“I juhhhhst luhhv stories about creatures picking themselves up, dusting off, adapting, and — thriiii-ving in speye-t of advehhr-si-tee!” “The resilient —” Nia rests a temple on an open palm, “— evolve, adapt, survive.” Calliope ponders a name for the cheerful little bird. “How about Hope? Because
This morning when I read the story linked above about the one-eyed redstart I felt enthusiastic and inspired. I am rooting for the little creature to make its way south where it can dart and frolic among bug-filled coffee trees.
Hope makes me want to be a better person.
I recognize that author Bill Davison could have put an entirely different spin on the creature's existence. He could have seen and shared hardship from an angle of woe-is-she rather than look-at-her-go. I am so grateful he took the direction he did.
If we can see it, we can be it.
This is why many of us like the stories of underdogs.
One thing is certain... LIFE will challenge us.
How we respond... Well. that is a question every man must answer for himself.
I so enjoyed Bill Davison’s account of this plucky one-eyed American Redstart! The details of his observations bordered on anthropomorphizing. Not in a bad way.
Thank you for this lovely post. Inspiration— I needed today and love the placement of the wings, made me smile. I also went to the mailbox and four books were delivered! An author named Gail Boenning. WOOHOO! I can't wait to dig in this weekend.
You're so welcome. I started your book, Poise, this morning. Thank you for writing so honest and real Gail. To think you were going through this the same time my husband was...I'm so happy we connected.
Thanks for the link. I do not remember much about Hope and Crosby... especially together. I do remember there used to be Bob Hope specials on television. Is that true? Or did I make it up?
There were Bob Hope specials on TV! I remember some in B&W from his USO tours in Vietnam.
Years (many years!) later (1988) when I was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, Hope did a USO tour for the US troops stationed near the Korean DMZ. The Army's media group broadcast the show on the Army station (I was US Navy, but on a US Army base, in a joint Army/Navy/Air Force unit) live. VERY different from the shows on commercial TV! No edits, no camera cuts, so the show caught the 50% or so of the jokes that fell flat (perhaps because this was an old guy telling jokes to a mostly-teenage audience?). But he showed up, which counted a LOT as far as I was concerned!
I love your creativity with your drawings. My sister said that your bird looks like a partridge and that to make it even more interesting is to make the body of the bird with a pear. Making it a partridge in a pear tree.
First, the artistic license with your own American Red Start! Then the work by Mr. Davison containing a comment by Mary Oliver, whose name seems to be popping up a lot for me recently.
Cogent interjections by the Muses. Emily Dickinson’s definition of Hope, followed by Emerson’s observations on wants and inspiration.
With the start of another day I’d guess you knew how we hoped to feel by virtue of your inspirations. 🙏🏽
Sometimes we are our own worst critics! I feel I could have done a better job with leaf/wing placement. It looks like both wings are on the same side of the body. 🤷♀️😂 This in in no way intended to deflect your compliment! Much appreciated. Today I brought home massive leaves from the ice age trail that reminded me of elephant ears. Stay tuned! 😉
I missed the Mary Oliver reference! I will go back for another look!
Only that again her name popped up in this author’s remarks on the American Redstart. When that kind of repeated referencing, from multiple sources in a short period of time, occurs I begin wondering if I should dig further.
“Mary Oliver described a gull she rescued and cared for as being like a jar that you open expecting to see darkness, but in this case, the jar is filled with light.”
Very interesting to think about!
And yes… repeats to me often nudge further explanation. I wonder how that applies to nudges once removed. 😂
I checked out one of Mary’s poetry books on dogs from the library a while back. Maybe that counts? Can’t say I explored it too deeply. No energy for it. 🤷♀️
A note from LoveLetterist:
This morning when I read the story linked above about the one-eyed redstart I felt enthusiastic and inspired. I am rooting for the little creature to make its way south where it can dart and frolic among bug-filled coffee trees.
Hope makes me want to be a better person.
I recognize that author Bill Davison could have put an entirely different spin on the creature's existence. He could have seen and shared hardship from an angle of woe-is-she rather than look-at-her-go. I am so grateful he took the direction he did.
If we can see it, we can be it.
This is why many of us like the stories of underdogs.
One thing is certain... LIFE will challenge us.
How we respond... Well. that is a question every man must answer for himself.
I so enjoyed Bill Davison’s account of this plucky one-eyed American Redstart! The details of his observations bordered on anthropomorphizing. Not in a bad way.
My gratitude to you both!
Who doesn’t love a good anthropomorphic tale???
Thank you for this lovely post. Inspiration— I needed today and love the placement of the wings, made me smile. I also went to the mailbox and four books were delivered! An author named Gail Boenning. WOOHOO! I can't wait to dig in this weekend.
Thank you Julie for sharing your appreciation. 😊
You're so welcome. I started your book, Poise, this morning. Thank you for writing so honest and real Gail. To think you were going through this the same time my husband was...I'm so happy we connected.
I’m grateful for the introduction from our mutual friend! I’ll be curious to learn what was similar… and different between our experiences.
Me too.
This was so similar ( the idea of my husband losing his full, thick set of hair NO...not him) It was day 17, right when they said it would.
We had a Doctor who sounded very similar to yours. "just bad luck" when Jeff was blaming himself.
If you draw a companion bird to go with Hope, will you name it Crosby?
For those too young to pick up the odd reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Road_to_...?wprov=sfti1
Sure will!
Thanks for the link. I do not remember much about Hope and Crosby... especially together. I do remember there used to be Bob Hope specials on television. Is that true? Or did I make it up?
Thanks for the link.
There were Bob Hope specials on TV! I remember some in B&W from his USO tours in Vietnam.
Years (many years!) later (1988) when I was stationed in Seoul, South Korea, Hope did a USO tour for the US troops stationed near the Korean DMZ. The Army's media group broadcast the show on the Army station (I was US Navy, but on a US Army base, in a joint Army/Navy/Air Force unit) live. VERY different from the shows on commercial TV! No edits, no camera cuts, so the show caught the 50% or so of the jokes that fell flat (perhaps because this was an old guy telling jokes to a mostly-teenage audience?). But he showed up, which counted a LOT as far as I was concerned!
Thank you for sharing a piece of your life (and Bob’s!) with us!
I do recall that he was part of the USO. Interesting that he was still performing for young troops in his third act. I wonder how that felt for him?
🎯 Nicely couched and spot on!
I love your creativity with your drawings. My sister said that your bird looks like a partridge and that to make it even more interesting is to make the body of the bird with a pear. Making it a partridge in a pear tree.
Ahhhh! Your sister has a brilliant idea! The leaf wings could be attached with push pins. :)
Thank you for your appreciation and comment Pennie!
It's my pleasure.
What a fine LoveLetter this morning!
First, the artistic license with your own American Red Start! Then the work by Mr. Davison containing a comment by Mary Oliver, whose name seems to be popping up a lot for me recently.
Cogent interjections by the Muses. Emily Dickinson’s definition of Hope, followed by Emerson’s observations on wants and inspiration.
With the start of another day I’d guess you knew how we hoped to feel by virtue of your inspirations. 🙏🏽
Sometimes we are our own worst critics! I feel I could have done a better job with leaf/wing placement. It looks like both wings are on the same side of the body. 🤷♀️😂 This in in no way intended to deflect your compliment! Much appreciated. Today I brought home massive leaves from the ice age trail that reminded me of elephant ears. Stay tuned! 😉
I missed the Mary Oliver reference! I will go back for another look!
About 2 1/2 paragraphs below his last image. “She has an outsized...”
I found it. Are you saying the sentence refers to Mary Oliver? Or did Mary write that sentiment somewhere. I must be missing a connection. 🤔
Only that again her name popped up in this author’s remarks on the American Redstart. When that kind of repeated referencing, from multiple sources in a short period of time, occurs I begin wondering if I should dig further.
“Mary Oliver described a gull she rescued and cared for as being like a jar that you open expecting to see darkness, but in this case, the jar is filled with light.”
Very interesting to think about!
And yes… repeats to me often nudge further explanation. I wonder how that applies to nudges once removed. 😂
I checked out one of Mary’s poetry books on dogs from the library a while back. Maybe that counts? Can’t say I explored it too deeply. No energy for it. 🤷♀️
How else would there be mysteries?