About noticing: Years ago, the one and only time I was briefly a Scout leader, I used to tell the boys to go for a short walk and come back and tell about something they saw which they might have missed if they weren't looking around and noticing. Sometimes I remember to really notice what I see, hear, or read, to do what the song at the end of this page talks about: to wonder at the world through which we wander.

Newest items:

I glanced out the window to see a Big Robin pull a worm from the grass. Crouching low and then straightening up to is full height, the robin used all its strength until much of the worm was well above ground. Then the robin took a breather, during which the worm slowly slipped back into the ground. The robin pulled again, rested, and the worm withdrew again. And again. And again. Finally the robin walked away to look for a more co-operative worm. (The big bullies don't always win.)

We walked to the water, and thought we'd done well to enjoy watching two seals up close. Then Selma heard what she was sure was an eagle. We couldn't see it but we waited around anyway. Then suddenly not one but two eagles flew almost over us before returning to a tree where we could easily spot them. We might have moved along on our planned walk, but we're glad we decided to wait and hope.

Riding the bus, I often see a child come on board. It's fun to watch how that child so often brings a smile to fellow passengers. Not just older people, but young people too will often make contact with a small child, and strangers will have a pleasant exchange with mom or dad about how the child is doing. Nice to see.

Humans began in Africa, right? Maybe wrong. I've read that a pro-Africa scientist admits they can't prove it, and a new pro-China theory could be right. Which only shows to go that what "everyone knows" may not really be so. Ideas outside the box of acceptable thinking may be true after all.

Some older ones:

It's an ordinary looking sparrow type of bird. It often perches itself on the top branch of a small tree. Surprisingly, it has a most beautiful song, sounding clear and joyful. I often see and hear it, and whenever I do it adds a wonder to my day.

When I lived for a while by the water I often watched flocks of ten or more small birds suddenly take off or land together, as if they were one, not separate birds. I suspect there's a lesson there in their togetherness -- esp connections? follow the leader mentality? friendship and co-operation? Is there something there for us humans to learn from?

I hadn't seen Terry for years. We used to work closely together. It was great to be with him again, and, as so often happens, the old connections were still there. I still appreciated him for what I'd always liked about him. I felt close to him, even though it had been years. What is this connection people can have? Whatever it is, I think it's great.

Why do seagulls chase eagles? We often hear the squawking of seagulls high above us, and when we look up, sure enough, three or four of them are following an eagle, sometimes close enough to pull at an eagle feather. Why do they do that?

He came in to the free church lunch alone, took his soup to a table by himself, and sat. Then I noticed he had left his table, and moved to another table where an elderly woman had sat alone, and was carrying on a conversation with her. Good for him for moving and maybe adding some happiness to a lonely woman's day. I'm glad I noticed. It added something to my day too.

Two twins in a double stroller were coming toward me. Both had identical hats, yet each was trying to remove the hat of their brother or sister, quietly, but with determination. Mom intervened and somehow satisfied them. I don't know what it was all about – the competition, or playfulness, of the human spirit, maybe? It was fun to watch.

Take care to wonder
There's a song we used to sing – writer unknown to me– with these words:
Take care to wonder
at the world through which you wander
never hurry by an open door
for you live in a universe
full of miracles galore.

A couple of verses I remember: Look for God in bright things, someone's eyes or the skies at noon. Praise God whenever you find God in anything bright.

Look for God in wet things, dewy grass or a glass of wine. Praise God whenever you find God in anything wet

I like that reminder, and try to remember to stop, look, and listen..