Saturday, January 30, 2010

Bird Forecast

A little while ago, about an hour or so before sundown, I looked outside and my yard was COVERED with birds, especially the little juncos. This picture is of just a few of them. Now, this said something to me, even though all day long I've been hearing on the forecast that we were supposed to have "snow showers" with little or no accumulation. I've also been reading on the news that folks who live in the southeast were being bombarded by a huge snowstorm. This made me suspicious because usually when storms come up from the south, we get hit really hard. Also, I went out earlier in the afternoon and saw that the feeders were more empty than usual for that time of day, so I refilled them. When I got back two hours later, I had to fill them again! The birds were really eating. Do you think they know something that the forecasters don't know? The weather people have been saying all day that the northeast would miss anything of any consequence. Now I'm starting to get nervous because I'm looking outside and see the ground covered with what looks like a couple of inches and it's still coming down! Whose forecast would you listen to--the birds or those with all the education and equipment?

Well, I'm due for a hymn post and looking out at the little creatures today made me think of a children's hymn which I particularly like. It was written by a lady after my own heart, because she had a particular desire to teach the truths of God to children. And she did so in poems, many which are now favorite hymns of the church, particularly for Sunday School, which was also dear to her heart. This delightful little song would be a great one to teach to your children and grandchildren if they're still quite young. There are several tunes, all perfect for sweet little youngsters, and they are learning some important things about our great God when they sing the words! We include this song in our children's cassette (a little plug for Speakable Gifts!), and our three year old granddaughter loves it.


All Things Bright and Beautiful

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
God made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

The purple-headed mountain,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden—
He made them ev'ry one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The flowers by the water
We gather ev'ry day.

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who doeth all things well.

Refrain:
Yes, all things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
And all things wise and wonderful,
The Lord God made them all.


~ Cecil F. Alexander

9 comments:

Susan said...

I'd trust the birds!!! Every time. Wasn't there some report about animals going to higher ground before the tsunami? Seems like I remember hearing that. Those animals saved their lives when so many humans were killed.

Maxine said...

I think I did hear that, Susan! I also have heard about them acting funny before an earthquake.

Laurie said...

I'm off to bed and I will be curious to know in the morning how much snow you get, Maxine! In the meantime, I agree with Susan - I'd trust the birds! I love the words to the hymn and will have a peek at the cassette offerings tomorrow, as our little ones do love to sing about Jesus. The other day, my granddaughter Maya said out of the blue, "Kiss God." I love that!

Sandra said...

I've learned to watch the birds!!!!God gifted them with an instinct to survive and with a natural radar. Maybe the weather men should study birds in order to better predict the weather!!:)

Cathy said...

Aw, that is a sweet post, Maxine. I have 8 inches of snow here and don't know when I am going to be able to get out and up the hill.

Maxine said...

Well, here's the scoop. We ended up with only the couple of inches I saw when I was posting last night. Communities just to the south of us got six inches plus. We narrowly escaped getting walloped by the skin of our teeth. To be fair, the weather people I listened to were giving the forecast for the city of Philadelphia, and they actually ended up with hardly anything. So they were not too far off. But my little birdies were right! We did get a beautiful layer of snow that covered everything, while not requiring a lot of shoveling. You could easily brush it with the broom. Today the sun was shining brightly and my little feathered friends have been happily going about their usual eating habits and enjoying the day.

Debra said...

For two morning in a row last week...about 4am, I heard birds chirping outside my window. Normally I only hear them in the spring and summer. It is still the dead of winter here, so I was a little puzzled what it might mean. Still don't know, but it was so good to hear their sweet sound!

Blessings Maxine and have a great Monday.

Maxine said...

You know, Debra, shortly before the snow started on Saturday as I was going to my car,a female cardinal was singing away in the tree next to the driveway. She seemed to be calling for her mate or something, but that was highly unusual for January. It was a welcome sound to me in the middle of winter to hear that singing. I saw her later at the feeders with a couple of males. Looks like she's doing okay, lol!

... said...

awww... i love that hymn. it was one i grew up with but haven't thought about it in a very long time. thank you for posting it.