DAILY GRATITUDE EARTH SPEAKING

 

I’m grateful all those times I have been blessed…

while walking quietly in a forest among the flowers and the trees

how often…when I walk in silence

the Earth chooses to speak to me.

TREAD SOFTLY

 

May we be blessed with every walk in nature…

to enjoy all the sights and sounds around her…

to tread as softly as we can

and leaving her…exactly as we found her.. 

BLUEBIRDS

 

One type of bird that frequents our home in the mountains

one of the many we look forward to

are the birds that make their home in boxes we’ve provided

they’re tiny birds but distinctive…because their backs are painted blue.

Since bluebirds cannot dig holes in which to build their homes

to keep them free from predators and pests

they rely on woodpecker holes…or home-made bluebird boxes

in which to build their nests.

It is a wonderful relationship…we provide them free housing… 

where they can raise a brood…or two

and every now and then they allow us to see

the beauty of their blue.

Not only are these little birds a beautiful sight to see

they help control the insect population…

and entertain us with their soft and gentle melody.

In some small way we feel a part of nature…

providing a home for bluebirds to give birth…

a safe place to stay for a while

while they add their beauty to the Earth.

When nesting season is over…we clean their home

trying to be the best hosts we can be…

so it will be ready when they return next summer…

and create their family…rent free.

 

A FATHER'S CONTENTMENT

 

Of all the emotions I’ve felt as a father throughout my life

from those I’ve kept to myself to those I’ve freely expressed

from laughter, excitement, joy and love….

I think contentment is the best.

Which is why whenever our family gets together…

at times you will find me sitting quietly in my place

watching what is happening…with a contented smile on my face.

Enjoying those fleeting seconds…with members of my family near

capturing those moments of contentment…before they disappear.

Dinner with our son and his wife talking about pets and life and family.

Exchanging stories, joy and laughter…and memories of NC

Singing a Face Time Happy birthday to our daughter. 

Hearing how this birthday she’ll be celebrating.

Happy with the friends she’s made…and the life she is creating.

Sitting in our son’s home…thrilled at the life he has been making

Smiling as he talks about the next adventure…to Key West….he is taking.

Dinner with our son, grandson, his wife and our great-granddaughter…

Generations around the table talking about our futures and our past

another reminder…that life is beautiful…and…goes by so fast.

These are but a few moments of contentment I collected recently.

separate moments of contentment…in the arms of my family.

But every moment of contentment we are blessed to hear and see…

does not last forever…and eventually becomes a memory.

Which is why from the moment I became a father…it has always been my plan

to catch as many of these moments of contentment that I can

Because as I say…

All the emotions I’ve had as a father…

those I’ve kept to myself…and those I’ve freely expressed…

all lead me to one conclusion…

contentment…is the best.

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY.

DAILY GRATITUDE THE BIRDS THAT SING

 

I am grateful for the birds 

who sing me awake in the morning

as their songs finds a way

to remind me how blessed I am…

to live another day.

LESSON FROM THE BIRDS

 

In this deeply divided country

where we treat one another with disdain…

where we use the most damaging and hurtful words…

may we take a page out of nature…

and learn a lesson from the birds

For we will never achieve a peaceful and balanced flight…

when the right wing hates the left

and the left wing hates the right…

For every bird knows..

when it looks up to the sky….

the left wing needs the right wing

and the right wing needs the left

If it’s is ever going to fly.

FOR THE BIRDS

 

When I was younger and a little more cavalier….

I would secretly ridicule people who were out there watching birds

I would chuckle at their obsession …I called them all bird nerds.

While they were observing birds through their binoculars

I was observing their bird watching…

If anyone asked what I was doing…

I’l laugh and say….nerd watching

But as the years have passed…enjoying a bit of humble pie

I’ve had to eat my words…

because along the way I started enjoying

watching and listening to the birds. 

Mornings in the mountains are a great place for this endeavor:

I awake before the sun off the mountain tops is glistening

I sit on our porch and do a little bird watching

but mostly I’m just listening.

I’ve come to know some of the birds I see

their behaviors I am now able to read

The ones who leave the safety of their trees

and visit our feeders for breakfast seeds.

And I’ve come to know some of the birds I hear

who never leave the safety of their trees

The ones whose morning songs drift in upon the breeze.

Every morning in the mountains…you will find me on the porch

Eyes wide open…

welcoming to our feeders a few of these wonderful birds I am blessed to see

or sitting with my eyes closed…listening to their mountain harmony…

For I have happily and unabashedly joined the group

I once ridiculed as nerds….

and have found my mornings in the mountains

to be truly…for the birds.