Well, we have remained homeless through the holidays and way beyond . . . I still have not been home. I've written bits and pieces on the ponderously slow process of rebuilding after a hurricane on my other blogs.
Rather than go on and on about the unpleasantness, I prefer to write about the happy times.
I've gotten through this time enjoying nature in my mom's back yard. There have been many times in my life that nature has gotten me through some stressful times with simple pleasures that nature brings me.
Experiencing nature in my mom's back yard is much different than it was at home. However, we are in for more changes when we finally get back home. It will be totally different with the huge oak tree gone.
Before
After
All the power lines in my mom's neighborhood run through everyone's back yard, making it a natural perch for all the birds that like to hang out here. We have experienced different types of birds that visit, such as the sea gulls that our baby Kiki does not like at all.
It is strange, but those are the only birds she barks at for some reason. It could be their size that intimidates her or perhaps their "voice" that is distinctively different than the other birds. They have like a mocking laugh that is so funny. We have named the one who hangs out here Jasper . . . it could be more than one, but they are all named Jasper the Gull.
Through the time we have been here, the mockingbirds have ruled the territory, keeping out the cardinals that I love so much. They venture through here occasionally, but they are quickly chased away. But something has recently changed . . .
We were lucky enough to witness the raising of baby mockingbirds close to where we sit. Maybe they thought we would help them protect the babies from the neighborhood cats. The sweetest thing was watching the feeding process. You can barely see them, but we managed to capture the open beaks of the hungry baby birds.
It seems like only one baby survived and the mom and dad have left her their territory, so only one remains here. She is just discovering her voice and has begun singing those beautiful mockingbird tunes for us.
She's a sweetie and I've named her Lola.
There are many other stories to tell, but for now I will leave you with the one about Florida's state bird, the beautiful and graceful mockingbird.