Lessons from Nature: Enjoy Life

Common Mergansers hanging out on the dock- I love their hairdos!

   The quintessential Canadian summer cottage holiday must involve some story material that includes enduring minor hardships. We experienced rain, a few mosquitoes (I forgot the bug spray!), a "right here" thunderstorm and lightning strike, a power outage, a mouse and some cabin spiders, Two nights were so cold in the unheated cabin that I wore a coat and socks to bed. For two days I wore three shirts, a fleece hoodie and 2 windbreakers in 10 C temperatures. Then the weather got warm again. We had good mattresses, a roof that didn't leak, a stove, fridge, microwave, indoor plumbing and a shower of sorts. (That is another story). In my opinion, it was a 5 star experience compared to camping in a tent.  

   Each morning and evening, the birds, who also endured cold temperatures, wind, rain, mosquitoes and more, serenaded us with matin and vesper songs. A few, who were not busy with nesting activities, sang all day long. 

L-R, top-bottom: Singing Am. Redstart(f), Yellow Warbler(m), Indigo Bunting, Sandhill Cranes

   After one rain storm I saw a very wet and bedraggled sparrow singing its heart out. It was so fuzzy it was impossible to see its field markings, but it sang a Song Sparrow tune.

Singing in the rain

Molly chilling in the golf cart

An old dog named Molly lived somewhere up the road. She appeared each time I sat on the deck with a book and hot drink. She was never intrusive, nor did she beg for food. She was just present. 

Solomon, in his end-of-life wisdom says in Ecclesiastes 3:12-13,

I know that there is nothing

 better for people 

than to be happy and to do good 

while they live. 

That each of them may eat and drink, 

and find satisfaction in all their toil—

this is the gift of God.

Life is not perfect, for a bird, a dog, or for most people. But we need not waste energy worrying about tomorrow. It is enough to live one day at a time with joy and contentment.