“I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.”
— E. B. White
So, I was fluttering about in our Airbnb pool basking in the sparkling warm water, the gentle flow of the fountain, and the plaintive coos of the mourning doves. A moment of utter relaxation and peace, tempting me to melt into the water.
For the past few days, we’ve been greeted in the morning with a constant banging on our back patio window. I even took a video (see below). Of course, I googled this behavior and found that the bird is attacking its reflection thinking it’s a competitor. I even saw another similar bird come up and watch our demented bird attack itself. I wondered what the calm bird was thinking? Eventually, our demented bird saw the real bird watching and went after it, as well. Once the watcher ran off, our demented bird went back to attacking itself in the window. All I can tell you is that I wanted to go back to bed after watching all this aggression!
What did I really do? I went back to Google and found a distraction technique recommended by the Texas Parks and Wildlife service. I used a highlighter and drew a grid on the window. Supposedly, birds can see the highlight and not their reflection. Unfortunately, this demented bird was not impacted by the orange highlighted grid. Not sure what to do next! Maybe a red highlight grid?
Early one morning, we found this huge motionless bird on our back patio. My husband asked if I had placed a fake bird on the patio to keep the mice away? I said no and walked over to see a fantastically large barn owl. Could not believe how beautiful she was and how deadly her talons looked. We stared and stared debating whether to call Animal Control or Fish and Game, as she was so motionless we thought she was dead. Eventually, she heard us and turned her head. I found out later that barn owls don’t have peripheral vision, so they have to turn their entire head to see sideways. How do we know it’s a “she”? Females often have darker brown feathers around the rim of the facial disc as well as darker bars on the tail and small black spots on the chest and underside of the wings. This feathered friend eventually took off to find somewhere else to sleep during the day. I’m sure she didn’t like being stared at while she slept! I love the Sonoran desert!
The patterns of our lives help define us. We can change our patterns, if we choose to. Here’s a poem about one of my patterns….
As a child, …
Told what to do
Sees what others are doing
And I do what I’ve been told
A video that offered a surprising feel good ending.
Film student Hanna Rybak created this animated short film illustrating Sir Winston Churchill’s poem entitled “If You Can”.
Today, due to the virus pandemic, I celebrated one of my past coaches (Kathleen’s) 75th birthday via Zoom. Prior to the call, I had some time to ponder some the learnings she had introduced to me.
One of the lessons that jumped into my consciousness was Kathleen’s constant gentle reminders to change my language. No, not from English to Spanish or Chinese, but rather the use of certain negative words that produced negative thoughts and energies which then produced negative feelings and behaviors.
I don’t know about you, but my body and face have changed over the years and my skin care and makeup routine has needed to change, as well. However, I’ve been a bit lazy in this department. I mean, why bother with makeup when you have to cover ¾ of your face with a mask?
But, at some point, I’m going to have to show my face. I found Dominique Sachse and have been inspired to try some new things. I love the fact that she is fun, down to earth, clear in her demos, provides a comprehensive list of products she uses, and offers drugstore options and DIY techniques.
I love to read. Lately, I’ve been very intentional about finding inspirational material vs. the news and other divisive reading. I want to feel good, not depressed or hopeless. Hope these finds will help you feel good, too.
Here are some great online magazines….
I love, love, love the Container Store. Being there kickstarts my imagination with wonderful ideas to live simply, easily and beautifully. Here’s my favorite “stool”. I can hold it with two fingers, use it to find everything in my top cabinets, and smoothly fold it away in its hiding place - easy peasy.
Cindy Bolin makes great animal jewelry. I found her at the Carefree Fine Art & Wine Festival in Carefree, AZ, and she finally opened an Etsy shop. Check her out here…
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=cindy%20bolin%20jewelry&ref=auto-1
Views from windows around the world. Beware, this is addictive! P.S. You can add your view, too!
