This has been kind of a shitty day, but not for the usual reasons.
I missed my chiropractor's appointment this morning, which is ironic, because I woke up with a whole ton of back pain. Since I'm no longer working in my own office, I don't get my calendar reminders anymore. In my brain, I thought my appointment was tomorrow, not today, and I wasn't sitting in front of Outlook so it could tell me otherwise. The chiropractor is out on vacation starting tomorrow, so I can't see him for the next two weeks.
I missed a phone call from Joe, and that really bummed me out too, although I'm happy to hear his voice in voicemail, at least that means he's safe.
I've been extra tired and bumbling all day, partially from my back pain. I also feel like I might be getting sick again.
The female goldfinch hasn't been on her nest all morning, and I'm a bit worried about her. I saw the male fly up with food for the chicks. I'm glad he is taking care of them still. I hope the female returns safely.
I just got email from my mom with two bits of very sad news --
My great-aunt is apparently on her death bed. She's been very ill for several months now. She was in the hospital for weeks, and they released her to go home, but she fell down during the night and had to go back. Now her doctor says she's dying. She's in a nursing home receiving hospice care now.
Lastly, one of my favorite teachers from high school passed away last week. That one made me cry in my office. He taught me biology, chemistry, marine biology, and he was my coach for cross country and track. He loved the same mexican restaurant that I always go to when I'm home for a visit, and he started me on the habit of never driving through Seattle without stopping for a cheeseburger at Dick's. He would give extra credit if we spotted whales and called him so he could come take pictures. I saw grey whales one day, I called him, and he was there in a flash with is camera, all excited like a little kid at christmas time. He was the only one of our teachers who cried repeatedly at our graduation. He loved our class, and we loved him. He was a good man, and a good teacher.
My mom also reminded me that it will be 2 years on Sunday since my great-grandparents both died. I miss them so much.
So... it's been a melancholy day. I feel poopy. But it's lunchtime now, hopefully I'll feel better after some food.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Monday, August 3, 2009
Sappiness Alert
So once again, I should be working. But I needed to pause for a moment of reflection.
I'm feeling so inspired by the family of goldfinches outside my office window. I've seen the male goldfinch come and go throughout the afternoon. He always lands on the same low branch of the tree, surveys the area around him carefully in all directions, then when he's sure it's safe, he flies up under the foliage to the nest. He passes a beak full of food to the female, who has been sitting on the nest constantly. When the exchange is completed, they sing to each other very briefly, and he takes off in search of more food.
During the last few days (excluding the weekend), it looked like the female was eating the food herself while incubating her eggs. But today, I noticed that she's not sitting inside the nest anymore. She's perched up on the edge now. And during the last exchange of food between the male and female, I saw her make the motions of distributing the food amongst an unknown number of chicks.
After a few hours of repeated peeks at the nest, I finally caught a glimpse of a tiny chick's head, poking up out of the next, beak open, asking for food.
:) :) :) :) :)
I'm so proud of this little family.
She had to commit to sitting on those eggs non-stop for weeks, even during our 100 degree plus weather last week. And he had to commit to bringing her food continually throughout the day. And now that the chicks are hatched, he brings her food, and she feeds it to the little ones. What teamwork! How the heck do they know how to do this? Is it learned? Is it instinct?
I still remember when the scrawny little male was alone and searching for a mate. It looks like he's done good for himself, and for his new family.
I'm feeling so inspired by the family of goldfinches outside my office window. I've seen the male goldfinch come and go throughout the afternoon. He always lands on the same low branch of the tree, surveys the area around him carefully in all directions, then when he's sure it's safe, he flies up under the foliage to the nest. He passes a beak full of food to the female, who has been sitting on the nest constantly. When the exchange is completed, they sing to each other very briefly, and he takes off in search of more food.
During the last few days (excluding the weekend), it looked like the female was eating the food herself while incubating her eggs. But today, I noticed that she's not sitting inside the nest anymore. She's perched up on the edge now. And during the last exchange of food between the male and female, I saw her make the motions of distributing the food amongst an unknown number of chicks.
After a few hours of repeated peeks at the nest, I finally caught a glimpse of a tiny chick's head, poking up out of the next, beak open, asking for food.
:) :) :) :) :)
I'm so proud of this little family.
She had to commit to sitting on those eggs non-stop for weeks, even during our 100 degree plus weather last week. And he had to commit to bringing her food continually throughout the day. And now that the chicks are hatched, he brings her food, and she feeds it to the little ones. What teamwork! How the heck do they know how to do this? Is it learned? Is it instinct?
I still remember when the scrawny little male was alone and searching for a mate. It looks like he's done good for himself, and for his new family.
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