Great Horned Owl

I heard the familiar hoot
of the Great Horned Owl
again this morning;  His loud
and persistent call
who, who, who
continued on  like 
the beat of a tom-tom
sounding an alarm 
at the break of dawn -
waking me from gentle sleep
and my  land of dreams


Note: Great Horned Owls make their home in north Idaho year round,and are chiefly nocturnal. I have seen this owl starring back at me a few times over the past years and am struck  by the gaze of  his yellow gold eyes -  strikingly beautiful  as he  penetrates the dusk, and  the focus of his vision.  According to Stan Tekiela's Birds of Idaho field guide, the Great Horned  Owl  isn't able to turn its head all the way around , and his 'ears' are actually tufts of feathers (horns) and have nothing to do with his hearing, which is excellent -  the Great Horned Owl is able to hear a mouse moving beneath a foot of snow.  Because his wing feathers are ragged on ends, the Great Horned Owl is like a thief in the night ,  stealth and silent when he takes flight.

Beauty All About Me

I may not live here forever, perhaps a time will come when I have to leave this place - but for the moment,  I delight in the beauty of my surroundings - nature at its best.

A forest of evergreen trees circle round our north Idaho home, like a fortress protecting the King's crown; There is the shimmery glimmer of Lake Coeur d Alene not far in the distance, and the sway of a gentle breeze,  like a breath of  life moving  across  the land. I see a Red Tail hawk fly low in the sky, while two Blue Jays, brilliant in color perch on the feeder hanging from the limb of a fir nearly 100 years old. I watch white tail deer follow one another over wooded trails , and a hen turkey lead her brood of eight through a thicket of   brush. It is peaceful and quiet, like the sacredness of a sanctuary. I am reminded of the Biblical verse  Psalm 24:1 The earth is the Lord's ,and its fullness, and am grateful for the bounty He shares.

  

His Birthday in Heaven - September 4

Every Sunday at Mass, after the Gospel reading and homily,  Catholics  proclaim their Profession of Faith  - the end of the  creed is this : I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting . 

By Communion of Saints the church means the union which exists between the members of the church on earth with one another, and with the blessed in Heaven. A spiritual solidarity which binds the faithful together - both living and dead.

I hold this belief dear, and perhaps because of it,  find it   easier   to  picture my brother Walt celebrating his birthday today with the Heavenly crowd.  Surrounded by Angelic well wishers, joyfully singing to him the birthday song.  Others are there  celebrating with him, too  - the faithful departed he knew and loved while on this earth - grandparents, aunts, uncles, and long time  friends.  And Walt is smiling and happy.

I hope, just for a moment Walt looks down from Heaven's door to hear me say, I remember this day,  the day of your birth and how special you were - Happy Birthday, little  brother !  Love from your Sis, always and forever.

Yard Sale

Because Gary and I live in a rural area , far away from the beaten path, we never ever  considered a yard sale, knowing very few would make the trek to  buy junk from our trunk - miscellaneous items slightly used, but not abused at our place.  So when dear friends Patty and Marty invited us to bring our  'stuff'  to their neighborhood home located near  the heart of the city,  to be part of a two family yard sale , we jumped at the chance.  

From early  morn until late afternoon yard sale shoppers of all ages  and appearance  entered the gate   hoping to find a  special treasure -  at our sale , some   bought  books, Fiesta ware, and king size comforter; Others delighted in Madonna figurines, a bedroom lamp, and whiskey crock. All  were friendly, taking time to share in conversation, and pleasant chatter; and seemed happy to be on  their  journey, following yard sale signs  one to the other.

At end of day, family one and family two  smiled big as we   not only got   rid of unwanted   items, helping to  clear out  our  overcrowded, cluttered  garages, but we earned a little money, too. ( In this  sad economy earning a little extra money would put a smile on anybody's face)

Waving goodbye,  Patty said, "Save your stuff, Kath, and bring  it  over again next year for our Second Annual ,  bigger and better  yard sale !"    She won't have to tell me twice, I'm already thinking of unpacked boxes stacked  high on the shelf, and the joy they'll bring next spring  to some yard sale shopper looking for a find.