This past summer, I spent a great deal of time typing away in my Writing Cabin (and sometimes napping in the bed in the back). During this time, I started to notice all of the wildlife living right outside my cabin walls.
While I enjoy my solitude from other people, I’ve started to appreciate, and look forward to, the company of the animals.
Hummingbirds
There is something that is simply fascinating about hummingbirds. The way that they can hover, then dart back and forth quickly from one place to the next, is amazing. They are also, small, delicate little creatures that are absolutely beautiful.
This past summer, Brian placed a shepherd hook directly outside the window to the right of my writing desk. I hung a couple of hummingbird feeders on it and then waited to see if any would show. It didn’t take long for them to find the food source.
I have found that I really enjoy hearing them buzz around as I work at my desk. I never realized how loud they can be while flying until I had them right outside my window.
What I find most interesting about them, is how territorial they can be with other hummingbirds. To put it simply, they don’t like to share. I sometimes feel the same way.
I find myself talking to them as they fly about, hoping that eventually my voice won’t scare them away and they will become used to me. We seemed to make progress in this area over the summer, but that could just be wishful thinking on my part.
Squirrels
I’m starting to get a little crazy about my obsession with the squirrels in the yard. I’m sure there are many, matter of fact, I have a video of a couple of them chasing each other around a tree, however when I hear the squirrel chatter out my window, I call the squirrel ‘Chip,’ and yes, I talk to him.
I do live in the country, but I have a close neighbor who is often out in her yard working with her flowers or her lawn. I’m sure she can hear me and most likely thinks I’m nuts.
When I hear ‘Chip’ chattering away, I yell at him to stop the ruckus. I then proceed to go outside and scatter peanuts on the ground for him. I’m going crazy, and I am completely aware of it. The weird thing is, I don’t even really care.
When I decided to feed these guys, I had Brian make me a squirrel feeder to attach to the tree. We now add peanuts to our grocery list regularly. Between Chip, his friends, and the blue jays, they keep me busy with watching and supplying their eating habits.
Geese & Cranes
My Writing Cabin is located on the west side of our property, right next to a small area of water. It’s a small swamp, but still pretty in it’s own, rustic way.
The water provides a small habitat, or resting place, for different birds such as geese and cranes. I love to hear the birds flying over head, calling out to others. I especially enjoy listening to the cranes as they take off in small groups and head to wherever it is cranes go to in the fall.
What does this mean? Am I getting old?
Whether it’s correct or not, I associate talking to animals and being preoccupied with feeding wildlife, as a sign of old-age.
Maybe it’s not necessarily old-age, but the fact that I’m finding more time, now that my kids are older, to be able to feed and watch wildlife.
I think part of it, for me, also revolves around this notion that I have with taking care of others, primarily by feeding them. There’s a comfort that comes from providing others with a meal.
Really, what it boils down to, is that I enjoy the presence of the animals while I’m out in my cabin. For this introvert, the animals provide company, but I can ignore them if I want to, and if they make too much noise, I simply close my windows and go about my business.
Goals for Today:
- Sit By the Bonfire
- Continue Reading Mark Waddell’s book, The Body in the Back Garden
- Go For a Walk