Month: June 2026

In English, Sagrada Família translates to Holy Family. It refers to the biblical family of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, and Saint Joseph. 

Designed by the visionary architect Antoni Gaudí, the Basilica of the Sagrada Família in Barcelona is a massive, ongoing construction project. Its name and every inch of its architectural design carry profound religious and symbolic meaning.  Gaudi passed away 100 years ago this day of June 10.

The “Bible in Stone”

Gaudí designed the basilica to function as a visual theology. Every element represents a different aspect of the Catholic faith: 

• The 18 Towers: Represent key biblical figures. Twelve represent the Apostles, four represent the Evangelists, one is for the Virgin Mary, and the central, tallest tower represents Jesus Christ. [1]
• The Facades: Three grand facades visually narrate the life of Christ. The Nativity Façade celebrates His birth, the Passion Façade depicts His suffering and crucifixion, and the Glory Façade represents the path to salvation. 

The Harmony of Nature and Divinity

Gaudí’s design sought to intertwine the divine with the natural world. 

• Columns as Forests: Inside, the colossal stone columns branch out at the top like trees, turning the nave into a sanctuary that feels like a sunlit forest. [1, 2]
• The Light: The intricate stained-glass windows are purposefully engineered to catch the sun at different times of the day, with dawn light illuminating the Nativity and sunset light reflecting off the Passion

I asked ChatGPT to Identify:

This appears to be an American Bullfrog (American Bullfrog), likely an adult.

Key features visible in your photo:

• Large size and robust body
• Green face and tympanum (eardrum) behind the eye
• No prominent dorsolateral ridges (raised folds running down the back), which helps distinguish it from Green Frogs
• Rough, mottled olive-brown back
• The large circular eardrum behind the eye is characteristic of bullfrogs

The photo may show a male, as the tympanum appears quite large relative to the eye. In bullfrogs, males typically have tympana larger than their eyes, while females’ tympana are about the same size.

Nebraska fits very well with American Bullfrog (American Bullfrog), which is widespread throughout the state in ponds, lakes, marshes, and slow-moving streams.

Looking more closely at your photo:

• The large tympanum (eardrum) behind the eye is prominent.
• The frog lacks the long dorsolateral ridges that would extend down the back on a Green Frog.
• The broad head and heavy body shape are classic bullfrog characteristics.
• The green face contrasting with a darker olive-brown back is also typical.

One interesting detail is the foam and water around the frog. Bullfrogs often sit partially submerged like this during the breeding season, and males may remain near egg masses or breeding areas.

I’m about 90–95% confident this is an American Bullfrog.

For context, the other large Nebraska frogs it might be confused with are:

• Green Frog — usually shows distinct dorsolateral ridges.
• Northern Leopard Frog — has obvious dark spots with light borders.
• Plains Leopard Frog — also heavily spotted.

Your frog lacks the spotting pattern of leopard frogs and the ridges of a green frog, which strongly points to a bullfrog.

A rough estimate from the proportions in the image is that this individual may be 6–8 inches (15–20 cm) long, making it a fairly large adult.

Our family has called the Homeplace the farm my grandparents lived on and farmed, raising their children in Nebraska. A homeplace is a person’s birthplace, their original family home, or the specific plot of land where their family roots lie. More than just a physical house, it refers to the property, the surrounding grounds, and the emotional or cultural connection to your ancestral heritage. Thus stated by Merriam Webster. I thank my cousin Trish for doing such a great job keeping it as wild and full of trees and wildlife.

The barred owl, also known as the northern barred owl, striped owl or, more informally, hoot owl or eight-hooter owl, is a North American large species of owl.  This guy was spotted at the Maywood Park in Sheboygan. Up in a tree approximately 50 to 60 feet off the ground. Photo was taken with an 800 mm lens using a Canon R52.