The locust trees are blooming. I went outside last night at dusk and could smell their sweet scent in the air even though the trees are a little ways away from the backyard. If you’ve read my Hollyhill book, Scent of Lilacs, you might know why I especially love catching the scent of the locust blooms.
Of course, I loved breathing in the aroma of those blooms when I was a kid and we had locust trees all around our yard. That’s why I used it in my story in the scene where David is remembering his call to preach while he was deep in the sea in a submarine under attack during World War II. He first noticed something different and thought perhaps it was a sign he wasn’t going to make it through this particular battle when he suddenly caught the scent of locust blooms. Then he realized the Lord was using his memory of how he loved the locust blooms to get him to pay attention to the message He was sending David. To preach His Word. Jocie, my young teen character in the stories, never got tired of hearing David tell that story.
I always like to know how preachers are called. Our last preacher actually heard the Lord speak to him one Sunday morning when he skipped church to wash his car. He said the voice came right down out of the oak tree he was under. He stopped washing the car, went to church, and walked straight down the aisle to surrender his life to spreading God’s Word. He passed away last year after over 60 years of preaching that Word.
So I guess that’s my flower story. I did enjoy all the flower stories some of my newsletter readers shared with me. Here are a few. First from Kati who says she has many flower stories because she likes flowers so much, but she picked one about dandelions to share with us. So here’s Kati.
As kids, we made dandelion dolls and played with them. For making a doll, you need to cut the flower with as long of a stem as possible, the fatter the stem the better. Next, you tear the stem into ribbons all the way down to the flower base. So you end up with a sort of a ‘tassel’ with the yellow top and dangling stem ribbons. Then comes the fun part that we girls loved the best — immersing the ribbons into water and watching them curl up. Oh, it was such fun to play a hairdresser like that. The fatter the stem, the more ribbons, and the longer the stem the curlier the hair. And lastly, you plop the yellow blossom onto a stick and voila! you have doll. We had lots of fun with these dolls every summer.
I like dandelions too. I even wrote a devotional piece about them that you can find Devotional Thoughts & Musings on my website. In the spring, I think they look like sunspots in the grass, but I never knew you could make dandelion dolls. I’ve made plenty of clover necklaces, used a wide blade of grass to make a whistle, and sent maple seeds helicopter spinning. Guess now I need to make a dandelion doll.
Melissa loves flowers and dandelions too. She shares her story.
I love flowers! I did when my siblings and I were young in upstate New York. We’d find crocuses and lily of the valley and delight in fields of sunny yellow dandelions, then sniffed and rubbed until our noses turned yellow with pollen. Years later, after moving to a place with fewer dandelions, my sister and I visited the north and picked dandelions in remembrance. She even got a yellow nose!
I’m sure that made Melissa smile. Wonder if her sister let her take a picture of her yellow now. 🙂
Last I was smiling when I read Jean’s message.
That’s the only flower story I know. At my first job after grad school, the woman who worked in the cafeteria was always at school early as was I. She greeted me with “Morning, Glory” and said I should answer “Hi, Biscus.” I still remember her pleasant greeting and kind ways.
Isn’t it fun what small things can make our days better and bring smiles when we remember them?
What’s your favorite flower?
And Now the Winners of my Giveaways
My newsletter winners are Trudy C., 1st place. She won the Willow Tree figurine of the little girl holding calla lilies. Second place winners are Melody S of North Carolina, Colleen H or Pennsylvania and Jennifer V. I’ve heard from Melody and Colleen. Melody wants my book, These Healing Hills and Colleen wants Along a Storied Trail. I haven’t heard from Trudy or Jennifer as yet.
The winner of the book giveaway here on my blog posts this week is Lisa Harness. So, Lisa, check your emails for how to claim your book prize.
Mystery Picture Game
I’ve finally been out hunting mystery pictures to see if I can bumfuzzle you in my Mystery Picture Game. Stay tuned. First mystery picture will show up on Sunday’s blog post.
Comments 9
All the flowers are my favorites, the more colorful the better!
Congrats to the winners, and I’m looking forward to guessing your mystery pictures.
Author
But sometimes those delicate white blooms are nice too, Connie, especially when they are mixed in with all the colorful ones. 🙂 I bought more flowers yesterday. I need to stay away from garden centers.
I’ve been challenged this time coming up with ideas for those mystery pictures, but I think I have a few that might stump some of you. I very rarely stump all of you, but have once or twice.
Author
K and Sarah, you both are so kind to send out congratulations to the winners.
I was surprised that none of my winners picked my new release. Maybe they already have it. That’s my positive thought of the day. 🙂
Lisa who lives in Arkansas picked Murder at the Courthouse. Jennifer and Melody picked These Healing Hills and Colleen picked Along a Storied Trail.
Trudy, the 1st place winner, has never read any of my books and just wants me to pick one for her. I always hate trying to decide which book someone might enjoy most. So, I asked my Facebook friends and I’m getting answers all over the place, but Angel Sister is leading the vote right now.
Congratulations to the winners!
I was really hoping I would win something, but anyway I’m still here with you, I have many of your books, I loved Rosey corner the best because that’s like my family’s
Author
I hope you’ll keep sticking around, Betty Jo. You’ll have more chances to win a book during my Mystery Photo game. I’ll probably give away at least three books, maybe four.
Congratulations all. I picked dandelions and violets and made jelly out of each yesterday.
Author
I’m always amazed at the patience and perseverance of someone picking that many violets, Lucy. Dandelions too, although they have a larger bloom. I’m guessing both dandelion and violet jelly is beautiful in the jars.
Congratulations to all you winners!!! 😊