Unsettling signs of the times?

Luke 21:25-28

(a drone above the city center / Savannah, Ga / Julie Cook / 2016)

On a recent visit to one of my most favorite cities on this planet of ours, Savannah, Georgia, my husband and I were idly wandering the city market section of the city when something a bit unsettling literally dropped out of the sky into my field of vision.

The City Market is an eclecticly trendy little section of town located on the far north end of the historic district. It’s an area that features a variety of kitschy touristy shops, eateries and adult watering holes. It’s a pedestrian only section void of the chaotic street traffic, horse carriages, trollies and pedicabs Savannah is notoriously famous for–and it is adjacent to Ellis Square—a more modern, spartan and minimalistic square sadly void of the moss draped live oaks and colonial monuments which evoke Savannah’s true historic and southern charm.

This tourist hotspot is usually crowded day or night and is not one of my most favorite areas of the city but as it was close to our hotel, we decided to spend a little time exploring.

Now imagine my surprise when something up in the crystal blue sky catches my eye hovering about where normally I should see a passing bird flitting by…



As it takes me a minute to actually process what I’m seeing, this invader, which is hovering overhead, suddenly drops and quickly angles its way into the crowd perching directly at head level. It is now hovering over the outdoor tables where folks are gathered ordering, having lunch or simply drinking something tasty while enjoying the beautiful springlike February day.


The drone turns around, scanning the crowd as I can see its camera focusing in and out on different tables and different groups of people. I quickly look to the square to see if I can see anyone anywhere working the controls to this usurper of peace.

Then just as easily, quickly and quietly as it descended over this crowded city center, this unwelcomed voyeur rises back up into the sky, disappearing over the roof tops.

And with the visit of this uninvited guest, one must remember that Savannah is not only a charming southern town located on the banks of the Savannah River, steeped in rich Colonial, Revolutionary and even Civil War history, Savannah is home to the 3rd busiest US port.

So to have a drone drop-in literally out of the blue is a bit unsettling…and more than unnerving….

It’s one thing to be in a park somewhere watching some kid trying to maneuver and manipulate one of these state of the art toys–kind of like watching someone working the controls of a model airplane…yet it’s something else entirely when watching this science fiction come to life extension of big brother easily and readily moving in and about a very crowded city with no signs of any one manning the controlls nearby.

Why is it here?
What is it doing?
What is it up to?
Who’s flying it?
Why is it flying here in a highly touristy area?
What is it filming?
Why is it filming?
Who’s using the video and for what purpose will it be used?
And it should be noted that obviously there are no boundaries nor parameters, no getting the permission of those being filmed—making the clamoring of personal privacy a moot point.
Negating the private moments of those who are sitting at the tables trying to enjoy a meal, a day, some time… who have now just experienced a massive moment of privacy invasion…
and yet it just seems to be all ok…

National security
Military Special OPS
Breaking News coverage
Covert OPS
School project
Kids being kids
National Security

Something is inherently wrong with this picture.

Change is in the air

Washington Irving

(a volunteer viola caught in the wind / Julie Cook / 2015)

Change is in the air. . .
It’s come riding in on the shifting winds.
First it’s cold
then it’s wet
then it’s mild
then it’s windy
then it’s stormy
then it’s icy
then it’s cold
then it starts all over again. . .
Usually all within a 24 hour span of a single day. . .
Ode to March. . .

(a tiny beginning, the emergence of a lily / Julie Cook / 2015)

And change is indeed taking place, in many different places.
We’ve not talked about Dad in a while. . .
There seems to be trouble brewing on the horizon. . .
The blending of two unfamiliar families, when it comes to elderly parental care, is delicate.
Trepidation has come calling. . .

Between these grown children or these now not so grown parents. . .
This time of change is. . .
but here it is, none the less. . .
Discussions are beginning
Decisions are having to be made
Not all parties are happy
Hoping for the best. . .
Once the winds finally cease their shifting,
We will see where this all lands. . .

(a tulip tree bud / Julie Cook / 2015)

(mist covered moss / Julie Cook / 2015)

(dandelions don’t look so bad close up / Julie Cook / 2015)

(tulip tree bud up close and personal / Julie Cook / 2015)