“There are two lasting bequests we can give our children: one is roots. The other is wings.” (-Hodding Carter, Jr)

A few weeks ago, when I was home for a few days, Joe and I were busy cleaning up the yard for fall: I planted tulip bulbs and pansies for color through the winter months, and Joe pruned some of the bushes and trees.

We were both delighted to see, for the first time, a tiny bird that landed close to us on our Rose of Sharon tree in the front yard. Neither of us had ever seen a Ruby-Crowned Kinglet before, with its little red crown that looked like a punk rocker, and this tiny bird sang a nervous, high-pitched song as it darted throughout our yard.

The females lack the red crown, but we were fortunate to catch both of them flitting from tree to tree. We were fascinated to see these sweet birds, barely bigger than a hummingbird, and I’ve been determined to sketch them ever since. We immediately went inside to look through our bird books to find it. Sure enough, we recognized the little guy, and agreed that he is aptly named.

“Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune without the words,
And never stops at all.”

(-Emily Dickinson)

I hope everyone remembers it’s Veteran’s Day, today…my thanks to all those Vets and guys and gals serving out there!