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This week's post is about the flowering plant Rhododendron. Rhododendron (from Ancient Greek words meaning rose and tree) often called rhodies. It is the national flower of Nepal and Bergen, Norway. The leaves are spirally arranged; leaf size can vary up to 20 inches. Some of the best known species are noted for their many clusters of large flowers. Most species have showy flowers which bloom from late winter through to early summer.

"Q" was not easy for my nature topic. I decided I didn't want to do quail; besides I didn't have a picture of one in my photo library. Besides, the focus for me is to find things the represent nature that I've actually photographed. So the search began - I found it, I actually had pictures of them in my library. Yeah. The scientific name for Grackle is begins with a  "Q" - who knew! Quiscalus quiscula - Common Grackle. Coloration of male  Common Grackle varies across the species' range. Populations nesting along the Atlantic coastal plain south of New York, know as Purple Grackle, have uniform blue-violet or variegate multi-colored iridescence on body and wing coverts. Nests in trees, especially dense evergreens such as junipers. Quiscalus major - Boat-tailed Grackle are common within a limited range. Nests and roosts in bushes in marshes. Forages for seeds and invertebrates on the ground close to water, usually in small flocks. Qui...

P...is for Pickerel Weed Pickerel weed is an aquatic native plant found throughout Florida. This perennial is usually found in shallow wetland areas or around the edges of lakes and ponds. The aggressive habit of these plants helps stabilize the banks of natural water bodies and retention ponds. It is a complement to water lilies in the home water garden – adding texture, height, and a harmonious flower. To keep it from invading and spreading, plant is in containers without holes. Pickerel weed grows in shallow water no more than a foot deep. Shiny green lance-shaped leaves emerge in the spring from below the water and eventually grow to 3-5 feet above the surface. Purple-blue 3 to 4 inch long flower spikes can be seen several weeks after the apperance of foliage. Each flower spike holds numberous tubular purple lowers. Individual flowers last only a day, but this repeat bloomer can be enjoyed from spring through fall. Have a blessed day!

We did it ladies - we finished the last of our 12 Women of the Bible!!!  This week we studied the life of Mary Magdalene - a devoted Christ Follower. After her encounter with Jesus she was a changed woman !!! You can find her story on pages 97-106 in the study guide. Here's the link to the video commentary -  https://youtu.be/vO3ArV_Zi2E Thank you for being part of this study. I have you hope grow in you walk with the Lord - I certainly have! It's a daily walk, let continue to pray for and encourage each other.  Pray for our nation, leaders and future leaders. Thanks I again. Look for information on our God's Girls Facebook page regarding future studies. Be blessed and tell someone how God good is!

Continuing my nature series with the letter " O"  for Osprey Unique among North American raptors for its diet of live fish and ability to dive into water to catch them, Ospreys are common sights soaring over shorelines, patrolling waterways, and standing on their huge stick nests, white heads gleaming. These large, rangy hawks do well around humans and have rebounded in numbers following the ban on the pesticide DDT. Hunting Ospreys are a picture of concentration, diving with feet outstretched and yellow eyes sighting straight along their talons. Ospreys are brown above and white below, and overall they are whiter than most raptors. From below, the wings are mostly white with a prominent dark patch at the wrists. The head is white with a broad brown stripe through the eye. Juveniles have white spots on the back and buffy shading on the breast. Ospreys search for fish by flying on steady wingbeats and bowed wings or circling high in the sky over relatively sh...

Happy Week 6, OBSers! Can you believe we are almost done with our study? This is the last of the women of our study. Okay, here is the last of our Weekly Lowdown’s. Print this, post it to your fridge or tuck it in your study book. This is your SUGGESTED guide for the week to help you keep up in the Bible study! Here’s what’s happening in our study this week… What We’re Reading This Week...  Mary Magdalene (pp. 97-106, in the guide.) This week’s memory verse:  Galatians 6:9 (NIV) – “ Let us not become weary in doing good,   for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Mary Magdalene: Transforming for Outcast to Follower Her Character:   Though mistakenly characterized as a prostitute in many popular writings, the Bible says only that Mary was possessed by seven demons. She probably suffered a serious mental or physical illness from which Jesus delivered her. She is a beautiful example of a woman whose life wa...

This week we have been studying Mary, Mother of Jesus! We changed up Bible Study Live!  If you missed it - head over to our   Facebook page . Let me know what you like and didn't like, for future planning. I'd love to hear from you and get your input. Post in the comments below. You can find Mary's story in pages 85 - 96 in the study guide. Here's a video commentary on Mary, Mother of Jesus .    https://youtu.be/DjTt7gHJNL8 Have a safe and awesome holiday weekend!