It was still dark outside when the first chirp came. Then another. Then another. Bill never moved. The pups never moved. It was just me and the birds, and apparently we had all decided — or they had decided and informed me — that it was time to begin the day.
Did you know there is actually a name for this? It is called the Dawn Chorus, and birds typically begin their morning songs anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes before sunrise, somewhere between four and six in the morning. I did not know that until this weekend and now I cannot unknow it. There is something satisfying about learning that a thing you have simply experienced has a name. The Dawn Chorus. It sounds like the title of a novel I would like to read.
Since the alternative was lying there wide awake in the dark, I pulled out my iPad instead. I finished The Shape of Us, which I had been rationing over the weekend, the way you ration a good box of chocolates toward the end. Then, as tends to happen at five in the morning when you have nowhere to be, I fell down a rabbit hole of gardening videos.
Historical gardens, specifically — the creation of them, the care of them, the families and the talent behind them. What draws me is not the grandeur but the patience. Someone planted those box hedges, those long herbaceous borders knowing they would not live to see them fully grown.
I should tell you, in case you are new here, that I do not have a green thumb. My gardening space is modest— containers on the porch, the circle in the driveway, the front beds already well claimed by peonies, hellebores and whatever perennial I can find a home for. The rest is pine straw, front and back, which took some getting used to after a lifetime of proper green lawns. But I have made my peace with it. The space I have is manageable, and manageable matters more than I once thought it would, especially as I age. A garden you can actually tend to is better than one that overwhelms you. I am learning, slowly, to want what I can care for even if it is not what I always dreamed of.
The rest of the weekend was exactly what it needed to be. Family came Saturday and we sat outside talking about nothing in particular in the way that only family can. Sunday was quieter — morning service, a long walk, my weekly chat with my dad, an afternoon that asked nothing of me but to frost the cake I am sharing on “Sweet Treats for Your Sweet Tooth” this month. I am ready for the week ahead.
One more thing before I go — my friend Cindy mentioned the Banana Republic sale and I made the mistake of looking. I perused the dresses and skirts and shirts and sweaters, put a few things in my cart, ignored the countdown timer as long as I could and then made a decision. I do not need more t-shirts. I have sweaters coming out of my ears. But dresses — I could not resist. I bought three, this one, this one and this one, all at forty percent off. I have not ordered from them in a while so I cannot vouch for the fit yet. I will report back when they arrive.
Did the Dawn Chorus wake you this weekend, or did you sleep straight through it? Tell me in the comments — and if you have a favorite garden, historical or otherwise, I would love to know that too.
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I did not know that either. What a nice name: the dawn chorus. And the dresses you chose are lovely.
Brenda
Brenda, good morning. I loved the name The Dawn Chorus. It is such a lovely idea.
We have had some heavy rains over the past week so the birds have not been out and about much. But yesterday was clear and to my delight there were birds everywhere! And my favorite bird, a Towee, was back for the fifth year. The little group is growing and so much fun to watch and listen to their singing. I live in the northwest so I hope spring might be on its way.
Claudette, I am not familiar with a Towee, I will have to look that species up. Thank you for sharing!
The name may make me think differently when the birds wake me. It happens most days. Nothing better than being in the garden (well, maybe at the beach).
Enjoy your week.
Now that it’s spring, I love hearing the birds begin their early morning song…I didn’t know it was called dawn chorus.
Our temps dropped down in the 20’s overnight so I was madly covering plants that had come back. We have a huge amount of plants and landscaping and I ran out of sheets. Two azaleas were blooming so they got covered but the other 4 and the roses were on their own. We’ve had an unusually warm February and March so things are ahead of schedule leafing out and returning. It will be in the 90’s this weekend. Crazy weather.
I was able to share in an Iftar meal with a group of Muslims as they broke fast during Ramadan. Our church hosted them. It was interesting to break bread and learn from them.