It was neat I had this weekend off after three shows in a row. Actually, I lucked out this summer, I have one weekend off every month for the five months I am in Saugatuck. Late October, I return home to Ybor City in Tampa.
This works out well, because I have some big shows ahead, which means I gotta grind out long hours in the studio producing work, which also means less time on the golf course. There is always time for a Titos martini.
So Sunday morning Ellen and I were enjoying bagels and reading the paper. I could hear a lot of commotion in our rear tree off the porch. Let me explain.
We have two japanese Lilac trees that have grown to almost 30-feet now, right next to our screen porch. A family of cardinals come here every year and produce a litter. We also have robins nailing the worms. We have orioles too, although Brooks Robinson no longer travels with them. Anyways back to the cardinals.
I noticed mom and pop flitting in and out of the branches, so I took a closer look.
Ah hah! Up on a bare branch about 15-feet off the ground was a newbie, fresh out of the nest. he had all those furry little feathers and that big yellow beak. He was stone-cold-silent sitting on the branch. He was so small, just a little furry ball, you hardly could see anything on him that resembled a wing.
Well, we went back to bagels and Maureen Dowd, my favorite editorial columnist. I checked on the bird. He had moved outward to a branch on the edge of the tree. Both mom and pop kept flitting around him, probably encouraging him. Probably saying something like, "OK junior its time to "Bird Up' you either fly now or no more worms for you."
The little guy continued to huddle, and then ever so slowly, I watched him evolve. He shook a leg one way, then another the other way. He moved his head, and then his whole body shook.
Then the magic happened. He took off that branch without losing a single inch in altitude. He flapped those almost non-existent wings furiously. We could have made a great creme bulee from the speed of his wings. It was incredible. He flew 30-feet across to a higher Norwegian Spruce branch and made a good landing.
Mom and pop were right there with him. They were probably saying, "OK junior, you are the "Bird"--now we gotta tell you about Bill the Cat."
To watch this little creature, against all odds, make this giant leap of faith. It was awesome. It inspired me the whole day. I even told Fulwiler about it over dinner later that night.
If those little guys can do it, then us guys in our shiny vans and caravan tents can do it.
Fly away, Jose!
Aloha, Nels. I got Des Moines, Boston Mills and Krasl all in a row. I am cranking, but I wanted to make time to share this extraordinary moment with you.
Comments
Nels we'll see you next weekend!
OMG Ellen on AFI!!!! Have fun in Des Moines!
What an awesome experience! There's a lot we can learn from the innocence of nature. We miss sweet Saugatuck. Maybe we'll see you there next year. Good luck at your upcoming shows!
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