So what's my story? Well, it's not about cutting down trees, but let's begin with the PATH to the garbage can.
EMOTIONAL STATE: DOWN
We've had a record number of doves in our feeding area since the weather has turned dry, and I think it's attracted a hawk. I've heard it screeching overhead the last week or so. Today, I found a bird and thought it was dead. It was covered with flies. But to my horror, when I went to pick it up, it opened its eyes! It was really torn up and all I could do was keep the flies away from it. I boxed it up with air holes for breathing and set the box on the back porch. It was a white-winged dove.
I thought about that poor bird the whole time during church this morning. It died later today and I buried it.
I can't lie to you, I had tears in my eyes when I did all this.
EMOTIONAL STATE: UP
My wife is between jobs right now, so we had to pick up a practice book for some tests she'll be taking.
I went over to the nature section and found this: a 1937 copy of Walden, by Henry David Thoreau!
I've always wanted my own copy of this classic. It was only $7.95. I read the part about weeding the bean field and it reminded me of this:
EMOTiONaL STaTe: MIXED
I pulled the spent purslane the other day and threw the 'weeds' behind the flower bed. But then I found this one giving its all to bloom just one more time while uprooted and hanging on an agave leaf. What would you do? Of course:
It's now in some good soil with water. The little guy has spunk!
And finally:
EMOTIONAL STATE: WAY UP!!!
I've been trying to take a crisp picture of this little blue dragonfly for days now. I probably have snapped 20 blurry pictures. He's very quick and wary of humans with cameras.
But today I finally succeeded. All in all, I count my blessings to have a place to call my own.
That's it for today from Tropcial Texana.
Who needs a roller coaster, just garden! :-)
That is a great shot of the dragonfly! Gardening is definitely an emotional rollercoaster around here, too. I'm sorry about the dove. Nature can be cruel.
ReplyDeleteYour kindness with the dove touched my heart. I would have done the same thing. You are a good and kind man. At least the poor creature spent it's last few hours in quietness and solitude.
ReplyDeleteI tend to leave many plants in my garden that should not be there. As they grow I often feel connected with them. I always tell myself I live inside the house, the garden is for wildlife and wildflowers....I am just the lady who helps when I can.
The last image is incredibly beautiul......worth the wait.
Tku for your kindness in mentioning my story of the oaks....it still saddens me but now where they once stood wild flowers grow. Nature always works things out.
We had a similar thing happen here with a crow a couple of weeks back. I will spare you the details but I just want to say I know how you feel. I was totally unprepared for how much sadness I could feel for a "silly crow."
ReplyDeleteCindy, Cheryl, and Danger:
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to comment. It means a lot to me! It's one of the great parts of garden blogging~to know you're not alone in your struggles. Today we have 20 doves, squirrels, cardinals, and blue jays out at the feeding area. It's worth the risk. It's so dry now all of the watering pots we have out are VERY popular. :-) David