The Nature of Things

One would not imagine that having a broken bone in one's foot would impair one's ability to put together news tidbits from the world of birds and Nature, but apparently one would be wrong. At any rate, it has impaired my ability and I was not able to gather the information needed for the weekly "This Week in Birds" post. I apologize to my faithful readers who look for it and promise that I will try to get back to what passes for normal for me next week. In the meantime, thank you to those who have expressed concern and well wishes. You are much appreciated.    

While looking for a poem to feature this week, I came upon this one and it immediately grabbed my "laughing heart." I especially loved these lines: "there is light somewhere. it may not be much light but it beats the darkness." And these: "you can't beat death but you can beat death in life, sometimes." Better the light than the darkness and here's to beating death in life. And so my poem of the week was chosen. I hope you like it, too.   The Laughing Heart by Charles Bukowski your life is your life don't let it be clubbed into dank submission. be on the watch. there are ways out. there is a light somewhere. it may not be much light but it beats the darkness. be on the watch. the gods will offer you chances. know them. take them. you can't beat death but you can beat death in life, sometimes. and the more often you learn to do it, the more light there will be. your life is your life. know it while you have it. you are marvelous the gods wai

A roundup of the week's news of birds and the environment : My son-in-law is currently in China on a business trip and he sent me pictures of some of the various birds he has seen there. Among them were these, of what I identified as an Oriental Magpie , a lovely bird, which is apparently quite common there. *~*~*~*

May has been called the "queen of months" and for good reason. At least in the northern hemisphere, it is likely the most pleasant of months. But as the poet says, we should enjoy it while it lasts for it is not always May. It Is Not Always May by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow The sun is bright,the air is clear, The darting swallows soar and sing, And from the stately elms I hear The blue-bird prophesying Spring. So blue yon winding river flows, It seems an outlet from the sky, Where waiting till the west wind blows, The freighted clouds at anchor lie. All things are new; the buds, the leaves, That gild the elm-tree's nodding crest, And even the nest beneath the eaves; There are no birds in last year's nest! All things rejoice in youth and love, The fulness of their first delight! And learn from the soft heavens above The melting tenderness of night. Maiden, that read'st

Yes, it's true! I am home again after my INTERMINABLE stay in the hospital and then a nursing home. (Well, actually a few days.) The old homestead never looked so good to me as when my daughter turned the car onto our street. I want to thank my readers who offered their good thoughts and wishes to me following my accident. You are SO much appreciated! The ankle is still broken and in a most uncomfortable "boot" so I'm learning to navigate a wheelchair and a walker. But it will heal and this will pass. It just gives me a great deal of appreciation and empathy for those who must deal with such encumbrances as a usual part of their lives. Again, thank you for remembering me, and keep sending that positive energy my way!