From my archives…

I was so enamored with the birds today that I did’t even notice the sky! I did notice I had to have on a sweater to sit on the swing. Then the sun would come back out and my sweater would come off.

I peeped out the window this morning and saw an indigo bunting sitting on the bird cake feeder. I was so excited and then I saw, sitting on the suet feeder nearby, a male rose breasted grosbeak. I tried to sneak out the front door but all the birds flew off when I shut it. I waited a few minutes, got cold, and went back inside to eat my breakfast. Took all afternoon for the grosbeaks and the lone male indigo bunting to come back. If you’ve never seen an indigo bunting you are in for a treat! Actually they look like something that has escaped from a bird cage. The males are vibrant aqua blue, almost iridescent when the sun hits them. The female is a soft brown, finch like but bigger, and they have a grayish seed beak. Just thrills me to see the indigo buntings.

The male rose breasted grosbeaks are so pretty in flight with their black and white checkered wings. They have bright red feathers on their breasts. Looks like they have a bandana tied around their neck. They’re plump birds and have large ivory beaks. The females are light brown and have a district white line of feathers above their eyes. I had two pair of them on the feeders late afternoon.

I took a pad and pencil out to write down the species of birds I saw during my late afternoon bird watching. I saw 16 different species — rose breasted grosbeaks, a white breasted nuthatch, cardinals, a mocking bird, one male indigo bunting, 2 female indigo buntings, purple finches, downy woodpeckers, doves, chickadees, titmice, gray catbirds, brown headed cow birds, wrens, chipping sparrows, and goldfinches. When I walked Penelope we saw blue jays and a wood thrush and heard the owls across the street so it was a very productive bird watching day!

Going to visit the grandchildren this weekend. Grandchildren are such gifts. Grandparents play a very important role in their grandchildren’s lives. One on one time with grandparents is so special for both the grandchild and the grandparent. Grandparents tell great stories and help pass on family traditions. We laugh at silly jokes, sit on the floor wondering how we’re getting up, and let questionable words count in Scrabble games. We give undivided attention, help with childcare, wipe tears and provide emotional support, and serve as confidantes. Grandchildren help their grandparents to feel needed and wanted. They give us connection to our family heritage and give us emotional and physical support. They get us up and moving, playing badminton and riding bikes. Grandchildren keep us young!

Last visit to my grandchildren was in the middle of the week, so I could attend the Beta Club inductions of my grandsons and we didn’t have much time to play with all their activities going on. The weekend visits are more fun and I have time to visit with their parents, too. I don’t think our adult children realize that we miss them, too. The allure of grandchildren is such a wonderful thing but visits with our grown children give us just as much pleasure. Our world is such a busy place with not much time to slow down and just enjoy being at peace. Guess that’s why I love porch pondering so much. Soon as I sit down in the swing and glance over at the bird feeders I have a sense of tranquility.

“As long as there are flowers and children and birds in the world, have no fears: everything will be fine.” — Nikos Kazantzakis