Empty Nest

I took a walk back in the woods today and found the empty nest that I’ve been photographing off and on for a year or more.  During the winter months the nest deteriorated, and no longer resembled a well-formed nest.  Just some mud and straw hanging in the niche of an old apple tree.  Sometime over the past few days, the nest has been repaired.  No one was home when I paid a visit late this afternoon and if it hadn’t been for the rebuilding, I would have thought it an empty nest as there were no other signs of occupancy.

M and I went to Pittsburgh over the weekend to visit with our youngest son (M the Younger) and daughter-in-law.  It was a short but sweet visit.  I am happy to see them out on their own once again, rebuilding their nest now that they’re employed, have their own place, and are working towards goals that were disrupted last year.

I didn’t take many photos while we were there.  Just a few of the wildflowers growing outside their door.  They’re living in a small house that seems to be perfect for them.  Now all they need is some furniture to fluff it all out a bit.  Somewhere along the line they were taught about reusing and repurposing, so they have plans for furniture they will build or paint or otherwise turn into something useful (and, knowing my daughter-in-law, something pretty).  M the Younger has built a few tables and seems to have a natural ability for working with wood (not his field of work, but he’s like his father in that he can read about how to do something and then do it).

During their unemployment sojourn, my daughter-in-law was sweet enough to come up with a design plan for my living room.  Like the rest of my home, it needs freshened up and she knew I was looking to redecorate (or at the very least, move things around, splash on some new paint, and call it redecorated).  I would hire her in a heartbeat if I had the money for an interior designer (not her field of work, by the way, but she’s talented in that area).  I love her plan for my living room.  Unfortunately, we forgot to consult M who has his own ideas about how the room should be arranged, ideas that make sense given the view of the pond.  I’ll be repainting and moving a few things, but the basic layout won’t change much.

The heron spreading his wings

Anyhow.  I’m not sure why I’m rambling on about all of that.  We had a lovely visit with the lovely couple.  It’s good to be home, in that bittersweet way of coming home to the empty nest, one that M and I have been rebuilding for several years now.

From today's walk around the pond.

I sometimes wish we could win one of those mega-million lotteries so we could build or acquire a big enough compound for the whole family.  We would live far enough apart so that we weren’t tripping over each other, yet close enough to say, “I cooked a big pot of soup for dinner tonight.  Come on over if you wish.”

Apple blossoms

Then again, life is good as it is.  Everyone is doing what they should be doing.  Our sons are grown, married, working, and in the case of our oldest son, raising children.  None of them live a great distance away.  We can see them when we like, when time and life and schedules permit.

Rhododendrons at the back of the pond blooming

So rather than be sad that my family is not gathered around me, I will be happy that everyone is doing well (or relatively well as our oldest son has been experiencing some health problems that are hopefully not serious and will resolve on their own).

Violets in shadow and light.

Thanks for listening to me ramble a little on this lovely, very warm, Sunday evening in the Bogs.  It’s been quite windy, but the temperature is near 80 degrees.  I’m heading out to watch the sunset and think about the wonders of life, family, the universe, and everything.  You’re welcome to join me.

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