Early Summer and Cowboy the Singing Thrush

Do you have a favorite season? If you had asked me this when I lived in Washington I would have been confused. In Washington there is one season: rain. I was convinced the sky was grey. However, when we moved out east I realized that there are actually 4 seasons! In Maryland, at least, there are four. In Northern Jersey there are two: frigid winter and boiling heat. However, Maryland is the best state for seasons. They usually progress sweetly and this year has not disappointed us. We had a full spring with bunnies and blossoms. And just like clockwork struck Memorial Day women squeezed into their white pants, kids kicked off their shoes and the sun started to shine. Insert storytime song of Mr. Sun, Sun Mister Golden Sun.  My mom would probably sing along. Anyway, Mister Golden Sun has finally started shining down on Maryland.

This house was built on stilts to keep the air flowing underneath of it.

Mr. Sun in Maryland is Mr. Humid Sun. So humid it fogs up my camera lens. 

There is a distinct difference between Maryland Chesapeake summers and DC summers. One is very...relaxed/preppy snobby and the other is intense and suffering with the heat. The Chesapeake summer is all about relaxing, drinking, sailing and fishing while the other is about working through the heat in the city. Two places, very close together but culturally apart. I haven't yet experienced a summer away from the Chesapeake in Maryland and am curious to see how suburban interior Maryland summers are. Presumably less alcohol than where I waitresses in Annapolis. In anycase, we are on the hunt for a good beach. Something close and not popular. It will likely be a hunt like for the vet where I know what is good but it is pure luck if you find it.

On the note of summers, there is a little guy who has become my friend. His name is Cowboy the singing wood thrush.

Don't laugh, I am totally serious! The wood thrush is a reclusive little bird who likes his spot in the woods and doesn't like to be disturbed. However, Cowboy is from Texas and hasn't gotten the memo that he is to keep to himself. Every morning he rises from his nest, pulls his little cowboy boots on, pulls himself up by the bootstraps, sets his cowboy hat on strait and struts off to get some cornbread for breakfast.

 Upon discovering that there is no cornbread he hollers out to the neighbor Mr. Frog who tried to eat him last week.

Mr. Frog

But hey, the courage of Cowboy is being scared but saddling up anyway.  Mr. Frog wants nothing to do with this little bird who thinks he can stand tall. So every morning, for the past 3 days Cowboy has gotten kicked out of nest after nest letting the creatures of the forest know, "The only thing better than a Cowboy in boots is a Cowboy out of boots." He is a wild one, that little bird of mine.

"Cowboy, leave us in peace!" cooed the Mr. Soprano, head of the turtle famiglia

 Last night we had a terrific storm and I was sure it would get him to sush. However, as soon as the last drop dropped and a ray of sunshine shown there was Cowboy singing his heart out:

What he means to say is "If you climb into the saddle be ready for the ride." I hope little Cowboy finds a Cowgirl and settles into domestic bliss letting me sleep a bit longer. But I doubt it, Cowboy just chirped "There is nothing in life worth doing that can't be done on a horse." Help us all. Maybe I should send the Fat one as a messenger to scare the bootstraps off of him. If I play Taylor Swift it will get Fatty in combat mode. He hates Taylor.

"We are never ever ever getting back together."