Hoping by week's end, everything will be just "ducky"

     

     As I relax in my easy chair, sitting by my bedroom window, I look out upon my colourful flower garden so tastefully designed by my gardener, daughter Karen Joy. 

     Listening to the varied and delightful songs from my little bird friends, I muse, “What could be more peaceful?”  

     I am especially thankful and excited today. 

     My new kitchen cupboards are presently being installed! Never mind that it feels somewhat like a camping adventure, with dishes, pots and pans, and non-perishable food items stashed in my dining room and garage. 

     But knowing the end result will be pleasing, makes it all worthwhile. 

     

     

     My community here at Glenmeadows has maple trees lining the streets, with flowering shrubs and hedges throughout, making it a haven for different kinds of birds. 

     Lots of quail, an occasional black squirrel who likes to visit, and once I had a huge owl appear on the tree in my backyard. 

     

     Our resident mallard ducks, a colourful drake and a mottled brown female partner enjoy our waterways and strolls through the grassy areas.

     We’ve even had visits from deer, who somehow find their way over the walls of our gated community. 

     

     Recently, the bird world surrounding my home wasn’t too peaceful. Noisy and not-so-friendly magpies — one in particular — made it known that he was not pleased with the presence of other birds nearby.

     Getting out my bird guide, I possibly identified these birds as “juncos” known as ground-feeding sparrows. 

     War was now on, as I observed three or four birds trying to find refuge in a secluded spot near my den window. 

     Possibly so overcome with fear, and cornered, they left a ‘messy, tell-tale’ presence on my wrought iron settee and nearby garage window sill. 

     Feeling for them — yet not appreciating their mess — I shooed them off. Forgetting that my garage door was open, one dashed inside for cover, hiding from view. Searching over and under everything with no image of a bird in sight, I closed the door, assuming it had left. 

     Sometime later, going to my garage, there sat the “bird-in-question.” Motionless and stiff with fear, it would not move, even at the sound of the noisy garage door being opened. By my urging it onward, it finally took flight to a nearby tree, but not without being followed by its detestable enemy, who had obviously been patiently waiting. 

     I did not wish to know the outcome. It being the “nesting season,” perhaps protecting its young was on the mind of this disreputable magpie. He probably thought his territory was being invaded. 

     When I first moved here — not used to seeing magpies at the Coast — I was somewhat fascinated with these omnivorous scavengers. I’ve learned they are members of the crow family. Unique with their remarkable tail, longer than their body, it seems to stream behind as they are in flight. 

     Recently, pedestrians on the sidewalks in an area of Vancouver, were attacked by crows. The friendly crows were swooping down, touching the back of the heads or necks of people as they walked along. It was said the crows would not approach anyone from the front, only attack their back. I never heard the reason for that. 

     Considering the amazing bird world our Heavenly Father chose to create, we can be reminded of Jesus’ words and His watchful care over them and us as well. 

     “Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life.” 

—Matthew 6: 26   

     The following old hymn was one of my favourites as a child.    

“All things bright and beautiful, 

All things great and small, 

All things wise and wonderful; 

Our Father made them all. 

Each little flower that opens, 

Each little bird that sings; 

He made their glowing colours, 

He made their tiny wings. 

Cold wind in the winter, 

Pleasant summer sun, 

Ripe fruits in the garden; 

He made them everyone. 

He gave us eyes to see them, 

And lips that we might tell 

How good is God our Father 

Who doeth all things well."   

     "It’s going to be a great week!" 

     Son, Roger, from Abbotsford is visiting me this week. 

     Nathan, one of my grandsons, is graduating from UBC  Okanagan on Thursday with a civil engineering degree. 

     I get to go to the ceremony, and celebration later in the evening with family and friends. 

     I anticipate seeing my completed cupboards and countertops in my cozy kitchen by week’s end. 

     God just continues to BLESS and BLESS and BLESS!!!!!

— beulah