Shari Della Penna
  • Home
  • About
    • My family
    • My work
    • My favorites
    • FAQ's
  • Contact
  • Blog

"Small acts of kindness can change and humanise our world."
   Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks 1948-2020
   ​Chief Rabbi of Great Britain, 1991-2020
                         Author, Advocate, Advisor

Birds of a Feather

5/28/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Mr. and Mrs. Bird worked very hard.
It took them the rest of the morning to finish their nest. 
    “This nest is really the best!” said Mrs. Bird.
    “I want to stay here forever."
                                                          from The Best Nest
                                     written and illustrated by P. D. Eastman
                                       Beginner Books/Random House, 1968
​

    Several years ago I went to a craft fair and bought a bluebird house. I know it’s a bluebird house because the person who sold it to me said the small, round opening is just the right size for a bluebird. At the time, I didn’t give much thought to the exclusivity of my new bird house, only that I would be providing habitat for local wildlife and giving my cats something interesting to watch.
    But it was not to be. Year after year I hung the bluebird house. Year after year it remained unused. Even though we brought it inside every winter to protect it from the elements, the roof  was weathering in a nasty way. My husband kept the bird house in his workshop for a while. He finally fixed it up to his satisfaction and a few years ago re-hung it, in time for nesting season.
    Bluebirds are beautiful. I see them often on a walking trail near my house, but I’ve never seen any as close as my own yard. I was hopeful.
    More years passed.
    As I was getting ready to post last week’s blog, a wren perched on top of the house, chirped madly, and flew in, then back out. A few days later I watched it take a string into the  house. My husband told me he saw her (?) take in a small twig.

    Ah! nest building. At long last. 
    But it was a wren, not a bluebird. I didn’t even know wrens wanted to live in the neighborhood, and suddenly, here they are! I was not disappointed. 
    After all, whoever wants to move in is welcome. 
    Yesterday’s Memorial Day Ceremonies reminded me that we still live in a free country. All are welcome. A statue in New York Harbor lights her lamp of optimism and opportunity. She beckons to all who seek Liberty. 
    So if a wren wants to move into a bluebird house, it’s okay with me. That little family needs a place to feel secure, raise its young, and contribute to their avian society. 
    I’ll keep putting out birdseed for the flock of sparrows, the cardinal pair, and the stray chickadees, finches, and tufted titmice (titmouses?). 
    Wrens are insect eaters. They’ll need to fend for themselves, but they know they are welcome here. 
    So are the bluebirds, if they ever decide to show up!
                                              -—stay curious! (and welcoming)

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

         I'm a children's writer and poet intent on observing the world and nurturing those I find in my small space .

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015

    RSS Feed

Proudly powered by Weebly