appreciate any prayers for the doctor's wisdom and my patience as we move through this difficult process.

I found out late yesterday afternoon that Brenna needs to go in for emergency oral surgery to remove her wisdom teeth today. Please say a prayer for her as well. I hope the surgery goes smoothly and her recovery is swift. Poor thing got back from Canada Sunday night, had a emergency dentist appointment yesterday afternoon and surgery scheduled for 11:00 today. I am sure this is the home coming she was hoping for!

I'll see you here tomorrow with updates on my doctor visit and Brenna's surgery. Happy Tuesday, y'all.

xo

Highland Presbyterian Church

Highland Presbyterian Church, Street, MD

How many of you completely forgot yesterday was a weekday? I kept thinking it was Saturday and was thrown off every time I realized it was, in fact, Tuesday. I am thankful Brian had off yesterday, but it sure did make me confused on what day it was!

While visiting family for a 4th of July cookout yesterday, I wandered off a bit to examine a beautiful church across the street. It called to me with its church bells, which chimed every hour, and then drew me in with its beautiful steeple and stained glass windows. It was the epitome of a country church with its white clapboard siding, perfectly manicured landscaping, decorative windows, and of course, the church bells. This digital image was the result of my exploring. I could have stayed there for hours checking out all the details including the quaint graveyard, but the family celebration continued on across the street and my obligation was there. I'm glad I have this image to remind me of the few minutes I had, quiet and alone, drinking in the splendor of this quaint church.

Today I am working on another article for The Mighty discussing why holidays can be stressful and anxiety-ridden for those of us with Chronic Lyme Disease and other chronic illnesses. I find the writing process to be very cathartic and soothing, especially after a difficult day like yesterday, so please keep your eyes out for that, if the article is chosen by the editor to be published.

I hope you all had an enjoyable and safe Independence Day yesterday! Have a beautiful Wednesday!

Deo Uni Et Trino- St. Louis Missouri

About this image: Taken in St. Louis, this image reminds me of my fascination with the concept of trinity. God the father, God the son, and God the Holy Spirit. I have recently embarked on a new spiritual journey yearning to be closer to God. I am searching for a new church home and visited a church last Sunday (not the one pictured here, obviously, since this one is in St. Louis) that I really liked. I look forward to visiting again in the future to find out if this is the right place for me and my family. I am searching for health and contentment in all aspects of my life, physical, mental, and spiritual. I'm working on the physical continuously, I've recently had a mental health tune up with my favorite therapist, and now am looking for some spiritual growth. I'm learning to let go and let God, which for me, a lifelong control freak, is a huge undertaking requiring lots of faith.

In what areas of your life are you seeking growth and contentment?

Have a wonderful Thursday.

xo

Moving Gently Into the Night- Harford County Artist

About this image: It has taken me years to realize that I am an empath. I think becoming ill with Lyme disease and dealing the neurological effects of the disease has moved me more deeply in that direction. I absorb the emotional states of those around me. It is not something I want to do, but something that just happens. So, this is why I found myself alone, in my truck, in the parking lot of a church last night as I waited for my youngest daughter to complete her first day of chorus practice. The practice is one and a half hours long and I couldn't stomach sitting in the waiting area the entire time with all the other parents. I am not antisocial and they are not mean, but I just crave peace, alone time, and calmness.  So, after being in the church for about 40 minutes, I strolled out to my truck. While I was sitting in the front seat, I saw the bell tower and steeple rising beautifully into the dusky sky. I was totally inspired. As I sat and stared at the changing light on the steeple, I thought to myself, "I love how gently we are moving into the night." It was like watching a slow motion video of a changing sky, a changing light, a changing world as the sun sank deeper on the horizon. And when it was fully dark, I went back into the church again refreshed and ready to deal with the crowd of parents and kids again.

Have a peaceful Wednesday, y'all.

xo

I Sought To Hear the Voice of God- Mobile Photography by Tracey Grumbach

Basilica of St. Louis, King
Also known as Old Cathedral

I sought to hear the voice of God 

and climbed the topmost steeple,

but God declared: "Go down again-

I dwell among the people."

-John Henry Newman

My beautiful mother came into town on Monday, driving herself from Lynchburg to northern Maryland by herself. I am so proud of her because she is not much of a long distance driver and yet she loaded her car up with gifts and necessities and made the trek by herself. After my father passed away, I worried that she would never visit Maryland again unless we drove to get her and bring her back. But, she proved me wrong and I am very proud of her.

I've been enjoying the time with her. The last time I saw her was in October when the twins and I took a trip to see her and combined it with a field trip to see Thomas Jefferson's homes that are located within an hour of her house. We always have a great time visiting her, either at her house or at mine. We've spent much of the time playing various games. We are big into playing games in the evening so we've pulled out dominos to play Chicken Foot; cards to play Nerts (a very fast competitive card game similar solitaire); dice for a game called Left, Center, Right; and cards again for a game called 7Up 7Down. The twins are now old enough to start independently participating in most of the games, so it has been a ton of fun.

Today we are heading out to have lunch with one of my mom's sisters. I haven't seen her in a while and it will be good to spend some time with her. Life is busy this time of season, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I am looking forward to hosting Brian's side of the family on Friday evening, and my brother's family on Christmas Eve. I am not much of a hostess (I HATE to cook) but I will do my best and I am sure everyone knows by now that when I host family it is very laid back and not fancy at all.

I hope you all are finding quiet time to enjoy the season and relax. Have a wonderful Wednesday, y'all.

xo

Belfry- Digital Art Chesapeake City, Maryland

Digital Art By Tracey Grumbach

The day is done, and the darkness
Falls from the wings of Night,
As a feather is wafted downward
From an eagle in his flight. 

 "The Day Is Done" 

by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

This past Friday I had the pleasure of taking a day trip to the very lovely Chesapeake City in Cecil County, Maryland. I immediately fell in love with this quaint historic town. It was relaxing to stroll the streets and take in the mid 1800's architecture. The whole town was decked out and decorated for autumn. While sitting and eating lunch at the Chesapeake Inn, I watched all kinds of boat traffic cruise along the C&D Canal. I am embarrassed to say I grew up in Maryland and I didn't even know the C&D Canal existed. Now I do...I read tons of information about the town and the canal, learning the importance of this tiny town that serves as an important hub in the transportation industry. The town may be tiny in size but certainly not in spirit!

Happy Monday to you all. I hope you had a wonderful weekend. I will be traveling out of state this week to visit my mother in Lynchburg, Virginia, so I have prepared some new digital art pieces to be posted while I am gone. I hope you will stop in to see some new things I have been working on. I am excited to share them with you! Please pray for a safe voyage for me as I drive 5 hours south.  Thank you!

xo

Take Me To Church- Baltimore Digital Artist

This ornate church is located in Baltimore City very near the Peabody Institute

If you know me, you know that one of my favorite things about fall is football. I love football. I always have and always will. I grew up watching Sunday football with my father and uncle and boy cousins. Football is like comfort food for me, reminding me of the cozy days in front of the fireplace with the games playing in the background while surrounded by family. I also was a cheerleader from the time I was a little tyke up through JV football in high school. I always wished I could play football, but since I couldn't, cheerleading on the sideline was the next best thing for me. One of my absolute favorite things to do on an autumn afternoon is to curl up in front of the fireplace and watch the Ravens with my husband and kids. It brings me back to the warm glow of my childhood. I participate in a football pool every year and so far this year my record stinks, but I still have fun doing it anyway. I just hate losing, lol.

Fall also brings back television shows that were on hiatus for the summer. Some of my recent favorites are Born This Way (which actually just wrapped up this season), Poldark (on MPT), and Versaille on Ovation. I've watched the first episode of Stranger Things (Netflix) with my oldest daughter and I like that too. I DVR all of the shows I watch and catch them when I can. If I had to watch it when they were actually televised, I would never see them. I was able to catch up on a lot of episodes during this recuperation period with my recent jaw surgery (still 1 1/2 weeks to go before stitches can come out) because I am not allowed to exercise, lift anything heavy, etc.

I've been back to reading again after not having any time to do that for quite a while. I recently finished The Light Between Oceans and as I wrote about yesterday, I am currently reading Anatomy of the Spirit. Two other books in my queue are A Man Named Ove, and In the Shadow of the Sun King. I am actually part way through three other books including Never Broken, Me After You, and Goldfinch. I started all three of those books at some time or another and didn't finish. So, I have a lot of reading this fall to accomplish.

On another note, I was so thrilled to learn last night that my image, Solitude on the Pacific, was chosen by the Instagram hub @Artistry_Flair as a featured image. I admire the work that the hub curates and I was honored to be included with all the wonderful artists that are chosen every day to be featured! If you don't follow me on Instagram, please do...(@nineacresdesignsart) I'd love to see you there.

Still praying for safety and strength for those along the southeast coast today. I pray the storm will not be as bad as expected and that life there can return to normal soon.

Happy Friday, y'all. Have a fantastic weekend.

xo

The Steeple

The Steeple

At some point I have to be honest with myself and realize just how far behind in blogging I am.  I've been waiting to share my digital creations with you all until I feel like I have something of worth to say, but look where that has gotten me.  Terribly behind. 

Truthfully, I prefer creating now days rather than talking or writing. I still enjoy writing, but don't like the pressure of having to write just to share my newest creations. So, I've decide to yet again allow the blog to go through a sort of transition and give myself permission to share my art without having to write. Between homeschooling, my health, and summer time activities (such as yard and garden maintenance, day trips, pool outings, and vacation, there just isn't going to be a lot of time or energy left to force myself to write.)

So, without further explanation, please sit back and enjoy these digital pieces...one a day until I can catch up.  Have a beautiful Thursday.

(This image was created this past winter while on a ride through Pennsylvania. Snow was still on the ground and I just had to get out and go for a drive one day. I came across this beautiful church in Lancaster County, I believe. I loved the stonework.)

xo

The Cage Without a Key

The fog is like a cage without a key.

Elizabeth Wurtzel

I haven't felt much like writing lately...so I will let the quotes and my creations speak for themselves. 

xo

Rock Presbyterian

Transcript of the Historical Sign on location: Rock Presbyterian Church was founded in 1720 in North Milford Hundred, Cecil County, Maryland. First called New Erection on the Branches of Elk River, then Elk River Church, Great Elk, Upper Elk, and since, 1793, Rock. Present church erected in 1761 and remodeled in 1844 and 1900.

I love old buildings and this church in Fair Hill is no different. I love the stone work and the details that caught my eye one day as I was traveling for a real estate shoot. I caught a glimpse of this beauty out of the corner of my eye down a side road. After my shoot and on my way home, I turned off and took a couple of photos.

If you are interested in the history of this gorgeous church, you can find it here. Have a wonderful Friday. I will be out and about today visiting the Elkton and Havre de Grace galleries that show my work. I hope you all have a great weekend and I will see you on the other side.