Roy’s Sunday Letter for July 5, 2026
Caring For Birds…..Birds Caring for Us
My life is blessed by the colors, beauty, and the visitations of birds each day. Our neighborhood of trees and bushes encourage their natural presence. Larger birds as Doves, Blue Jays, Crackels, and Cardinals and small birds of Titmouse, Finch, and Sparrows give us their best. The smaller birds feed individually even though several fly in together. Doves come as a grouping of 6 to 10 and somehow all of them fitting into 10-inch square box feeder. A family of Woodpeckers arrived in spring and will stay the summer. We had our first Red headed Woodpecker for May and June. We hated to see him go.
- Initially we had inexpensive feeders and bird seed our first years in Ft. Worth. The Staff at Wild Birds helped us upgrade our feeders, seed types, and suet baskets. The number and diversity of birds, especially small birds have dramatically increased. All have added to our enjoyment and delight from early morning to late evening.
Beth created a new front garden surrounding the Oak tree we added four years ago. The garden attracts winged visitors throughout the summer. In the midst of a busy morning and afternoon of birds and bees, the garden becomes a moving canvas of the art of wings, blossoms, and beauty. We witness each with wonder and awe.
- Now a note about July 4th and 250th recognition of America’s heritage and present day. The experiment of America continues as a new, different idea of both belonging to a whole. Not all experiments are pretty, at times even ugly. The 2026 commitment is for us to continue to be curious, explore what might be, and remain committed to the vision.
For those of us with pets, especially dogs, protecting our pets from the long period of fireworks is important to their safety and fears of what may come next. We would tell Jazz she was safe and protected her from harm. Beth and I miss Jazz daily and especially in the exploding noise of July 4, she reminds us that we are safe and loved.
Roy, in the peace and calm of a garden and birds.
These three big ideas resonate in me as I read today’s letter: First, humans have been invited to enjoy and expand the beauty in nature with our care and creativity. Second, Americans too, can intentionally enjoy and expand the better ideals of our culture. And last, the act of protecting the vulnerable brings security to those with power. May we all insist on care for each other.
I learned when young about poer, money, and control.
I regret these words are even more important to others.
I will feed the birds, syay calm and ckear
And, I will be your friend….
I noticed when I stepped outside to observe the Colonial fireworks, there wasn’t a star in the sky. The moon was evident but there were no stars. When I was a child the sky was filled with stars and I could locate the Big Dipper and other formations. We used to catch fireflies in a jar and I have not seen a firefly in years. I do not feed the birds but they come to my yard to get water. My observation is the climate and the world around us has changed. The night sky is not the same, I am sorry for my great-grandchildren that are glued to their I-pads and are not aware of the world around them.
Yws, screen time takes away energy and patience to teally notice.
I fight for this danger. ff 14 probably not going to change.
”
“calm mind” may not be a younger value for every one
More and tis mind…..
Thinking of you in the best of ways….
lovely!
Beth has been the encourager yo help me write in a more personal way. Just 1 of the many ways she makes better
Thank you, Roy. Beth is an incredible writer as well. We go way back. I appreciate your kind thoughts and prayers right now especially. I need them
Amy….good encouragement for me to show up again Sunday.
We all have a desire to know we fit, we belong.
You do both, fit and beling.
We travel the same path…..sometimes more of a stumble.
We continue together,,,,,Roy
Wild Birds is amazing with their array of feed and stuffs that support our winged friends. There are several stations at the barn; and this year I set one up near the house and the big windows facing east so they were close at hand in the Lilac tree that gladly holds their tray and cylinder. Sharing my fascination and appreciation with you and Beth. Love you.
We share our birds, whether barn or porch
our world would be the less without birds and you…..
I find birds of mother nature continue to enhance my life. This year I have found Robin’s to be most vocal as they communicate their most remarkable conversations. I rescued two Mocking Bird babies after their mother disappeared. As a stand in parent, I experienced naps with the little ones as we shared my pillow as we slumbered together. I have built Martin houses to enjoy their arrival and their parenting until it’s time for the little ones to find their own way in life. I was barbecueing one evening and I looked up and two beautiful Barn Owels were looking down a few feet above my head on a telephone wire eyeing my steaks as they cooked on the grill. In a whisper, they took flight for new adventures. We have the miraculous remarkable opportunity to connect with Mother Earth and Mother Nature as we give her a helping hand. Such beauty must be nurtured.
A remarkable writing of real life, real caretaking, pillows and all.
Your bird life is different up north.
Tell us more.
We all learn from our winged friends.
We have a lot of small birds, finches and sparrows, who love our backyard. They love our trees and our wall vines, they love our bird feeder and bowls of water. In fact they love it so much I think they consider it their space. Sometimes, when I am enjoying the space with them, one or more will land in a tree right above me and ‘cheep’ loudly and continuously. I enjoyed it at first, but then it became very annoying, and it seemed like they were saying: Will you go into the house; we enjoy this space better without you in it. I tried talking with them about sharing the space, but they weren’t having it. Oh well, they have it most of the day without us, so I’m not giving up.
We have not begun naming our fiends yet.
Close but not.
Different birds, maybe the Woodpeckers, may have named us.
Codependency n every way and shape.
Let all this be joyful, fun, and learning.
Roy of good heart but no wings
As I read about your birds, I thought about how nice it would be to have something like yours in our yard. We have a few birds that visit us every year and nest and populate. It is a wonderful idea to expand that with a feeder and water for them. It is such a pleasure to watch them as they learn to fly and then take off to return the next year to the same nest. Thanks Roy for sharing the joy of your birds.
WE care for and about these flying angels.
They teach us daily about gliding, social earing.
We learn together, about people, about life.