HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY !!!

It hardly seems possible that it is here already. Where does
the time go? This particular holiday raises opposite feelings
in me. You know how I love the Baltimore Orioles and they
are here only for three short months. They come only to mate
and have their babies and then they are on their way back home.

I saw my first young Oriole this morning. It sure raised mixed
feelings in me. I don’t get to see them as fledglings since their
nests are high in the trees so I only see them once they have
experienced their solo flights and then the parents bring them
to teach them where the grape jelly is. I have tried sugar water,
and oranges and although they tolerate it they much prefer grape
jelly.

Feeding them grape jelly does present a challenge, especially when
it rains which washes the jelly away in the downpour. Picture me
trying to give them the jelly in between raindrops. A couple of days
ago, I had to go out and feed them 6 times. I don’t give them much
at a time when it rains so it requires many trips. The image of the
babies chirping with their mouths open for food is the impetus for
me to do this. Are you smiling yet at the picture?

This morning as it was going to downpour any moment, the parents
were in a rush to get them fed. Sometimes there were 4 adult Orioles
at a time at the feeder. Just because I saw one very young Oriole
doesn’t mean that all are out of the nest. There are still parents
gathering the jelly as it hangs from their beaks so they can feed
the ones who haven’t soloed yet.

In a few days, the parents will start to wean their young ones off
the grape jelly and teach them how to get the bugs and other
food sources so they will be ready for their long trip home. There
are no jelly stops on the way so they need to be prepared.

There is another side of living on a lake when it comes to July 4th.
It is not only one night that we have fireworks it is usually at least
3 – 4 nights, especially this year with the holiday falling right in the
middle of the week. It seems there is a competition among the
people around the lake as they take turns shooting them off even
on different days. It only takes one person to keep the whole
neighborhood awake with the fireworks display. They don’t seem
to realize or care that there are some neighbors who have young
children or the elderly who retire early in the evening. There are
nights that the loud noise goes on beyond 11PM.

One night would be sufficient and no one would complain but
there is always one person(there is always one, isn’t there) who
seems to feel the need to do this regardless of other people’s
preferences. If you live in the city then there is one gathering
place where these huge fireworks are shot off so it does not
affect everyone who does not choose to experience it and it
is only one night.

Another aspect is not considered, the animals. The animals
rely on their hearing for protection and this loud noise really
upsets their hearing and their well being. The Orioles usually
leave after all the noise as they cannot stay in their nests at
night because the nests are not far enough away from the
loud bangs which really affects them. Once the young birds
can fly, they no longer need their nests so the parents take
them far away to a source of quiet and they have no need to
come back as the jelly is not as important because now
they have other resources for their young.

That means the number of visits to my feeders will come
to a slow halt. This is why I also feel sad on the Fourth
of July as I know it will be a whole year before I get
to appreciate their beauty and songs again. It is bittersweet.

I want you to feel happy about the holiday but I wanted to
give you another aspect of the day and also of living on a lake.
Click on this and it will leave you smiling.
Wanna dance?…click here http://www.wimp.com/dancingjive/

I listened to a talk given by Christine Day which I thought
was quite thought provoking but also gave me a totally
different perspective on trying to be perfect. Have you ever
considered that perhaps trying to improve yourself was not
what you were destined to do on this planet? Were you meant
to be Perfectly Imperfect and the truth is you were meant
to fail sometimes ? Would you like to learn how to do a
Conscious Breath? Just click on this link to hear this
amazing woman but do it quickly as I am not sure
just how long this replay will be available.

http://www.calltoawaken.com/ christine-day-replay/

Love and Light

Mary Grace
www.TheWoundedChalice.com
www.IAmMaryGrace.com
http://www.waleson5.com/marygrace.html

PO Box 403
Wales, MA 01081, USA
413-245-3977