Janineslabyrinth.jpg
CLICK TO GO FORWARD

Peering Cat
I'm staying right here...

THE THREE SPARROWS

It's the morning of February 17, '08. Freezing rain is coming down on top of  mounds of snow. Suddenly, I see 3 different sparrows come dipping into my bird feeder -  a Xmas gift - that hangs  at the front of the veranda.They make several visits and then they're gone. A delightful surprise! And, I like to think, a sign of things to come.
Janine


THE ORANGE-TAILED SQUIRREL

It's an over-the-top hot July morning in the Beach area of TO. But a breeze is floating across my veranda - and, therefore, me as I sit watching/listening. Early runners go by; nannies with their charges hurry by on their way to the park's wading pool; a man fully suited with briefcase sails by; kids at the top of their voices going whereever; bikes, cars, trucks; then blessed quiet. The birds are talking (I think they're thirsty).  But then comes the thrill of the unusual, the unexpected, the unique: a black squirrel crosses my steps, flashing a large, fluffy,fire-orange tail... I hold my breath, silently requesting that he/she stay awhile.  But no, life calls, and soon gone, never to be seen again.
                                                        *                         *                          *
 
Several weeks after my red-tailed squirrel sighting - a first for me -  the following took place:  I picked up a novel in a used book store,"The Great Escape" entitled LABYRINTH, "an action-packed adventure of modern conspiracy and medieval passion."  I read on page 41 a scene set in 13th Century France where the heroine, Alais sits watching, "High in the spreading branches of the pines, red-coated squirrels cracking the cones' shells apart...."