Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go and say unto thee, Here we are? ~ Job 38: 33-35

On Storm Chasing, a sobriquet
Chasing storms with a Phantom Flex4K is stressful even when things are going well. There were at least 10 days where I returned home with my tail between my legs and nothing to show after a ten hour chase and 500 miles.

There were also a couple of days that I drove home with an ear to ear smile that lasted for hours. Most of the lightning was captured in my home state of Arizona. I also spent a week in the Great Plains chasing with Chad Cowan.

It was during this time that I captured a time-lapse of the massive super-cell shown twice in Transient. For some reason that damn super-cell refused to spit out a proper bolt. Lightning is like a snowflake. Every bolt is different.

I learned that lightning varies greatly in speed. There are some incredible looking bolts that I captured that didn’t make the cut because even at 1000 fps they only lasted for one frame during playback. I also captured some lightning that appear computer generated it lasted so long on the screen. Dustin Farrell

And the end result…

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Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? ~ Job 38: 17-20

On ‘Clair de Lune’, a sobriquet
Claire and I had our first date at the Winter’s Eve Ball, an annual festival dedicated to rejoice in the change of season. In her simple white dress and flats, Claire still managed to turn every head as she entered. The evening couldn’t have been more perfect. We danced, spinning and laughing as the orchestra swelled and fell.

Then my father took the floor and began running his fingers across the piano, coaxing it to sing a haunting yet beautiful melody. Claire leaned her head against my chest and we slow danced, lost in the moment….

Claire died on a Thursday. The last leaves of autumn had just given away to the chill of winter, and the moon was hanging high and clear in the sky. I sat with her, holding her hand.

We reminisced about the old days, when life was simple and yet perfect. So much had changed. Her death was as simple as one falling asleep, for which I was grateful. I don’t think either of us would have wanted it any other way.

Now, standing at the funeral home, all I could think of was the day we first met. The old piano shop that my father used to own. I still remember the sound of the keys singing as her eyes met mine.

I wish now that I could turn back the clock and relive those first few moments. What was it that Henry Van Dyke said? “Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.”Hannah Blanchsky

And the stunning result, Claude Debussey’s timeless treasure…

Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. ~ Job 40: 9-12

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H/T Gerard Vanderleun and his American Digest

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Face of Jesus by Richard Hook

Soli Deo Gloria!