Birds

Hello all,

Each week I'm informed about a person who reads my blog - I thought I knew all of you, but that's not true.  Man tells me about old muckers of his who subscribe to me, people who knew my hubby before I did. Those of you who knew him as BMX Boy, as Tin Man at uni, mates of his who knew him as a gangly U2 fan, probably tall for his years, a bit shy with the ladies. Am I right?!  So you're strangers to me, not to him but to me, and I'm weirded out with you all reading this. Maybe you can flesh out, ie, dish the dirt, on the man you knew before I did!

Friends, strangers and fellow Man-Associates, we're all here together because of him.

This weekend has been lovely - we had Man's mum, dad and sis visit. Mum and dad come from the Midlands, which, when one of the main motorways is closed, is no mean feat. Their journey down for the day was fraught but we appreciate their efforts and had a delightful day. We ate lunch, took pup to the windy beach, chatted, ate dinner and came together as a family. Mum, who is known to chit chat to all and sundry, strangers and anyone who'll listen, commented that Man wouldn't 'stop talking' 😅 Talking to him this morning, we conceded that hubby was showing his loving family that he's ok, that he's coping and that he wants to allay fears. His humour is as sarcastic as ever, his energy levels are high and his appetite is vivacious.

Yesterday, Man took a caring, loving moment to hug me in the kitchen - to thank me for hosting and feeding his family. He put his arms around me, held me close and - I thought - enjoyed a husband and wife moment. Until he said 'You know, you can hug me back.' To which I responded 'I am hugging you, you just can't feel it with your brace on!'

I go out in the garden in the mornings (don't ask why) but I always enjoy the air, the planes flying over and the birds waking up. This morning, I saw a magpie flying. Now, usually I see magpies sitting on roofs, minding their own business or waiting to zoom down on the fat balls that I've put out. But this morning, a magpie was flying, except it was soaring, floating on a thermal and hugging its wings in close. I'd never seen that before. Magpies are usually my chatty, cheeky neighbour who potters along the fence. But seeing one in flight today made me take notice. Its body was the shape of a bullet, streamlined and stealth-like. And it looked weird, unusual.  And then I remembered - it's a frigging bird, of course it flies! That's its purpose, that's the most natural thing in the world, doh!

I enjoy watching wildlife, seeing how Mother Nature gives each species its skills, its motivation and impetus. Slotting in together, not just as a food chain but as a study and understanding of our incentive and inspiration.   Each and every collection has meaning.  Birds may be feared by slugs but their flight and collectives inspire me  - how I wish I could see the world through their eyes.  A birds eye view is both a basic survival mechanism but also a fundamental perspective on the wider world. I'm learning to see the world, its struggles, its challenges and its instruction through a birds eye.

Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark