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Friday, April 20, 2007

Robins and Shakespeare

Sunday afternoon we were returning from lunch, when I began exclaiming loudly over a pair of birds I saw in our tree. Sky thought that at least something or other must be on fire, but no- I was beside myself because I thought I spied two robins in our tree. Being right in the heart of OC, I have never lived in a neighborhood with robins. A few years ago we were at a nature preserve about an hour away, and I saw a robin there..but Robins are not birds we normally live with. I ran into the house to get the camera so I could show our neighbor, who is a real bird watcher...but, they flew off. I hope they come back to visit. Our neighbor said that this was the right time to see them passing through, since they are migrating.

Today we joined a group of homeschoolers for Shakespeare in the park, tho today it was in the house, because it rained. We sat in while a very talented mom read Cymbeline. She had a large group of children clustered around her feet, supplying answers as she asked them what happened at the last reading. I was really impressed! My older two thought the story really good, and want to read the whole thing now, since we missed the first half.

Did I mention it rained today? It was a light rain, the chickens seemed to enjoy it. the cat did not.

April is poetry month, so I will leave you with yet another poem:

The Secret

We have a secret, just we three,
The Robin and I and the sweet cherry tree;
The bird told the tree and the tree told me,
And nobody knows it but just us three.

Of Course Mrs. Robin knows it the best
For she built the -oh, I can't tell you the rest-
And laid the four little somethings in it-
I fear I shall say what they are any minute!

But if neither the tree nor the Robin will tell
I'm sure I can keep the sweet secret as well,
Though I know that when baby birds fly all about
The wonderful secret of spring will be out!

Labels: homeschool, nature

posted at 9:54 PM
7 comments

7 Comments:

At 4:27 AM, Amy said...: Wow. Living here in the midwest, I totally take robins for granted. It would never occur to me to run into the house for the camera becuase a robin was outside.

I never really thought about there being a place in the US where robins were uncommon.

Glad you got a chance to spot one!
At 7:17 AM, Tricia said...: Our lovely elderly neighbor put up a bird feeder last year. We have seen TONS of birds; Robins, Blue Jays, Red Birds, etc. My 9yodd went on a bird watching jag and was able to name most of the species she found. Turns out bird watching is kinda fun!
Problem is, all math goes out the window when the kids see a new bird at the feeder. We can see it from where we do school. I guess that is okay. :o)
I love the poem. Great copywork fodder; I think I'll borrow it.
At 7:19 AM, Tricia said...: Can you tell me who the author of the poem is?
At 12:53 PM, Hen Jen said...: Amy, yes-some place can be bird-boring. Our last neighborhood we only saw sparrows, crows and mockingbirds-sometimes house finches. We have more birds here at this house. I did find out from some homeschool friends that a regional park about 20 minutes away has lots of Robins. I am thinking about trying to do a nature walk there twice a month or so. I am wishing and wishing for some bluebirds. I have seen them about 15 minutes away at another park. I keep wondering if I put up a bird house, would they come??
At 12:57 PM, Hen Jen said...: Tricia,

we lose time at the window too. I am the biggest offender on this, I love to bird watch. I put out two feeders outside our big window in the front living room.

I was thinking this poem would be could copy work, that was why I shared it. I don't know who the author is,-there is no author listed, it is out of a set of children's books called "The bookshelf for boys and girls" a several volume set that often came with encyclopedias. I grew up with a set like this, and purchased this set to share with my kids. I can get alittle sentimental!
At 2:01 PM, Barb said...: What a sweet poem. And what a sweet way to spend a rainy day. I hope your robins return. Nothing says "spring" like robins. I'm anticipating the return of our little hummingbirds any time now. I suppose it would help if I got some flowers planted in my planters but believe it or not, it's too early - we could still get a freak snowfall.

Have a wonderful weekend. I'm amazed you have chickens and a cat. That's an interesting combo!
At 9:54 PM, Susanne said...: Robins are all over here. It is the sure sign of spring when we open the door to let the pup out in the morning and the robins are singing away. It just makes you want to throw open all your windows.

We've had rain/snow mix here for days so the sunshine today was very welcome.

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