A bizarrely serendipitous sighting

The LORD does not look at the things people
look at. People look at the outward appearance, 
but the LORD looks at the heart.
(1 Samuel 16:7b NIV)



My friend and I took a walk down the road through Lincoln, in search of some garden statues of a rooster and hen she wanted to show me.





 There were many pretty flowers along the way.















It was such a beautiful day, we decided to keep on walking after we found them, and then, suddenly and unexpectedly, a serendipitous sighting.

What looked like a neglected yard taken over by weeds turned out to be so much more. Partially hidden by the tall grass were several bizarre looking sculptures.












This one intrigued me the most, because of the sadness in its eyes. I wonder if there is a story behind it.











































We were about to turn back, when we heard what sounded like a very loud cat's miaow that was too loud to be coming from a cat, so we followed the sound.





It took a while to figure out where it was coming from, but we finally found the source--a pen of peacocks. Another serendipitous moment.

An unexpected surprise

Look! Winter is past. The rain is over and
gone. Blossoms have appeared in the land.
The season of songbirds has arrived, and
cooing of turtledoves is heard in our land.
(Song of Solomon 2:11-12 ISV)  

February was so unseasonably warm that by the end of the month flowers had popped up all over town and trees were in full bloom.  Then came the March snow, accompanied by freezing temperatures and gusty winds.  Most of the daffodils, jonquils, and forsythia survived, but not the flowers on the trees.  

It didn't look as though we would have a colorful spring this year, but I was wrong. The spring of 2017 ended up being one of the most glorious springs I can remember since moving to this little corner of the world.

What you may not know about dandelions

"I praise you because I am fearfully and 
wonderfully made; your works are 
wonderful, I know that full well."
(Psalm 139:14)



Many people  think of dandelions as pesky weeds, but in several countries they are cultivated for their nutrient qualities and health promoting properties.

Dandelions are rich in potassium, calcium, and antioxidants.  One cup of chopped raw dandelion greens is said to provide 112% of daily vitamin A requirements.




Every part of the plant is edible, and can be used in different ways.

The flowers, for example, are sweet and crunchy, and can be eaten raw.  They can also be used to make dandelion wine, or as yellow coloring.

 

The greens can be steamed, stir fried, or added to soups and salads, and the roots are often dried, roasted, and used as a coffee substitute.

Dandelions are a natural diuretic, and have been used in folklore to treat liver and kidney disorders.

An island of tulips

"Flowers appear on the earth;
the season of singing has come..."
(Song of Solomon 2:12a)




A beautiful island of tulips in the middle of our town's roundabout.