Views from Raven's Nest: Daily Reminder # 352

Was going to do just gratitude this evening, but think I'll steal from Neale Donald Walsh again, if for no other reason than to space out the absurd number of photos I'm posting. Interestingly, I tried to use a different message from Neale and God and it woudn't paste in right. I think that's because the one below is the one that I was meant to post. Maybe the friend for whom these daily reminders are created needed to hear this. Or maybe somebody else did.

The back yard was exceedingly generous today. I saw two species of bird that I have never seen before - a red breasted grosbeak (didn't get a photo, alas) and an indigo bunting. What a gorgeous bird. And there was a pileated woodpecker too. Those guys are huge and kind of ugly - and of course it was at the far end of the yard so my pictures stink, but still... you'll get the idea.

I've decided to name my woodchuck Chauncey. Of
course Chauncey may be a girl, but I'm sticking with that
name. Chauncey spent almost the whole day visiting
and even came up by the porch. Wonderful!

Even the robin came right up by the porch today....

The colors of Spring are so beautiful. Bet those lilacs
smell good too. Wish I had some in my yard.

I thought the textures and shades of color were
really beautiful, like an impressionist painting.

On this day of your life, dear friend,

I believe God wants you to know...

...that the unexpected is waiting for you. And it contains

great good.

Our next insight, our next opening, our next opportunity

often comes when we least expect it. Never think for a

moment that "the game is over." It is not.

Just when all the chips are down, the chins should be up.

So...chin up. This round may not have gone well, but I

promise you, this is not the last word.

Love, Your Friend....

Too bad he was so far away. I think he's kind of
hideous in a wonderful way... and HUGE!

I love cat birds. They just seem sweet to me.

The indigo bunting didn't come close, but it was amazing
to see that brilliant blue color... and it did at least spend
some time on the flowering quince. But not on MY feeder.
Sigh. Maybe tomorrow.

Chipumunk also hung out around the house for quite
a long time today....

Even came up on the porch and posed and did
some entertaining grooming.

Some things I'm grateful for today: (Items in red are pre-gratitude, an effort to inspire the Creative Forces of the Universe to lavish me with abundance and cool stuff and to do it sooner than might otherwise happen.)