Behind the Puddle
The stories behind the stories, reflections on the patio, the puddle, accessibility, home, writing, and the unexpected ways a small place can change how we experience our lives and the world around us.
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Staying Is Not the Whole Story
A few days ago, I looked across the puddle and thought I was seeing a mallard with its head held strangely. The distance, sunlight, and glare made it difficult to tell, and zooming in only helped so much. Eventually I could see the long pointed bill, compact body, chestnut-colored neck, and dark blue-green wings well… Continue reading
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Puddle Stories | Apparently the Grass Is on the Menu
Apparently bird feeders are optional. We have spent plenty of time making sure there is seed in the feeders, suet in the logs, and fresh water in the fountain. We have watched the birds figure out which feeder belongs to whom, only to discover that none of them seem particularly concerned about our intended assignments.… Continue reading
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Stanley Came to Our Side
Earlier today, our Green Heron visitor stood in one of the familiar places along the puddle. It is such a small, quiet presence compared with the Great Blue Herons that even after I know where it is, I sometimes have to look twice to find it among the water, shadows and vegetation. Later, Stanley stood… Continue reading
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Behind the Puddle | Continuity
Today is my sister Julie’s birthday. Birthdays have a way of making us stop and count time. Another year. Another trip around the sun. Another number added to the story. We celebrate birthdays as individual days, but of course that isn’t really where the growing happens. It happens in all the days between them. I… Continue reading
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Apparently, Word Got Out
For a while, I was convinced only one little bird had discovered the fountain. It would show up, perch on one of the rocks, investigate the running water, and seem perfectly pleased with its discovery. I wondered how long it would take before another bird figured out that there was fresh moving water tucked right… Continue reading
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Apparently He Lives Here Now
This morning we discovered a little toad perched beside the fountain, apparently enjoying his Sunday morning right along with the rest of us. Hadley was delighted, the dogs eventually noticed him but didn’t seem particularly concerned, and he appeared perfectly content with the accommodations. Eventually Brian relocated him to a nice shady patch of grass… Continue reading
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Everybody Found Their Place
Harper brought her blanket outside again this morning. Not a little dog blanket conveniently sized for carrying around, but the king-sized bed blanket she has somehow decided belongs to her. Apparently if Harper is going to spend the morning on the patio, there are certain accommodations she expects. But this morning she had something else… Continue reading
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Apparently the Fountain Has Seating
This morning we were sitting on the patio, looking out over the puddle and doing what has somehow become part of our normal morning routine. At some point, we looked over at the fountain to see if it needed more water. Apparently, we should have been checking whether all the seats were occupied. There, tucked… Continue reading
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What I Hadn’t Learned to See Yet
The Green Heron was back again this morning. Or at least, a Green Heron was back. I have no way of knowing whether this is the same little visitor we have watched for the past few days or another one who discovered that the puddle happens to be a pretty decent place to find breakfast.… Continue reading
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Behind the Puddle | Community
I didn’t set out to create a community behind the puddle. Actually, I didn’t create one at all. I just finally started noticing the one that was already here. There are the obvious members. The geese and their families. The mallards. Stella and Stanley. Shelly. Pinecone. The birds that can empty freshly filled feeders with… Continue reading
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