Life Lessons

Okay People. Here's a deep one. This post is written by Kareena (AKA me, myself and I) today because it was a Kareena experience. Unfortunately, Matt was at work. He did hear about this as soon as possible on the phone, however. So, what a day yesterday was. I started out by moving the rental fence to a new location which took a good bit of time on my own. It was pleasant work, though. Axel was being a cutie and following me back and forth from where I picked up the fence panels, to where I dropped them off. He seemed confused - funny. After that task was completed, I went over to the beaver dam to try and break apart the newest work the beavers had done. Of course, the dogs tagged along contently.

In the midst of taking out branches and bits of shrub, I would break to look at my surroundings since my surroundings are so beautiful. One time when I glanced up, I noticed a beaver head in the water headed our way. It was so quiet and peaceful swimming toward us. Then, with no warning, it ker-plopped under the water. The dogs were surprised and ran into the water splashing loudly to get to where the beaver went under. I watched intensely waiting for it to surface yet never saw it come up. Disappointed I didn't get to see the beaver more, I went back to work disassembling the dam. in no time, the beaver came out from under the ledge we heard it in the day before. It came closer this time to me and the dogs. Again, it rapidly went under. This time I saw it slap its tail on the water subsequently diving, vanishing in the murky water. It was quite a sight and the dogs once again sped their way into the water but to no reward. This continued to happen several times. I eventually went and sat over by the ledge and peered into the space beneath, waiting patiently for the beaver to come out as it did so regularly. Shortly, it appeared but refused to come out all the way. It simply floated in the water, frozen in place, looking at me. After getting enough of a look at it, we retired back to The Lair.

Back at The Lair, I sat on the cinder blocks which serve as a step up into The Lair. I snacked on some turkey jerky I had received from a birthday package from my mom the day before and watched the dogs wander off sniffing everything in their path. Eventually they both returned to where I was and laid down on the ground.

I was sitting. Enjoying nature, loving life. A hawk caught my eye. It flew low over the rice check just to the right of me searching for prey. Just past a road, the hawk stopped mid-flight and plunged to the ground with its talons aimed at something. A catch! I moved quickly from my cinder blocks and headed toward where I saw it land. I remembered to tell the dogs to stay put because I didn't want them to lead and scare off the hawk. When I was close enough to see the hawk's head , I stopped moving so fast. All of a sudden I was hardly breathing, walking in slow motion to try and be as sly as possible. The hawk eyed me but didn't seem to find me a threat. Misha had not listened to stay put and was following behind me slowly. (Cute, but not what I asked of her). Anyway, I continued to inch forward to get a closer look. Then, I realized Misha was passing me and making a lot of rustling noise in the dry grass. I snapped my fingers and tried to make eye contact with her to get her to stop, but it was too late. The red-tail hawk lifted off the ground with a bird about a quarter of its size in its talons. The hawk didn't have a good enough grip on the bird and it escaped, both birds flying in opposite directions. I was somewhat embarrassed for being responsible for the hawk not having that lunch yet I felt honored to have witnessed the event. I watched the hawk fly low to the ground searching again for another opportunity. Soon, it was flying higher and I stopped watching it, knowing it wasn't looking for food anymore. Aww, man! I can't believe it lost its food because of me. I hoped it would find food again soon. In a few minutes, I heard the red-tail hawk call and I anxiously looked around to see it. I couldn't see it but just as I was looking for it, three more hawks soared over head in the direction of the call. They were weaving in and out of each other's paths and swooping down here and there as if they were playing.

Here's the thing: within another five minutes I saw four hawks flying really high up in the sky just circling and drifting in the wind. I was pensive. I wanted to be more like the hawk. I want to seize opportunities when they are presented to me, the way the hawk plunged for its food mid-flight. I also want to be able to move on care-free after an unfortunate occurrence such as someone robbing you of your lunch, the way the hawk did. Not only did the hawk search for more food instantly after losing that bird, but it soared high in the sky seemingly having the time of its life. The hawk knew that it would soon have another yummy opportunity. I know the hawk will make the best of that opportunity when it gets it.