Birdwatching, Fall & the Weather

Blog for October
Birdwatching, Fall and the Weather
I could never be a city dweller.
I need birds in my life.
My husband heard a bird fly into our big front window
the other evening.
He went out to investigate.
Sure enough a small Wren was sitting there
on the ground stunned.
Terry picked it up and held it gently talking to it
until it realized where it was and flew off.
Another day last week my friend and I
discovered a young cattle Egret sitting on the top
of her car in the MacDonalds parking lot.
As we admired it we tried to talk it into taking flight.
It was very at ease even with the highway
buzzing with traffic close by.
We had to be somewhere so we got in
and started the car.
The bird stayed put as we slowly drove through
the parking lot.
It finally hopped off into some nearby shrubs.
This is the first time that I have ever been
eye to eye with an Egret in order to
admire how truly beautiful they are.
While at the Magic Kingdome at Disneyland last week
I watched a white Heron in a little garden area.
It was moving in time to the music.
One would have thought it placed there
by the imagineer animators except for the fact
that it finally flew away.
I wish that you could hear the feathered concert
going on right now outside my window.
City dweller's you are missing out.
As for the weather, the sun is setting
at the appropriate time for October in this latitude
but the temperature is not behaving.
We are in the midst of record-breaking heat
and I can not yet enjoy my porch.
A friend stopped by on her way back from
the summer spent in Canada.
She reported that when she left two days ago
she was dressed in long underwear and boots.
This sounds extreme for my comfort.
So I will stop complaining and be happy that I have
air-conditioning.
I noticed a good-looking pumpkin inside the door
at a friend's house.
I commented that she had better leave it indoors
or it would soon look like the witch in the Wizard
of Oz, "I'm melting".
I saw the cutest thing at Disney's, Not So Scary
Halloween party, last week.
This was in the cool of evening.
We went last year too.
Most of the costumes are very cute or just pure fun.
Two small brothers were dressed one as Peter Pan
the other as Captain Hook.
He had on a hat that was as big as he was.
God has promised that the times and seasons
are sure.
So I will not act surprised if Fall in Florida arrives
suddenly.
I'll join with what I hear that the Australians like to say
"no worries".
I'll be content and shower often.


Close Encounter of the Dove
There were a half-dozen people in the pool
when the dove arrived
It walked around the edge of the pool
like doves do
Pat and I were quite close to the bird
as we continued to soak
in the warm water
The dove stayed near us
for an unusually long time
We were close enough
that we could admire its feathers
shining in the sunlight
The dove stayed
until Pat raised her voice
to speak to it
Then it was off
chirping as it flew away
This closeness to a dove
the lack of fear that it showed
turned my thoughts to the Holy Spirit
The Comforter
the one whom Jesus said
would teach us all things
This encounter was a gentle reminder
of God's peace and safety
even when we feel fragile or alone
May the truth of God's promise
abide with you today
The riches of the knowledge of God's ways
The peace that can be known
by those who receive the Dove
Let His Holy presence
be as close to those I love
as a dove landing and staying
Let His perfect love be known
as I set my face
to see God's pleasure
fulfilled in this land today.