I really don't like birds. I can appreciate them as creatures of this Earth and there are some that I think are beautiful, but if anyone were to ask I'd have to say I feel more dislike than like. I avoid walking under trees where I know a number of them are hanging out. I walk on another side of the street if I see one hobbling down the sidewalk in front of me, and I have white noise that fills my bedroom every night because I do not like being awakened by the nervous chatter of the birds outside our bedroom windows.

I was heading into the parking garage here at work yesterday evening I came upon my car and saw that a black bird was perched on the driver-side mirror. He was just hanging out so I stood back and allowed him to finish his rest because I did not want to go near him. But he didn't move and I soon realized why...he was pooping on my car!! I started yelling at him, telling him to get away. He squaked and spread his wings at me, but did not move from the mirror. I swung my bag in his direction and he still didn't move. It wasn't until one of my colleagues who was seeing this entire scene drove next to me and honked that the bird reluctantly flew away, giving me one last nasty squak before he did. As I turned to wave and say "thanks" to my co-worker, I realized how silly I must have looked, but I didn't care. Being on the bottom floor of a parking garage, I never imagined I'd be dealing with birds pooping on my car! Isn't that part of the reason NOT to park outside - to avoid this sort of thing? Ugh, if I didn't like birds before, I certainly despise that black bird after this experience!

Right now in my life I am experiencing a book that is having a tremendous impact on my life. Really it's so much more than the book, but the ideas and beliefs it teaches. I find myself taking notes, reading certain passages aloud and then having audible "aha!" moments as a result of the enlightenment that the words, parables and teachings in this book provide. I'm not at a place where I want to share what book this is just yet as it might be a bit controversial for some to know I'm having such a strong response and having such an important journey through its words, but I can say that it's all good, it's all right.

What a wonderful weekend!!

In addition to spending 24 hours last Thursday and Friday surrounded by the beauty of Possum Kingdom Lake while at a retreat for work, I also spent the weekend with my first love - my niece, Hannah! She came to Dallas just to spend time with her doting Aunt Lar Lar, as she likes to call me. We did girlie things like have our nails done and shopping; we also spent time talking and talking and reading and reading - two things we both love to do. I also very much enjoyed experiencing Greg and Hannah's interactions with one another. I know Greg adores my niece as there's nothing to her that one can't adore, but I also see him enjoying her humor and her innocence. They playfully joked with one another and we all laughed together. We both appreciate her pure and open perspective on things. It was a wonderful weekend and she was such a good sport putting up with our craziness during one of the most disorganized, disorderly weekends we've probably ever had. As always, Hannah handled things with poise and sweetness and enough warmth to make us both feel like it didn't bother her one bit. I've loved this babygirl since she was still in her mother's womb; I cried and screamed and smiled when she was born; I took care of her when her parents worked both during my high school and college days for several years; we've always had a special relationship that I cherish dearly; and I've watched her grow into this beautiful, caring, compassionate, intelligent young woman. And though Hannah says that I am someone she looks up to, she is someone I aspire to be more like, as well. Thank you for a wonderful weekend filled with lots of fun, smiles, love and laughter and thank you for being you, Hannah.