Thinking and Looking Up

The Robin is the One

That interrupt the Morn

With hurried - few - express Reports

When March is scarcely on -

The Robin is the One

That overflow the Noon

With her cherubic quantity -

An April but begun -

The Robin is the One

That speechless from her Nest

Submit that Home - and Certainty

And Sanctity, are best

Emily Dickinson

After the morbid but funny post I wrote yesterday, I awoke this morning and forced myself to look upwards. What inspired me more was to see my first bird of the day, a Robin - the sign of Spring arriving and perhaps a new beginning.

I came to two conclusions for myself today. First, greet the birds in the morning. That’s when they are most active and brave. Second, make time everyday to feel at peace and smile, as I'm responsible for my own happiness.

I never tire of bluebirds. I know this is Millie, and next comes Johnny. Yeah, I’m on the verge of being a cuckoo, but I love these birds.

and heeeeere’s……….JOHNNY!

I postponed my budget meeting today until tomorrow. Guess what? I still won’t be ready but that’s alright because no one else will be ready, either. I’m not going to lie awake at night and worry anymore. There’s just too much going on right now, the workload is overwhelming for many of us, and I need to study for my “Whodunnit” trial tomorrow. But I did make time for a long stroll around the campus today and visited places I haven’t seen before. I thought the sun’s reflection on the pines were pretty.

The Forensics team has a pig pen at the base of the campus and I’ve heard about it but never saw it with my own eyes. This is where dead pigs are caged for observations on body decomposition, flies and maggots. Sad, but true. I’m glad there were no pigs today but soon, when the weather warms, they’ll be there.

I’m not a plant expert but I think this is a Rose of Sharon that’s hidden on the back of the campus. What a shame that it’s hidden from view! I’ll visit it more often. While I was looking around in these hidden areas, I decided that I won’t let the injustices and inconsistencies in the office make my eye twitch anymore. For my own sake, I’ll look the other way and concentrate on my own business and learn to say, “No” to all of the invitations for help I receive that cramp my style. For most women, saying “No” is a difficult decision to make.

There was a wide variety of birds at the feeder tonight when I got home and many of them were my favorites. Ten minutes later, I saw they were gone, and the freeloaders were “hanging out” like teenagers at a burger joint. Just sitting there, hogging the space. But I forced a congenial “smile and nod”…

Will this clear sunset resemble my thoughts and attitude in the morning? I hope so. But already, I gritted my teeth tonight while Michael sat at the computer when I have a post to finish before American Idol airs. Note to self: get your own computer. Am I fooling myself throughout this post? Probably. I’ll be back to a weekly rant in six days - a gentler and kinder one. :o)