I quickly took this picture of mama catbird sitting on the nest. I check in on her several times a day. She’s been there through thunderstorms and very humid and hot weather. The nest is deep within the hydrangea bush. The photo has been cropped within an inch of its life so you can see her.
I water all the porch plants very quietly. I don’t want to scare her.
It has been so hot and humid this week. Really unbearable. It will be hot again today, but there is no heat advisory, so maybe the humidity has dropped. I tweaked my lower back a bit yesterday – it’s getting better – and I’m going to take it easy today.
Our friend Margaret is home from the hospital and the rehab facility. She was hit by a car a few months ago. But even though she’s home, the recovery will take months and months. She can’t sit down yet, she has to be put into a kind of body and neck brace in order to take some steps with her walker. There is still considerable physical and emotional trauma to deal with. All of this because an employee of a company that delivers food quickly was in such a hurry that he didn’t see her crossing in a marked intersection.
We have become a society where speed is of the essence. Amazon deliveries. Binging on a series. Speedy food delivery no matter what the price. Downloading a book to a Kindle. MUST HAVE IT RIGHT AWAY! I see it in myself, when I’m online. I often have no patience while waiting for something to load. It isn’t good and it surely isn’t healthy. The company that the driver was working for is well known and legal action is being taken. Meanwhile, Margaret is 78 and her body was broken because someone was working on a ridiculous time limit set by the company. Adrian still feels a great deal of rage and I don’t blame him. Any prayers you can send their way are appreciated.
Don and I have talked about this a lot. Slow living is our goal. Less screen time. More patience.
Pip of the very, very sweet face.
I spilled a glass of water this morning. Not a very good start to the day!
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
Dear little Pip and her little green dress!
She’s a cutie!
Thanks, Judy.
Stay safe.
I can relate to the fast pace of life and at 75 I’m really trying to slow down and enjoy a slower rhythm to my days. Cherish the good moments, the small moments and the moments that bring me joy. Always took my health for granted and these last two years have shown me that my body is vulnerable. After surgery, I’m breathing better and able to move better. So thankful and grateful.
I’m so happy to hear that your health problems have eased, my friend. You deserve to feel well.
Stay safe.
Outrageous what happened to your friend Margaret, Claudia. I also often see in other people the rushing around, the lack of patience while waiting, and the general I-want-it-now mentality. When I have to wait in a long line, I whip out a book. Occasionally, I meet a person in line who is in front or in back of me who doesn’t mind engaging in a bit of conversation to pass the time. When the line starts moving and we accomplish whatever we had set out to do, we part ways but realize it was a pleasant way to pass the time.
Of course, nowadays, most people immediately get on their smart phone and mindlessly scroll. We’ve become a society where so many people are an island. I wonder if and how John Donne would have rewritten his poem.
Good question, Wendy. What would he think of all of this?
Stay safe.
hope your back feels better, and the weather is surprisingly cooler for you.
patience and slow living are, like your mama catbird (and all creatures), very good things. thanks for the reminder.
this week i should receive what will be my last order from etsy … greek ceramic beads in some of my most favorite colors (to make what i hope will be a good daily necklace for me). that’s something i liked about etsy … being able to see and buy interesting/ wanted things from other states and different countries, just down the street even, that i might not otherwise find. but etsy’s increase in ads and in non-handmade/non-vintage items has been frustrating. add in what you said about the jump in sellers’ fees and the selling of “alligator alcatraz” merchandise (and a subsequent search showing that 13% of etsy is owned by blackrock) means i won’t order anything more from etsy. i will just find another way to things i want … and keep prioritizing a better world and more peace of mind.
thanks for bringing that up about etsy, too.
and never doubt you having an impact or making a (good) difference, because you do.
happy wednesday. stay safe and cool.
kathy
Yes, Blackrock is ominous.
Thanks, Kathy.
Stay safe.
oh!!! meant to add prayers will continue for margaret and adrian … for a complete recovery soon, a good outlet for anger and other feelings, and legal help and as much justice as possible (can’t put a price on pain and life changes required as a result of someone else’s recklessness). and for the employee and the employer to make necessary changes to prevent such troubles for anyone in the future.
kathy
They just got through going through years of stress until Adrian finally had the heart transplant. And now this.
Stay safe, Kathy.
heart-breaking, especially since it was unnecessary, preventable.
kathy
xo
Hi Claudia. I Love Pippa’s barrette! Of course, I wore barrettes and they never stayed in place because my hair is the straight slippery kind… but she is so cute!
I resonate with the “slow lane” mode…. when does anyone have a moment to think their Own thoughts? Not just the latest thing they heard to upset them? But something of their own pondering? I try not to do any “outer” media but a newspaper where I can “leave” the article when I want to rather than when they stop talking…. But it sometimes feels like hiding in a castle… or a cave. Taking the time to do my creative things is hugely important to me. I hope you find time to get into your creativity this summer!
And I am glad to hear your friend is home and recovering. Sometimes just being home makes a big difference. My prayers go out to her.
And cat birds are amazing songsters! I hope the nest is successful. :):)
No A/C in the studio, so for now, I can’t work up there. But I will eventually.
Thanks so much, Betsy.
Stay safe.
Margaret and Adrian, how courageous they are. Will keep them in my prayers. Hope they are awarded compensation for all their suffering. As we get older, we don’t heal as well. Take care of your back. Miss Pip is darling. Love her yellow shoes. Hugs, Elaine
Thank you, Elaine!
Stay safe.
That bird! You are “chosen” because it knows you are safe people. I love that.
I’m glad Margaret is back home, which must be a huge relief — wonderful and a little scary, too. hear you on the speed thing. We were having that discussion with friends over the fourth. The person who passes you quickly only to end up sitting next to you at the stop light. I feel like yelling “Feel better about beating me to the light” but these days you don’t — people are too jumpy and you never know how they’ll react. I confess, the slow internet can get to me but for the most part, I’m pretty good with living on a slightly slower plane. Life is short and I want to enjoy every moment, not watch them speed by. They go too fast as it is.
I have yelled that before! But, you’re right, it’s no longer safe to do that.
Thanks, Jeanie.
Stay safe.