Father Knows Best

  I have taken the notion that physical therapy should be done outdoors when the weather permits.  Not only are you exercising those muscles but you are breathing fresh air and have the added bonus of watching the wildlife.  That said, I take my little weights out to the garden to indulge in the act of healing.  This is perhaps as "holistic" healing as it gets.  The body, mind, spirit and emotions can become in perfect balance within the confines of the Small Gardens.  I am a firm believer that it takes all of these to come together before true healing can be obtained.  Besides, I would much rather be outside even if it involves therapy.

  This morning before beginning the routine, I put out a bit of bird seed for my fine feathered friends.  It only took a few moments before a beautiful male cardinal alighted on the garden bench holding seed.  Ahh, my sweet friend has come to visit!  Then, another cardinal came to eat.  My first thought was that this was the male's ladylove but, on closer inspection, I realized that this was a juvenile bird.  Daddy Cardinal was teaching his offspring where to find food.  The brightly colored male did not feed the youngster but made a big fuss over picking seeds from the plank.  The youngster sat cheeping and fluttering its wings but to no avail.  Father knew best.  Let the youngster learn to eat by itself.  Finally. the little one gave up hope of being fed and started eating on its own.

  Seeing this interaction brought smiles.  Not only was the father bird teaching his offspring where to find food but he felt safe enough to bring his little one to the feeder.  From my vantage point of 6 feet away, I was delighted to view the birds and felt honored that I was trusted.  This, my friends, added to that emotional care...now if only the physical therapy was that easy.

  As a little note here, juvenile cardinals greatly resemble the females and it is somewhat difficult to distinguish which is which.  The easiest method is to check the bill.  A female has the bright red "cardinal" bill whereas a juvenile has a grayish or almost black bill.   

Gimme Breakfast!

  Since my early mornings are limited to the garden area until I get the ok to venture further, I have discovered a whole new pastime.  I watch who comes to the bird feeder.  The feeder is not actually your normal, cutesy bought feeder but an overturned glass tabletop set atop of an old wicker end table.  It works, in a fashion, and the birds do not seem to mind.  They only fret over the quantity of seed and the pillaging squirrels.  In fact, the birds will start to call if I am ten minutes late in filling the tray.  

  One of the earliest visitors is a male red-winged blackbird.  This handsome fellow will perch himself on a fence post or a low branch and screech until the seed is poured.  If I do not move quickly enough, he gives me a good fussing.  I am assuming this is the new "boss" of the blackbird world as the others will linger on their branches until he has eaten his fill.  Then, they come to dine. 

  This is not the Old General that has been here for years.  This is the New General.  The change of command took place this spring.  I was truly sorry to see that my old friend was no longer with us as he and I became quite close friends.  The bird was rather tame and, as a commander, was always fair.  The New General is still a bit leery and is ruling with severity.   Perhaps he will mellow once the others cede to his powers but, for now, he still has to declare his leadership occasionally.  There have been a few spats among the birds for territory but, as it always does, it will work out to be satisfactory on all parts.  For now, I shall be happy with having him as my first morning visitor.