Awoke to find this sweet doe resting in the bed outside our front window. She was content watching the sun rise. She turned to look at me and stayed a while longer. If you scroll down four photos, you will see a fawn in the same spot taken from a different angle. I can't help but think this is that fawn all grown up. I took the photo below about three years ago, so it just must be. What a wonderful way to start the day, for both of us.
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An amazing thing happened recently. I came home from a weekend away to find a tiny wren busily building a nest in a birdhouse I had yet to hang. The birdhouse was on a low side table on our deck, right in the line of our dogs' noses, especially the Bernese. Knowing I had no choice but to move the birdhouse, I built a small shelf on the side of my writing shed and secured it there. I prayed that by some miracle the wren would find the house and continue its happy pursuit. I finished around 6pm. Around 7pm I spotted the wren on the table on our deck just where the birdhouse used to be. I was still hopeful as the new location of his home was visible from the deck, maybe 30 yards away up on a hillside. Night fell.
In the morning, I waited. Around 8am I heard the wren's cheery song and watched as he flew in and out of the relocated birdhouse, placing twig after twig inside and arranging them to his liking. I have named him Scout "a la" To Kill a Mockingbird (which, of course, one must never do) and for his impressive scouting-out skills. This evening a large summer storm blew through. Scout's home held secure. A happy ending indeed! |
My wife's art work. Oddly, these Easter Bunnies are remarkably good depictions of us.
When your child knows just what to do with a cherry stem.
This sweet little fawn hunkered down beside our front stoop waiting patiently for her mother to return from her morning outing. I have come to learn that this is what does do, place their babies in a safe location at
dawn and dusk while they go out to feed. One must never touch or move the fawn, unless it is in
immediate peril. This little fawn was not.
About two hours later, I spotted the mother at the bottom of our hill looking for her baby, only her baby
had wisely moved into some brush in order to avoid the increasingly hot sun. Although I was unable to
stay and watch the reunion, I have complete faith that reunite they did. The wide-eyed expression on
the fawn's face, and her relaxed demeanor, spoke to her complete trust in her mother's return. Mother
Doe's bright and committed gaze spoke of the bond to her offspring that could never be broken.
dawn and dusk while they go out to feed. One must never touch or move the fawn, unless it is in
immediate peril. This little fawn was not.
About two hours later, I spotted the mother at the bottom of our hill looking for her baby, only her baby
had wisely moved into some brush in order to avoid the increasingly hot sun. Although I was unable to
stay and watch the reunion, I have complete faith that reunite they did. The wide-eyed expression on
the fawn's face, and her relaxed demeanor, spoke to her complete trust in her mother's return. Mother
Doe's bright and committed gaze spoke of the bond to her offspring that could never be broken.
Robins filled the branches above our bird feeder today. Quite a sight for the first week of February! (Note to self - still need camera with zoom).
"Speak softly, and carry a big stick." TR
Injured but still proud.
I hope he's praying for our basil!
"This throbbing of waves, this quickened pulse, this pulling in and pushing off of the waves upon the gritty turf of the beach over legions of time had caused the smallest rocks scattered across its length (for this was a rocky beach as is the case with most New England beaches) to be polished smooth as the inside slope of a plover’s egg, luminescent, in the palm of a child’s damp, salted hand, as a burgeoning moon on a cloudless night.
"Only a storm unveils the truth, what lies caged beneath the smooth blue sheet."
"It’s about us, all of us, and none of us. About a moment, just like this."
~ The Question of a Valuable Life
"Only a storm unveils the truth, what lies caged beneath the smooth blue sheet."
"It’s about us, all of us, and none of us. About a moment, just like this."
~ The Question of a Valuable Life
I now understand. So impressed with this childhood summertime obsessive creation!
New Jersey's gorgeous state bird, the Eastern Goldfinch. Note to self - need camera with zoom.
Upon the herbs, within the grass. Let this future Swallowtail pass!
This is my big brother, Greg. He is a metal and wood sculptor of extraordinary ability. He is also an amazing human being who inspires me now just as he did when we were kids. Greg just completed a metal lawn serpent, commissioned by a very special client, that blows the mind. Watch Greg in action in The Making of the Lawn Serpent! You can also visit his website at: studioon12.com
Look very, very closely…bluebird sighting! It is a flash of Prussian blue against nature's earth.
Just saw Hilary Hahn perform Brahms followed by NJSO performing Stravinsky's Firebird suite of 1945. Music of the Gods!
Gorky's, "Summation" at MOMA. Love the texture, complexity and smokiness. One can feel the stories moving on the canvas.
Christmas tree decorated by nature:
"Crystal Star with Javelins" by Gilberto Zorio. Powerful. Has me thinking in terms of a structure onto which I can wrap the narrative thread of my next novel.
Snow day...again! Nothing to do but read, write and eat! And wonder, "What does the fox say?".