While I was at my drawing table yesterday morning I looked out the window when, from the corner of my eye, I saw a bird land on the birdfeeder. The feeder is out in the middle of the backyard, and I picked up the binoculars to take a closer look. It was a male bluebird, and he was quickly joined by two females, all of them taking up space and looking for the seed that was supposed to be there. Suddenly two gray and white juncos appeared on the ground, and the bluebirds flew off as three cardinals appeared, this time two males and a female. It seemed like some kind of sign, though obviously one indicating that this empty-birdfeeder-owner had been remiss and needed to get the feeder stocked as soon as possible. I picked up a bag of birdseed on my way to work, but wasn’t able to put it out last night because of our freezing temps and icy rain. I guess if anything it was a sign of impending wintry weather.
This morning I went to put the seed out and discovered that the feeder needed to be cleaned up; there was some wet musty seed leftover from last year. (Again, bad owner!) I got it cleaned and dried out the best I could and poured in the new seed. I am fixing Thanksgiving dinner for the birds, I thought; this as my husband was heading off to the grocery to pick up a few things for the dinner that we had later today. (You can see where my priorities lie).
Two years ago there was a serious illness in my immediate family, and with the initial diagnosis came disbelief, worry, and fear. I created this bluebird image after seeing one in the park that had landed in a patch of goldenrod. I don’t see these birds often, and at the time I took it as a sign to be hopeful, rather than give in to despair. In fact that illness was conquered, and that person remains healthy today. But seeing those three bluebirds yesterday was a reminder of hope, a reminder to look on the bright side in spite of the adversity that cycles through our lives.
I haven’t seen any birds come to the fully-stocked feeder yet, but I’m sure once the rain stops they’ll be turning up. They show me what needs to be done.
After a hectic October I feel that I’m getting back on track with a regular schedule and some new work. I’m taking a break from birds for awhile, and just completed “Blackberry Bun”. I’m planning a series of four rabbit paintings to coordinate with the seasons; this one is summer. Winter will be an arctic hare, but I’m not sure about spring and fall yet. Right now quiet and gentle creatures are what I need.
Yesterday I returned to (art) work after more than two and a half weeks “off”. The break began with a brief vacation for my husband and I, and then as life would have it, more circumstances intervened. My co-worker was scheduled to take a few days off for a medical procedure, and due to complications, his three days off morphed into a week and half. Because our restoration shop consists of just three of us (all part-time) I became the go-to person and so worked full days. My husband was also out of the country on a business trip; an intense time for him, and for me, as my thoughts were focused on his travel. Each day felt like a marathon and by the time I got home each day, I had just enough energy left to heat up something for dinner. My art time and creative energy were zapped.
