Time for a bath

One of the great things about getting older, and there are not a lot of great things, is slowing down just enough. I’m not old enough to be S L O W but just enough to notice things I might have been too busy to see when I was younger.

There is a portion of my driveway that “sank.” I don’t know how or why. It’s a spot that dropped and has created a mini swale that collects water. It’s like tiny pond near the end of the otherwise perfect driveway. . I do know that it annoys me to no end. It is expensive to fix and I just have to live with it and be annoyed by it.

I looked out front yesterday afternoon and saw three birds taking a VIGOROUS bath in the thing that “shouldn’t” be there. I stood, watching them, until they were done. It was a good 4 minutes of pure delight as I saw these birds, in particular a sweet swallow, that was having a BLAST in the warm water. The cloudless warm sunshine had set up the perfect temperature for the water.

There is a spot on our lawn that needed grass seed. We’ve provided top soil to the spot, carefully placed the seed, placed hay on top to keep it still until it takes root. Charlie waters it religiously. The grass refuses to take. The reason the driveway pond had water at all was Charlie’s early morning effort to “fix” that part of the yard. As I watched the birds splash in the water (is it possible for birds to smile? If so, I think I saw it.) I saw their next stop was to make lunch of the grass seed. 

I stood there for a long time just watching. It was like taking a xanax, such was the relaxation power of the birds. When Charlie came in from the back yard, I said, “I know why the grass won’t grow in that spot.” He asked, “Why?”

I told him that God has blessed us with birds who have a whole different agenda than we do.

I’m headed out this morning to put some water in the mistake in our driveway. It will warm up nicely in the sun. Maybe they will come back. I think I have some sunflower seeds. I’ll put those out near the mailbox.

Look up, find a bird. Immerse yourself in it's life. Be amazed. Have a blessed day!