Check out the neighbors who stopped by yesterday as we drank our morning coffee! The bald eagles started to come back here about 15 or so years ago, and seeing one never gets old. I'm going to close the laptop tonight and take a break. I'll be back tomorrow.
Fabulous! I never tire of seeing soaring birds. One of the thrills of my life was flying my free-flight (it's on its own after you let go of the towline) model glider (six foot wingspan). It was circling in a thermal (circular updraft of air) when a hawk came and started circling with it checking out this newcomer. After three minutes the glider dethermalizes (a small clock timer allows the stabilizer to pop up at an angle, stalling the airplane). It gentling flutters to the ground. The hawk followed it almost to the ground. To see something you built up flying with those gorgeous hawks. Beautiful!
I see eagles nearly every day. I never tire of it and am constantly reminded that, but for the efforts of Rachel Carson, and many others, eagles and many other birds would be extinct or nearly so. Ah, the days when even Republicans actually believed in science…..
Thank you Heather and Buddy. Such a wonder of a picture that captured an eagle experience. As a totem, Eagle medicine is the power of the Great Spirit, the connection to the Divine. Eagle reminds us to take heart and gather one’s courage for Universe presents us with an opportunity to soar above mundane levels of life through astuteness, understanding, and hard work. Our country walks now in shadows of former realities, and we look for illumination. As we look at the eagles that landed close to Heather and Buddy, remember the gift of the freedom of the skies. Let us legalize that freedom within ourselves and follow the joy that our hearts desire.
As an 82 year old grandmotherly type, living in Italy, I want to congratulate you on trying to take care of yourself by taking the occasional day off. You, along with the American Eagle, are a national treasure. What would we do without you?
They are magnificent creatures! We sometimes see them when we visit friends in Eagle River, WI. Rest well.
I just joined your newsletter, finally, after reading many of your posts on FB. Don't like FB much these days. Last year my husband and I both read, How the South Won the Civil War. Very sobering. Thank you for all you do in your generous teaching
Good to see this. I know I need to see something completely different from this political mess sometimes, just to focus my brain and see more clearly. Thank you for the letters.
Two Bald Eagles on Sunday night, thank you Buddy for this remarkable sight. Heather Cox Richardson, in this time of turmoil, you persist with morning deliveries of Letter from an American. The neatly contained, wisely selected and well elucidated document lays out the issues of day. America is such a wild, all over the place mess, and, yet, you've shown us the art of containment. How you choose the right pieces among the fragments and make America whole -- as much as possible -- is a feat to be grateful for. Thank you, Heather for making sense of our country.
The Eagle
Alfred Billings Street
An eagle in this lovely scene
Was perched upon a hillock green,
Where strew'd remains of bow and spear
With here and there a scattered bone,
Bared by the frost and rain, made known
An Indian burial-place was here.
And as he stood, his form stretch'd high,
And from his keen and martial eye
Glances around he shot,
He seem'd within the halo-light
With ruffled plumes, and crown of white,
The monarch of the spot.
Balancing on his outspread wing,
At length he look'd as if to spring,
While higher arch'd his kingly neck;
Rustled the leaves — and with a shriek
He swept up, pointing high his beak,
And dwindled to a fading speck.
Alfred Billings Street (December 18, 1811 – June 2, 1881) was an American author and poet.
Street was born in Poughkeepsie (city), In 1848 he was appointed New York State Librarian, a position he held until his death. His poems deal with the sights and sounds of the woodland and
and the life of the more primitive days of the settlement of America.
Do you think if one could wrest the single minded pursuit of power from the Republicans, avert their eyes and minds--for just a few moments-- from subverting democracy, and direct their gaze to these fabulous creatures, symbols of our democracy, that something might crack their conscience...reflect...maybe...something would happen?
Exceptionally outstanding letters this past week. So clear and packed with good information. As always, thank you.
Maybe they are bringing the American dream back to us all - we can only hope...
Fabulous! I never tire of seeing soaring birds. One of the thrills of my life was flying my free-flight (it's on its own after you let go of the towline) model glider (six foot wingspan). It was circling in a thermal (circular updraft of air) when a hawk came and started circling with it checking out this newcomer. After three minutes the glider dethermalizes (a small clock timer allows the stabilizer to pop up at an angle, stalling the airplane). It gentling flutters to the ground. The hawk followed it almost to the ground. To see something you built up flying with those gorgeous hawks. Beautiful!
I see eagles nearly every day. I never tire of it and am constantly reminded that, but for the efforts of Rachel Carson, and many others, eagles and many other birds would be extinct or nearly so. Ah, the days when even Republicans actually believed in science…..
Thank you Heather and Buddy. Such a wonder of a picture that captured an eagle experience. As a totem, Eagle medicine is the power of the Great Spirit, the connection to the Divine. Eagle reminds us to take heart and gather one’s courage for Universe presents us with an opportunity to soar above mundane levels of life through astuteness, understanding, and hard work. Our country walks now in shadows of former realities, and we look for illumination. As we look at the eagles that landed close to Heather and Buddy, remember the gift of the freedom of the skies. Let us legalize that freedom within ourselves and follow the joy that our hearts desire.
Peace brothers and sisters!
As an 82 year old grandmotherly type, living in Italy, I want to congratulate you on trying to take care of yourself by taking the occasional day off. You, along with the American Eagle, are a national treasure. What would we do without you?
This is my meager offering tonight regarding a bird that is not held in such high esteem as the eagle:
Flight of the Crow
jro 12/14/21
I am not a big fan of crows
Who scare away little birds
Who harass even the red tail hawks
But I am still amazed at one flying by
Unfazed by gravity
Yesterday’s letter recounting the achievements of the Biden administration was heartening. If only they would toot their own horn more.
Anybody on the right read that? What is your answer to that?
Thank you for another week of informative, hopeful, frightening letters. You’re amazing.
They are magnificent creatures! We sometimes see them when we visit friends in Eagle River, WI. Rest well.
I just joined your newsletter, finally, after reading many of your posts on FB. Don't like FB much these days. Last year my husband and I both read, How the South Won the Civil War. Very sobering. Thank you for all you do in your generous teaching
Good to see this. I know I need to see something completely different from this political mess sometimes, just to focus my brain and see more clearly. Thank you for the letters.
I relate to the beauty to which you subscribe. I row on a lake in Central coast California that has eagles swooping down to catch fish.
Two Bald Eagles on Sunday night, thank you Buddy for this remarkable sight. Heather Cox Richardson, in this time of turmoil, you persist with morning deliveries of Letter from an American. The neatly contained, wisely selected and well elucidated document lays out the issues of day. America is such a wild, all over the place mess, and, yet, you've shown us the art of containment. How you choose the right pieces among the fragments and make America whole -- as much as possible -- is a feat to be grateful for. Thank you, Heather for making sense of our country.
The Eagle
Alfred Billings Street
An eagle in this lovely scene
Was perched upon a hillock green,
Where strew'd remains of bow and spear
With here and there a scattered bone,
Bared by the frost and rain, made known
An Indian burial-place was here.
And as he stood, his form stretch'd high,
And from his keen and martial eye
Glances around he shot,
He seem'd within the halo-light
With ruffled plumes, and crown of white,
The monarch of the spot.
Balancing on his outspread wing,
At length he look'd as if to spring,
While higher arch'd his kingly neck;
Rustled the leaves — and with a shriek
He swept up, pointing high his beak,
And dwindled to a fading speck.
Alfred Billings Street (December 18, 1811 – June 2, 1881) was an American author and poet.
Street was born in Poughkeepsie (city), In 1848 he was appointed New York State Librarian, a position he held until his death. His poems deal with the sights and sounds of the woodland and
and the life of the more primitive days of the settlement of America.
Do you think if one could wrest the single minded pursuit of power from the Republicans, avert their eyes and minds--for just a few moments-- from subverting democracy, and direct their gaze to these fabulous creatures, symbols of our democracy, that something might crack their conscience...reflect...maybe...something would happen?
What wonderful neighbors! May their traits continue to inspire the country they symbolize.
Thank you for all you do!
Thank you for sharing such beauty. Your photo creates a peaceful space in the tumult. Thank you for your columns. Your insight is invaluable to me.