Memorial Day

It’s Monday morning.  I’m sitting on my porch and realize it’s quieter than most Mondays.  It sounds and feels more like a Sunday, but it’s Memorial Day, the time for remembrance and honor, a day off work and school for many, a day of barbecues and picnics and the kick-off of the summer vacation season for others. 

Even though this is a more somber holiday, and in fact I’ve often wondered if it’s appropriate to say Happy Memorial Day when we are honoring people who have died, there is that holiday expectant feeling in the air for me.  It happens without intention. The occasional car I hear, I wonder, where are they going? What are their plans this day, this week? 

The weather is cool, like earlier spring, so that I could almost use a sweater, as I have goosebumps on my arms. The begonias and Christmas cacti here on the porch seem none the worse for wear, though, after a chillier night and morning. 

I love the mornings, the way the young sunlight filters through the trees, the glimpses of pale blue sky.  I adore the stillness and quiet, though traffic is picking up, and I hear machinery running across the road somewhere, the occasional human voice and slamming door, then suddenly it’s quiet again for a brief few seconds, which seems right for a day of memorial.  I’m alone, yet I’m not. Nature is all around, and its own little sounds of bird call and breeze are comforting and nurturing.  The birds know nothing of Memorial Day as they sing and call and chirp and flit from tree to tree, nor the bunny as he basks in the sun over in the driveway, nor all the other little critters in the yard and trees, as Nature goes about another day.

I’m thankful for this day, this time, and for all those who gave their lives to help make this life possible for me.

~Honeybee

I always wanted to live in the trees. Now I do. Hope y’all have a happy Sunday and a safe holiday weekend.

~Honeybee

A Gift of “Gold”

Yesterday, I was reminded of this quote from Thoreau (a quote I’ve actually shared before):

“The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.”

It wasn’t a rainbow, although I’ve seen my fair share of beautiful ones here, but as I was driving up my hill I caught a flash of yellow.  I stopped the car and this beautiful Iittle goldfinch was sitting on the branch of a shrub right by the driveway, then 2 more flew over and the three of them went flying off together. I would have loved to get a photo, but I didn’t dare move and startle them. Besides, sometimes it’s okay to not have a picture but simply a memory, like a delicious little secret between Nature and me. I see lots of birds in my yard, but it’s very rare to see goldfinches and never that close. It was just such a perfect little unexpected moment as I went about my day.  True harvest indeed.

~Honeybee

Porch Life

Sometimes I wish I had nothing to do but sit out here on the porch in the sun all day and watch and listen to the birds. There’s quite a symphony of birdsong going on, and a cute little chickadee just flew close by. I may not have the biggest fanciest house or the means to travel very far, but dang, I’ve got one of the best seats in the place to watch this special show Nature puts on, and I’m grateful for it.

~Honeybee