animal friends

Love and Companionship Outside My Window

A special friend outside the basement window

With the days getting longer and lighter each night I leave the blind about half-way open on the window on my side of the bed. A purple sheer hangs over the window so there is some privacy.

I love it as the sun rises in the east and the light filters into the bedroom in the morning. Also, since John made me two wren houses and hung them on the side of my writing cottage, it’s when I first open my eyes that I take a moment, and while still lying in bed, that I hope one of these days I’ll see a little feathered head going in or coming out of one of the birdhouses.

No little feathered heads today, so I got up. But when I pulled the sheer back, there was a different surprise waiting for me. There were two Morning Doves huddled together on the wooden beam that is part of our rock wall area that leads down to our semi-exposed basement. 

It’s been cold the last few nights dropping down into the lower 20s. I assumed it was the male Morning Dove —since he was bigger— who had his body slightly over the female bird trying to keep her warm. But whatever the case, it touched my heart.

There are many mornings as I’m just about to turn the handle to the patio door to go out to my writing cottage that I see the doves on our deck, or drinking from the birdbath, or eating from the bird feeder —always together. I often just stop and wait until they eventually fly off. I just admire their love for each other.

Eventually, I made my way downstairs to workout on my Pilates machine, and who would I see once again? Well, this time it was just the female Morning Dove sitting right outside the basement window on a large rock. She stayed there for the longest time, just as content as could be. It was so nice having a workout buddy, though I was doing all the ‘work!’ 

But it reminded me again, especially poignant these days being isolated at home, we are never truly alone. Sometimes all it takes is just pulling back the curtain to know and feel that there is love all around.

xo,

Barbara

 

 

We Had Joy, We Had Fun. Thinking of Gidget and the Joy of Squirrels.

Right after I had to make the heart-wrenching decision last month to let Gidget go due to congestive heart failure I heard these words from the song, Seasons in the Sun, pop into my head: We had joy, we had fun, we had seasons in the sun. I know it was Gidget letting me know it was time and it was okay.

Other lyrics to that song from Terry Jacks are:

Goodbye my friend it’s hard to die
When all the birds are singing in the sky
Now that spring is in the air
Pretty girls are everywhere
Think of me and I’ll be there

In the weeks since Gidget has been gone the lines, now that spring is in the air and think of me and I’ll be there often run through my mind.

The truth is I wanted one more summer with her. But I know if I’d had one more, I’d want another and another. 

I’ve found such comfort in this song as the earth is so alive right now with birds, squirrels, chipmunks, fawns, and deer that I often see in our yard. Seeing and observing wildlife has me often thinking of Gidget. I feel grateful to have this connection with animals during a time I’m missing my sweet girl.

I had to chuckle seeing Squirrel dining yesterday late afternoon with his pretend friend—a rustic squirrel I bought at an art gallery last summer. I called Gidget a little squirrel at times when she was, well, you know, acting squirrely!

And again, while I’d have loved one more summer with her, I’m feeling grateful for the companionship of all the animals in the wild. I feel like Gidget wanted it this way and that she knew this is what my heart would need. It would be so like her to think of my best interest.

So while Squirrel snacked on peanuts I sat quietly and watched feeling grateful for the joy they bring and the sweet memories of Gidget that saunter through my mind.

XO,

Barbara

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Don’t Blink

Don't Blink

I just put out a new cob of corn today for the little red squirrel and the chipmunks that visit often. By morning that cob will be wiped clean.

I head Mr. Chipmunk chittering away and needed to get out to my writing cottage, but didn’t want to disturb his dinner. But they are quite brazen it seems this time of year, so I nonchalantly walked out to my cottage as if I didn’t see him. He froze in place and didn’t move.

I wondered then if he’d pose for a photo so I grabbed my camera, focused, and zoomed as best I could, as I slowly opened the screen door, as I pretended again that I didn’t see him.

Again, he stayed frozen in place. I said to him, “Don’t blink.”  But then realizing it was me who best not blink or I’d miss the shot because soon enough he skittered away! But obviously I got the shot!

I love this time of year when all the critters are active and abound in our yard. Hummingbirds, rabbits, chipmunks, butterflies and birds. Even when alone in my writing cottage during the day, I really never feel alone, but instead surrounded by some very special friends.

P.S. John calls me his rodent loving wife. 🙂

XO,

Barbara