It's Saint Francis's Feast Day!

Today's entry is not part of the regular posting schedule I announced this past Monday, rather it is an extra posting which I mentioned might be something I will do from time to time.

My reason for today's entry is honor Saint Francis of Assisi. Today is his feast day! One of the ways I'm honoring the day is by sharing the cartoon by Patrick McDonnell that is posted atop this entry.

Among many things, Saint Francis is often remembered as the patron saint of animals; especially birds. I have a small statue of Saint Francis above my desk (seen in the image directly below).

His statue the one standing at the far left and serves as an inspiration for me to persevere in my work to help others learn about the needs avian community through my book series, Words In Our Beak.

Honoring Saint Francis AND Pica-John

Saint Francis of Assisi died 1,792 years ago yesterday, October the third, in the year 1226. According to records, he was forty-four  years old. Today, October 4th is his feast day. Among many things, he is often remembered as the patron saint of animals; especially birds.

I have a small statue of Saint Francis above my desk (seen in the image atop this entry where it is standing at the far left) to serve as an inspiration for me to persevere in my work to help others learn about the needs avian community through my book series, Words In Our Beak; as well as through any presentation I can make that is related to our feathered creatures.

In Honor of the Feast of Saint Francis

Today, October 4th, is the Feast Day Of Saint Francis. A picture of him from the site by Dr. John WordPeace JD,  can be seen atop this blog entry. This is a saint mentioned in the book, Words In Our Beak Volume One, which is written from the perspective of Cam, a cardinal who visited my rooftop garden (here in NYC) for a number of years.

It's Saint Francis's Feast Day

 Today is the Feast Day of Saint Francis of Assisi. He is the patron saint of animals and environment and many web-sources concur, he could "be viewed as the original Earth Day advocate. Francis' devotion to God was expressed through his love for all of God's creation."

Today's WW* is influenced by St. Francis's love of animals (*Wednesday's Wisdom)

The young cardinal who is facing forward in the photograph atop this blog entry, is named Frannie for Saint Francis of Assisi, whose feast day is today, October the fourth.

He is the patron saint of animals, ecology, as well as merchants; and he is represented in my home by a small statue which is on the book shelves above my desk (this can be seen in the next picture, where his figurine is at the far left).

In any event, Frannie was given this name by her mother, Cam; and within the image above this posting, Frannie can be seen spending time in one of her favorite places, the container which is home to my 'Tamukeyama', and on either side of her are house finches.

The green foliage that you see belongs to my Actinida kolomikta and Actimida (Kiwi Vines), who are the stars of my first urban garden-themed movie, The Kiwi Speaks! Fifteen Minutes of Fame...almost; which can be viewed within my You Tube channel. Cam, as you may know is the author of the book, Words In Our Beak Volume One. 

The Inspiration of Saint Francis

Saint Francis of Assisi's works are the inspiration for the cartoon created by Patrick McDonnell that can be seen in the image posted atop this entry.

The caption of McDonnell's (creator of the Mutts comic strip) cartoon comes from a hymn about this saint which you can hear @ https://bit.ly/1OyEDyX

As many of you probably know, Saint Francis of Assisi is the patron saint of animals; particularly birds.

Yet Another Tuesday's Truth for Week NO. 45! (It's Saint Anthony's Feast Day!)

I don't want this Tuesday to pass, without my giving much thanks to Saint Anthony, on his feast day of June 13th. I have a small statue of him on a shelf above my desk, which can be seen in close-up format, in the first image accompanying this entry.

4 days left in Celebrate Your Name Week... (and what have you done?)

OTHER TULIPS ARE FEATURED IN VOL ONE

There are four days left (including today) in this first week of March 2017. As I compose this blog entry, the temperature in NYC (where I live) is twenty-nine degrees; with a "real" feel temperature listed as twenty-six degrees! The Saturday prior to yesterday, which was February the twenty-sixth, the temperature was in the sixty degree range, this day was followed by days that found temperatures climb to the seventy degree range!

That recent warm spell in NYC caused many folks to enjoy the outdoors without having to wear winter attire! Most folks seemed eager to peel off winter jackets! People were not the only living creatures to pull off their bulky coats and heavy sweaters!

Many members of the flora community who reside in my rooftop garden, attempted to rise above their "winter wear" (consisting of bubble-wrap as well the burlap that's over it). This is the winter apparel which Juan V and I dressed them in during our last garden winterizing ritual.

The efforts of certain members of the flora community (such as The Caribbean Parrot Tulips), to break free of winter wear, can be seen in the image atop this blog entry. And I don't think their motive in doing so had anything to do with their name (indicated by the name tag seen in the photo) being associated the Caribbean!

Tuesday's Truths WK 12: Blessings Of The Animals are always done on The Feast Day of Saint Francis

Earlier today, October the fourth, here on Blogger, I posted an entry in honor of Saint Francis, whose Feast Day is today. And now, before the day ends, I'd like to report, as part of my Tuesday's Truths series, that a number of institutions throughout the world host an event in which one of any denomination, or no denomination, can bring his/her animal to be blessed. The Church Of  The Blessed Sacrament in NYC is included in that mix, and the image above this entry features a flyer used to promote the event.

3 Weeks in the 2017 Season for my Crocuses (among other things)

Today, March the 19th, is the eve of the onset of the Spring season for 2017. March the 19th is also the day many observe The Feast of Saint Joseph. I have a small statue of him on a shelf above my desk.

It can be seen in the picture atop this entry in the company of Saint Francis and Saint Jude, who are standing to his right (or lefthand side of the image).

An Injured But Resilient Pigeon

SAINT FRANCIS IS FEATURED IN MANY OF MY BLOG POSTS

I need Saint Francis's (whose image is imprinted on a copy of a prayer card which is posted atop this entry) intercession on a situation with a pigeon who visited my garden this past weekend. He is known to be the patron saint of animals (especially birds, which is something I referenced in a recent FB post).

In any event, this past Saturday (10-10-2020) in the early evening, I noticed a pigeon in my outdoor space who did not seem to be doing very well. I had hoped to "capture" him in order to transport the creature to The Wild Bird Fund  (WBF) but since they were closed for the evening, my next best option was to "capture" him and make him comfortable for the night so I could take him to The WBF the next morning (which would be Sunday, 10-11-2020).

Years ago I learned about transporting injured or sick birds to The WBF so I knew this could be done but I was a little unsure of how I might keep this unfortunate pigeon comfortable over night so I phoned the Brooklyn based pigeon advocate (and artist extraordinaire), Tina Pina AKA Mother Pigeon (who graciously called me back with helpful tips) to seek her advice as I could not reach bird rehabber Amanda Remsberg  (AR) whom I usually contact when I have questions re birds in need.

But it turned dark outside very quickly and so it was impossible to see anything but I prepared my rescue and transport supplies to ensure I'd be ready for Sunday's mission.

I did not see my visitor in the morning but he was there in the afternoon and I was able to determine he could fly but was injured. Plus I could hear a thumping sound when he limped across my terrace.

However, in spite of my past successes with swooping up a bird in order to take him/her to The WBF, I could not grab this guy, but I could take pictures of him (seen in the next sequence of photos)...

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

PIGEONS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

... and contact AR about this for a form of "tele-med" (via Facebook Messenger). The following is a copy of our correspondence that was based on the images posted above.

ME: Here is what my limping visitor looks like. I thought from the face he/she is a youngster BUT from what you said about the feet, I may be way off. I'm not confident I'll be able to "grab" te bird in order to transport him/her /to the WBF, but I can hear "thumping" (from a limp) when the bird moves  about. Thanks again for your time.

AR: Yea, he does look young with that knobby pale beak.  Such pretty colors.  I hope he will be ok.  The placement of his feet doesn’t look like a broken leg, maybe just soft tissue damage.  Tis a hard life for a pigeon in the city. 💕

ME: He's out there right now and I guess I should just let him alone because I can't capture him and he may be safer here?

AR: Hopefully.

ME: Hopefully indeed. It's hard to her him thumping about and not be able to provide relief.

UPSHOT: It is now Monday(10-12-2020) and a cold rain is falling heavily but I am keeping my eye out for the pigeon and ready to continue to take action in order to transport him to The WBF. I truly care about this pigeon's well being. 

As some of you may know, pigeons are featured within my three volume hardcover book series, Words In Our Beak which are available wherever book are sold get your copies now and please stay tuned for updates on the pigeon featured in today's post.

MY BOOK SERIES

Monday's Musings_2 Saint Jude

I can't let this day end without paying homage to Saint Jude on his feast day (which is always observed on October 28th). I have a small statue rendered in the likeness of him above my desk.

The figurine of him can be seen in the photo atop this entry and in the picture, he is the second one from the left, standing between Saint Francis (to his right) and Saint Joseph (to  his left).

In bygone years I've written about each one of them on Blogger, if you'd like to refer to any of my entries, please click on their names.

Fyi, the other three statues (to the left of Saint Joseph respectively) that are included in this picture, are renditions of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Saint Anthony, and Saint Lucy.

If you'd like to refer to any of my entries, please click on their names. Each of them have separate feast days, but this Friday, November the first, they will be honored together with all the saints in the annual, world wide celebration of All Saints Day.

"A Bird's Eye View"

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

CARDINALS ARE FEATURED IN MY BOOK SERIES

This "bonus" entry (unscheduled, "A Bird's Eye View," is in honor of this day being the first Sunday after 2019's Feast Day of Saint Francis, patron saint of animals (especially birds) and patron saint of those who love animals (especially birds). 

Churches (of all denominations) throughout the world hosted The Blessing of the Animals on his actual feast day but many (including The church of Saint John the Divine in NYC) will be holding that ceremony today.

The male and female Northern cardinals seen in the photographs directly above have a bird's eye view from within the tree tops of Central Park.

This bird type is featured in my three volume book series, Words In Our Beak.

MY BOOK SERIES

Additionally this avian variety is the inspiration for a collection of greeting cards which can be found within my pages on Fine Art America's web-site.

AVAILABLE ON FINE ART AMERICA

Sunday's Sequel (Re my 7-8-2020 Blog Post)

Squirrel Visiting My Rooftop Garden
(which is the setting for my book series)

Squirrel Visiting My Rooftop Garden
(which is the setting for my book series)

As I mentioned in a recent entry, A Day in the Life of my Pyracantha coccinea (7-8-2020), here on blogger, I've had a new visitor to my rooftop garden and he/she can be seen in the images atop this entry.

During all the many years that I've had my garden, I've never seen a squirrel here, nor have I seen one in the trees within my courtyard. Upon my seeing this quirky character, I did some research to see what poets as well as scholars have said about squirrels, and I was thrilled to come upon the following words of Saint Francis of Assisi:

Creatures Take Garbo's: Cue Part One

This past September when I was in Riverside Park, I encountered a house sparrow. She appeared to be a loner (as seen in the photographs above).