Fat Goldfinch

This is an unusually chubby Goldfinch!

Preening himself is difficult.

He rests a lot and flies slowly.

No, this bird is not puffed up against the cold.  It is probably twice as big as the other finches in my yard.

I know how he feels.  It is hard to say, "no" when it tastes so good.

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Hawk?

From inside the house I could hear birds chirping in the woods. I stepped out into a bright breezy day. The breeze chilled my bones even as the birds spoke of Spring.  My eyes fought the glare as I searched out a drumming Pileated woodpecker. My search was interrupted by a shadow flashing across the brightness.

A hawk! But what kind was it.

I had some clues for there had been a hawk lurking around my feeders.

Cooper or Sharp-shinned.  I go back and forth but think it is probably a juvenile Sharp-shinned. I have scoured guides, both paper and digital for an hour. I think this one has a hooded not capped appearance and it looks bigger in the chest than the belly. Here is the front view.

Short neck, right?  PLEASE give me your opinion.  Why can't one of each land on the same branch so I can compare.
Now, back to that bird overhead. There are enough photos that I shouldn't be having such trouble.

Still, beautiful, right?

  I have decided that I can enjoy it without knowing for sure how its wrists appear in relation to its head that may be small and neckless . . . maybe.

 Tail straight, not rounded.

 Then it was gone. Chickadees settled down. The hustle and bustle of eating returned to the feeder.

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I strongly recommend these books, based on my own reading and that of friends.  The Quiltmaker's Gift is a delightful children's book, a bit longer than most. It teaches a nice lesson about not letting our stuff become too important. I had it read to me last week and now my copy is in the mail. God's Echo is one I'm just starting for a book club.  Jaber Crow is among my favorites about committment and strength of character and just fun reading.  Then there are three editions of A Prayer for Owen Meany, including first paperback then the blue hardback edition and lastly a version for your Kindle.  I've never read this one but a good friend could not have given it a stronger recommendation. After lots of discussion on Owen Meany, this one, too, is on its way to my home.   If you have read one of these, let me know what you think.

Dance in the Morning

Today I hope you will enjoy this very short video of a couple young Deer learning about one of the joys of life. The music is performed by Boys of the Hock, an Athens, Ohio area band. They are playing a medly of the traditional tunes, "Joy of My Life," "Lilting Banshee" and "Lark in the Morning." You may link to their web site at  www.boysofthehock.com

Sorry if you tried to view this while it was still marked, "private." I have now fixed that so the whole world may view it.
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Do You See Me?

How do you see me?
As I stand before you what do you see?



Unless you are me
you cannot see me as I am.

You have a lens,
you know.
You use it whenever you look away
from your very important life.
Your's are the experiences 
through which you know me.
Not mine.






My life only matters 
in how it relates to you.
So I want to know.
How do you see me?


Are we more alike 
or different?
Am I clearly distinguishable. . . 
from my surroundings? 

You might be happy
or sad.
I'll change.
But it isn't me.
It's that lens that does it.

You and that life of yours 
distort how we all look.
It changes your focus;

Your viewpoint.




Do you see all the colors that are part of my life?
Do you even think about the experiences

that have made us who we are?
Or are you so focused on yourself that all that is left for us is black and white.
You see what you see,
never mind fine-tuning your vision
To Really See Me.

Would it make a difference if I screamed,
"Look at Me!"
"Look . . . At . . . Me!"







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Here is the Kindle version