Simple Recipes for Busy Living
As we set off for a walk the other day, I heard a loud and familiar sound coming from above our heads. I looked up to see two Canada Geese perched high up on our rooftop, honking loudly to alert us to their presence. The pair sat there for quite some time. Perhaps they were enjoying the view!
On the same day, we took Liam out on another walk in his wagon…since then, every time we’re in the garage he heads straight for it, and attempts to clamber in. I think he is trying to tell me something!
Finally, yesterday we had some beautiful spring-like weather. I am still eagerly awaiting a “Robin-sighting” but if it wasn’t spring yesterday, you could have fooled me!
We got outside with Liam for a nice long walk, and when we got home, he enjoyed some playtime out in our backyard. Because he wasn’t really walking last fall, this was the first time we got to experience our child “playing” in our yard. It was so wonderful to see him playing on the grass with a ball, and later, carrying around the broom I had been using to sweep off the deck. He watched as an airplane soared above our heads, and was also delighted to see our neighbour’s children playing on the swings next door.
So many firsts happen with children, and all of them are special. This “first” is one of my favorites, and one that I will remember for many years to come!
Backing onto Conservation Land, it is not uncommon to see Deer, Opossums, Rabbits, Groundhogs, and varying species of songbirds from the upstairs windows of our house. Being an animal lover, I find this feature of our property just great! One day last fall, as my husband and I went for a walk along the parks trails, we suddenly came upon a Doe. She was just standing there, eating quietly from a nearby bush, and didn’t seem particularily concerned with our presence. I think out of the three of us, she was the least shocked!
This morning, I awoke to the familiar sound of singing birds. I recognized the song of a Cardinal, a Chick-a-dee, and a chorus of little Sparrows and Finches. I also heard the twittering of our two Budgies “Toby” and “Ki-Ki,” who were likely singing back to the outdoor birds they can see from their cages. One song I heard from the outdoor birds had a familiar, yet somehow mysterious sound to it. I wondered if it could possibly be a robin? It is afterall, raining very hard…and Robins like rain!!! Spring is supposed to be here soon…could it be?
Today, I will be on the look-out for the Robin I hope I heard early this morning. They say into every life, a little rain must fall, and I sure don’t mind if it is accompanied by Robins, nature’s symbol of the beginning of spring!
A few years ago on Valentine’s Day, my romantic husband decided to surprise me by taking me to the Wings of Paradise Butterfly Conservatory in Cambridge. It was only a short trip from our home, and we had never gone there before, so I welcomed what I thought was going to be a very romantic outing with my sweetheart. Little did I know that not only would my Valentine’s Day be unromantic, it was downright terrifying.
When I tell people now that I am afraid of butterflies, they first smirk in disbelief, and when I don’t smile back at them, they look very puzzled indeed. Yes, my little secret is out of the bag. I am not sure when this strange phobia began, although I blame my Dad at least in part. He fabricated these elaborate stories of giant moths “flap, flap, flap” whenever my Mom or I was too afraid to swat a moth that had come into our home in search of a light to flutter around. These stories scared the heck out of me as a youngster, and reminiscing about them even now gives me the willies!
So, there I was at Wings of Paradise, camera in tow, hand-in-hand with my Valentine, and ready to take some beautiful snapshots as a reminder of our special day together. From a distance, I must admit that the butterflys were quite beautiful, but when they got close enough for me to actually see their giant wings, I hid behind Stuart in fear. I am told that one of these enormous creatures actually landed on my back. Had I known this at the time (or worse, seen it for myself) I’m sure I would have run from the place, screaming in hysterics! As it was, our afternoon was spend with me ducking at each passing insect, and getting strange looks from the other guests at the Conservatory who watched the winged creatures in awe.
Alas, I know many of you are laughing at my strange neurosis. Apparently, Nicole Kidman, popular movie star and internationally known talent, also suffers from the same strange affliction. I’m sure Ms. Kidman would agree, “give us snakes or heights any day…”
So, there you have it. I won’t be venturing back into that scary situation any time soon. By the way, I’d also like to mention that my Brother-in-Law is afraid of squirrels…but that’s another story!
I had seen this photograph years ago when I was working for the Ministry of Natural Resources (surprise, surprise!) and I came across it again the other day while surfing the web. I thought it was worth posting because it is so neat! It really needs no further comment or explanation…isn’t body language amazing!?!
