GiGi Amateau

June 2008

What I'm Thinking About

Talk about friendship. We might rename Albert: Alberto el Victoriosa. With the help, and excellent care, of the barn staff and vets in Goochland and Albemarle, Albert conquered his cancer! His journey lasted years. The Stoic One made it due to his own determination. Treats, apples, carrots, love, and prayers from his friends all across central Virginia, and from thousands of miles away (shout out to the West Coast!) helped him, too. The cancer got Albert's eye. Yet, in relinquishing this eye, he plundered the cancer. We now fly the Jolly Roger outside of Alberto el Victoriosa's stall. Let that be a warning, should malignancy even think of returning. Arghh.

The Indigo Bunting is making a fool out of me. I cross the footbridge like the lovesick girl I have been several times in my life. I am looking for one brilliant flash; when it flits by, my heart races. My mind sends out a million commands, but I can only yell, Indigo Bunting! Seriously, I don't care who hears me. I shout it out, Indigo Bunting! There he is! There he goes! Oh, look at him! I am a MOTHER. Ergo, my behavior influences those around me. People on horseback report that on trails they, also, see His Royal Blueness and now they, too, shout out, Indigo Bunting! Still, he only flashes by on his way to the Virginia Redbud, where he hides in the tree with the heart-shaped leaves. While I want to sit quietly watching this bird, my heart cannot do anything quietly because I am in love. You probably want to know some facts: Is this bird at risk? Yes and no, but I cannot sit still for facts. Please read about my sweet one, and then go to a meadow or pasture, with woods at its edge. Wait and watch or walk around swooning, as I do. (Take binoculars with you when you go looking for the Indigo Bunting. Definitely take your sweetie. Bring a blanket. Oh, and pack a picnic. See how romantic this bird is?) www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/ BirdGuide/Indigo_Bunting.html