The F.U.N. Quotient... bird watchers edition

I'm an avid bird watcher, not that I go to meetings or anything, but I love feeding the wild birds that come to our yard, and my Hubby and I are always drawn to go see the bald eagles that nest in our region in the dead of winter. So, this video fascinated the birder in me. Disclaimer: this is a schmaltzy production video that is ultimately a pitch for an Alaska vacation. But the unexpected capturing of humming birds coming close enough to feed off of a human's hands was worth enduring it. Just that shot that you see below is worth it.

This makes me think... about what gives us meaning.

The resurrection of Christ is not the fruit of speculation or mystical experience: it is an event which, while it surpasses history, nevertheless happens at a precise moment in history and leaves an indelible mark upon it. The light which dazzled the guards keeping watch over Jesus’ tomb has traversed time and space. It is a different kind of light, a divine light, that has rent asunder the darkness of death and has brought to the world the splendour of God, the splendour of Truth and Goodness.

Just as the sun’s rays in springtime cause the buds on the branches of the trees to sprout and open up, so the radiance that streams forth from Christ’s resurrection gives strength and meaning to every human hope, to every expectation, wish and plan. Hence the entire cosmos is rejoicing today, caught up in the springtime of humanity, which gives voice to creation’s silent hymn of praise. The Easter Alleluia, resounding in the Church as she makes her pilgrim way through the world, expresses the silent exultation of the universe and above all the longing of every human soul that is sincerely open to God, giving thanks to him for his infinite goodness, beauty and truth.

---Benedict XVI, Urbi et Orbi, Easter 2012.

This makes me think... about the gift of one's nature...

Fish cannot drown in the water,
Birds cannot sink in the air,
Gold cannot perish
In the refiner's fire.


This has God given to all creatures
To foster and see their own nature,
How then can I withstand mine?


I must to God--
My father through nature,
my brother through humanity,
My bridegroom through love,
His am I forever!


Think ye that fire must utterly slay my soul?
NAY! Love can both fiercely scorch
And tenderly love and console.

--Mechthild of Magdeberg
(1210-1297)

The Fun Quotient...

As has been stated in countless podcasts, I really do live down a country lane... and as has been stated in many weathercasts, it really is rather snowy here these days...

I wish I had something poetic to share about all this beauty, but I'm just kinda taking it all in.

Being as homebound as I have been (given my continued aircasted foot from my November ankle surgery) I am learning to savor the local sights in my own backyard.

Sometimes its the simple little things, like walking my dog who hates snow, that are the fun and silly things in my recent cloistered days.

Psalm 16: 11: Thou dost show me the path of life;

in thy presence there is fulness of joy,

in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.