Hill Block Views
Heading east in the Hill Country from Johnson City, Texas, by accident but with no regrets I took a back route. I was on one of the highways that Texas numbers with “RM”—”ranch-to-market” perhaps; there are also FM highways that are farm-to-market roads, and maybe at some point the ranch lobby didn’t like being subsumed under “farms.” I found it narrow in many places, winding, with low speed limits, few cars, and great views. At one point it went through a state park and, near the end of that, went over a concrete wash—a little stream was running across the road, which there was only as wide as a single car. Yours truly wished he were hiking, so that he could enjoy more of the views and get some hill-miles under his belt at the same time.
Along the way was a warning sign: “HILL BLOCKS VIEW.” This was on an uphill, one that in truth was steeper than customary for highways. True to the sign’s promise, there was quite a view awaiting the topping of the hill. Had there been some bears playing bridge in the road, to stop in time would have been difficult even at slow speeds. Yet even bridge-playing bears would be less of a view than what was there: the expanse of trees, undulations of land and rock as far as one could see.
—
I couldn’t recall ever seeing those warning words before. It is an interesting sign. It doesn’t say, “Slow down you idiot.” It promises something presently out of sight, and it lets drivers draw their own conclusions.
In that way, it seems to me, it was a spiritual warning sign. Folks, there are views coming that you can’t see yet. We don’t know what or when we’ll see them. There are things in life that block these views, but don’t think the views aren’t there. What should you do to prepare? Perhaps: slow down, read some Bible, say some prayers, make appropriate apologies, show some care.
—
On the Web: You can file this under “Father Austin finally catches up with the 2010s”: I asked some friends about films that portray babies interestingly, and someone mentioned “The Boss Baby.” I got the DVD and watched it and . . . found it delightful. My reflections are posted here: https://humanlifereview.com/boss-baby/
—
Out & About: It’s almost here, the first book seminar of the fall: The Good Books & Good Talk seminars resume on Sunday, September 22, to take up Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World. Our location remains St. Matthew’s Cathedral, but we will move to a new room in Garrett Hall, a different building than before. We start at 5 p.m. and wrap up at 6:30. Note: that same evening there is a service at 5 p.m. in the Cathedral itself. For the seminar, come to the Garrett Hall door (opposite the cathedral, across the green close): on the digital call pad, select 2nd Floor St. Matthew’s, then press “Reception to call.” You will be buzzed in. Come up to the 2nd floor; we will meet in room 201.