Pigeons' Progress

I began my journey in this world – a humdrum existence filled with busy-ness of technical writing, church, huswifery, and homeschooling. It is completely acceptable to consider whether I should categorize any of these activities as “humdrum,” and indeed, they are not. Yet – my life lacked an outlet. I had no memory, even in childhood, of becoming deeply attached to a hobby or pastime that brought fulfillment, relaxation, and enjoyment to my soul and spirit.

Many diversions had been attempted in this world. Reading was chief amongst these pursuits. But reading was a necessity in my business transactions and my eyes and mind tired of it. Bowling was another pleasure in which I had partaken. Especially dear to me were memories of bowling on a team with my father and sister – the renowned Pinheads of Poway Bowl. Those days were long behind me and I did not hope to discover any Pinheads in my current locale. I had, of late, begun to ski in earnest. Yet, my skill on the slopes was lacking and the seasonal aspects of the sport made for limited improvement and enjoyment each year. For a time, I attempted artistic endeavors and strove to master the fundamentals of drawing. This required great amounts of concentration and was more of a strain than a pleasure.

One day a sign appeared on my front porch. A pair of pigeons had nested there and I sought to observe their nesting habits. The young fledglings were pushed out of their abode before they were able to fly and I was compelled to rescue them from the claws of death and attempt to save their very lives. In this pursuit, I was exposed to many wonders found in that sacred voluminous expanse aptly dubbed “Internet.” I was drawn into the web and there I found expositions of pigeon racing, showing birds, and the intricacies of differentiation between various expressions of the species Columbidae.

My heart thrilled to this newfound pleasure, my breathing deepened, and tension fled from my shoulders and neck. It would not be fain to imagine that my blood pressure dipped as I clicked from site to site observing the dove in flight, doves on landing boards, as well as the dove in display cages. The paraphernalia of those entrusted to the care of these magnificent creatures fascinated me. I learned of crates, box perches, feeders, watering systems, baskets, feed bins, grit, nest bowls, and many other wonders too marvelous to list. A plan began to hatch in my subconscious that involved a white dove release business of my own.

And yet, how absurd this would appear to many of my associates! I had virtually no background with birds, except for units of time spent on the opposite side of a pair of binoculars from various species. I never owned a feathered creature, never held one, and had very little in terms of knowledge about their care and well being. Yet, I envisioned fluttering and soaring at weddings and gravesides and thrilled at the idea of venturing into a dove release business. My husband placed great faith in my inspired state of being and humored me. I also sought heavenly assistance and was alert to the appearance of signs each step of the way. I thus observed many notable indicators everywhere I looked. Dove chocolates left on my chair at a conference and packaged atop aisle four in Wal Mart were both ominous. Dove adorned bodywash, soap, and deodorant contained hidden meanings. Allusions to doves leapt off the page in my Bible. I was alert to every reference and innuendo, and each confirmed my heart’s desire.

The travails and comedy of moving a purchased loft, examining zoning ordinances, training young birds, and being trained by my birds are chronicled elsewhere in this blog. Throughout these experiences I have learned valuable lessons in faith, persistence, and common sense. These pale in comparison to the lessons I have learned about patience, observation, and personal enjoyment. At one point, I foolishly believed that my phone would be ringing off the hook with pleas for my services. As I continued deeper and deeper into this foray it became obvious that this would be more of a slow-growth enterprise. Weddings have been booked and I anticipate the frequency will increase. As I look forward to this bridal season, I am excited to share with all some of the peace and well-being that my observing my flock so regularly grants to me.

A lack of business has not saddened me as my desire to use the birds to make money has been replaced with the awareness that my quest for a hobby had been realized. And so, after beginning my journey in a hum-drum existence I have now reached the celestial city of Columbidae devotees. I awaken each day to cooing and find myself regularly observing and being observed by the curious eyes and bobbing heads of an entire flock of newfound friends.