Right now I am sitting in front of my little laptop but I find myself gazing out the back window into the now opened preserve. Soon it will be filled with darkness, the canopy will once again bloom, bringing back the eery quiet, and tropical lushness to the forest. For now it is, at times, a gathering place for the usual secretive species, that inhabit the place. All morning long, we have been observing a very large owl, perched on one of the bare branches of the lone maple, only thirty feet from the house. He is beautiful and although we did not see him land on his lofty perch, I imagine it to be magnificent. He is large,sporting silver chest feathers intertwined with shades of brown. But it is his hood, truly a majestic crown, setting him apart from all others, while smaller wildlife frantically searches for food. Yet, we have noticed an ominous quiet on the thick forest floor. No squirrels scurrying amongst the decaying leaves, much the same can be said for the usual chipmunks, mice and even the slithering snakes, often sunning themselves on the same perch, his majesty, the owl now "owns". His eyes closed, just an occasional twitch or turn of the head, the mighty hunter, sleeps, yet somehow one gets the feeling, he is very aware, not only soaking up the rays of the sun, but movement of his next meal as well.
This window we gaze through much like the "Paris Window" of Fred's News. It affords us a glance into the secretive world of Mother Nature, leaving us begging for more. Yes, we are window "sitters", much like the former occupants of the "Paris Window." Something within our psyche, keeps us wondering, observing, always asking for more. I often watched the people that occupied the seats in the "Paris Window". Were they just sitting, soaking up the warmth of the sun on a frigid New England day or perhaps wishful thoughts swirled through their mind, the sights and sounds allowing them a "break" from a more fretful time! Yet I also enjoyed watching pedestrians, straining to see the inner workings of the little restaurant. Many used the large plate glass as a mirror, often forgetting it was a "two way street." We watched neighborhood children, on their early morning trek to school, carrying heavily ladened book bags. On the return, the weight seemingly removed from their young shoulders...school out, time to play! As the time passed often it was these young people, preening themselves or admiring their physical changes in the "Paris Window". Many young women, boarding school residents at the Sisters of Charity, Academy of the Holy Family, also claimed afternoon ownership of the "Paris Window".....a bird's eye view of their residence and perhaps one of the Sisters heading down the street looking for them.
Angie and Liz from Hanover often sat there, smoking, drinking coffee, catching up on old times, Angie having travelled frequently to Paris, enjoyed the window, it's sight, sounds and quirkiness of it's passing subjects. She often mentioned she'd someday write about small coffee shops she'd visited in her global travels......perhaps Fred's News, one of her favorites!
This window we gaze through much like the "Paris Window" of Fred's News. It affords us a glance into the secretive world of Mother Nature, leaving us begging for more. Yes, we are window "sitters", much like the former occupants of the "Paris Window." Something within our psyche, keeps us wondering, observing, always asking for more. I often watched the people that occupied the seats in the "Paris Window". Were they just sitting, soaking up the warmth of the sun on a frigid New England day or perhaps wishful thoughts swirled through their mind, the sights and sounds allowing them a "break" from a more fretful time! Yet I also enjoyed watching pedestrians, straining to see the inner workings of the little restaurant. Many used the large plate glass as a mirror, often forgetting it was a "two way street." We watched neighborhood children, on their early morning trek to school, carrying heavily ladened book bags. On the return, the weight seemingly removed from their young shoulders...school out, time to play! As the time passed often it was these young people, preening themselves or admiring their physical changes in the "Paris Window". Many young women, boarding school residents at the Sisters of Charity, Academy of the Holy Family, also claimed afternoon ownership of the "Paris Window".....a bird's eye view of their residence and perhaps one of the Sisters heading down the street looking for them.
Angie and Liz from Hanover often sat there, smoking, drinking coffee, catching up on old times, Angie having travelled frequently to Paris, enjoyed the window, it's sight, sounds and quirkiness of it's passing subjects. She often mentioned she'd someday write about small coffee shops she'd visited in her global travels......perhaps Fred's News, one of her favorites!
It was only a few days ago with the winter chill upon me that I decided to get warm in the hot tub out on the deck. As I sat enjoying the cold winter landscape of snow covered trees and the frozen Shetucket River, I was graced by a seldom seen visitor. A large bald eagle flew up the river and landed in the large tree behind my house. He stayed only a short while. He was apparently looking for something good to eat. Not seeing anything tasty on the frozen river, he flew uptown, perhaps for better hunting grounds. I suppose even here where it can get dreary there is always something worth seeing.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely! There is nothing more beautiful to see than the frozen world asleep! It is Mother Nature's hearty souls that lay caution to the wind, foraging for food...survivial is beautiful!! Just make sure your warm body in the hot tub didn't make the bald eagle think "comfort food!"
ReplyDeleteEagles have amazing eyesight. Although he didn’t look right at me, I know he saw me. I also know that while he might have considered it, he couldn’t bring himself to take advantage of that meal; just a little too much crust!
ReplyDeleteThat boy wasn't a fan of the little French-Candian pork pie steaming away on the deck.. Lucky for you he was all-American!!
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