The photo below was taken by a man I think everyone should know and read. Until recently he was embedded with troops in Afghanistan. His name is Michael Yon and you can find his dispatchs here. He is not without controversy but he reports what he sees and what he feels and he is passionate about the troops. He also takes the most amazing photographs I've ever seen. This one was taken in Jalalabad, Afghanistan. Check him out, if you're interested.
We are definitely in the midsts of spring here and it was an early one. Things have greened up beautiful and it won't be long until the trees have budded out. Then comes lilacs and I can't wait.
I was out and about at 0530 this morning (working) and I realized something. The world is no longer silent. The birds have returned and they make their presence known in the most amazing way. It was a symphony of sound greeting the day. Love it.
Speaking of birds...
I love Sea gulls. That's a photo (from Wikipedia) of a Herring Gull, common to my area. I know most people hate them; they are scavengers and it's illegal to kill them so they're all over the place. They pull garbage out of Dumpsters and leave messes behind.
But...
When I'm out walking and I hear the cry of a gull, my heart soars. I have no idea why.
The dog and the cats are all doing well. The cats are definitely happy that the snow is gone and it s warming up. They're finally able to venture outside again. It's been fun to watch them.
Let's see... what else is there...
My boys won the national title in college basketball. Yay, Duke! The Detroit Tigers started off well (6 - 1) but are on a west coast trip that is killing them. They're now 7 - 7. I can't wait for them to come back home. Late night games aren't carried by my radio station so I can't even listen to them at work.
I'm in the middle of three different books but I'm still writing more than reading. That is not a complaint.
So, that's about it, beyond work, which is boring these days. That's not a complaint, either. Friday is the last day of the semester. Next week are exams and the campus will slowly empty out during the week until the only ones left are those graduating. Commencement is May 1. Like everything else this year, it's early but I'm not complaining.
Hope things are well out there for y'all.
6 comments:
Wow, that's an incredible photo - it almost doesn't look real!
I love hearing the birds sing in the morning and in the evening. It makes everything seem a little bit better as long as I remember to listen. :)
Megan -
Yon does amazing work, that's for sure. Some of his photos will break your heart.
That's the trick, isn't it? Remembering to listen. We need to do more of that.
cjh
yes, he does take beautiful photo's ..but wish it wasn't of over there!
most people don't like mockingbirds and i like them.. they sit atop a tree or fence and sing all the songs of all the birds that come in that given area! You really can't ask for more from one bird! lol.. 5 am here what I am hearing are the frogs in the pond ..they must be mating because they are very noisey! but I love to hear them.
DesLily -
Mark puts himself into some incredibly dangerous situations over there. His photos and his words are amazing. Wish they could all come home.
Frogs mating? Good grief. That might be a bit much!
cjh
Well then I guess I picked a good night to attend to some of my favorite blogs as I love your Sifting Thoughts. So many things about this post has me smiling but mostly it's just hearing the almost giddiness in your tone.
And yes, that photograph IS amazing. We're entering into storm season here (actually, now that I realize it's the end of April I think it should have come in March!)--we get some pretty nasty thunderstorms but our skies turn green instead of purple.
Hope all is well with you, CJ!
Trish -
Glad you stopped by! It's certainly that time of year; giddness seems to be the orders of the day. I love thunder boomers but Riley doesn't so the best I can hope for is that they happen when I'm home. We get some dillies roll in off the lake!
Things are pretty good, Trish. Thanks!
cjh
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