My mom used to say that one of the things she missed when she went to work was her “stories”. She was an avid soap opera fan, even though she often spent time making fun of their plots and odd situations. In the days before modern technology working meant she just had to miss some episodes and catch up on major events by conferring with friends who were still at home and watching. No DVR, no cable channels.
I feel that way about going back to work and leaving the pond. It’s my “daily story” when I’m home. No matter what I’m doing in the house or yard, I glance at the pond at least once per hour…habit. It’s convenient that the sliding glass doors in the kitchen overlook it, so it’s not like I have to go out of my way to take a look. I keep a pair of binoculars in the kitchen. And of course the camera is never very far away.
I have yet to spend a day at the house when there wasn’t something worth seeing on or near the pond. It is filled with turtles, snakes, and fish. It attracts ducks, geese, and a wide variety of birds. The cows, deer, coyotes, bobcats, raccoons and other critters prowl its banks.
However, if I’m at work there is no one here to record what happens at the pond. There is no one to tell me if the bobcat returned or the coyotes are prowling again or the geese spent the morning feeding and splashing. There is no one to admire the heron’s gracefulness or appreciate the kildeer’s high-pitched calls. I just miss the show.
So, I’m eager to get back to work and hear all about what my students have been doing. But I know I’ll be missing the show at home.
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