Owl Visits

They are in the trees by 8:15 p.m.  It’s best if fresh water is in the birdbath before 8.  But I’ve been late before, and as I walk out to the birdbath in the middle of the yard where with a full watering can of fresh water, the little gray screech owls watch me.  Silently, but in an approving, patiently waiting way.  I speak softly in sweet tones to them as they watch me dump out the dirty-bird water, rinse the bath and fill it with fresh, cool water, just waiting for them to enjoy

Almost always they come down for the first drink at 8:20 – you can set your clock by it. 

They spend at least a minute looking on all sides before daring to dip their beak down into the water.  They drink dipping their face straight down into the water, then curving their heads in an upward motion.  So graceful and magnificent.

Completely quiet in flight, you won’t hear them coming.  You have to be watching for them or you’ll miss them.   However I have learned to discern the sound of their “screech”, a misnomer I think.  It sounds more like a high pitched but soft and distant cat purr that dips into low notes before it ends.   Almost imperceptible but once you know what to listen for you can catch it.

Most summers we are lucky to see one owl once or twice during the summer.  But with the severe drought this year they have become regulars.  Most nights there are two of them, but once we had three at a time and one evening we saw four of them perched on the edge of the birdbath.  Amazing.

I think the two regulars are father and son.  The big one loves to take a bath.  After spending 4 or 5 minutes alternately drinking and watching, he’ll dip a foot farther into the bath.  Then he glides into the center and before he’s done he will have completely immersed his head several times, his tail, his full wings and is delightful dripping when he flies up to the branch to dry and groom.  At that point the little one lands or resumes drinking in earnest, but so far I’ve not seen him take a bath.

These silent, pretty, graceful creatures are fascinating to me.  They captivate me with they way they watch their surroundings and are so quick to turn or react to sounds I can’t hear.   The year I feel as if they are listening to me when I speak to them; I even saw one cock his head as I spoke while filling the bowl.  I know they’ll be gone soon but in the meantime you can find me out on my back porch each evening by 8:15.  Watching, and enjoying.

The Dress

Lena found The Dress today!   What fun it was to be there as she tried on various styles, culling down to what would become The Dress.  I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything. 

I was so honored to be there with this “second daughter” of mine.  I am not her biological mother, but in many ways our closeness couldn’t be more Mother & Daughter.  She is also best friend to my daughter and the sister neither of them had.   As a mom I have plenty of extra advice, comments, suggestions and in this case lots of ooohs and aaaahs, and Lena wanted to hear it all. 

Lena is beautiful, very smart and knows what she wants, often to the point of stubbornness.  But she is usually right.  And when it comes to trying on wedding dresses, it is critical to know what you want or you’ll spend hours and hours just trying to decide on a style.  She had decided on the simple but elegant approach – no poofy, no lace, no excessive beads or jewels, and good heavens don’t even think of putting a flower or fish netting anywhere near her!  It had to be fitted not full, not traditional A-line, not too exposing of the bosom, the perfect white, and the perfect alignment of the bodice with that tiny, tiny waist. 

On to the fitting room, where I fastened each dress and then retrieved it for the assistant to hang up.  One hook for “possibles”, one for “no way will I wear that.”  Several of the styles suited her, and there were two very nice ones that she was beginning to think she would have a hard time choosing between.  And then she donned The Dress.

The Dress was gorgeous, elegantly flattering, the perfect cut and flow.  The gathering beneath the bodice was worked to perfection, creating an illusion of an even smaller waist, gracing the hips perfectly letting the romantic chiffon panels flow down softly to the floor.  As she stepped and turned, the panels slightly parted to reveal smooth satin underneath the outer material.  She traded the single, flowered strap for two simple spaghetti straps and voila – the perfect dress for her destination beach wedding.   You know it’s The Dress when you simply don’t want to take it off.  Ever.

Lena is going to be a beautiful bride.  And I will be there to see her say “I Do” in that gorgeous gown.   Probably with a tissue to catch happy-tears.