A Gift From the Garden

A while back I wrote a piece about a wonderful morning in the garden. Since then The Darling Rebecca and I have taken a creative writing class. We decided to revisit the story using what we learned in class. click (here) to go to the original post, enjoy.

I wandered out to the garden on one of those perfect mornings. The temperature was just right; the breeze was barely strong enough to spread the bouquet of new blossoms around the garden. I watered the berry bushes while Jack, the feline ruler of the garden,rolled around in my path aiming for a belly rub. 

The steam from my coffee, still hot in the mug, wafted up slowly and mingled with the scent of the roses. A hummingbird zipped by on its way to a breakfast of fuchsia nectar. Some mornings are very special indeed.

Jack complained loudly when I inadvertently squirted him. Deciding the front porch was a better place to spend His morning, he left in a huff. The peace of the morning was restored; it was then I heard a faint droning sound, like the buzz of a small electric fan, coming out the loganberries. A pair of beady little eyes grabbed a sneak peak from behind a berry leaf. Another cautious inch and out slipped a tiny female Anna's Hummingbird.

It’s no surprise to have hummers in the yard as they frequent the feeders scattered about the property.  It was what happened next that made me all warm and fuzzy.

I stood motionless as she floated over toward the shower nozzle of my hose. She hovered, looked at the water, turned towards me and then back at the water. Feeling no threat, she relaxed and proceeded to take a shower! She fluttered into the spray feet first, rinsing them in the sprinkles, floating up and then dipping back down again. Frozen, I watched as she wiggled her toes in the spray.

Toes finished - she dipped a little lower to allow the water to cascade over her tail-feathers. She fluttered a slow pirouette to make sure all the feathers were washed.

She then zipped off to the nearby crepe myrtle tree. It must be time for a bit of personal grooming, I thought.  

Now I’ve always had an affinity with birds and they seem to know they are safe around me. Even so, what happened next was extraordinary. She came back to continue her bath. She cautiously poked her head into the sprinkles and then moved all the way in to let the water flow over her completely.

I held my breath as she then flew to study the nozzle of my hose. She darted in and out trying very hard to find a perch. (The design of their feet makes it impossible for a hummingbird to walk or stand on a flat surface. They need to wrap their toes around a branch to rest.)

The nozzle I use, robbed from old Miracle Grow sprayer,

is bit large for a roost and it took her a few seconds to find a way to get the proper grip. Once on, she sat there for a few fleeting moments before continuing her bath. She flitted in and out of the flow of water a couple more times and then went back into the crepe myrtle to do a thorough chore of feather realignment.

I’m reminded again and again that it’s the little things that make life so satisfying, the moments which can make each day warm and special.  Be it the joy of a favorite-forgotten song playing on the radio, the pleasure of being able to help a little kid retrieve a can off the top shelf at the market, or being privileged to help a lady with her bath.  

To quote Ferris Bueller; “If you’re not careful, you’ll miss it.”

Then there Are KITTENS

I will admit to a fondness toward felines, I always have. And why not? Felines have held themselves in the highest order since before the time of Yore. We're talking the days of the Pharaohs here.

There is a saying "Cats were worshiped like gods, and they have never forgotten" I'm thinking it's true. I know there are a lot of DOG people out there but I submit cats and kittens have it over dogs and puppies. Allow me to explain:

Kittens know from birth that water goes on the inside not the outside.
Puppies just wade on in, lay down and absorb as much water as they can then wander over to where the people are and share the joy of water.

Kittens understand the sublime comfort of sleeping in a pile.
Dogs just spread out.

Kittens, no matter how small, intimadate dogs, no matter how big.

Kittens PURR!
Puppys lick

On the cute factor it's tough but I give the nod to kittens.
 
 I didn't say it was a runaway.

Kittens and puppies do have something in common, they can both find the heart in the most heartless of people, and that is a gift that keeps on giving.

Rescue a kitten or pup and you will have a friend for life, besides it's good for your heart, Cheers.

A Fresh Start

We, the Darling Rebecca and I, have started a creative writing class with the JC, so far we have written free form with and with out a theme, and about a candle. Below are our candle stories. Meant to be just a paragraph in length the instructions were plain "Write a one-paragraph only description of the lighted candle. Show us your candle so we can experience it with you. Be honest. Use specific words and sensory details as a way to focus rather than trying to aim for universal truths."
 

Mine,

Poor Thing

There it sits in its' little aluminum cup. A small flame burns, on the wax wicked up from the base, struggling to shed its' light on the papers on my desk. It seems to think this is the sole purpose of this little light. I wonder if it would be disappointed to learn the true reason it was lit was for an exercise in a creative writing class? That was my motive, I wonder, can a votive have a motive?

and The Darling Rebeccas'

It’s four am. As I make a cup of tea, the cats show up, yawning and moving slow. They know it’s too early for breakfast but then, it never hurts to check out what the human might be doing in the kitchen. I’ve lit the one sorry looking candle on the dining table rather than turn on the overhead lights. The glowing little puddle of light with its whiff of mountain springtime seems an appropriate passage between night and dawn. It’s just a warm spot to sit and sip, a delusion that it’s not really morning; I could still go back to bed, if I wanted. The tiny flame shudders as Charley Cat slinks by. Yes, the cat is on the table. Why not? He’s pretty good company. He can sit with me, lost in the flame, lost in thought, just sipping tea. It’s four am.  

We shall see where all of this leads but with new inspiration this should be fun, stay tooned (he he he)