Lace to Bird's Nest 8/02/2007

Transformation, Queen Anne's Lace to Bird-Nest Weed (c) by Kirk Jordan

All pics Central Arkansas, July 04, 06, and 07.

(Pic one is an extended hand-held exposure about an hour after sun-down. The white squiggle in the sky is the moon as recorded by a shaking hand.)



Today's Mighty work reveals how the doily-shaped Queen Anne's Lace (a prevalent weed-flower found across the South in mid summer) takes on its second name-sake - the Bird Nest Weed.

As is, the flower head of the QAL is composed of many smaller flower heads, that in turn look like miniature versions of the larger QAL flower pad. As the flower head matures, it folds back in upon itself, then opens once again to reveal a rich chalice of seed.

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The Mighty Works Project exists to celebrate Divine slight of hand.

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Note: original e-mail came with this Kindom Arts Profile of Giorgio Vasari (1511-1574)

http://startledbyexistence.squarespace.com/kingdom-arts-profiles/2008/2/26/giorgio-vasari-1511-1574.html

Water World 7/16/07

Palace of Pour (c) by Kirk Jordan

Pic 1: June 2006
Pics 2-5: July 2007

All Pics, central Arkansas.


While by no means at the same levels that have saturated parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas, we have seen our share of shake and bluster in the last weeks.

As is, my job often takes me to the air, and until last week, we could see a clear line of demarcation as the western- most part of Arkansas (Rogers, Springdale, Fort Smith ) was awash in wide rivers and Kelly green, even as our eastern Mississippi River side went tawny. Turns out our neighbors to the west were getting hammered by a North-bound gully wash straight out of the Gulf, even as our neighbors to the east (Tennessee and Alabama) knew drought. But now it seems that the old wind patterns are picking up, which should mean wetter winds headed east and south.



The Mighty Works Project exists to consider the disparity of blessing... and harm.


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From the original e-mail

A Cursory Guide to the Kingdom Arts, #4 - Saint Patrick

“Thank you” to the many who responded favorably to the last edition, as we looked at the poetry of Ruth Bell-Graham (1920-2007). This week we jump back roughly 1600 years to a prayerful poem attributed to the missionary “Saint” Patrick, a firebrand in the quiver of God.

for remainder see: http://startledbyexistence.squarespace.com/kingdom-arts-profiles/2008/2/26/saint-patrick-400s.html

Sky Coral 6/27/07

Gladiola observed against evening and morning skies

(c) by Kirk Jordan

I will confess to having liberated this particular gladiola from its earth-bound mooring next to our home, so that I might rotate it like a kabob against the salmon-colored sky.

All pics, about June 20-21, 2007, Conway AR.---

The Mighty Works Project exists to make my neighbors wonder ...as I walk down the street barefoot, whirling gladiola blooms against that part of our sunset-colored sky that is not covered with wires.

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from the original email:

Kingdom Arts (V3): Ruth Bell Graham (1920-2007) I considered featuring Ruth Bell Graham when I first envisioned the Kingdom Arts project. This installment is made all the more timely by the recent passing of Mrs. Graham.

for remainder see:

http://startledbyexistence.squarespace.com/kingdom-arts-profiles/2008/2/26/ruth-bell-graham-1920-2007.html

Water World Sundries: 05/30/07

Mighty Wet Mix (c) by Kirk Jordan

All pics end of May, Central AR.


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It is hard to believe that a single Spring freeze (Easter Weekend) could knock out as much flora as it would appear, but it seems like our wild-flower count is still way below the norm... or I am simply failing to see what I have already seen!


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New Project:

I know that I am always announcing new intents, and don't always follow through with those, however I have just started a new "project" that I will give myself a few years to complete. It is my goal to create a synopsis/outline called a Cursory Guide to the Kingdom Arts. The list would provide a brief introduction and related web-links to hundreds of artisans, writers. poets, painters etc, who loved God (or wrestled with Him) even as they created.

This last week I have spent reading poems by George Herbert (1593-1633).

For remainder see:

http://startledbyexistence.squarespace.com/kingdom-arts-profiles/2008/2/26/george-herbert-1593-1633.html

ODD Dogs, Old Dogs 5/18/07

A BIG HEARTY THANKS to all those who made my showing at the Historic Arkansas Museum last Friday night. (And a real apology to the Mayor of Morrilton who did not catch the date-correction and showed up the night before!) To be honest, I felt loved, and was filled with joy. It meant a lot to me that neighbors, co-workers, former co-workers, Mom, wife, kids, family-in-law, lobbyists, fellow photo-buds, church family, new acquaintances and distant friends would make the trip. The work was skillfully presented by the museum curator, and along with the works of the other two artists - sang.

Thank you for making it such a special night for us.

For those who missed, you can still drop by the Historic Arkansas Museum (Trinity Gallery) for the next several months and view the photos, minus the cheese and odd music.

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Thanks too, for those who supplied the name of "Flowering Almond" for the pink carnation looking things on a stick. I still haven't come to a conclusion on name of the white carnation looking assemblage, but it looks like both it and the Flowering Almond are part of the same grouping that includes roses.

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The Mighty Works Project exists to share in the oddness of it all - with you, my fellow oddities.

Mother's Day Bouquette (sp?) 5/10/07

Wagon Wheels, "Mini-Praise", and lots-a'-dogs (c) by Kirk Jordan

I'm a little off on the freshness factor -- these all belong to the end of March

Pic One - I call them Wagon Wheels, though I think they are a type of फ्लोक्स

Pics Two and three- I call them Mini-praises, though I don't have any idea what they really are.
Pic Four: Standard-wonderful dogwood, outside of the entry to the Blanchard Springs Cave.

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One more notice:

Invitation:

Wanted to remind you all that there will be a showing of my photo works at the Heritage Museum/Trinity Gallery with a reception this Friday Night, May 11th। Come and enjoy the band, fine cheese, and color.

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Last issue I was half asleep and forgot to tell you "Why the Mighty Works Project exists" - which in turn leaves Hogan G. wondering after these many years - Why does the Mighty Works Project exist?

A: To enjoy God - silly boy.
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Bonus Mother's day offering। This is a annual repost and bit long, but worth the read as I celebrate just a few of the Mighty Women in my life.

http://startledbyexistence.squarespace.com/of-whom-a-poem-for-mom/

A certain unknown something 05/08/07

a mini rose-carnation looking thing (c) by Kirk Jordan

All pics, the end of March, central Arkansas.

Anyone who knows what this thing is, feel free to help. The white and pink variations belong to two different plants in different locations but they appear to be of the same general thing. The white blooms were just a tad tighter, each flower smaller than a pea, and posted on a stiff woody stem.

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Sorry to be off in my regular postings. The work schedule had been extra hectic and is slowing down, but I'm still in the catch up mode. Beyond that, I've noticed that we have been way off in local flower display following the Easter freeze. ((We can readily see the damage of something like a tornado, but our Easter freeze did as much or more damage to Arkansas agriculture.)) Many of our April flowers (as well as peaches, strawberries, blueberries, etc) just didn't make it, or on timer delay. Looks like the May blooms may start making a showing.
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Invitation.

Wanted to remind you all that there will be a showing of my photo works at the Heritage Museum/Trinity Gallery with a reception this Friday Night, May 11th. Come and enjoy the band fine cheese and color.
2nd Friday Art Night
May 11, 20075 - 8 pm-->

Enjoy a great night of art and history on the second Friday of each month. May Art Night serves as the opening reception for Lauren Wilcox, Kirk Jordan and Alison Parsons. Historic Arkansas Museum is one of several downtown locations that will keep its doors open to the public until 8 p.m. for an evening of culture, entertainment and shopping. Visitors can start at Historic Arkansas where there is plenty of free parking, and later catch the trolley to visit other participating venues. The Museum Store, featuring the best of Arkansas-made arts and crafts, will be open.www.2ndFridayArtNight.com
for location and such

http://www.historicarkansas.org/exhibits/

Salad Plate 04/20/07

Mixed Greens (c) by Kirk Jordan

Today's Mighty Work features the dominate theme of the month. GREEN. Everywhere and in many flavors.


Pics one, two, and three -- all about March 27th. Mountain View, AR

Pic Four: White Clover close-up, Capitol grounds.

Pic Five: Mountain Maple (Conway, AR) Early April.

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CORRECTION:

I mentioned in the last send that some of my photos would be on display at the Heritage Museum in Little Rock. The exhibit does start May 10, However, the night to come see me ---and eat fine cheese, is FRIDAY, MAY 11, 5-8PM.

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The Mighty Works Project exists in anticipation of seeing you while eating fine cheese.

House of Oak 4/5/07

On the Making of Oak trees (c) by Kirk Jordan


Today's send features three different species of Oak, which - on quick inspection, appear to be so very different from one another as to belong to very different tree families.

Trees in the Oak family tend to have certain shared qualities: floral Catkins (the wormy flower things), hard yellow-tan wood, dense bulky form (with notable exceptions), acorns, tough grey-brown bark etc. -- but they manifest an extremely wide variation in leaf shapes.

Pic one is of a willow oak, with thin willowy leaves.

Pics two and tree showcase emerging Scarlet-Oak, or possibly Pin-Oak leaves,

while

Pics four and five feature the still tender leaves of a scrubby Post Oak (or Possibly a Bur Oak)


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For More on Oak IDs see:

http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/pages/compare-oaks.htm

or for more on the forest in general:

http://forestry.about.com/cs/treeid/a/hard_tree_id.htm




The Mighty Works Project exists to assist you getting a lobotomy. Wait. Make that... The Mighty Works Project exists to make you a lay-botanist.

Pom Squad 3/20/07

Maple Poms (c) by Kirk Jordan

All pics, about March 10 - 2007, Central Arkansas



I am not sure if you call a flower without apparent petals a "bloom" -- but as most trees produce some kind of seed (or fruit) they most likely produce some kind of flower.

To be honest, I am not sure if the maple-tree flower is always petal-less, or if they just loose their petals quick, but these seem to be all just bundles of stamen.

As is, there are two varieties of maple-flower shown here; pics two, three and five are from what I call a "Rocky Mountain Maple, while the bold red blooms in frames One and Four belong to a Sugar Maple. In a few short weeks, both Maple variety should be busting out in seed. I'll have to look close, but I think the clusters of whirly-bird seeds will sprout out of the stamen-stuffed flower cups.


The Mighty Works Project exists to bring you bouquets in disguise.