Make bed. Quick exercise. Coffee & journal (outside if weather permits). Bird listening outside (regardless of weather).

Local bookstore? Fair Trade store? Sounds silly but the Cracker Barrel sometimes has cute things. And Aldi’s “aisle of shame” can be quite fun.

…
And consider, always, every day, the determination of the grass to grow despite the unending obstacles.
I ask you again: if you have not been enchanted by this adventure-your life-what would do for you?
…
Let me put it this way-if you disdain the cobbler may I assume you walk barefoot?”

And Mary Oliver’s “Evidence” comes to mind, of which I share a brief excerpt…

“Among the swans there is none called the least, or the greatest.
I believe in kindness. Also in mischief. Also in singing, especially when singing is not necessarily prescribed.

Besides spending 10+ glorious minutes a day listening and watching for #abirdfromthelord, I’ve also been relishing in the richness of Mary Oliver poems. This one rings true today more than ever.

This morning Merlin heard an eastern towhee, american goldfinch, northern flicker and maybe a ruby-crowned kinglet. She would be unexpected here, now, but changing climate patterns mean what’s expected isn’t necessarily what’s now normal.

As I listened and watched, Mary Oliver’s words came to mind:
“The present is what your life is,
and you are capable
of choosing what will be,
darling citizen.
So come to the pond,
or the river of your imagination,
or the harbor of your longing,
and put your lips to the world
And live
your life.”

Do you have certain sounds that remind you of your childhood? Red-winged blackbird songs bring me back to softball games, bike rides to Giant T for $.25 ice cream and hide & seek in the dark.
No finches showed up today, but I nonetheless share this poem from Mary. Oliver called “Invitation”.

My final moments listening outside were filled with a Carolina Wren’s song, so I share this poem today from Mary Oliver called, “I Happened to be Standing.”