We had not had a "date" in months. Budget constraints, time restraints and other obligations kept getting in the way. Finally, John, my husband of almost 19 years suggested one day, "Why don't we see if we can get a babysitter for Maddie (our daughter) and cook dinner and watch a movie together this Saturday."
Sounded good to me. We had not watched a movie at home together since last summer. Plus, by fixing dinner together, we could keep the date affordable. Besides, the weather prediction for the weekend was wet and stormy. It would be good weather for curling up like our cat on the couch while watching a movie.
Saturday evening arrived. The prediction for wet weather turned out wrong. The day had been beautiful and breezy - not too hot, nor too chilly. After taking my daughter to her Grandma's house, we stopped by the store to pick up a few treats to cook for dinner. Once home, we began cooking our simple meal of appetizers, but our conversation kept turning towards the beautiful evening unfolding outside our house.
"Hey Steph, would you like to go sit on the porch for awhile?" John looked at me sheepishly as he suggested this sudden change of plans. Little did he know that was exactly what I was thinking. We quickly reduced the oven and stove temperatures to a warm setting and put our meal on hold.
Of course, it is spring with tree pollen counts as sky high as the trees surrounding us on the hills. Therefore, we had to clean off the porch rockers to make them a suitable place in which to sit. Once this task was accomplished, we were ready to participate in an age-old past time, handed down to us from our grandparents - nature-watching.
We rocked and talked quietly. The evening was full of sunshine, low on the horizon and the air beginning to cool. There were a few bumble bees still buzzing around our newly-bloomed ajuga. John shared with me the mystery of bumble bees. He said that bumblebees are a science marvel because of their ability to fly. Scientist do not know how such a large insect can fly. A bumble bees' ability to fly defies the laws of physics. It is believed, he continued, that once scientists learn how a bumble bee flies, man's ability to fly will be forever changed. Just watching those chubby, little black ovals of fuzz with a yellow sweater darting from one purple blossom to the next added another level of depth in my appreciation for God's splendid creation.
Mockingbirds and robins darted and danced across our front lawn. Still others zig-zagged in and out of our trees. A few robins would bounce along the grass in search of worms or materials in which to build their nest. Some would zoom to tree-tops to sing. Mocking birds would echo the robins' call. Yet, other mockingbirds chattered and dived at any robin that would come close to their nesting area. Then, we heard the chittering song of our favorite bird, the petite blue bird.
John and I watched with delight as a male blue bird flew its dip-diving and soaring flight. We discussed how both the bluebirds and the gold finches fly in the same manner. It is a fast flight that dips low and then darts up swiftly in an irregular pattern to avoid predators. Mr. Bluebird of our present observation never stayed on the grass long. He stopped briefly on the grass, looked about and then just as quickly flew to a power line where he was safely away from any predators. Then, the bluebird sang its simple song of praise. We love to watch this bluebird and feel a deep connection with him.
Bluebirds mate for life. Bluebirds return each spring to the same spot in which to nest and lay their eggs. We have a bluebird house just for this male and his mate. They have blessed us each spring with their return. We now proudly watch over their nest filled with two tiny eggs. Last year, their nest was robbed by an unseen predator. We felt as if we had lost a part of our family when we discovered broken egg shell and spied their torn up nest along the fence leading to our barn. Yet, we accept that this predator is part of God's marvelous plan as well.
Recently, while visiting the Columbus Zoo, I went into the bird aviary in the "North American" section. The zoo volunteer pointed out with pride, a newly acquired pair of mated bluebirds. When I shared with her that I lived in a part of Ohio where bluebirds nest on our property regularly, she looked at me and sincerely said, "You are a lucky Ohioan to be blessed with their presence."
Sitting on our porch that tranquil evening, I reflected on those words. Looking at my husband and then looking back to our bluebird, I smiled rather contentedly. Our date night became an opportunity to reflect on how truly fortunate I am as a resident of Lawrence county and a citizen of God's creation - not to mention lucky to have a husband who appreciates just as much as I do, all God's creatures, great and small.
Stephanie Hill is a freelance writer and a kindergarten teacher at Burlington Elementary. She is also a lifelong resident of Lawrence County. She can be reached at hill992@zoominternet.net.
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