"Who cooks for you?"

I was startled awake this morning by the call of a barred owl with its characteristic "Who cooks for you?" hooting pattern. It took me a few moments to figure out what I was hearing. At first I thought it was someone talking, but then realized that the sound was coming from outside.

Dear Owl, no one cooks for me as I am the cook in my household. And Owl, after you woke me at 4:30am, I definitely would have enjoyed someone else cooking up my breakfast this morning, or for that matter, packing my lunch for work, and fixing dinner when I got home. I guess I'm lucky Owl didn't make me breakfast as I am not a fan of small rodents for my morning meal.

Quiet Morning Noises

This morning is very still with hardly a breath of breeze. On such a morning as this you can really hear everything around you. I could hear the raindrops hitting on the leaves. The maple seed helicopters twirling down to the ground. All types of birds calling. (During the night I could hear the bull frogs out in the swamp behind the house). I could even hear the high school marching band's drum line starting up for the annual Memorial Day Parade that begins at the VFW a mile away as the crow flies. Calming, peaceful, and a chance to be contemplative.

Bridal Bush

Bridal bush or Spirea vanhouttei is one of those plants that invoke a special memory for me. During the 1970s and early 80s my father and a friend of his invested in real estate along the Rhode Island coast in a small town call Misquamicut. The first property they bought was a year round Cape Cod style house situated approximately one mile from the beach. The yard was surrounded by a hedge of Bridal bush that was loaded down with blossoms each May/June. I can still picture it. Even on a foggy morning the hedge radiated its white beauty. I promised myself that I would have such a plant in my yard when I grew up.
A couple of years ago I purchased two one gallon sized plants and put them in the little hollow on the edge of my sun/shade gardens and there they have flourished. The spot is currently filled with white blossoms that are the envy of any bride's bouquet.