Lindsey, I was doing just that this morning (staring out the window here in Seattleland). Besides the birds - so many birds!-we have a surprise dusting of snow this morning.
Here's a poem I wrote in response. Thanks for asking :-)
Jody, I am excited for your snow! I love the poem--perfect for today. I especially love the phrase "quieting my way into the day." Thank you for sharing this!
Over the last week or so on or around my feeder I've seen: Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Redwing Blackbird, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, and several varieties of Sparrow. And Grey Squirrel, of course.
I love your list! It's so interesting to see where lists overlap. Some of yours are familiar friends, and others I have yet to have the pleasure of meeting. We only have red squirrels on the island, and now when I travel to the mainland I am always startled at the size of the big greys!
I have windows in all four directions and enjoy the birds at the feeder to the east and the trees to the west tell me how strong the wind is. Love window watching. No nuthatches yet. Thank you for your post💕
We’ve had nuthatches! I christened our home Birdsong Corner because of all the birds we have around here, and the birdbath and bird feeder that I can watch from our dining room table are my favorite places in the house.
I can relate to this so much! And blessings on your husband’s head for recognizing what you need and giving you permission to be it (in contrast to doing it). This ties in with the struggle I’ve been contemplating: for those of us who need to sit and observe and ponder, how do we best navigate this productivity-minded world without feeling guilty? It’s a tension for sure.
Oh I love the name Birdsong Corner! (Our home ended up being dubbed Hooligan Hill. Not so romantic, but certainly accurate!!) And I'm glad to know there are others navigating this tension. We can help each other out.
Either magic is fine by me!! I love that poem! I hear doves cooing in other seasons, but I was recently surprised to see one at our feeder for the first time. Maybe I need to be more watchful?
I am a window winter watcher too Lindsey. I love the blue shadows and the snow-smoothed world. This winter is especially satisfying that way. Enjoy your own window. Soak it in. God invented these seasons where we live. It comforted me to read that you love it too.
This is so beautiful— the lovely wisdom of “Its strength is in repose”, and the playful expression “hum-drumly human” both drew me in. It’s a gift I have to regularly remind myself to receive with wide hands: this way of being in ease and peace, this getting lost in quiet attention, the staring into the the loss and renewal of the made world. I hope your time in the curtain folds is wonderful. ❤️
Thank you, Lee! It's so easy to fall out of peace. The window is a gift to bring me back to wholeness. "The renewal of the made world" is a beautiful phrase to contemplate.
Lindsey, I was doing just that this morning (staring out the window here in Seattleland). Besides the birds - so many birds!-we have a surprise dusting of snow this morning.
Here's a poem I wrote in response. Thanks for asking :-)
Surprise! I got you a Valentine
The snow drifts and settles,
an unexpected dusting on the tableau
of morning. Spider webbed branches
catch powdered sugar layers, still
and mute against a cotton sky. Cat
nuzzles my neck in repose atop my favorite
chair, a whiskered “hello” reminding me of
his presence. How like our God to surprise
us with his nearness, the persistence of
“I am here” to center me as day begins.
I pencil these lines, sip and settle,
quieting my way into the day,
heart-aware of love.
Jody, I am excited for your snow! I love the poem--perfect for today. I especially love the phrase "quieting my way into the day." Thank you for sharing this!
Over the last week or so on or around my feeder I've seen: Northern Cardinal, House Finch, Carolina Chickadee, White-breasted Nuthatch, Brown-headed Nuthatch, Tufted Titmouse, Eastern Bluebird, Downy Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Redwing Blackbird, Mourning Dove, American Crow, Northern Mockingbird, and several varieties of Sparrow. And Grey Squirrel, of course.
I love your list! It's so interesting to see where lists overlap. Some of yours are familiar friends, and others I have yet to have the pleasure of meeting. We only have red squirrels on the island, and now when I travel to the mainland I am always startled at the size of the big greys!
I have windows in all four directions and enjoy the birds at the feeder to the east and the trees to the west tell me how strong the wind is. Love window watching. No nuthatches yet. Thank you for your post💕
How glorious to have windows in all directions! A nuthatch came unexpectedly to me in the woods a few days ago, and it felt like such a grace.
We’ve had nuthatches! I christened our home Birdsong Corner because of all the birds we have around here, and the birdbath and bird feeder that I can watch from our dining room table are my favorite places in the house.
I can relate to this so much! And blessings on your husband’s head for recognizing what you need and giving you permission to be it (in contrast to doing it). This ties in with the struggle I’ve been contemplating: for those of us who need to sit and observe and ponder, how do we best navigate this productivity-minded world without feeling guilty? It’s a tension for sure.
Oh I love the name Birdsong Corner! (Our home ended up being dubbed Hooligan Hill. Not so romantic, but certainly accurate!!) And I'm glad to know there are others navigating this tension. We can help each other out.
Thank you for the reminder to stare out my window. And I love the poem! Congratulations on having a poem included in the anthology!
Stephanie, I hope your window gazing has been rewarding!
Either magic is fine by me!! I love that poem! I hear doves cooing in other seasons, but I was recently surprised to see one at our feeder for the first time. Maybe I need to be more watchful?
Thank you! :) This year I'm noticing how much the doves hang out in small flocks. There's always so much more to discover!
I am a window winter watcher too Lindsey. I love the blue shadows and the snow-smoothed world. This winter is especially satisfying that way. Enjoy your own window. Soak it in. God invented these seasons where we live. It comforted me to read that you love it too.
Ah, a kindred spirit! I hope your window brings you much joy.
This is so beautiful— the lovely wisdom of “Its strength is in repose”, and the playful expression “hum-drumly human” both drew me in. It’s a gift I have to regularly remind myself to receive with wide hands: this way of being in ease and peace, this getting lost in quiet attention, the staring into the the loss and renewal of the made world. I hope your time in the curtain folds is wonderful. ❤️
Thank you, Lee! It's so easy to fall out of peace. The window is a gift to bring me back to wholeness. "The renewal of the made world" is a beautiful phrase to contemplate.