Liz and I and Chris are in Des Moines, Iowa visiting Liz’s family.
Liz’s sister has this large set of windows in the dining room overlooking a couple of bird feeders in a pretty little landscaped area. It’s a delightful little spot.
The red flash of a cardinal first drew my eye to the area. Then I was captured by all the activity in the scene, the chipmunks and sparrows.
And then the best… a goldfinch. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen one before.
A goldfinch is to yellow what a cardinal is to red. No wonder it’s the state bird of Iowa.
And then at dusk for the first time in at least 10 years, I saw fireflies. I felt like a kid.
I’m a simple guy. I love this stuff.
And Iowans may think it’s hot but I think 85 degrees is sweet.
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Philip 06.02.08 at 9:34 am
Writing’s like yours remind me of the far northern suburbs of Pennsylvania where I grew up. Summers off from school from the first week in June unitl the first Monday after labor day. No more teachers, no more books… Catching fireflies in a jar to make a “lantern”, walking barefoot in the soft, moist grass with a flashlight in hand to catch “night crawlers” for fishing at one of the cemetary lakes the next day, building go- karts from old lawn mower engines… magial youth, so quickly it goes by as we rush toward the next goal. Enjoy your trip to Iowa, my friend and relax. Family is everything…have fun, make it last. Philip