March 11, 2008
When spring finally comes, the birds get to announce it. With the time change, Alphie and I begin our walk before sunrise, and the cardinals own the predawn time. Then, when the sun makes its appearance, the robins, finches, redwing blackbirds, and meadow larks begin to join in. By the time we arrive back at the house, the sound is all around as the flying community vies to be heard. It is always a splendid way to welcome a new day.
After our walk around, I get out the supply of birdseed needed to replenish the feeders, and I leave the garage with both hands full of buckets. Alphie appears to feel that he too should be carrying something, so he picks up a log from our woodpile near the door and carries it out into the yard where he drops it. I told Charles that Alphie’s apparent desire to carry something could mean that I should train him to carry a bucket of birdseed out for me. Charles’ reply that then perhaps Alphie could stand up and tip the seed into the pans while I recorded the whole process for YouTube was less than encouraging, however, one never knows. . .
My “time out” is holding – perhaps when next I meet the oncologist, it can be called a “remission”. In the interim, I am dealing with the gastroenterologist to determine why my innards are so touchy. The great capstone of this activity will be a colonoscopy on March 31st. Apparently, it is felt that every single adult of a certain age should have this procedure, so when I sit in church and look about me at all the senior citizens, I wonder how many have gone through this event which to all appearances does not seem particularly delightful. When the oncologist announced that it simply must be done while the blood is a bit better, I said, “And have you had one?” he smiled quite smugly and said indeed yes, practically the moment he turned fifty. So. One is left very few secrets as time goes by. Meanwhile, Lent draws to a close, the flora and fauna of our Sanctuary begin to stir, and the days contain too much promise for any contemplations other than of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.