I Believe I Will Have Another Cup Of Coffee 5/13/2020

Good Morning,

I am watching a robin build a nest outside of our den window this morning as I drink a cup of Door County Cherry Creme Coffee and write.

But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for the members of his own home, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

This photo was taken last year in 2019 from the same tree that is under nest construction right now. The nest produced three little robins. It fell during the winds of winter and after the robins had flown South. You can see that the straw we used to patch our lawn last year was used as building materials. 

It is amazing as to how a bird will build a nest and somehow from scraps of straw, grass and twigs they can come up with a nest that will safely hold eggs and protect their young.  We have planted some grass seed and I covered it with straw to protect the seed and help to keep the ground damp. The straw has become building materials for the nest I am seeing it constructed before my own eyes. The bird is picking just the right pieces for her nest. She is taking the very damp and a little muddied pieces and then flying back to the tree and using her inbred skills to build a nest that will withstand wind and rain. The nest is also tucked away with some shade to avoid any very hot days that might just pop up.

This little flying engineer/carpenter is doing a great job. The nest is high enough in the air so as to protect the eggs from ground predators.

Once the nest is built and the eggs have been laid the battle is on. Anytime our two hunting dogs will go outside and get near the tree with the nest, Momma Bird becomes General Patton and flies at the dogs and chases them away. She will come close enough to the dogs to get them to chase her, drawing them away from the nest. I actually like watching that and it will be interesting when our youngest dog experiences the wrath of one mad robin.

Here's the point for the day. Most everyone has in their life children, younger siblings, grandchildren, nieces. nephews or kids who consider us to be grandparents or or aunts and uncles. We are here to watch over them in some capacity or another. But the one most important thing for us to do is to pray and protect them from the worldly predators that are out there. You never, ever retire from this responsibility.

Like a robin does, we are here in some type of capacity to help and shelter from the storms of life. It is our loving sacrifice of time and energy that is needed now and then. Yet we can easily pray every day.  I am blessed to still have one aunt alive at this time. She has been through rationing and hard times before and during this Covid Nightmare she has been an inspiration as to just how she accepted the challenge and is managing well during this crisis. I know for a fact that she still prays for the mess of kids, grand kids, nieces, and nephews she has been left with as our own parents are gone now.

So my friends accept the duty bestowed upon you and don't forget to lead until you can't. Pray for your family and the extended family given to you. That should keep you busy enough. And last but not least, say a prayer of thanks for being able to do so.

God Bless.

Marty