Thoughts for Today

As February winds down and  winter begins it's yield to spring. Arkansas winters are milder than winters in the Midwest. They do have their moments  when they try hard to pretend that they have a Midwest winter event. The great thing is within a few days the snow is gone.The birds have been having their own "American Idol" singing show each morning. You have the bass cooing of the of Collared Doves, the tenor cooing of Mourning Doves. The Robins sing their aria, the Cardinals  sing they vast repertoire  of melodies. Of course not to be out done the Juncos and White Crown Sparrows join in also. It is so wonderful to lay in bed before getting up to listen the birds singing their praises to God. I noticed a tree that starting to bud. The Chorus Frogs have emerged from their winter slumber. They put the day to bed.

Nature speaks to us about the cycles of life. So many are in such a rush in their lives they tune out, ignore what the music, the beauty, awesomeness that is around them daily. God, has put before us the beauty of His work, He wants us to see it. This spring I will start my 18th year of Bird Watching. I never tire of seeing a Cardinal or a Robin each time you see something that I had not seen before. The joy is even greater when I share the wonders with my wife. Daily as we drive around town we are looking for Hawks, Vultures, and any other glimpse into nature. Each day we marvel at the flight of Turkey Vultures. They glide effortlessly across the sky riding a warm thermal. It is amazing how much sky they can cover without a wing beat. They are natures garbage collectors. Cleaning up natures death. Red Tail Hawks perch upon lamp posts, wires, billboards, and highway signs along the interstate. They are like sentails standing guard over the highway. Watching and eyeful of all that is around them. Looking for the slightest movement afar for next meal. As they look down on the cars  whizzing by I wonder what they think of us. Our hurried lifestyle, multitasking while driving. The majority will whiz by and never notice  the Hawk peering at them.

I left the Midwest coming up on seven years now. Life and nature are so vastly different yet have a common thread. The bugs here are super sized and there are definitely a greater variety. Or maybe I notice them more because they are bigger. The cycles of the seasons in the south follow a truer path of the seasons. While winter is a greater warrior in the Midwest it is meeker here in the South. The great thing is spring migrants (birds) arrive here first. The Trumpeter Swans, that vacation here sensing the coming changes. Took flight to begin their journey northward to summer breeding grounds. After spending later part of fall and the majority of winter on the open waters here. They will follow the route of previous generations took. It is as though they have  a GPS implanted at birth. Generations of Trumpeter Swans have gone before them traveling the same route year after year. They know internally when the seasons will change and when it is time to head north. Soon the little Juncos that dart on the patio will head north also. The ducks that have wintered on the open waters here will also beging their journey northward. Soon those birds they vactioned in further south will begin their flight back.

Thoughts for Today

A week ago we were bracing for a winter storm. A storm that headed north of us, we still had six inches. To the north they were dumped on with twenty five inches. It was a new state record a record that had stood since 1918. The great thing about winters in Arkansas  that wintry days do not last. Fast forward to today it is in the mid sixties most of the snow has melted into the ground.

The weather last Saturday was pleasant. When pleasant days come about a field trip is in order. We we grabbed the birding gear headed west in Oklahoma. One of our favorite birding spots is Sequoyah NWR. As we entered  the resident Road Runner greeted us. We drove into the refuge the chatter of Snow Geese could be heard.  We estimated that we saw five thousand plus. Each family has it's own dialect of honk, so family members can be easily located. Young and older Snow Geese were gleaning the field.of left over corn. the field was muddy I kept thinking how does a a white bird stay so pristine. Soon they will be heading north to the Arctic Circle to breed, to raise a family. Then they will return in the fall to enjoy milder winters. They have been doing this for generations. They follow the same migration routes previous generations flew. It is like they almost have a built in GPS. They return in the fall to the same area to winter.

Of late I have been thinking about my mom and how I still miss her. The other day I heard an old Jimmy Dean song called I.O.U. It triggered my emotions and tears flowed freely. My mom has been gone sine 1984.  Still today something will trigger my emotions. The song is about thanking mom for all she had done while growing up. I do owe my mom so many thank yous.
Thank you for nursing me through chicken pox, measles, sore throat, tonsillitis, colds. For being a medic for the scrapes and bruises. How her kiss always made it better. For always providing great meals. For the spectular holiday spreads she put out. For making sure my clothes were always clean. For always listening and for her gentle advice. For always understanding me. For writing letters while I was in the Army overseas. Mom thank you, I know that the debt is paid in full. I love you and miss you.

Snowy Day

Today is a snowy winter day here in the "Natural State".Reminisced of winter days in the mid-west. The brunt of the storm tracked to north of Fort Smith.
It broke a state record that was set in 1918. Nearly thirty inches of snow covered the ground, making travel risky. Arkansas, is not equipped to handle huge amounts of snow.  Drivers are unskilled in driving in snow conditions. We choose to stay put for today. Our patio and feeders have extremely busy. We are missing a bird feeder. The patient Juncos just wait until the boisterous assortment  of black birds frenzied feeding is done. I come to an conclusion you do not mess with a female Cardinal. She is one tough bird.

A month has been completed at the fitness center. Water aerobics three times a week has been a challenge. The forty five minute workout is intense the water makes it easier to do the workout. I realize that my coordination and balance has declined. More so then I had thought even out of the water  my balance is challenged. Arthritis has become an unwelcome invader. My neck, shoulders, back are degenerating. My spine has degenerated to a point that I have lost two inches of height. Every morning it is  a challenge to get out of the bed. I refuse to give in to the pain even though it has increased over the last couple years. It was easier to deal with when it was just a very arthritic knee. My back hurts constantly, my left knee is quickly becoming as arthritic  as my right. I work out also on the tread mill, the stationary bike. I try to reach my goal burning two thousand calories weekly. Carrying the baggage of excess weight for years. I see the results of a few pounds come off. Fitness has improved my attitude, the pain has increased. Like challenges I have faced I raise above the pain.

Winter

Winter grips the nation, most of the northern states are buried under snow. Here in Arkansas we are in the grips of icy cold. I do not miss the winters of the Midwest. I know that the weather here will return to a more tolerable  temperatures soon.

Betty and I last Friday headed a little northeast to do some birding. It was a beautiful day.
The sky was endless blue, temperatures were a comfortable. It is great to bird in winter when the temperatures are 60+. I remember birding along Lake Michigan, chumming Gulls with bread. Wind whipping your face little needles stinging the exposed face. Your feet loosing their feeling. Enjoying watching  the comedy show as Gulls slide across the ice.
We went Friday to Beaverfork Lake. Like most  adventures to a new spot it is learning where and how to bird it. The heat shimmer across the the lake made spotting the birds.
We were on the west side and the birds seem to hugging  the east shore. The most dominant  bird were Double Crested Cormorants. I would estimate in excess of five hundred Cormants.  It was good to get out and bird. We also found a great antique store.

I am now one month into my challenge to become fit. I started the year at 241 lbs, today I weigh in at 238 lbs. I am going to water aerobics three times a week. I am also riding the bike. I am up to eleven  miles  and burning about 340 calories. The arthritis pain though has yet to budge. I am proud of my modest accomplishments. Slow steps to undue years of negelect.