All Creatures...

Looking out at Mrs. Blue looking in

The bluebird couple has appeared again this spring--the fourth in a row! I named them Mr. and Mrs. Blue for obviously reasons. I decided since they insist on being a part of the family, they need to have a name other than just "the bluebird couple." As in years past, they hang around the porch going from window to window,often just sitting observing us humans inside. I wonder what they could be thinking! Personally, I think Mrs. Blue wants to move in with us and build her nest in one of the birdhouses displayed over the kitchen cabinets! Mr. Blue keeps trying to convince her to be content with the birdhouse provided on the porch railing.--one they have used for two years. I have to admit, it could use a new coat of paint! I saw his sweet gesture of presenting her with a juicy worm again this year. Who says birds don't have emotions!

Eventually, the Blue family will probably settle down in the house on the railing, and go about the business of raising a family of little "Blues". I can only pray for their safety. Even so close to the house, they are subject to dangers from high winds and rain (the winds last Sunday blew the house off the porch despite it being wired to a post!); and creatures-- from squirrels to snakes to hawks to raccoons-- who prowl the earth looking for innocents.

I saw the first hummingbird today. We actually saw the first ones at the neighbor's cabin yesterday. I hurried to get a feeder out early this morning, and sure enough, there was a hummer checking us out! Right now only a feeder or two is necessary, but in the heat of summer, we will be filling four to five quart feeders several times a day.

The goldfinches, who feed at the thistle seed sacks year 'round, are now sporting their brightest yellow feathers (at least the males are). The females are too busy getting ready for the little ones to worry about what they wear. Obviously humans don't think that way! I just purchased two new jackets--one in a beautiful blueberry and another in rosy coral. Couldn't resist the colors. Jack's new outfit is black and green--not quite so showy, but nice.

I look out the window and see new calves running across the green pastures just for the fun of it, and newly born kids (goats) literally kicking up their heels just for the joy of being alive on such a wonderful spring day in the Ozarks. I watch as chipmunks scamper from log to log just outside the yard (always wary of dogs), and squirrels flying from tree to tree as they chase each other--happy to have survived the cold, harsh winter, and secure in the knowledge that a food supply will be abundant in the months ahead. Much chattering takes place as they prepare their nests for the babies to come.

I think God's creatures have a good idea. I plan to get out, maybe go for a hike down to the waterfall. It is still a little cool and most of the wildflowers won't be out yet, but the sunshine will! And, oh yes! I will mow the grass for the first time this year, and probably pull up a few early weeds poking through the mulch in the flowerbeds--I won't even call it work today! Oh, the joys of springtime on the mountains!

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful,

The Lord God made them all.

Cecil Frances Alexander