The birds have discovered my feeder, it is a joy and wonder to see them right outside my window as I write – a great present from Maria. They remind me of Fate sometimes, their great energy, short attention span and focused industry. Many people have sent me bird books and photographs, and I appreciate. But I’ll be honest, I’ve always known I have some kind of learning disorder, I can’t tell one flower from another, even though I love them, and I can’t really tell one bird from another, as often as I look at them.

I still can’t do long division or spell well and I can look at bird photo 1,000 times and not recognize the bird five minutes later. If something isn’t right in front of me, I forget it exists. Maria found scores of socks, pants and jackets all over the first Bedlam Farm, I don’t know it’s there if I don’t see it. Needless to say, those days are over.

But I do love the birds and love seeing them, just as I love the flowers. Seeing them is enough for me. I don’t need to know all of their details. They are welcome here and my beautiful statue, my muse, looks out the window at them and also keeps an eye on me.