Time Capsule Thursdays, in which I pause and notice. And write down what might otherwise go forgotten. And am inspired by Mary Oliver’s poem “Gratitude” (in What Do We Know). And do my own little tradition inspired by Havi Brooks’ Friday Chicken.
What was most tender?
What did you notice?
Manna: I have just enough. No more, no less.
What astonished you?
Three yellow birds at Danehy Park. (Anyone know their name?) They had a bit of black in them too. It’s been so humid, gray and rainy going on two weeks, those 3 birds were a flash of joy.
What made you happy?
This email:
Dear Heidi, Billy Collins is happy to give you permission for limited use of “Marginalia” as you request it below. Many thanks, Sara
—>First podcast, ever, here I come!
What made you come alive?
The poem that pounded down my door. I gave it a pen and let it have its life.
What frightened you?
I was invited to imagine my future: where will I be, who will be around me, what will I be doing 10, 20, 30 years from now and at the time of my death. All I could see was blank. And I didn’t like how my mind interpreted that.
What did you think was happening?
The neural pathways I’ve been traipsing are being torn up. I feel lost.
That’s this week’s slice of life, my friends. Feel free to join in with noticings—big or small, happy or sad, old or new—of your own. (One request: kindly withhold from offering advice. Thank you.)
I saw the words "Baba Yaga" in the blogroll at the new SoulSleuthing blog, and I had to visit. Then I saw the "three yellow birds… does anyone know their name?" and I had to stop and chat. If you’re in the United States, especially in the middle part, the birds are probably American Goldfinches. Some people mistake them for canaries, but they are natives, and they are indeed day brighteners. If you can put out a thistle seed feeder, you may get them into your back yard.
Judy, yes! I’m in the U.S. Northeast but I do believe you are right. Goldfinches they were! Alas, I don’t have a backyard but I will look for them again at the park. There’s a marshy, thistly area there. A-ha. Thank you 😉 So happy you came to visit from the brand spanking new Soul Sleuthing… Eileen is one of my favorite people!
Heading up into tall trees? Kind of big? Maybe orioles? I miss those birds since we moved west; their nests are woven like little net sacks and their spring arrival was always a special day. Or smallish and in a flittering band, maybe warblers of some kind?
Yah, drawing that blank is unsettling. FLipside, you can begin now to shape it however you’d like!