posted October 22, 2006 01:25 AM         

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The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

posted October 22, 2006 10:46 AM         

I have always loved birds in nature--love to observe them. For the meaning, it is a very personal thing, with the message following an event of the bird's initial presence.

I have a 14 yr old daughter that was born with a severe heart defect and upon the approaching of her openheart surgery to repair her broken heart, a white dove, with a black ring around it's neck began to visit my feeder regularly (never seen one before and have not since!) I named him Mozart. Her surgery went well, and is doing amazingly, but will always be followed by a cardiologist and may need more surgery in the years to come. The white bird symbolized to me, peace, thus healing to her, but the black ring around his neck reminds me that the anomolies of her heart warrent continuous consideration.

This one I have not figured out yet-----

Not too long ago, I was in my bathroom preparing for my day when I heard this awful "bird noise" coming from outside my "chamber door!" Upon invistigation I witnessed a giant Raven, sitting in a tree situated closely to my chamaber door (have french doors that lead outside to a deck from my bedroom.) I was sitting my mom's little cocker spaniel at the time and Betsy (the dog) and I just stood there in awe of this giant bird and watched her collect ball moss from my trees and eventually fly off to build her nest. I have been in South Texas for 23 years and have NEVER seen a Raven in a human populated neighborhood--they are much too elusive to come around houses! Hmmmm, strange--still contemplating her visit. Poe's poem, "The Raven" was somewhat helpful in bringing me an answer, but am still not satisfied---still I ponder.

There are these awesome Red Hawks that "guard" our roads here. I mean, really, they sit upon the street light poles, a few miles apart (they are territorial) and I have often thought that they are guarding the roads and highways that they live near!