I emerge from my convalescence, much as the Earth unfolds from its winter cloak, stretching towards the Sun. I submit some random observances of Spring. Last week a whippoorwill announced his return in evening gloam. The whir of a hummingbird reminds me to retrieve and fill the nectar feeders. BirdCast Migration tools will give you an overview of birds on the move over the US continent. You can also hone in on your local area to see what activity to expect. My neglected gardens called out to me today: lavender buried knee-deep in leaves held a hidden surprise. As I approached, the plant shuddered, and autumn leaves crackled. A poke in the pile unearthed an unhappy snake, slithering off, to curl under the dwarf cherry tree, its dark eyes squinting, tongue flickering warning. Nearby, a nuthatch hangs upside down, a cardinal tells me I’m “pretty”, and yellow finches flutter among chickadees, all vying for tasty morsels of suet, seeds, and fruit. A dove splashes in the bir...
Announcing a new family member: we have adopted a rescue Shih Tzu. His official kennel name is Benji Blue Fox, but that’s a big name for a 19-pound boy, so he is Benji to us. We met him at our dog groomer a week before we left for Key West. A foster dog mom brought him in because he was too much for her home circumstances. The moment we saw him, we fell in love. He looks like the reincarnation of our former Shih Tzu, Haiku. In only 10 months, this poor boy has had a horrible set of circumstances. His original owner fell on him, injured his leg, and left him crying all night. When he finally got to the veterinarian, he was diagnosed with a broken leg. Benji sports a left rear leg cast. He has been in three foster homes since that event. He has now found his forever home. We took him to our vet this week. His leg is healing nicely, but he needs to wear the cast for two more weeks. Despite the immobilizing device he runs and plays, and goes up and down steps without difficulty. Benji is h...
Today I am thinking about seeds. As a gardener, vegetables begin as simple seeds. As an author, writing ideas begin as kernels and either blossom into successful work or fail to grow into a completed piece. In both instances, one must have the foresight to recognize what is within the seed. Just as a gardener plans her plot, an author sees not only the night sky but a vision beyond. [above poem published on Cold Moon Journal 5/26/23] But for either, the hard work must be done. The gardener tills the soil and plants the seeds, waters, and weeds. An author must be ever alert for inspiration, jot thoughts in an omnipresent pocket notebook, and sit for hours and days on end, writing on paper or inputting line after line in a word processing program. This summer has been incredibly hot and dry. Despite nurture and watering, some plants have failed to thrive, other hardier specimens are prolific producers. Despite buzzing bees, neither my zucchini nor squash have fruited. As an author, I mus...
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