Lost in nature is where I find myself.

There was a picture window on the upper level of my childhood home.  The view looked out into the woods so that it felt like living in a treehouse.  The only drawback was that birds often failed to recognize the glass for what it was, leading to periodic avian casualties.  As soon as she heard the telltale clonk of beak colliding with glass, Mom would run down and carefully scoop up the tiny, stunned victim, place it carefully on a towel in her lap, and gently stroke its head until it revived enough to be carried outside and set free.  Seeing them summon the strength to fly away was the reward for her efforts.

During these close encounters of the bird kind, I was mesmerized by the delicate features of these colorfully feathered creatures.  Their names, markings, and habits became familiar to me. Dad could whistle their calls, adding their song as a means of identifying them when they were not visible.  By supplying me with names for and information about the surrounding fauna, my parents forged a connection with the natural world that has profoundly enriched my life, lending to a deep sense of responsible stewardship.

Not surprisingly, feeding the birds is one of my favorite pastimes.  With some feeders attached directly to the glass, I have an excellent vantage point for observing avian life through the window.  Using pictures, projects, and stories, I hope to illustrate the life enhancing contribution our unity with nature makes to our HeARTful Homes.