Oh Super Cute Wesley, How I love Thee . . .

I have fallen in love with an Owl!  A super cute, totally special little barn owl. 

I recently read this book, and I am so glad I did.  

It is not the best piece of literature or destined to be a classic, but it is a true story of the love we can feel for an animal and what they can teach us.

  

I fell in love with Wesley, I couldn't help it, and truly wish I could have met him.    Stacey O'Brien, a biologist working at Caltech,  begins her story with the adoption an owlet with nerve damage to his wing.  

Here is an except:

........"When Wesley opened his eyes for the first time, he stared right at me.  

"Hello, Wesley," I said.

"Screeeeeeech,"  he hoarsely and softly replied gazing deeply into  my eyes."

"Wesley's eyes were a deep, inscrutable black.  Even when they first opened, they harbored a great mystery and held my gaze.  Looking into his eyes was like looking into infinity, into something far away and cosmic.  It was a profoundly spiritual experience - I never tired of it - and I was often startled by his eyes' wildness and depth. "

This is a wonderful book that will broaden your mind and open your heart.


Here is Stacey speaking about Wesley:

You can visit Stacey's website here.


If you have read this book or plan to at some point, please let me know what you thought/think of it.  

The Great Outdoors Challenge

** This is the project I wanted to share with you days ago but my editor, who is The Husband, told me he needed a week off! 

The Children and Nature Network  has set out to establish the month of April as Children and Nature Awareness Month.  I first read about it here.  This could not have come at a better time for I have been concerned about the disconnect my children have with nature for quite some time. 

This disconnect I know is partly my fault because I have fears they will get hurt or stung by a bee and end up being allergic, break a leg, oh yeah that already happened, or get kidnapped.   I know, I know, I have issues.  

And because well, to be honest, I'm lazy. 

In spite of all this I have come to realize the benefits far out way my irrational fears.  I know for myself nature is very soothing and I can only imagine it is the same for children.  I have noticed my children seem to have an innate desire to be outdoors.  They really, really want to be outside and ask to go out everyday.

My own memories of being outdoors are some of my fondest.  I can remember lying on a blanket in the backyard reading books and gazing at the sky through the tree branches.  Walking through the woods and dropping pebbles in the stream or watching leaves float with the current.  Going to the beach and walking along the jetties, digging in the sand, and being excited and afraid all at the same time over the horseshoe crabs.

As an adult I still find comfort in being outdoors.  I once walked along a path through a bamboo forest in Hawaii. I have never felt more at peace.  I wanted to sit and never leave.  The sound of the bamboo as it banged into each other is one I will never forget.  It was ethereal.

Anywho, enough about me - The kids and I have set a goal to go outdoors every day this month. Rain or shine we will be outdoors!! We will be documenting our experience through pictures and sharing them with you here.   Won't you join us?