I cherish the times creatures of nature trust me and accept my presence close to them. I have had the great delight of watching a pair of barn swallows in their early courtship and through the building of their nest and now with the laying of the eggs. The male would chatter to the female in what seemed an admonishing tone before the nesting began as though to say, It's getting late! She would just fluff her feathers up and ignore him.

I am not able to use the very nice hammock chair that I purchased and installed a hanging device in that very corner. But little matter. I love to watch their graceful swirls through the air and so close to me. And occasionally they do sit still and eye me.

I have had pet birds in the past that I dearly loved but it did hurt my heart that they did not fly outside. The one cockatiel I did allow to have wings flew right out the door one day right before a rainstorm and I never got her back. My daughter asked me, "Mom, do you think it would be wonderful to fly?" Meaning, how can you keep these pet birds? I don't think I will ever again have a pet bird but I do so enjoy those wild ones that will come sit beside me.