Last year at this time, I was sidelined from work for almost 4 months & was outdoors and on the move almost everyday. I found great comfort in watching the sunrise, gardening, leisurely bike rides, long walks & catching sunset. It was an extra-good-day when I included ALL those activities. Some days were extra special by bookending the day catching both the sunrise & sunset. I turned to NATURE, without distraction and found a new & deeper sense of groundedness & gratitude.
This SPRING, a year later, I’m sidelined from long walks due to plantar fasciitis (intense heel pain - but I’ll soon be Okay!) I’ve taken up birdwatching & discovered how FUN it is to just watch & wait. The PURPLE MARTINS arrived on Barnegat Bay a couple weeks ago. Every year they migrate back from Brazil-South America (which takes 2 months) to their birthplace. They’re here to nest & mate and will be heading back to Brazil again mid-August. It’s remarkable that they know & find their way back & forth to where they came from. Some birdwatchers buy or build “apartments” and become Purple Martin “landlords” awaiting like clockwork, their arrival every Spring.