The Backyard Beatle

Yes, birds can meditate. Where do you think The Beatles and Maharishi got their inspiration from? That's right. A bird. I'm like the George Harrison of you backyard. Maybe I'm not as sexy as him but I definitely got a little bit of a hipster swagger going on. I could totally rock a man bun if I wanted to. #imatrendsetter

A Warm Rump

I flew in quietly and perched on a horse. I don't think he knew I was there. Earlier in the day, I witnessed a quite a ghastly scene when the crinkling of a plastic bag terrified him. I can't imagine he would be calm, cool and collected knowing he had a hitchhiker on his rump. This spot on his butt is warm from the sun. It's my favorite place to sit still and think.

Sit Still

Sit still more often and listen to us sing. 

Just sit there. 

Close your eyes. 

Be still.

Turn that phone off. 

All that noise in your head, 

the cars passing, 

dogs barking, 

kids laughing, 

when that all becomes the background

you can really hear us sing.

We have so many different songs.

From time to time, you forget to listen. 

On Sunday

Going to church will be optional

on Sundays when I'm farming.

Being out in a field, behind the wheel

of my red Massey Ferguson

planting vegetables

is as close to God as

I'm ever going to get. 

Naked Farming

Once in a while I see this farmer out driving his tractor with no shirt on. I can only see him from the waist up and I can't help but wonder if he has pants on. Is naked farming a thing?
When I'm a farmer, I am always going to wear a shirt. And pants. At the same time.

My Next Life

If we get to pick our next lives, I want to be a farmer.

I want to plow fields in a red tractor.

I'm going to listen to Johnny Cash, drink a cold can of PBR and watch

the sun set as I leave tidy rows of overturned earth behind me.

In my next life, I'm getting out of the Barn Swallow business.

I'm going to be a farmer. 

Blinders

Sometimes, when he is telling you a story about his past, he closes his eyes. Is he watching the replay on the screen in his minds eye? Is he concentrating really hard to remember the details? Or, is he trying to avoid looking at the salad dressing that dribbled down your shirt?

Seabird Love

It took me years and a lot of dramatic dancing to find him. Only to him do I pledge my undying love and devotion. 80% of my life is spent out at sea. Alone. Maybe that is what keeps our relationship strong. Not seeing each other for months and years at a time makes getting under each others skin practically impossible. When the time is right, I know right when and where to find him. It's a mystery to us too. This devotion to only each other. For all of my life, I will always find my way back to him. The Albatross.

Fierce

It was her independence

and strength

that made me fall in love with her.

She's fierce.

I'm with her until death parts us.

Now, all these years later, it’s her independence

and strength 

that scares me too much to leave.

Matters of the Heart

The divorce rate among Flamingos is 99%. 

How can we take matters of the heart
seriously when we look like this? 

I'm pink.

Leggy. 

 And perhaps a little to eager to Tango.

Defining Your Space

I am marking my territory with this beautiful song.

 This, my friend, is much classier than that dog
of yours peeing on the neighbors shrubs. 

The Hunt

That mouse

In the house

You think he's a louse?

What about this fat

Rat

As large as your cat

I have already eyed

There is nowhere to hide

I'm glad he's outside

He might be my dinner

Again, I'm the winner

Dandelions

I have a secret. I love Dandelions.
I know, people spend a lot of time and a small TruGreen fortune to get rid of them. I think they're pretty. It's gorgeous to fly over a field bursting with yellow. Sunflowers shouldn't get all the golden glory.
I'll shout it from this treetop, "I love you Dandelion. You're not just a weed!"

Mother’s Day

Sometimes, I wake up and i'm still tired.
I go to work. I cook. I clean. I pick up all the dog shit from the yard and really don't mind even tho she swore she would always do it. I love her. I love the dog.
I laugh. Often. At myself. At us. At the world.
I apply band-aids.
I comb out tangles.
I feel the greatest joy just by looking at her. Hearing her voice.
I worry.
I wish she would eat more green vegetables.
I wish she wouldn't roll her eyes so much.
I wish she wouldn't slam her bedroom door.
I am happy to be a Mother.
I am happy to be her Mother.

Barbie Shoe

I can explain the Barbie shoe. You know, it's one of those things you wonder about. Can I pull off a hightop platform sneaker with these legs? It was just there. Sticking out of the mud by the swings at the park. Just my size. Or so I thought. I tried it on, gazed at my reflection in a puddle and laughed out loud at how ridiculous I look. Now, it's a bit too snug. I can't shake it off. Help a sister out. I'll sit. You pull. We can pretend this never happened.

Time Better Spent

You spent 10 minutes this morning helping the bumble bee who was frantically banging his little bee body against the window find his way back outside. It was kind of you to save the fool who flew into the house by choice. In my opinion, it could have been time better spent. Like maybe filling up the bird feeders before you peeled out of the driveway so you wouldn't be late for work? That screaming you heard? That was me. God help me, I hope I don't faint. Hurry home. Feed me.

Sweater Vest

(Beginning 5 days of reflections with Robert Frost)

"In 3 words I can sum up everything I've learned about life: It goes on."
Robert Frost

"It goes on exceedingly better if you wear a sweater vest."
Kristina Henson

Book Club

Hey, what are you ladies doing in there? 

Book club?

Wine club?

I see no books.

I see wine.

I see lots of snacks.

I hear a lot of laughing.

Still not seeing any books...

Best book club ever?

I want in. 

Reminders

Dang Girl.
I can see the claw marks you leave on the things you let go of. Stop peeking behind you. That's not the direction you're going.
Gets those wings flappin.
Forward, march.
Get going.
Scoot.
Go.

Philosophies

I know, you think my philosophies are simple.
Seize the day.
Find your smile.
Tweet like there is no tomorrow.
Show up and be pretty.
Yadda yadda, yadda.
My life expectancy is 5-7 years. Tops.
Monday, Sunday. They all need to be Fundays.
So yeah, find lots of things to smile about today.