I could not believe my eyes. Here I was on the first longer outing in weeks, visiting one of my regular haunts in the domain of nature preserves, and the landscape had completely changed. Acres of open fields and meadows now planted with saplings and strewn with decaying logs – a worthwhile restoration project to re-establish former bogs. I lost it. “Everything is shifting and now even the familiar landscape changes. I can’t take it,” I wailed.

“Yes, you can!” said the wren,”just keep your tail up.” “I don’t have a tail.”

“Yes, you can!” said the sparrow, “just raise your wing and hug yourself.” “I don’t have a wing.”

“Yes, you can!” said the heron, “look down to see the wonders by the roadside.” “Yes, you can!” said the other heron, just look up and see how fires and floods have always reshaped the land.” ” You can’t even get your stories straight…”

“Yes, you can!” said the Kestrel, just sit and enjoy the warmth of the sun.” “I’m here to take a walk, now among these skeletal sights.”

“Yes, you can!” said the nuthatch, knock on wood.” “I agree,” said the pileated. ” “See, you have doubts as well….”

“Yes, you can!” said the geese, too noisy to be understood.

“Yes, you can!” said the turtles, “just slow down and be.” “Yes, you can!” said the harrier hawk, “just speed up and soar.” “I’m not a rollercoaster! Although I life sure feels like it.”

“Yes, you can!” said the swallow, “spring will help.” “One swallow doth not maketh spring…”

“Yes, you can!” said the goose, don’t be a goose. “Selber dumme Gans!”

“Reframe,” said the bald eagle, “there is nothing new under the sun. Go and read this. There’s always Thucydides. The world has made it through, many times over, and the birds are rooting for you. Hush!

“Thucydides, the “The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage” guy? Do I have the song for you……. note, though, it also contains the secret to stop moping: solidarity in action. We are all in this together.

Special shoutout to my kids in California on Lockdown as of today.