Sun Setting On Our Field, by Rainer
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

How
Did the rose
Ever open its heart

And give this world
All its
Beauty?

It felt the encouragement of light
Against its
Being,

Otherwise,
We all remain

Too

Frightened

-Hafiz

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Woo-hoo! We really are attracting wildlife!

I suppose with this makeshift birdbath we've got all the requirements covered for a certifiable wildlife habitat. How easy to put a bathroom sink pedestal in the yard with an old lid that just happened to fit perfectly. Inside the lid as perches are a brick we made a long time ago and a plaster impression of Rainer's foot. The birds love it.

This family of birds has a nest under the eaves outside of the dining room window. One day we woke up and saw a little bird struggling with a string or something wrapped around it's leg. It hung upside down and would flap furiously and get nowhere. I didn't know what to do, the kids and I fretting. Outside, other birds dove at us when we got closer to see if a broom could loosen the string and set the bird free. After a half-hour or more, Rose and Keith from across the street saw our predicament. Within 20 seconds, I swear, Keith had stepped up on a stool, cupped the bird in one hand and expertly removed it from hanging upside down. He unwrapped the horse hair and in another few moments set it free! Wow, Keith. I'm still shaking my head that there are people like Keith who have such confidence living with animals. That expertise supports our backyard wildlife habitat. Thanks again, neighbors!

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