And A Bird Flock In A Fir Tree

Day 72: It's not a pear tree, and there isn't a single partridge in it. It is a fir tree (artificial), and it has at least a hundred and fifty birds in its branches. I haven't counted, but I can confirm that three dozen of them were originally toppers for swizzle sticks, scored at Pier One Imports and repurposed by means of glue and paint to become ornaments some forty years ago. Most of them are wooden, although the census includes ceramic, resin, feathers, metal, glass, shell and felt. Many have particular personal significance, such as Cocoa's ornament (center) which represents my Cockatoo, the love of my life, gone now over twenty years. His avatar is always the first to go on the tree...always. Carlo, my husband's parrot, is also represented, as is Friend, a special Evening Grosbeak who shared my home for a little over a month as he healed a broken wing. There are a few other creatures among the flock of birds: sheep, a caterpillar, cats, a beehive, but anyone who comes to my home knows immediately that birds have a special place in my heart.

Garden Gazing

Day 216: For as long as they've been on the market, I've wanted to add a gazing globe to my garden, but always felt that the pleasure I'd derive from one wasn't proportional to the price. However, a couple of weeks ago, I found a cute little solar-powered model on sale. Okay, it was substantially smaller than what I'd had in mind, but that was offset by the fact that it would shine at night (not that I sit in my yard in the dark...I don't). I was quite pleased with the acquisition, and then a couple of days ago, I happened to find large gazing globes and stands also on sale, and for a price I could justify. The big one isn't solar-powered, but it does have a glow-in-the-dark spiral. Other than bits of driftwood and the occasional attractive boulder, these are the first decorative items I've ever added to my garden.

Noel Of Small Birds

Day 72: Many years have passed since I penned this carol and performed it on the harp. I hope it will inspire my readers to remember our feathered companions this holiday season.

Noel of Small Birds

All the birds of winter gather in to find a shelter,
Begging for a bit of food and warmth in the cold weather.
From their homes in barren trees, sparrows go, and chickadees.
Finches search for bright berries, flying back with treasure.
From a journey returning laden, they sing merrily.
Song fills the sky, and the snow is so white,
And red's the rowan tree.

Gifts of Man shall help in need, crumbs of bread and scattered seed:
Thankful small birds all, indeed! Merry to a feather!
Singing, soaring over the forest, freely they shall fly.
Dance on the wind over moorland and glen
In the sparkling winter sky.

All the birds of winter gather in to find a shelter,
Begging for a bit of food and warmth in the cold weather.
All along the hedgerow gay, bird-song beckons in the day,
From the holly and the bay, and the hoary heather.
Tiny birds take wing to go wassailing. Questing they shall go.
Thicket and bush for a moment are hushed
By the silence of the snow.

Masters of their frosty hall, they announce the minstrel's call,
Pleasure to accord to all, singing all together.
Thus their carol rises unbounded, joyful hearts in flight.
Echoing trills lie like mist on the hills
On a starry winter night.