PLAGUE TIMES
During this time of plague, when the Queen of Viruses and the orange King of Dunces threaten our existence, I find comfort that, as a person well past middle age, I am easily amused by small things. And, in early spring, there are many such things to attract my attention.
For example, our house bear, Bonnie, let us know she escaped being shot during last fall’s bear hunt by snacking on our 14-foot high bird feeders last week. She’s too big to climb the poles, so she must have had help from one of her cubs. I can see the fresh indentations of its claws on the fir poles. Somehow, she learned to unscrew the wing nut holding one of the feeders together, and that feeder escaped harm. Dingo, half chihuahua, half mountain dog, found the wing nut in the woods and returned it, lightly chewed, to us. Good dog.
Robins arrived late last month and devoured all the orange berries on our two hawthorn trees in a couple of hours, then flew on. Last week the black birds arrived: flocks of grackles. red-winged black birds, and European starlings. They devour a half-pound of mixed seed in an hour.
Since bears are about, I take in feeders each evening and put them out in the morning, where a female hairy woodpecker waits for me. She is particularly interested in the suet cage, sits and cocks her head and fixes me with black eyes. The message is clear —hurry up. I believe she will be sitting on my fingers in a few more weeks.
In our realm of small marvels, we watch the goldfinches and house finches change colors. Olive drab and gray all winter, they now show colorful promise. Goldfinch chevrons are now distinct against pale yellow, and the house finches show reddish caps. Another couple of weeks and they’ll have their summer colors, ornaments on our magnolia until November.
Springtime is like a high school reunion. You look around wondering who from last year will be back. Hellebores were tossing their white and purple heads around in February, letting us know how much they, at least, appreciated the climate change determined mild winter without snow. Witch hazel is now, late March, in full bloom, and volunteer daffodils in the woodlot are brilliant against the dull understory. The miniatures shown here are favorites.
Another favorite is the aptly named skunk cabbage that pushes up in our wet areas now. This amazing plant generates its own heat— keeping its temperature constant at about 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit as it pushes up through snow and ice.
Then, of course, there is promise of what’s to come. Azaleas and elderberries have fat buds ready to pop. Green shoots already tease me in the flower garden. A supposed disadvantage of being old is failing memory. Not so. Because I don’t remember what’s supposed to be there, when it shows it’s a pleasant surprise. The high school friend who just came in the door.
Social distancing may be with us for many months. Fortunately, it doesn’t apply to the natural things that surround us all. Staying home doesn’t mean being cooped up. There are wonders outside.
Im grateful for the blog article. Really looking forward to read more. Awesome. Bernie Darryl Mensch
Major thanks for the blog. Thanks Again. Really Cool. Ronny Rodney Lyns
Appreciation to my father who told me concerning this weblog, this blog is genuinely remarkable. Lucretia Mortie Olnay
I think this is one of the most significant information for me. Melva Northrop Vittoria
What a data of un-ambiguity and preserveness of precious familiarity on the topic of unexpected emotions. Heidie Herrick Valentijn
I think this is a real great blog post. Thanks Again. Fantastic. Koralle Homerus Margot
The information mentioned within the report are some of the ideal readily available. Otha Clayton Kimberlee
If some one wishes expert view concerning blogging and site-building after that i suggest him/her to go to see this weblog, Keep up the nice work. Alexia Darnell Bertina
You are my intake , I possess few blogs and sometimes run out from to brand. Brina Westley Genevra
Coffee taste great Almost every morning we go. Kylila Aharon Wilfreda
Hello. This post was really motivating, especially since I was browsing for thoughts on this issue last Saturday. Marguerite Kerry Benedetto
You are my inspiration , I own few web logs and very sporadically run out from to brand. Charis Mal Cima
Hello. This post was really motivating, especially since I was investigating for thoughts on this subject last week. Maryjane Rockie Clapper
Good answers in return of this question with firm arguments and telling all concerning that. Letta Fritz Lamson
Muchos Gracias for your blog article. Thanks Again. Glenda Kirby Som
Because so many players who always want to play again when they get a victory or the target of victory has been reached. Lavinie Mateo Tammi
Im grateful for the post. Much thanks again. Really Cool. Mirna Dalis Lohrman
You are my inhalation , I have few web logs and very sporadically run out from to post . Maryanna Free Creighton
Thanks for creating this resource, Lia. It is very needed. Sarita Loren Renell
I would like to thank you for the efforts you have put in writing this website. Lona Randi Hadwin
Very great post. I simply stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your weblog posts. Carmita Palmer Hobie
You are my intake , I have few blogs and occasionally run out from to brand. Selia Charles Koby
A person essentially help to make seriously posts I might state. Pegeen Bone Marika
Here is a good Weblog You might Discover Fascinating that we encourage you to visit. Drucill Sterling Hasty
I am so grateful for your article post. Really looking forward to read more. Cool. Michaelina Arnold Yul
That is really fascinating, You are an overly skilled blogger. Florenza Lefty Hasseman
I believe you have remarked some very interesting details, appreciate it for the post. Dyann Dillon McMullan
Thanks-a-mundo for the blog article. Really looking forward to read more. Great. Maurizia Gardie Hubble
Every the moment inside a though we pick out blogs that we study. Listed below would be the newest web sites that we select. Kira Durant Kimberly
Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed browsing your blog posts. Donnamarie Zolly Kristien
If some one needs exdpert view concerning running a blog afterward i recommend him/her to pay a quick visit this website, Keep up the good work. Etta Jared Corliss
Thank you ever so for you article. Really thank you! Want more. Andriana Gustave Shaughn
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful article. Thanks for providing this info. Dena Stacee Britt
Сериал Игра престолов Сезон 8
It is truly an incredible article. I follow this blog constantly. I find the most accurate information here.