While it was still cold in Minnesota this weekend, the trees were starting to bud out, the tulips were showing off, and a bald eagle swooped over the car as Katy, Kezzie and I were heading home. He was so close we could see his characteristic bald head, white against the blue sky, as he dipped down below the street lights in search of his prey. We had stopped to get gas, making our way home a tad longer than anticipated, and marveled at our good fortune. Had we not stopped to fill up the tank, we would never have seen the eagle.
I love those life moments that catch us unawares and take our breath away. They are little gifts, ours for taking, if we only take the time to see.
This little one, all of two years old, with a tousle of curls and curiosity about everything, kept me in a constant state of smiles. She is an ever bearing gift to us all.
This is Kezzie on her first Easter egg hunt; inquisitive and not quite sure what to make of all of the fuss on a windblown Easter afternoon.
A bald eagle is living nearby and pays visits to me quite regularly now. I never lose my wonder at seeing them. What a nice treat for your ride home and Kezzie is so sweet wqith her curls and Easter outfit. I have no grandchildren, but can easily imagine the joy she brings.
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Thank you, Teresa. She is a joy.
I envy you that bald eagle. They are so magnificent, aren’t they? Katy and Tom live close to the Mississippi in MN and see them, but not this close. It was a sight to behold and one I know I would never tire of.
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Bald eagles always take my breath away, Penny. We’ve spent time canoeing on the St. Croix River between Minnesota and Wisconsin, and one flew over our heads, a few feet above us, while we were on the river. I wished I could fly with it when the breeze of its feathers tousled my hair.
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Mine as well, Andra. I know the St. Croix, though not by canoe. How majestic that eagle must have been from your vantage point on the river it sends shivers up my spine to imagine one being so close as to tousle your hair. Did you write about it? You should.
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You are right, Penny. I should. It happened seven or eight years ago, before I was really writing. I will make a note to do a post. Thank you for suggesting it.
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I’ll look forward to reading it, Andra.
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Thanks for posting this – I love the photos!
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I’m so pleased that you do, Katy. It is my pleasure to share them.
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Look how cute! Love the eyelet dress and the little girl in it. I know you loved every minute of it….Welcome Back..
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That’s so sweet of you do say, Sharon. Thank you and yes, every single minute. Thank you.
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As soon as I saw the title I knew we’d get a little glimpse of Kezzie! She is such a little girl, not baby, in her pretty Easter dress. What a precious time in your lives. I love each stage, but I treasure two…all that learning going on! Your time with her must have been a balm to the soul, Penny. She is adorable…I love the curls! And I’ve yet to see a Bald Eagle…I would love that! I’m sure you already have some idea of when you’ll be making another trip to Minnesota! 🙂 Debra
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Two IS so much fun, Debra – and how well you know it. Their minds are like sponges soaking everything up, repeating, pretending. You are so right – a balm for the soul. Hopefully, it won’t be too long until the next trip up. At 400 miles each way, we try to plan the visits well. The bald eagle was an amazing sight to see. It wasn’t that long ago that they were nearing extinction. Thank you.
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Two lovely moments, seeing the bald eagle, and watching a first egg hunt…both priceless. J.
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Priceless is a perfect description, Janice. Such bliss.
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She is truly a precious angel and it is easy to see how you love her so very much. Am glad you had an Easter that will be a special memory.
On a sad note, I just learned that Miss Read, author of the Fairacre books, has passed away at the age of 98. i’m sure that she must be one of your favorite authors.
So glad you are back home on the cutoff!
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It will be a special memory and I feel so fortunate that we could share it. We are blessed, indeed.
I’m so sorry to hear that Miss Read has passed on. Such a prolific author and always a good read. 98 is a good long life and she leaves such a rich body of work, doesn’t she? Thank you for letting me know, Marilyn.
Thank you. It is always good to return home.
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Kezzie is totally adorable, Penny. What a beautiful little girl! Nature stuns us in so many ways: and here are two breathtaking moments in your post.
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Thank you so much, Kate, and yes, nature does stun us. I am lucky.
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How great to be with your darling granddaughter on the Holiday! We had a short visit from our great=grandsons (and their parents) this week. So special to see the little ones growing up!
That was lovely to see the Eagle — lots of special memories of this Holiday.
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I know. We were so lucky this year to be able to be with her (and her parents, of course). I’m so glad to hear you got to spend some time with your grandchildren and great grandsons. How lovely that is, Sallie.
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Sweet, sweet pictures! Glad you were able to spend time with her again.
We have only seen one bald eagle in our area – he was on the ground in a field up the road eating something! I guess there are some along the river not that far from here. Glad you were lucky enough to see this one.
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Thank you, Joyce. I cherish these times.
Oh my, that must have been something to see a bald eagle on the ground like that. Aren’t they amazing birds?
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What an adorable little Curly Top you have there. She looks at home in the windy, grassy Easter Egg field. Her pretty shoes remind me of my own Jennifer’s first shiny Easter Shoes. She was so proud that she tried to show them to Grandpa with a big smile on her face claiming “Grandpa Shoes”. Grandpa
turned around to see what had her so excited and barely stepped on her precious new shoes. The rest of the day she pointed to her tiny little scuff mark, stuck our her bottom lip and said sadly, “Grandpa Shoes.” Long after the scuff mark was forgotten, Grandpa had been called “Grandpa Shoes” by Jennifer, James and many in the church.
I have been watching the Decorah Eagles again this year and once again they have three eaglets!
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What a tender family story, Janet. I’m remembering you telling it now. “Grandpa Shoes”. How special those little shoes are, especially for little girls, and such a nice thing to remember for Jennifer about your dad. Such a sweet story about your little Jennifer and her shoes. Kezzie was playing putting on my shoes one afternoon. They have a bit of strap on them. After a spell I looked down and she managed to put her patent leather shoes into my shoes, on her feet of course, and was walking around in them. Too cute.
I haven’t checked the Decorah eagles out since we got back, Janet. Thanks for reminding me. I knew there were eaglets, but couldn’t see much of them last week. Isn’t it amazing?
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She is so cute! Your Easter with your family must have been very special. Such great photos!
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Thank you, Sunday. It was very special, indeed.
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What an endearing post, Penny, with the photos of your gorgeous little granddaughter. We don’t of course have bald eagles in the UK and our golden eagles are rare, but I quite often see the majestic red kite soaring high above our Welsh hills.
I too am sad to hear of Miss Read’s death. She was immensely popular when I was working as a librarian and I can’t begin to guess how often I issued her novels in my 24 years there. I haven’t read her for years but must revisit her.
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Thank you, Perpetua. She is a blessing. How thrilling it must be to see the red kite soaring there in your hills. I never tire of seeing birds floating above. The bald eagle was threatened with extinction forty years ago. It is heartwarming to see them now, soaring again.
Miss Read left quite a legacy and body of work and words. I’m sure I will be picking up one of her books as well and revisiting her, Perpetua. She was just shy of her 99th birthday.
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What thrills – a bald eagle swooping down from the sky, and Kezzie on her first Easter egg hunt. How special it is, seeing the world through the eyes of these little discoverers. She looks so gorgeous, with her head of curls.
I’m just back from a weekend away, enjoying catching up.
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All’s well, indeed, Juliet,. Thank you. She’s a blessing. I’ve been catching up myself.
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Kezzie reminds me of a little flower!
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How sweet a thought. Thank you, Janet.
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