In My Own Backyard

We’ve had one of those stretches where the GoGo turned to GoSlow. So instead of hitting new trails I took the opportunity to find beauty in my own backyard. This also gave me an unexpected opportunity for reflection and to revisit old memories.

One of my favorite bird sounds is the coo of the morning dove. Several weeks ago a morning dove made her home on a downspout by our porch. She has been here, alone, for weeks. I haven’t seen any evidence of babies and it was only recently that I saw another dove with her. I either spot her sitting in her nest or perched atop the neighbor’s garage roof. Alone. I think her being alone stands out to me because nearly daily we have a pair of robins who visit our yard. Several visits this week one was collecting small twigs and then together they would fly off. They also seemed thrilled when I watered the yard. It’s been so dry, I suspect they were hoping to find a worm in the damp sandy grass.

I enjoy the intermingling of wild and perennial flowers. But that also means that I am in a constant battle with the rabbits and deer, who I have a love/hate relationship with. One day I’m rejoicing at the healthy transplanted hostas from Indiana, doing so well in its new home. Then the next day…all gone. With the recommendation from the salesman at the hardware store I have found a spray that does a pretty good job at keeping the critters at bay. But when I get behind in my treatments they have new unintended fodder.

When we lived in Midland we had a line of small evergreens along a ditch by our street. At some point we needed to remove a tree and I transplanted it at Higgins, probably 20 years ago. It survived the rebuild and is now a tall healthy blue spruce, one of my favorite trees in the yard. I especially love plants that I’ve moved that remind me of where they originated from. I caught the top of it and the rising moon while walking on the driveway.

With a boost of energy I managed to clean 3 windows in dire need of a good wash. I was thrilled to be joined by this big dragonfly. Dragonflies remind me of my dad. When I was little he would take me fishing on Sugar Creek near Anderson. As a 5 year old, dragonflies seemed huge and scary. They would land on the end of our fishing poles and he would tell me they were helping to attract the fish, that it was a good thing to have them hanging out and No, they don’t bite. So, whenever I cross paths with a dragonfly, I think of dad.

Mid-week included snuggles with our normally over exuberant Teddy. He was, for the most part, okay with our less than active lifestyle. No hikes, just lots of naps and time hanging outside this week. When he finally got out amongst his own kind and able to run free at the dog park he was so so happy! Below, a freeze frame from the video I shot of him darting to the pack of pups playing chase.