Ideology of Paws and Wings

Dogs, Cats, Birds, Butterflies and Flowers
greatly inspire me ~ I'm a Nature Lover!

Is it their personna? Is it their ability to communicate with man and child?
Is it the beauty of habitat which for them is 'nature given'?

Their purrs and whimpers...their yips and barks...their body language.. .that speak of moods...the wagging of tails, the fluttering of wings and the beauty of flowers as thy waft in the breeze...their habitats...whereby, all, including the visitation of winged insects to blossoms of trees and plants.

Black Cat states: I Lick, I cuddle, I run,I leap, I play, I sleep.
But if you think all that is an evil omen...if you think all that is pure bad luck,

then, Yes, we will endure great misfortune because, without me: your life will suck!
(unknown author)

Goucho Marx suggests, “A black cat crossing your path signifies the animal is going somewhere!”

According to Confucius, “The hardest thing of all is to find a black cat in a dark room.

In Japan, there is a 'Cat Cafe' wholly devoted to the 'black cat' which is reported to bring single ladies “Good Luck in finding love.”

It is believed, that Cats and Women have long been connected in the public imagination. From ancient Egypt to the Middle Ages ~ to the turn of the 20^th century ~ t here has been an association between felines and femininity! In that era, cats were highly honoured.

However, if you are spooked by Friday the 13^th you're likely not alone:
as 'we humans' are a superstitious lot!

Birds, Butterflies and FlowersEvery bird, every tree, every flower reminds me what a blessing to be alive!
The birds, the moon and the clouds have an important mission.

To make mankind turn their eyes toward the skies...

and so man can leave his own littlle local world and focus on something bigger: The Universe!”

From a peaceful flowing stream, the mauve-whitish water lily recommends:

Adopt the pace of nature ~ her secret is patience!

An orange-headed bird on a leafy branch chirps:The beautiful Spring has come ~ and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also.

Birds and Flowers ~ What a Sight! (observed John Chrueston)

The bee is more honoured than other animals..not because she labours, but she labours for others.

“Next to the Bible, Nature is to be our great lesson book,”

stated a red and black bird ~ perched among colourful, feathery flowers.

Claude Monet's wish: “ I would like to paint the way a bird sings.”

And in conclusion, Nikos Kazantz states:As long as there are flowers, and children and birds...have No Fears! Everything will be Fine!

“As a bee seeks nectar from all kinds of flowers, seek teachings everywhere. Like a deer that finds a quiet place to graze. Seek seclusion to digest all that you have gathered. Beyond all limits, go where you please and live like a lion, completely free of all fear. The bee is never as busy as it seems ~ it's just that it can't buzz any slower.” observed Kim Hubbard.

My Gardening Mother

She always had gardens ~ some with vegetables, strawberries and raspberry canes. The mature orchard bore fruits of peaches, pears, cherries and apples. However, the birds loving these fruits, would often infest her gardens. In desperation (to deter these birds), she erected 'scare-crows' to frighten them away. Much time she spent in protecting 'the fruits of her labour..' Yearly it was her bane!

Cemetery Day: This was a familiar and yearly event, when,in country living, farming families would either grow or purchase flowers to decorate the graves at the lcoal cemeteries. My mother, being of artistic nature, personally grew her own flowers. Artistically, she'd cut and gather her blooms and greenery to create spectacular wreathes to lay on the family grave sites. Cemetery Day was to farm people ~ a social and friendly gathering to renew their country togetherness.

Every summer and early autumn, neighbours would stop by for, not only a 'country chat' but mainly to observe her gardening expertise.Yearly, at the 'fall fairs, she competed for prizes with her floral arrangements, also for home-baked pies (both apple and cherry) from fruit grown on their farms.
From the 'male point of view' Dad, at these country fairs,proudly displayed calves, lambs and his 'best milking cow.'His big event was the ';plowing match' with teams of horses. (and later tractors)

pulling the machinery behind them....and occasionally he'd win!

Mother's Canary: My father, due to a heart-attack in early November, passed into heaven, 6 months after my marriage. Mom, remaining in their Brantford home, missed Dad. Yet, she kept busy, though 'past the garden season. For company, she had numerous African Violets on her dining room table. To cease her winter loneliness, my son and I with our2 children, purchased a yellow singing canary,
complete with standing cage...and do-dads with which the bird could play. For Jerry, her singing bird, she made a night cover for his cage...and threw him a kiss.
Every morning, he enchanted her with his cheery songs. A great companion, he was to her.

Oft times, she'd release him from his cage to happily fly around; often he would nestle among her African violets to gaze out the window to the outside world. A great Christmas gift he was to her!

* * * * *

Monarch Butterflies visiting yellowed-centred purply-pettaled flowers

inspired Doe Zantamanta to pen:

Seeds, caterpillars and bees came before flowers, butterflies and honey.
They remind us of the beauty... transformation... and sweetness in life
we grew...the .persistence... and struggle... and diligent effort.
Everything will be worthwhile, one day!

Compiled by Merle Baird-Kerr...March 22, 2020
Comments appreciated...mbairdkerr@cogco.ca