Behind the Puddle

One ordinary moment, observed behind the puddle.

August 16, 2026

  • Sunday Night

    Sunday Night

    Nothing extraordinary needed to happen next. The feeders grew quiet, the visitors went home, and the light slowly disappeared behind the trees. We sat beside the fire together beneath a sliver of moon, letting a beautiful weekend say goodnight. Sometimes a reset isn’t beginning again. Sometimes it is simply ending the day knowing that, for… Continue reading

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  • Puddle Stories | The Great Birdseed Experiment

    Puddle Stories | The Great Birdseed Experiment

    There are some mysteries Behind the Puddle that require patience, careful observation, and occasionally Brian standing underneath a maple tree rearranging bird feeders. Today, we apparently became backyard scientists. Our research question was simple: Why won’t these birds eat the expensive birdseed? We have two identical feeders hanging from different sides of the tree. One… Continue reading

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  • The Community Table | When We Stopped Negotiating With the Birds

    The Community Table | When We Stopped Negotiating With the Birds

    At some point, you have to admit when negotiations have failed. We had bird feeders for the birds, squirrel food for Pinecone, cracked corn for the geese, and suet for the woodpeckers. It seemed like a perfectly reasonable arrangement to us. Apparently, nobody Behind the Puddle had agreed to it. Pinecone has never been particularly… Continue reading

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  • Puddle Stories | Held Gently

    Puddle Stories | Held Gently

    This morning was beautiful outside, and apparently one very small visitor agreed. A little toad came hopping out of the grass and made its way toward the house, eventually finding itself on the patio. It wasn’t invited exactly, but around here that has never seemed to stop anyone. Piper and Harper noticed immediately. They were… Continue reading

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  • Behind the Puddle | Stewardship

    Behind the Puddle | Stewardship

    There are a surprising number of chores involved in sitting around watching a puddle. The bird feeders need filling. The suet feeders need replacing. The fountain occasionally needs attention, especially when a frog decides the pump looks like a perfectly reasonable place to visit. There is cracked corn to put out, plants to water, things… Continue reading