A five-year-old hijacked my garden tour. I was describing how to prune a fruit tree when Edward burst upon the scene. The adults seemed interested in what I was saying, but Edward was utterly unencumbered, exploring with all his senses. He wove his way through the adults and stood next to me. He looked over at a small planting of spinach and said “What is that? Can I eat it?” That was the beginning of a full-on exploration of the garden.
A really nice Friday morning read. Thinking about how we connect -- or don't connect -- with nature at each stage of our life reminds me of my own path toward birding in college. At a time in my life when I realized the world could be much bigger than what I had seen growing up, birds helped me discover a whole new layer to my surroundings. But I never would have gotten there without the small encouragements like the ones you write about here, each slowly nurturing that eventual fascination.
I loved reading this. Your work always helps me to slow down and be ready to find all the moments in my day. I work outside, with children, in a garden yard filled with birds who knows us well. So I'm very familiar with that spark. It's quite a thing.
I love how little things make a POW. Thank goodness for Edward and your beautiful attention so such details.
A really nice Friday morning read. Thinking about how we connect -- or don't connect -- with nature at each stage of our life reminds me of my own path toward birding in college. At a time in my life when I realized the world could be much bigger than what I had seen growing up, birds helped me discover a whole new layer to my surroundings. But I never would have gotten there without the small encouragements like the ones you write about here, each slowly nurturing that eventual fascination.
I loved reading this. Your work always helps me to slow down and be ready to find all the moments in my day. I work outside, with children, in a garden yard filled with birds who knows us well. So I'm very familiar with that spark. It's quite a thing.
This is fantastic! The schools should be doing field trips to your yard!!
This is perfect, Bill. Really lovely and powerful all at once. Well done.