A little magic...

[mapsedge]

More fire, another trashcan filled to (almost) overflowing, another load into the trunk of the Civic. The pile of remodeling debris continues to shrink.

I invite my daughter K out with me as I'm doing all this. I like to keep her involved, and it gives mljm some time with one less demand on her. So, we putter around the yard, me laying in big stuff, K tossing in small stuff, us having a grand time making the side yard look like yard again.

We were climbing up onto the deck's second level to go in for a drink, when I heard it. I shushed K with a whispered "Wait..." and an upraised hand, and strained my ears to hear it again. K said back to me, "What is it, daddy?", and I shushed her again...

Hooo-hoohoo Hoohoo...

"Did you hear that?" I said, gesturing for her to join me on the steps, pointing into the trees Northward.

Hoohooooooo hoooooo

Her eyes, bright, shining. She smiled. "That's an owl, K," I said. "Talk back to him." I showed her, making "hooo"ing sounds of my own. The owl, not far away, probably in the big oak in the back corner of our property, answered. "Try it," I urged again.

She did, her little girl's voice sounding more like a barn owl than the larger bird we obviously had nearby. A long pause as she scanned the trees, looking for him. Then he answered, from a slightly different direction this time. K's smile grew larger, and she reached for my hand. She called again, he answered. She gestured to the firebox and whispered to me, "I'd better tell him what's going on."

There followed a long "hoo"-ing sentence of complex syllables and pitches, full of meaning and owl-ish subordinate clauses. She finally finished, and looked up at me for approval. But she didn't need it from me, as it came from the ultimate authority, there in the trees.

Hoooohoohoo hooooohoo

Comments

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Oh, wow...

[billthetailor.livejournal.com]

I've known we had an owl in the neighborhood since last summer, but never had the opportunity to let K hear him. With just us in the firelight and the small lights from the deck, it was a truly magical moment.

[rowangolightly.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I can just see it!

You know, you and M. are really fabulous parents. It was so wonderful to have you guys there and yes, with the kids. Everyone was happy to see them as well as you two, M. didn't need to apologize at all.

One of the most treasured parts of that party was standing there chatting and laughing with you and Kent...really wonderful moments!

[tessagratton.livejournal.com]

That is wonderful. I'm sure it's something she'll remember, too. I have some great memories cleaning out the backyard of debris and leaves with my dad from when I was just about her age.

talk to the animals...

[themadblonde]

Sometimes I miss the faith of childhood imagination, when you really DO believe that animals understand you, & that inanimate objects really DO become animate & have lives of which we know nothing, but can imagine.

[starwyse.livejournal.com]

Thank you for re-kindling my imagination.

too cute

[iarraidh.livejournal.com]

See?!?
And people ask me why I want another kid.

And THIS time, I get to raise it all the way!