Zip-a-dee-doo-dah!

"Mister Bluebird’s on my shoulder, it’s the truth, it’s actual, everything is satisfactch'll. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay . . . my oh my what a wonderful day." (From Song of the South)

Whoever coined the term “The bluebird of happiness” knew what he was talking about. I have bluebirds around my home and I smile every time I see one. They have brought me more happiness in the last eight months than any other of God’s creatures (other than my parakeet Charlie who also enjoys the bluebirds).

I have three birdhouses on my front porch—one pink, one yellow, and one blue and I have two birdhouses on poles in the backyard. The pink birdhouse is right in my line of sight when I sit at the computer. A few months ago, I watched as Mr. and Mrs. Bluebird checked out the pink house to make sure it was suitable for raising a family and, determining that it was, they flew in and out of it bringing with them bits of grass and straw.

Not long thereafter, Mama went in and stayed awhile and occasionally Papa would bring her a takeout dinner of a juicy worm. A few weeks later, I noticed movement in the round opening of the house and realized the babies had been hatched. At that time, Mama and Papa were kept busier than one-armed paper hangers, bringing food to the voracious little ones. Every five minutes, they would fly over together and take turns standing guard while the other stuffed food down the little ones’ throats.

More and more as I saw tiny heads popping up when Mama and Papa came into view, I prayed I would get to be present when the babies exited the nest. Every time I left the house, I entreated them to stay where they were until I got back. I surely did not want to miss their entrance into the big world.

Mother’s Day. Stewart, Cyndi, Bill, and I arrived back at the house from eating out and were sitting in the living room talking about everything but nothing in particular. As was my habit, I looked outside toward the pink birdhouse and noticed a baby bird’s head filling the opening. Then the baby leaned out and I was afraid it was going to fall out. The four of us sat mesmerized as we watched the baby lean further and further out of the doorway. Mama and Papa were nowhere in sight, at least not from what I could see, but I have a feeling they were close by encouraging their little one to take his first step.

As we sat entranced, the baby leaned out past the point of no return, started flapping his little wings and flew off. Then a second baby appeared in the opening, leaned out far, and flew off. On Mother’s Day yet! This was a gift only God could provide and He made sure I received it when I was home and able to watch. What an absolute thrill.

The babies appeared to fly downward, so Cyndi and Bill ran outside to see if they had fallen to the ground, but no, they were up in a tree acting like real grown-up birds.

The birdhouse remained empty since then, but now Mama and Papa are back, building a new nest and the cycle continues. God is good.

Quote of the Day: Life is a ticket to the greatest show on earth. Martin H. Fischer

Our Own Bluebirds of Happiness

In California, Fred and I owned a little two ounce ball of fluff--a cockatiel. She was yellow and her name was Crash due to her most ungraceful landings on the floor. When we left El Cajon, we gave Crash to a friend who loved cockatiels and would take good care of our bird.

 

In Garner, NC we no longer own a pet bird, but we have some very special bird friends. There’s a bluebird and his wife that have started a nest in our birdhouse placed outside the kitchen window

where we can observe them.

The only bluebirds I’d ever seen were in Disney movies. It seems Cinderella and Snow White were young enough and agile enough to pop out of bed in the morning with a song on their lips. Their songs attracted bluebirds who flew in to help them dress. I have yet to train our bluebirds to help me dress, maybe it’s because I don’t pop out of bed with a song on my lips. It’s more like a creaky crawl with a groan.

We also have a bright red cardinal that comes to our bird feeder in the backyard but I’ve yet to be able to photograph him.  He gets jitterish and disappears as soon as I get my camera in hand. But the bright red against the green forest is stunning.

Since this column is supposed to be about writing, and since I want to promote my latest book, let me give you a brief snippet from Willard Manor that mentions birds.

Chapter Twelve

1908

Ruth and Esther were in the back yard, their mouths and apron pockets full of clothespins. The wind snapped the wrinkles out of the white sheets that hung on the line stretching from the apple tree to a maple tree. While hanging pillowcases, a loud ruckus interrupted the soothing sounds of birds chirping and honeybees buzzing. Esther turned toward the sound. “Good land! What on earth could be making that racket?" They walked around to the front yard and found Henry and Benjamin standing in front of a black automobile, both men grinning from ear to ear.

Benjamin looked at Esther. “What do you think, old girl? Do you like it? This is a brand new 1908 Model T Ford automobile!”

“Well I never!” sputtered Esther. “Who would have thought that we’d actually own an automobile in our lifetime?"

“Come around here,” said Benjamin, “Take a look at these headlights, solid brass they are, just like the side lamps, the horn…”

“My, my,” crooned Esther, “and just smell those leather seats!”

Ruth ran her hand lovingly over the car. “Can we go for a ride?"

Henry hugged her. “Wonderful idea! Let’s get the boys and go into town for ice cream."

Ruth and Esther removed their aprons, adjusted their long skirts and climbed into the back seat. By sitting close together, they had room on the back seat for Samuel and Thomas. Henry turned the crank while Benjamin started up the car, then Henry jumped in the front passenger seat.

Driving into town, the Willards and Wilburns wore smiles that couldn’t be wiped off. At the ice cream shop, customers in the store and passersby on the street stopped to stare at the automobile and ask questions about it. Benjamin and Henry became instant local celebrities as they proudly showed off their new Model T. They had entered a new era and style of living and were moving up in the world.

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Quote of the Day:  Praise to thee, my Lord, for all thy creatures.  St. Francis of Assisi.