The Black Swan

The flower shop at the local mall has a new display window.  I thought it was very pretty.  

I like swans.  I think they are very beautiful creatures.

Little did I know I would have a chance to see one close up.

 

MacGyver and I met up with some friends yesterday.  After having dinner at the mall, we passed by the Bicentennial Park before heading to my friend's house.  My friend who lives near this park showed us the lagoon from which several birds can be spotted.

We chanced upon this black beauty.

It had flown in with some other birds but decided to land in the lagoon.  It was the first time I'd seen a swan fly.  I had almost forgotten that they do.  (My other friend reminded me of the Ugly Duckling.)  

We watched as the swan glided over the water gracefully.  

After a while, it moved to the far end of the lagoon and literally ran over the water and took off in flight.

We spent a long time watching the birds.  Apparently, there is a whole checklist of Birds of Sydney Olympic Park to be found.   

I'm thinking of getting a pair of binoculars.  I'd really love to see these birds close up.

Anyone care to join me?

He Who Kneads Helps

RD was the first one to come down last Sunday morning. I was busy preparing breakfast so I asked if he could help me with the pizza dough for our dinner. 

He did all the work -- measured out the ingredients, mixed them up, kneaded the dough, etc. 

This was RD's first experience at kneading dough.  I hope it won't be his last.

By midday the dough had risen beautifully.

Next step was to spread the dough on the baking trays and poke some holes so the dough would not puff up too much.  

As you can see, RD decided to make this into an art form.

We had the pizza for dinner.  

I almost forgot to take a photo.  

Fat Tuesday

I chanced upon these ATMs on my way to work.  I suppose they were dolled up for Mardi Gras.

Works of Art

I had seen the works of Simon Beck (snow) and Andres Amador (sand) on FaceBook and shared them on my page.   I find their artwork simply amazing.    [Click on the artist's names to see their work.]  

I wonder how these artists feel when their masterpieces are trampled over, covered, ruined, or washed away.  In spite the inevitability of destruction, they persevere and start anew.  They don't quit making works of art, they just keep on doing it.   They create because they love what they do and want to share this with the rest of the world.    They have a vision and they make it happen.  And while it there, it is perfect.

I guess that is the same way God feels about us.  Each of us is His work of art.  Each one created the way God planned.  And in spite our faults and failures, we are still loved.  

I don't know if it is because Lent is approaching, but I was reminded of this poem.   

MASTER WEAVER'S PLAN

My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I may not choose the colors–
He knows what they should be.

For He can view the pattern
Upon the upper side
While I can see it only
On this, the under side.

Sometimes He weaves in sorrow,
Which seems so strange to me;
But I will trust His judgment
And work on faithfully.

‘Tis He who fills the shuttle,
And He knows what is best;
So I shall weave in earnest,
And leave to Him the rest.

Not ’til the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why.

The dark threads are as needed
In the Weaver’s skillful hand
As the threads of gold and silver
In the pattern He has planned.

~ Benjamin Malachi Franklin

A Flock of Starlings

If you run a search for "flock of seagulls," you'd get an 80's new wave band.  If you change that and look for "flock of birds," you'd get an English lesson on collective nouns. However, if you check for "flock of starlings,"  you are in for a wonderful surprise.

A flock of starlings is called a MURMURATION, and a murmuration is a sight to behold. 

Have you seen the latest Thor movie?  They featured this phenomenon on a smaller scale version.