A Boost
Sometimes I need a boost, today I got one.
Funny, if I thought I needed one and went
looking, I probably couldn't find one. They're
never where I think they should be. Like the
time my wife and I drove an hour to our favorite
trout stream and found the 'wrong' insect hatching.
We were mentally geared for a certain one and it
was not coming off, another was instead. I got
a boost that evening.
We did not fish, but sat side-by-side and watched
the bugs hatch and the trout feed. It was a
wonderful experience and did not need to be
disturbed. I got a boost from that. Those
things just happen, you can't plan them,
if you try, they won't work. Boosts come
all by themselves.
The day, years ago, when I fished all afternoon
with a broken hook on my fly. Got all kinds of
hits but no fish. Days like that do not go
unremembered, recalling them is a good thing.
I often find fly fishing a good place to have
these mini-miracles take place. Do enough of
it and you'll likely find yours too. I think
we all do, perhaps that is one of the reasons
we anticipate our next outings so much. Like
the brook trout that jumped high and broke
me off on the last day of the season, that
image is burned in my memory like a brand.
I had to wait all winter to even try for him
the following year. The vision strengthened
to the point I had to peruse a catalog and
purchase a new cane rod for the occasion.
Those kind of things are good for me too.
But, today. Today I was not on the stream.
I was getting ready for it though. My mind
was jammed with all the trivia of the Fish-In
and what we would need for our week in New York.
It was raining out and I was watching my
hummingbird feeder, actually I was considering
fastening a small umbrella to it so the little
guys could feed and not get soaked. I am not a
'birder,' but do have several feeders and take
care of the 'hummers' too.
Next to my 'hummer-feeder' is a tomato cage. On
the top of which was, a 'hummer.' Taking a bath!
In the rain! He loved it. Now there's smarts for
you. I was worried he would get soaked; he welcomed
it. For several minutes he wiggled and buzzed
his wings and waggled his tail and fluffed his
feathers.
I watched his whole ritual with a sense of
admiration. I bet he was thinking, "Hey neat,
it's raining, guess I will take a bath." Kind
of like the old saying, "If you get lemons, make
lemonade." As I mulled over my troubles and
problems, I considered his attitude. How I
wish I had his common sense and wisdom and
attitude.
The rest of my day went better and I suppose
his did too. I don't worry now about a umbrella
for the feeder now, neither does he. It's nice
to know I have clean birds too. ~ J . Castwell
Lighter Side Archive
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