Day 3

I took today off, because I could, and enjoyed the day with my babies (and of course meeting with delivery/repair/installation people). Being around these little ones has made a difficult week much easier. They are a simple joy that reminds me of all the blessings that I have.

While I sit with the little ones, I have been working on pulling up the seemingly endless amount of weeds around my yard. I have been making piles of the weeds and then going back to dispose of the piles. I noticed one of the mallards, the smallest of the ducks, had a little something sticking out of her beak. She seemed to be having a hard time swallowing it, and didn't seem to be spitting it up. So, I picked her up and pulled on the little weed stuck in her mouth to discover that she had somehow swallowed (whole) a weed that was about 4 inches long. I don't think she is 4 inches long! She ran off to join the rest of the crew and seems to be perfectly fine!

This afternoon when I let them out, I introduced them to a larger swimming pool. Well, for them it was a swimming pool, but in actuality, just an old litter box. The difference between this and the stepping stone mold that they had been swimming in is the fact that they cannot touch the bottom of the litter box. As each one found his/her way into the pool, they would flap their feet around quickly as if searching for the bottom. They were so unsure of it, but it did not take long for them to discover that they could dive and swim around in the pool. Before long, they were swimming underwater from one end to the other, bumping others out of the pool as they swam.

They are still a little bit timid, however, they come out of the cage, almost instantly when I open the door. When they pile up to sleep, I can easily pet all of them and even pick some up without really disturbing them. They are so comfortable around me that when I needed to "shoo" them back into the cage, it was difficult because they were not at all scared of my hand. They are not though following me around. It could be them, but it could also be the setting - it's not like we have a big place to walk around in here!

No matter what, I am thoroughly enjoying being around them, and letting them take my thoughts away from other worries.