Hi Julie, The snow in the picture makes the red standout so perfectly. Snow around your home, too? Tricky traction with under layers of ice? Brings to mind the WW II Army surplus pair of studded boots I had as an early teenager. Perhaps the inspiration for studded snow tires?
You asked how we will direct our attention. I’ll set my eyes for beauty detection mode - Nature’s creations. Later dis-robing all the outdoor plants Beth and I protected from freezing conditions. How best to store frost cloth and plastic sheeting? Will we use the layers again this winter? Thinking Yes.
For the short term I believe a blueberry muffin from yesterday’s baking has my name on it.
Good morning, Gary. Thank you for this poem as a response. :) I do hope one of these days you will drop in and wave hello at one of our Friday write togethers. (no pressure)
Yes we have lots of snow here and excited for some outdoor fun...snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing. I hope your outdoor plants are thriving in these winter months. The coverings are a great idea.
Enjoy your blueberry muffin, sounds yummy. I just had a great cup of coffee and some oats & fruit.
Good morning Faith! I'm so happy to hear you get to see cardinals too. The bright red is brilliant, like Gary mentioned. Enjoy. Hugs to you and David. xox
Our feeders feature juncos, finch, mourning doves, woodpeckers, and chickadees. The cardinals come, too... but their visits are currently short and infrequent.
You can bet when I see that flash of red. I pause to appreciate.
What a gorgeous feeder you have...all those magnificent birds. It's the best, isn't it when the cardinal comes. :) Have a terrific Monday and thank you for reading.
Some birds of note I've come across recently have been some goldcrests (our smallest native British birds) on a walk through an ancient yew forest, and whole lot of redwings feasting on any remaining fruit they could find when I was visiting my parents last week - those were both such treats! Mostly at the moment though I'm seeing the 'standard' garden birds - blackbirds, robins, tits (not joking - they're what you'd call chickadees, I think) dunnocks and of course the ubiquitous jackdaws! Oh, and seagulls are never far away, even though we're not directly on the coast.
Actually they're a kind of darkish greeny-brown, but if you get the chance to glimpse it you'll see the bright yellow crest on the top of their head. They have a close but much rarer relation, the firecrest, whose crest is orange. I've never seen one of those, but I'd love to!
Two young fish are approached by an older one who asks, “How’s the water today?” The younger fish swim away without responding and exclaim to each other, “What’s water?” I wonder how many of us go through the day on automatic pilot, unconscious of the “waters in which we swim”. Jules your poem is a poetic teaching in attention, awareness and consciousness. A love affair with life. As always thank you for being so “present” for yourself as well as all of us. Where will I direct my attention? To the present moment and savor it like no other.
Another brilliant and wise response, Clark. Thank you.
"Automatic pilot" is a great way to put it. One thing I don't want to be and it takes effort. I will pick effort and pay attention. :) Thank you Clark for being here. It's a beautiful day!
One winter, a male cardinal kept batting at image on my porch window. I was afraid he was going to injure himself, so I put up stickers and a broom across the window to block the reflection. He stopped flying into the window, but I missed him.
Oh my goodness Nancy. What a clever idea to prevent him from getting injured. I do hope he returns and finds a branch to visit you. They are such a joy to see on the gray days in Central NY.
Thank you Jack. I'm always sad when the cardinal flys away. Yet, when he returns it does make that moment special. Thank you for reading and commenting. It's always great to hear from you.
Brilliant red bird
Set amid wild twig array
Helps to start our day
Hi Julie, The snow in the picture makes the red standout so perfectly. Snow around your home, too? Tricky traction with under layers of ice? Brings to mind the WW II Army surplus pair of studded boots I had as an early teenager. Perhaps the inspiration for studded snow tires?
You asked how we will direct our attention. I’ll set my eyes for beauty detection mode - Nature’s creations. Later dis-robing all the outdoor plants Beth and I protected from freezing conditions. How best to store frost cloth and plastic sheeting? Will we use the layers again this winter? Thinking Yes.
For the short term I believe a blueberry muffin from yesterday’s baking has my name on it.
All the best to you and yours. Always.
Good morning, Gary. Thank you for this poem as a response. :) I do hope one of these days you will drop in and wave hello at one of our Friday write togethers. (no pressure)
Yes we have lots of snow here and excited for some outdoor fun...snowshoeing, sledding, and cross-country skiing. I hope your outdoor plants are thriving in these winter months. The coverings are a great idea.
Enjoy your blueberry muffin, sounds yummy. I just had a great cup of coffee and some oats & fruit.
Thank you and my best to you, Beth, and Izzie.
Yes,I second that hope -- to see Gary at one of your writing sessions!
Thank you Linda...yes let's keep on encouraging Gary. I do hope one day it hops on.
I always look for the cardinals that visit our bird feeder. Usually there is one or two feeding. Love these little messengers from God!
Good morning Faith! I'm so happy to hear you get to see cardinals too. The bright red is brilliant, like Gary mentioned. Enjoy. Hugs to you and David. xox
Our feeders feature juncos, finch, mourning doves, woodpeckers, and chickadees. The cardinals come, too... but their visits are currently short and infrequent.
You can bet when I see that flash of red. I pause to appreciate.
Thanks for the poem Julie!
Good morning Gail!
What a gorgeous feeder you have...all those magnificent birds. It's the best, isn't it when the cardinal comes. :) Have a terrific Monday and thank you for reading.
It's a beautiful day 😊
It sure is! Thank you Claudette. Have a fantastic day.
I have bird envy, Julie - your cardinals over there are so beautiful! 😍 So are your words - thank you for a lovely post!
Thank you Rebecca, I'm curious what are some of the birds you see on your walks? Thank you so much for reading.
Some birds of note I've come across recently have been some goldcrests (our smallest native British birds) on a walk through an ancient yew forest, and whole lot of redwings feasting on any remaining fruit they could find when I was visiting my parents last week - those were both such treats! Mostly at the moment though I'm seeing the 'standard' garden birds - blackbirds, robins, tits (not joking - they're what you'd call chickadees, I think) dunnocks and of course the ubiquitous jackdaws! Oh, and seagulls are never far away, even though we're not directly on the coast.
oh goldcrests so wonderful! I imagine a small bright yellow bird. Thank you for sharing Rebecca...and for the laugh. :)
Actually they're a kind of darkish greeny-brown, but if you get the chance to glimpse it you'll see the bright yellow crest on the top of their head. They have a close but much rarer relation, the firecrest, whose crest is orange. I've never seen one of those, but I'd love to!
Wow - we both have been inspired by the presence of birds : ) Nice!
Hi Laurie, It's so great to get your message. Thank you for reading and chiming in.
Birds are truly magnificent and I'm grateful for so many I see on my runs and walks.
Jules, a great question
Intention for attention!
We are miracles ❗️
Two young fish are approached by an older one who asks, “How’s the water today?” The younger fish swim away without responding and exclaim to each other, “What’s water?” I wonder how many of us go through the day on automatic pilot, unconscious of the “waters in which we swim”. Jules your poem is a poetic teaching in attention, awareness and consciousness. A love affair with life. As always thank you for being so “present” for yourself as well as all of us. Where will I direct my attention? To the present moment and savor it like no other.
Another brilliant and wise response, Clark. Thank you.
"Automatic pilot" is a great way to put it. One thing I don't want to be and it takes effort. I will pick effort and pay attention. :) Thank you Clark for being here. It's a beautiful day!
One winter, a male cardinal kept batting at image on my porch window. I was afraid he was going to injure himself, so I put up stickers and a broom across the window to block the reflection. He stopped flying into the window, but I missed him.
Oh my goodness Nancy. What a clever idea to prevent him from getting injured. I do hope he returns and finds a branch to visit you. They are such a joy to see on the gray days in Central NY.
The cardinal is a beautiful bird - you are looking to have special moments watching them!
Thank you Jack. I'm always sad when the cardinal flys away. Yet, when he returns it does make that moment special. Thank you for reading and commenting. It's always great to hear from you.