I’m turning into my Mother. So there’s that. But I don’t mind really. If you’re going to turn into somebody else, Mama’s not a bad choice.
After years of teasing her about being The Bird Lady, I found myself looking out the huge front windows of the Story Shack, where I now spend most of my time since I’m working from home, and thinking to myself, “a bird feeder might be nice.” I found a reasonably priced one on Amazon. But then it occurred to me—won’t the birds get thirsty too? Birdbath. Check.
At first I worried that the feathered ones wouldn’t fly my way. They did, though. I’ve watched the birdseed level dip, dip, and dip some more. But that’s okay. The birds in my buffet line earn their keep, putting on a show for me every day. Plus, they’ve given Mama and me a whole new avenue of conversation: What seed do they like best? Should I get more than one feeder? Is that a chickadee I just texted you a picture of? We’re already talking bird-friendly shrubbery and butterfly-attracting flowers.
I’m embracing, more than ever, a lesson I learned from both parents: Nature is a fine companion, especially when people aren’t an option.
And something else: You never know who might be hungry until you offer some food.
[Image by Gerald Rencehau @ Freerangestock.com]
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