Welcome to that time of the month where I invoke my trick to ensure that I post at least once per month. I use the pedestrian method called a deadline. You can visit the pilot episode for more context.
I’ve been knee-deep in pondering and so it is a relief to paint in shorter, fast-drying strokes.
Let’s talk about the wind, shall we?
You may or may not know that I love meandering bike rides around town and that I call this toodling. This is the most fun way to get to farmer’s markets or accomplish some errand within a 10-mile round-trip radius.
I glide along in a lackadaisical manner, unabashedly being a full grown kid.
Toodling season often starts on a mild day in March as long as it’s not too windy.
The wind has miraculously spared this Baltimore Oriole nest. The birds build this cool pouch-nest every year. Foliage usually masks them and they fall down once the autumn winds arrive. It is rare to see one still hanging on in March after many big wind events!
There was some wind on my first toodle of 2025 but it mostly gathered on the open water of the Upper Mystic Lake. This wind surfer was **flying** then he splashed down. Once he got himself back up, he flew again.
Meet the piper, Cillian Vallely of the Celtic Irish band, Lunasa.
Until March 8, 2025, when we went to this concert, I never knew that bagpipes could sound so beautiful and that they come in this style of controlling the wind via an under-the-arm pump.
To help dislodge any bleating memory, I offer putting this listen on repeat.
It feels complete to end with this Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face, and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
(For more, visit here.)
