I have committed to taking a 10 minute walk every day and to feeding the birds at home. Each of these added activities has been nourishing for different reasons. Being so public about my chosen disciplines definitely encourages accountability and faithfulness! I have walked every day since Ash Wednesday, and each has been a different experience. I now find that I look forward to eeking out that time whether it is the start of my day or closer to the close. I’ve seen a beautiful and subtle sunset, found sea glass *(shards – nothing to brag about, but they are at home now) during a stroll on the beach, and met a stranger and helped her find her dog during another outing. Each has offered some quiet – phone at home, eyes up and ears open, reflective time for which I am grateful.
The bird watching is simply sublime! I feel as though I’ve come late to a party that is super fun and engaging for all. Does everyone find that Grackles are preposterous? Here in Hull they are bossy and act as though they are starving! Yesterday they started a fight for the suet, while sparrows looked on and ate at the other feeder. My favorite episode of “For the Birds” - my time with coffee observing them was astonishingly busy – I don’t know how they don’t crash into one another. I had a male Robin doing Howard Cosell like commentary from a tree, sparrows and some other smaller birds (chicadees perhaps?) attacking my squirrel proof feeder and draining it, while a pair of Mourning Doves watched first perched on my garage roof, cooing quietly and then they hopped down to the yard to watch the action from afar. I could hear a Cardinal, but couldn’t see it. Word is out that there is great food on S Street!
My newest “For the Birds” episode was a lesson for me – I have a suet feeder and a large cylindrical feeder with multiple perches for the bird buffet. I filled everything yesterday before leaving for Hanover. At the end of the day, when I returned, I was curious to find out how many days’ servings my feeders are.....those of you experienced in this realm will not share my astonishment to find that they are ONE DAY FEEDERS. And that has been the consistent experience this week. Fill everything in the morning. Watch with delight at the bird antics before commuting. Return home to find empty feeders – with little left on the ground, though twice I’ve had bunnies cleaning up under the feeders, which I much prefer to their previous practice of stripping the bark from trees and bushes, which is lethal for the plants.
So, YAY Lent. I’ve taken on a couple of other practices and found the fasting to be much more challenging the second time than the first. I’m not abstaining from beverages or liquid during my fast, and I am praying that I avoid being like the hypocrites we read about on Ash Wednesday who make their fasting habit a front page affair. Mine is quiet and I got through it by thanking God when I was tempted to break the fast ahead of schedule.
May anyone who reads this also find themselves moved by a Lenten practice. I’m grateful to be in community and to be setting aside this season for deep reflection, prayer and practicing the hard lessons Jesus left for us. With love and gratitude – Amy+
The bird watching is simply sublime! I feel as though I’ve come late to a party that is super fun and engaging for all. Does everyone find that Grackles are preposterous? Here in Hull they are bossy and act as though they are starving! Yesterday they started a fight for the suet, while sparrows looked on and ate at the other feeder. My favorite episode of “For the Birds” - my time with coffee observing them was astonishingly busy – I don’t know how they don’t crash into one another. I had a male Robin doing Howard Cosell like commentary from a tree, sparrows and some other smaller birds (chicadees perhaps?) attacking my squirrel proof feeder and draining it, while a pair of Mourning Doves watched first perched on my garage roof, cooing quietly and then they hopped down to the yard to watch the action from afar. I could hear a Cardinal, but couldn’t see it. Word is out that there is great food on S Street!
My newest “For the Birds” episode was a lesson for me – I have a suet feeder and a large cylindrical feeder with multiple perches for the bird buffet. I filled everything yesterday before leaving for Hanover. At the end of the day, when I returned, I was curious to find out how many days’ servings my feeders are.....those of you experienced in this realm will not share my astonishment to find that they are ONE DAY FEEDERS. And that has been the consistent experience this week. Fill everything in the morning. Watch with delight at the bird antics before commuting. Return home to find empty feeders – with little left on the ground, though twice I’ve had bunnies cleaning up under the feeders, which I much prefer to their previous practice of stripping the bark from trees and bushes, which is lethal for the plants.
So, YAY Lent. I’ve taken on a couple of other practices and found the fasting to be much more challenging the second time than the first. I’m not abstaining from beverages or liquid during my fast, and I am praying that I avoid being like the hypocrites we read about on Ash Wednesday who make their fasting habit a front page affair. Mine is quiet and I got through it by thanking God when I was tempted to break the fast ahead of schedule.
May anyone who reads this also find themselves moved by a Lenten practice. I’m grateful to be in community and to be setting aside this season for deep reflection, prayer and practicing the hard lessons Jesus left for us. With love and gratitude – Amy+
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