When we were rolling through this town I just had to ask Bob to turn around so I could get a photo of this oh so western fence!
Definitely heading west now!
How do you decorate your fence?
Destination Nebraska!
Imagine a 1/4 mile hike on a concrete paved, wide trail, in the dark, but with enough moonlight to see the way. As we approached the Platte River we could hear the cranes but not see them. As the sky began to brighten slightly the birds began to stir. We waited on an old railway bridge (now a walking and biking path) with others here for the spectacle. As the sky got lighter more people showed up. The birds began to rise in clouds: first in fifties, then hundreds, then uncountable thousands. Their song was louder with each group. It was marvelous! As the sun got brighter, a mist formed over the edges of the river. The birds continued to rise. One photographer said the birds on one sandbar-like area usually departed early. We decided they were teenagers and sleeping in today.
This was our first sunrise on the Platte River for the Sandhill Crane Migration, the largest Sandhill migration in the world. This migration map from iBird show their migration ranges.
The day we were there they broke their record for birds in the area. A plane flies over and calculates the total population. There were over 650,000 birds.
At night the birds rest in huge groups in the shallow waters of the Platte River on sand bars. During the day the cranes glean the corn fields. I started calling them Ruth and Naomi. They are difficult to photograph up close as they are extremely skittish. So my photos do not include close-ups.
What an amazing spectacle! The big snow storm closed the area a few days after we left. We were fortunate to have blue skies and warm weather.
Graffiti as Art
If you are fortunate enough to visit Kansas City, you might get to see these artists at work. This first guy has on slacks that mimic a cinder block wall in black with brown mortar. Notice the design on his back pocket!
The weather was lovely. The paint fumes were thick. Some artists wore masks. Girls gathered in front of the wall as background of their beauty shots. The colors were amazing. There were a few working from sketches, but most of the work seemed to be random creations. The music was constant and some guys wore earphones for their own tunes.
Amazing stuff. I could not tell you anything that was said in the words in the paint, but the colors and designs were fun.
More Daffodils!
A friend sent me this link. She is trying to memorize this poem. I so admire her!
I had never heard this in all my years of admiring daffodils.
My Group of Praying Friends
I have been honored to participate with a group of praying women – regularly – since November, 2016. We have formed bonds by travailing together in prayer for our church staff, elders, ministry team leaders and missionaries. The list of our prayer topics used to fit on a 3 x 5 card. Then both sides, then a 4 x 6 card both sides and now is printed on much larger paper with a longer list. We take turns each week doing the group leadership. We write an outline based on “Prayer Portions” by Sylvia Gunter (used with permission) or create on our own from Scripture. We have sections on Praise, Thanksgiving, Personal Confession, and Intercession.
I do not think any of us understood the impact this discipline would have upon us individually or corporately when we began in 2016. There is a core group of seven women. Not everyone can attend every week. Sometimes we have to cancel for inclement weather or when many activities involve church members on that night ( like kids Drama Camp practice).
When my husband and I traveled to a museum in Oklahoma he found this tile which so expresses our group for me.
We have learned so much together about spiritual strength and how to lay down self interests. Within the group we have learned to grow in holiness and purpose. We seek to encourage one another as well as those we pray for. In our weekly meetings and through texting, emails and phone calls we share life together. This long standing group has required that we each learn true humility, genuine concern for one another, and commitment to the work of being intercessors.
These women are friends that I value so much …. words fail me. We continue to pray for the unity of the Holy Spirit among us. May the Lord bless our efforts to His glory.
March 18
Oh my I keep getting blessed every time I go outside! Now this is one DETERMINED daffodil. Let no obstacle stand in your way!
And Ta-dah!! The first trout lily on our stone stairs up the hill.
When we were thinking about buying this house both my husband and I were each making secret trips here to see if it really was as lovely as we thought. When the trout lilies began to bloom on the hillside, (all wild mind you), I was SOLD! Had never seen them before . Since then each spring we have hosted Jack-in-the-Pulpit, Trillium, Toothwort, May Apples, Spring Beauty, Rue Anemone, Blue Phlox, False Solomon’s Seal and most rare on our lot Dwarf Larkspur. Still am amazed that we live here! -sigh-
Further into the green space we can see Squirrel Corn and Dutchmen’s Britches, Betony Poppies. Sometimes my husband asks why we even go to Smoky Mountains to hunt wild flowers. I stomp my foot (kidding) and remind him we do not have Lady’s Slippers or fields of single wildflowers. And then we pack 🙂
Daffodils #6
We have a joke in our household. I often remember other things I meant to write or say, so many emails and return phone calls and texts begin with “And …”
And … I finally figured out how to capture a single photo out of a video and thereby retrieve one of my best daffodil memories to share with you! (I have not yet paid to upgrade my Word Press account to share videos .)
Once in 2014 I went out in my raincoat to pick daffodils. The sky was leaden and the rain was imminent. While I was on the hillside the heavens opened and the rain poured and poured. It was lovely to be childlike out in a spring rain. At my age, I had started to carry my iPhone in my pocket just in case I fell or found a new photo. You know the old saying, “never go in the woods alone!”
While selecting daffodils I heard flowing water. We do not have a constant stream on our property. Searching for the source of the sound, I looked up and to my surprise the walnut tree had created the steam! Here is a still from that video clip! The streaming water is creating bubbles as it flows. Wish I could send along the sound. Enjoy! Look closely at the top where the trunk appears wet and follow it down.
Living water! Psalm 36:9 (NRSV) For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light.
“Come on and rain down on us Lord! All my fountains are in You!” Chris Tomlin
Daffodils #5
In 2006 when we moved to Siesta Drive was the beginning of a grand love affair dig! On our slice of pie shaped lot, the wooded back hill was just perfect for daffodils bought in bulk at Sam’s Club. Now we have hundreds of blooms each spring. Each fall Bob would lay out where he wanted to plant. At first I would help but in later years he has been the stronger of the two of us. The joy and color in the spring is a testament to his love! Such fragrance and such delight to share and share and still have bunches for our house! Hundreds of King Edward daffodils.
If you haven’t experienced the fragrance, most grocery stores sell bunches of daffodils now. I have not tried it, but you might get fragrance from those? Of course, store bought roses do not often have a fragrance, so I may be wrong.
Then in the front garden there are tiny ones, too, “Thumbelina.” A few other sorts. Someone did not want the narcissus that was growing in the garden before they moved in. The narcissus now live in our side yard, though not in a place of honor with the King Edwards.
So playing in Mr. Kuehner’s field was the beginning of a long love story between daffodils and me. Our experiences and memories shape us. Show up for your life today and you never know the wonders that will unfold from it tomorrow!
Daffodils #4
When I found this journal that depicts a little girl with brown hair picking daffodils. Oh yeah! Sold instantly!
Obviously, I never had the dress or basket, but the daffodil love was there! ANd the journal was rapidly filled. Now shelved with umpteen other volumes about my life and spiritual life.
Daffodils #3
When we bought a 1962 yellow VW van to drive across the country I insisted that we call it “Daffo-down-dilly.”
When I met Linda Werner she had scads of flowers in her yard. She made it a habit to share the first bouquet with someone outside her family. That is a practice that has brought lots of smiles and joy to me, also.
