Wildlife Refuge Take Two

December 15, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

The sun is shining and as we pull into the office area, a flash of bright red catches my eye – a vermilion flycatcher. I hop out and aim my lens towards the bush where the bird has landed. A swoop of large, mottled brown wings cuts off my view. A kestrel settles in a […]

A Decision

December 14, 2018.Reading time 3 minutes.

Despite flash flood warnings the rain has subsided without too much fuss. We are waiting on the arrival of friends from back home, and having tidied up, I decide to take advantage of the break in weather and put my camera to use. I step outside just in time to see a cormorant swim by. […]

Re-evaluating Plans

December 11, 2018.Reading time 5 minutes.

Over lunch, we google places of interest nearby. Aransas Pass is just north of Corpus Christie on the Gulf Coast. Every major road takes us by waterways, and we have seen numerous shore birds, and even dolphins, just in our drives. I am making mental notes of all the places I want to visit. “I’m […]

Acclimatizing

December 8, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

The birds and I rise early, wanting to catch the morning rays. A heron stands sentinel in the distance as fish jump up and down along the canal. The flurry of activity at this hour seems to be concentrated farther along. The air is nippy, and I’ve worn a sweater and a jacket. A small […]

Recharging Batteries

December 5, 2018.Reading time 4 minutes.

Our car battery keeps draining, and it seems to be a metaphor for our trip southward. After three days of travel, we arrive in Lufkin, Texas where we take some time to organize and clean the inside of the motor home, and sleep. Travelling can be exhausting. Monday morning we head out early for […]

Lens-Artists: Big Can Be Beautiful

October 23, 2018.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Beautiful are the large rock sculptures of Joshua Tree National Park. The large canyons in Arizona are also beautiful, although I’m too afraid of heights to get any closer than this. This snake bird, or anhinga is quite a remarkable, big bird. My granddaughter and I think big is best when it comes to bubbles. […]

Resilience

Boxes are filling up around us. We’re making a dent in our to-do lists. Doubt seeps in. Are we doing the right thing? Then I remember all the reasons behind making this choice and affirm: We are dismantling one life to build another, purposeful existence.

Monday Mood: squirrely

The movers need to be arranged, and the closets sorted and packed, and when was the last time we bought groceries…. Head and attention are going in too many directions at once, and I’m exhausted before I get started. Might be a little cranky too. The stress of moving is real.