Perhaps my sluggish mood improved because of the weather — a week of moderate summer temperatures with negligible humidity, blue skies dotted with puffy clouds.
It almost felt like everything was normal again.
Normal for me includes plenty of creativity, learning and projects, a propensity especially useful when regularly spending time with grandchildren. Reflecting on what activities I used to enjoy, before now-discouraged travel and zipping into Chicago for cultural events became so enticing, I realized that my garden shed is bursting with materials that are enticing to a toddler. It could do with a thorough cleaning out, but a less arduous path was to remove items by theme.
I began with bird feeders.
I had enjoyed bird-watching when I was raising our own three children, especially on short winter days when we were stuck in the house. Coincidentally, in March, I had ordered Scarlett a pair of pink, PuffinScout kids’ binoculars. Thus far, these have been afforded a special status, only to be used under supervision, since the lenses are glass.
Examining tree bark in minute detail has proved quite absorbing, particularly when insects inevitably crawl into view. Actually focusing the lenses is in the future, but the concept that intentional observation can be exciting has been grasped.
We began our birding adventure by hanging a hummingbird feeder, and were rewarded by a visitor the very next day. A nut and seed mix was less successful, but once Oma installed a squirrel baffle, our luck improved. Scarlett’s birding vocabulary expanded, too.
In a twist of fate, we also had occasion to net a dead robin from my fish pond. After a philosophical discussion about the circle of life, I felt less concerned about reading our newest rather graphic book about raptors.
Nature is a constant, when the world seems to have gone awry.
And though our wings may be clipped temporarily, there are many wonders to uncover.
Even in our own backyards. (c)
