Her name was Mrs. Lipsky. She was my fifth grade teacher. I have no idea whether she was married. Or had a family. I was a kid, and she was just my teacher, gray-haired and headed toward retirement.
She took a group of us out at 6 a.m. on Saturday mornings to bird watch. It seemed fairly boring at the time. Birds were just…birds. They perched up in the trees. Sometimes made noises. I don’t know why I persisted in this endeavor.
Now I do. Now I really get it.
I stand in the brisk Oklahoma wind, not moving, staring up into every branch, watching for movement.
The trees are still bare, stark and pointed toward the sky. I wait, trying not to blink. I don’t want to miss what I know I hear.
I move mere inches while keeping my eyes on the branches. Of course I manage to step in dog poo in just those few inches. Shoot. These are the only shoes I can wear, athletic shoes with an orthotic insert.
I curse my luck. But that doesn’t take me away from the task at hand. I have finally spotted it far up in the tree next door. I bring my camera up to focus on this bird.
This is what I live for.
I notice this particular tree is showing signs of spring. There are feathery buds clinging to the branches. The cycle of nature is the most predictable thing in this world. No matter what, the seasons will change, blend into one another.
There are many things I’ve long ago decided I’m not good at: being married, or living with another person. Which I suppose is one and the same. Yet I find that pets are fantastic company.
I can’t read maps or know automatically which way is north or south.
I think perhaps I was meant to live alone with my furry babies, focusing on the slideshow that is nature. Which of course is constantly evolving.
I’m far from patient.
Yet I can stand here for long periods, ankle and foot protesting, and watch until I see something move up in the trees. And then I am relentless until my eyes find it.
I spot it. And I feel joy. My camera is trained on this beauty and I’m clicking away.
I guess the seeds for this were sown back in Mrs. Lipsky’s fifth grade class. In her getting up so very early to take a bunch of silly fifth graders, who naturally can’t be quiet or watchful, out to do just what I’m doing now.
I didn’t know it then, but once I gained use of a camera, after I started blogging, this somehow became my mission. My reward for the dog poo clinging to the bottom of my shoe and squished into the heel crevices.
The yard pretty much looks like this everywhere. Dead stalks that have long ago given up the ghost and fallen over. But I notice growth showing through. And this makes me smile, poo or not. And of course the fact that I got some good shots this time out.
Every day I will come out here and watch for minute signs of growth. I might not be the gardener that could take to tasks like I did last year. Or the year before that.
But a gardener, in whatever form I am able, I will always be. And a watcher of birds.
Thank you, Mrs. Lipsky.
Nice post and photos. Thanks for sharing your signs of spring – none here yet!
Lovely post Brenda! Your photos are great! I love the signs of Spring popping up. Take care and have a peaceful, happy weekend!
Hurrah for Mrs. Lipsky! She’s part of what makes you, well… you!
Brenda, it only takes one person to reach out to a child and you never know what influence you have had on them. Mrs. Lipsky must have been a wonderful woman. Thank goodness, that you now share all of these wonderful photos with us. Thank you my friend ~
Your photos are beautiful and your passion so obvious. I think we all have a Mrs. Lipsky to thank.
Brenda, this is a sweet post and such lovely photos!
hugs, Linda
It was very generous of Mrs. Lipsky to use her Saturday mornings in such a way.
I think we all should have had a teacher like Mrs. Lipsky to help us open our eyes to something new. I had an art teacher like that.
Great shots of the woodpecker!
XO,
Jane
I too love to watch the birds in our garden. We have a suet hanging on a oak tree outside our Florida room. There is a red bellied woodpecker that comes to eat there frequently–nature is so amazing. Thanks to Mrs. Lipsky and all the wonderful teachers who have blessed our lives! ♥
Isn’t it amazing what a difference one person can make in our lives when they share their love of something with us? I love to watch all the birds at our feeders, too. They just fascinate me- xo Diana
Really enjoyed this post! It inspired me to think back on and appreciate people who have been influential in my life, as well as giving a fresh and vivid perspective on why people enjoy bird-watching!
My firth grade teacher, Mrs. Slifka, at age 93, still writes to my Dad (age 92 1/2) and sends messages of love to me. I read all her letters. She is mostly blind yet still writes with that perfect penmanship she taught. She was a wonderful influence on my life then and in the future. In part I became a teacher because she believed I could do whatever I worked hard to do. I also write with the perfect penmanship she taught (when I slow down enough).
Your photography today with the most intense clearness was a treat to be treasured too.
Joy
ps: I keep a nail brush just for cleaning the poo from the bottom of my joggers too, don’t know how I manage to step right on to of the stuff so frequently.
If all of us, as kids, had only known then what we know now, we wouldn’t have believed it~~~would we ?
I think your Mrs. Lipsky was a wonderful teacher and there should be more like her.. I’m glad you were in her class.
I love to hear the woodpeckers hammering away at a dead tree to build a nest.. I have a tree in my back yard that was hit by lightening.. The woodpeckers love it and come back every year to build a new nest..
I love to feed “my” birds and squirrels most everyday.. Love to watch them too.
I haven’t seen a Robin yet, but have heard them~~~so I know they are near by..
Hugs, Charlotte
I learned long ago there are many things I am not suited for. You have more patience than I do, as I don’t have much luck photographing birds, squirrels, etc.
Please be careful where you walk as you do not want to injure that ankle again.
Enjoy your weekend.
Surely Mrs. Lipsky would be so proud. Sweet post … pictures too!
Blessings,
Cindy
My husband is also a watcher of birds, observer of nature’s cycle. His mother was his Mrs. Lipsky. I love the birds and my garden but am an amateur compared to him, and to you. I depend on him to bring his discoveries to my attention.
Beautiful post.
Yeah Mrs Lipsky!!! I love all your beautiful writing Brenda. And if stepping in that poop while searching for beauty isn’t a metaphor for life I don’t know what is!
Brenda, What a great tribute to Mrs. Lipsky. She is still teaching you through the years. I liked your photos. can’t believe the trees are budding. Today I sat on the porch and talked with a cardinal. I can do their calls pretty well. He talked back too. I sat out with my coat on, it never got to 50 degrees like predicted. But I enjoyed it. Glad you are getting out and enjoying yourself again. xoxo,Susie
Ah, beautiful perfect post! And you are my Mrs. Lipsky because you have taught me the utter joy to be found in nature, in birds, in plants. And like you, I’d step in poo to see it and photograph it
Big Hugs ~ Mary
Perhaps your best relationship will be on acreage with several cabins, a barn, golf cart, a man.
Why think you must live with him?
Or be married?
Garden & Be Well, XO T
Reading this post of yours today has made me realize just how very lonely you are Brenda~I feel your sadness and wish with everything in me I could say something(nice of course) to help you wake up and smell the roses as they say…I love all your pictures and the story of your 5th grade teacher but are you really wanting us all to believe that all you care to be around are your doggies?? Dogs do not live as long as us humans and then where will you be? all alone!! You are too sweet and too caring to be alone forever…get out and get busy…don’t let this man you divorced do this to you…tell yourself you will get on with your life and you will enjoy the rest of what you have left…you are such a trooper Brenda!!! I know that you can!!! do NOT settle for just being alone the rest of your life!! You have too much to offer this world!!! Love ya! Carol
How amazing that an elementary school teacher would give her time to teach appreciation for nature. I am amazed. I have fourth graders now and would just adore a teacher who gives a little extra. Lovely post…even the poo.
Such a fine tribute to Mrs. Lipsky. I think many of us have a “Mrs. Lipsky” in our lives…Mine was Mr. Groat. He taught me to love history and I will never forget him.
Thanks for sharing, my friend.
Carolynn
Wonderful shots ….that woodpecker is a beauty!
Thank you, Mrs. Lipsky, for inspiring Brenda. *smile*
Kelley~
Wonderful pictures and great hommage to your teacher. Bonus: the first signs of spring, yeah!
What a lovely post, Brenda. Isn’t it amazing how those early seeds that were sown in our lives grow into amazing interests later on. I am hoping your ankle heals and allows you to get back to your love of gardening.
Hugs,
Laura
I got into birdwatching about 11 years ago. I was experiencing a lot of anger and bitterness over a situation that is, thankfully, behind me and I was trying to get over it while staying at my parent’s house. I used to sit outside in their backyard and just ponder. Eventually I started noticing all the birds. I got a bird guide so that I could identify them. Before I knew it, I was hooked. The most incredible experience I had was lying on their trampoline and seeing a huge migration of some sort of hawk or raptor bird. They were too high for me to clearly identify them. Then there was the time that painted buntings stopped by the feeder I had set out. Birdwatching slowly brought me back into the light. I live in an apartment now and there isn’t the same variety of birds that my parent’s yard had. We set out water and seeds for them. One summer we had two parakeets that frequently came over and kept us company. And now it’s time to set out our hummingbird feeders.
I can’t wait to get back outside and take photos of something other than snow! Today there seems to be just the tiniest hint of spring in the air.
When I taught at Boston University, one of my fellow faculty members was Jon Lipsky, may he rest in peace. Sounds like we were both influenced by Lipskys.
xo
Claudia
Inspiring post, Brenda. You just brought back to me my ‘Mrs. Lipsky’. Thank You.
Linda at Beautiful Ideas
As a retired teacher it is wonderful to see someone give tribute to the work of teachers. It is wonderful to know that one teacher had such an effect on your life, and left such a legacy for you to enjoy through the years even if you didn’t appreciate it at the time. Thank you for the encouragement – perhaps I can cherish the hope in my heart that my hard work has also sown a little seed that will one day bloom in such a way for some of my students.
Brenda, Such a lovely post. And very touching tribute to Mrs Lipsky. Thank you
If we need any evidence that one person can change the lives of hundreds, maybe thousands, here it is. Just as Mrs. Lipsky inspired you, you too, inspire many.
I had a home ec teacher in high school who was picky, picky, picky, when it came to advanced sewing classes. The funny thing is that I remember everything she taught me and I wish our daughters could have had her for a teacher, too. She was passionate about what she taught and that is something you don’t learn in college. Do you think those teachers knew that someday we’d thank them? Thank you Mrs. Waite.
I love to watch birds too. I’ve learned many of the bird calls from doing it.
So sweet…I appreciate your efforts and patience, it indeed is not easy. Its good to remember those who have influenced you, as one day you will also be remembered, by those who you have touched. Very nice post.