My Friend

He’s not much of a conversationalist, actually he rarely speaks at all. But he is absolutely one of the most intense listeners I have ever encountered. He will lock his eyes onto yours and cock his head to pick up every word you speak. He hears every word you speak and eagerly awaits the next sound that comes from your mouth. I have found him to be virtually your shadow as he follows you intently. The look in his eye says,  

“I hear everything you say because everything you say is so important to me.”

Most of my friends are so busy or distracted that deep heartfelt conversations are rare. Not that what I have to say is so important, in fact, it is uncommon for my thoughts to be of any significant value. ‘The listener’ is completely responsive with me and literally hangs on my every word. He makes me feel as if my thoughts are important, and as though they have relevance. He soaks up my words and shows total appreciation for what I am telling him. I’ve only known him for three months, but he has become a fast friend. 

I feed him, I clothe him, I make his bed, I clean up his messes, his total care is dependent on me. He knows that and I think that is why he is such an ardent listener. He wants to please me and he dotes on anything I tell him. He has become my sounding board, my entertainer, my confidant and my most trusted companion. I can’t imagine him not being around to shadow my every move. I call him my buddy and he certainly is.

As a matter of fact his name is Buddy; when I adopted him they said his name was Zander but that name didn’t fit him at all, so I changed it. Buddy has natural instincts to chase rodents and to scare birds. The former is just what I hoped for but the latter becomes a problem because I photograph birds in my backyard. He is medium sized, weighing in at 30 pounds, but he has the heart of a giant gorilla when he is on point for a squirrel or chipmunk. He sees them through the glass door on the deck and makes a ruckus until I let him through the doggy door in the garage. Once in the yard he silently makes a beeline straight for the squirrels as he scares them up a tree. Did I mention that we have numerous squirrels who feed off the seeds that the birds knock to the ground. He is vigilant in his pursuit every time he blasts through the doggie door. He hasn’t caught one yet, but he has caused the chipmunks to be scarce in the yard.

Ten times a day we repeat this scenario and he always comes back in hungry. He eats only the flavor that he wants for the day. I put three different flavors in his bowl and one day he eats beef, the next chicken and sometimes lamb. If there is too much of the wrong flavor de jure, he picks the offending nuggets out of the bowl and scatters them on the floor. But he always curls up in one of the many beds he has and naps for long periods. Notwithstanding the fact that he follows me from room to room and curls up in one of his beds near wherever I am.

Dedication and anticipation of affection cause him to be ever at my side. I am not worthy of this high praise, but he is consumed in searching for opportunities to jump into my lap and snuggle up to my chest. He is almost irresistible were it not for his 30 pounds which causes my legs to grow weary. For his part, he will take any amount of lap time that I allow.

I have had many friends like him over the years, but he is truly the most devoted and charismatic that I have ever known. His big brown eyes search your face for a moment of recognition and the slightest chance for recognition. When you stoke his head and ears, pet his back and scratch his belly, he insists that you keep going, no matter how long you have been doing it. He leans his head against your chest and puts his paw on your arm to let you know that he is not through with your affection yet. 

Every morning he leaves his sleeping crate and dashes out the door to take care of his business. On cold mornings I light the gas logs while he is outside and when he returns inside, he plops on his bed in front of the fire and takes “secondzies” .(A serious nap to recover from the cold). He is not perfect but neither am I so we have become fast friends. I can honestly say I have never had a more loyal and trusting friend than Buddy, who truly is my buddy.

Buddy

Chewing up a Christmas toy (trying to remove the squeaker)

"Secondzies"

Standing guard on watch for squirrels

Finding the sunshine on a cold day

Beautiful

"Beautiful"

Sometimes in the silence

I can hear you sing

And feel your loving presence

Ever near

There's something strong between us

Like a force that I can't see

A bridge connecting us

Invisibly

I know that you are near me

Though we're far apart

I see your face before me everywhere

I know that you can hear me

When I'm calling from my heart

I know that you are always there

Sometimes I think that you must be

An angel passing through

There was never anyone

As beautiful as you

I know that you are with me

In everything I do

And follow every footstep

Of my way

You are my guardian angel

And you will forever be

The one who's always walking

Close to me

I miss you in the moonlight

And the morning sun

I miss you every hour

Of the day

There's never been a moon gone by

Without you on my mind

A part of you will always stay

Sometimes I think that you must be

An angel passing through

'Cause there was never anyone

As beautiful as you

Somehow I know that you must be

An angel passing through

Oh there was never anyone

As beautiful as you

Seasons come and seasons go

But you will always be

More than beautiful to me

You're more than beautiful to me

Written and sung by Brian Kennedy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2-3uJmJaa8

I wish that I had written this because it speaks for my heart, It was written and recorded by Secret Garden, one of Cheryl's favorite groups. I heard it for the first time today, Listen on the link above.

Perhaps Love

Perhaps Love

Perhaps love is like a resting place
A shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort
It is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble
When you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home

Perhaps love is like a window
Perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer
It wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself
And don't know what to do
The memory of love will see you through

Oh, love to some is like a cloud
To some as strong as steel
For some a way of living
For some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on
And some say letting go
And some say love is everything
And some say they don't know
Perhaps love is like the ocean
Full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it's cold outside
Or thunder when it rains
If I should live forever
And all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you

Written by John Denver and recorded by John Denver and Placido Domingo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toYfeN0ACDw

If I should live forever
And all my dreams come true
My memories of love will be of you

A Friend's Greeting

I'd like to be the sort of friend

 that you have been to me;

I'd like to be the help that you've been

     always glad to be;

I'd like to mean as much to you

     each minute of the day

As you have meant, old friend of mine,

     to me along the way.

  

I'd like to do the big things

     and the splendid things for you,

To brush the gray out of your skies

     and leave them only blue;

I'd like to say the kindly things

     that I so oft have heard,

And feel that I could rouse your soul

     the way that mine you've stirred.

 

I'd like to give back the joy

     that you have given me,

Yet that were wishing you a need

     I hope will never be;

I'd like to make you feel

     as rich as I, who travel on

Undaunted in the darkest hours

     with you to lean upon.

 

I'm wishing at this Christmas time

     that I could but repay

A portion of the gladness

     that you've strewn along the way;

And could I have one wish this year,

     this only would it be:

I'd like to be the sort of friend

     that you have been to me.

 

By Edgar A Guest

 

The last vestige of life

 As I was photographing birds this afternoon, this last vestige of Fall came into view and it struck a poignant chord in my heart. Life is short for every living thing and we share many traits that are often overlooked. This is the last leaf about to fall and join the thousands of others already scattered in the yard. Age, wind, weather and disease have beaten everything to the ground, not so unlike us. As we near the end of our brief tenure here on this earth, may we, like this season's final leaf, end it with a beautiful symbol of what once was. May we be remembered for all the joy we brought to others as they view the last vestige of our lives. Thinking of some beautiful loved ones who left us this past year.

My son David, my brother Ted and my sweet Cheryl all ended this season of life here on this earth during the past year, but a new season, or as scripture tells us, a new life begins for those who trust in Christ as their saviour. Unlike the leaves on the trees, our new season is eternal and it will be better than the one we experienced here on this earth. You know that life is brief but unlike the trees that will regenerate in the Spring, you will spend an eternity somewhere. I pray that somewhere is with your loved ones who have believed and are now experiencing the wonders and joy of Heaven. I pray that you look forward to that sweet reunion when we are reunited with those loved ones who have gone before us.

God bless you all.

The Titmouse's Prayer

 THE TITMOUSE'S PRAYER

Thank you Lord for this glorious day

For this cool drink I found on my way

Lord thanks for folks who seem to care.

There's always plenty of food to share

They provide me seeds that meet my need

And a few of those worms, what a treat indeed!

Thank you Lord for my wings to fly

That enable me to dart through the sky

I know you'll provide for all my needs

Like the poles in this yard that are full of seeds

And thank you for those human hands

Who fill the need of all that lands

(Overheard yesterday morning)

By DWar 2020 (no copying without permission from David Warbritton)

The Splendor and the Glory

 Every year I can tell when the Fall color is at peak, because the big golden maple in the backyard finally starts to turn. Within a week to ten days from then, it will be over. But it is usually glorious around my neighborhood, because we were once in a heavily wooded section and many mature trees were spared when our homes were built. I have trees 70-80 ft tall all around my house. White oaks, red oaks, blackjack oaks, red maple and golden maples, hickory, tupelo and many others are either in my yard or in one of my neighbors. They say that you have less color when you have more rain, but I don't think that is true this year. We have had a very wet year and yet we have brilliant, glorious color in our foliage .

When all is said and done, of course, all the leaves will be on the ground and then a new season starts. But until then, we will enjoy the gift that God once again provides and invites us to enjoy. In the midst of your troubled sea, in spite of your sorrow and grief, regardless of your disappointments and regrets, He is saying "Look at what I can do, look at the splendor and the glory that I give you here; just think of what I have in store for you when we meet in heaven."

Until then, I guess I'm going to have a few leaves to shuffle.