ON EAGLE WINGS (ROCK CITY, CHATTANOOGA, TN)

I immediately thought of the hymn On Eagle Wings (composed by Michael Joncas) when I saw this sculpture near the observation point at Lookout Mountain.  "And he will raise you up on eagle's wings, bear you on the breath of dawn, make you to shine like the sun, and hold you in the palm of his hand".  It is a popular hymn especially at funerals.  I always get emotional listening to the singing because I thought of God's love and how my own parents (and as with most parents) providing the protection and always willing to make sacrifice for the children's well-being.  

"The snare of the fowler will never capture you, and famine will bring you no fear, under his wings your refugee, his faithfulness your shield."  QQ noticed my husband's collection of eagles on display around our house during his recent visit.  We saw eagle sitting on the tree but never lucky enough to see one in flight, not even when we were in Alaska.  Others kept showing me pictures of an eagle swooping down, plucking a fish out of water (fitting for the expression "eagle eye") and with the catch securely in its claws, flying back to its nest, high up above the tree.  I once heard someone said, "You can't fly like an eagle if you are among turkeys".  Not sure what that means because if you are an eagle, why hang around with turkeys?  It sounds like making excuses for your own failure, blaming it on someone else instead of taking responsibilities for your own success.

"For to his angels he's given a command to guard you in all of your ways; up on their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone."
This whimsical mushroom (above) and the fairytale looking gazebo (below) gave Rock City a bit of storybook garden since it would be boring just looking at giant rock formation.

STUCK IN ROCK CITY, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

Saturday, August 17th - After the "food fight" at the picnic, we went to 4:00 p.m. Mass.  I was surprised to see that the church was almost full.  We don't go to Saturday evening Masses often.  I especially don't like the 5:30 p.m. Mass.  I know we come to church to worship and I am not supposed to judge others on how they dress.  But I have seen some people who came to Mass looking as if they just woke up from an afternoon nap or came in from working in the yard all day, and some did not even bother combing their hair.  I am from the old school when it comes to traditional Sunday morning Mass.  I always feel less "holy" when we attend Saturday and Sunday evenings Mass.  Don't get me started on the summer dresses (those that are supposed to be worn only at the beach) or really short shorts worn by some middle-age women!  My rules of thumb is if such clothing is considered inappropriate at the office, then it should not be worn to the Lord's house. 

This is one of the many monumental rock formations at Rock City.  The brochure only mentions about the Grand Corridor but we "squeeze" thru a few narrow paths to get up to the observation point.  I wonder if anyone ever got stuck there.  Moving the rocks would not be an easy options.  The other options would be to leave the person there without food, only enough drinking water and after a few days, the person might slim down and able to wiggle out of the tight spot.  What would you recommend?  

Note to QQ - You have asked "What's with house of worship and double parking?  Ever heard of parking a few blocks away and walk from there."  I wholeheartedly agree with you that able bodies should park a few blocks away and walk because (a) it is a good exercise and (b) leave the nearby spots for those with physical difficulties.  I personally always try to park far away but not isolated area and walk to the buildings.  However, I know that most of the people who go to church are old people.  Whenever we go to 8:30 a.m. Mass or when I used to attend daily Mass, I was among the few "young" people there.  About double parking, I thought that is just everywhere in NYC, not just house of worship.  Let's hear it from other NewYorkers or those in big and crowded cities.  Here in STL, we never had such problems, especially where I live, always plenty of parking spaces.  So QQ, move out here and you never had to encounter double parking ever again!     

SHE ROCKS! (ROCK CITY, CHATTANOOGA, TENNESSEE

Well, it wasn't Pat Benatar concert but Rock City, Chattanooga was an interesting place to visit.  I highly recommend it.  It was a "geological and botanical wonder" according to the brochure.  The ancient rock formations looked like a playground for a giant family to be jumping around, playing hide and seek among these large rocks/boulders.  The name Rock City was a bit misrepresenting because there were also plenty of plants, sky-high trees and colorful flowers.  Even though it was a hot day, as soon as we were in the shade with the gentle breeze, we felt 20 degrees cooler compared to being in the sun.

Today (August 18th) we went to a company picnic hosted by my husband's employer.  It was a typical event (started around noon) that included typical picnic food (hotdogs, hamburgers, chicken, BBQ pork and potato salad), attendance prizes (we did not win anything), games for the adults (washers tournament, bingo), 100ft races for the kids and the dessert contest.  My husband made his world famous apple pie but the chocolate cherry pie took the prize.

Last month when my husband told me about the picnic, we both thought, "who was the "smart" person that picked such a date for an outdoor event?".  If you've ever been to or lived in St. Louis, you would know the hot and humid temperature we have in August, especially mid-August.  With the heat wave we had since early June, we both expected a miserable day at the picnic.  We were wrong!  It was a perfect day today, sunny, mid 70s, low humidity.  All 300+ "associates" and immediate family members had a great time.  We left around 3:15 after my husband registered a complaint with the judges for their failure to recognize "greatness" of his apple pie!