Slice of Life #20 Challenge Day 19/31:
The Pileated Woodpecker
The Pileated Woodpecker
When I initally heard this noise a few months ago, I panicked. I couldn't figure out what was hammering on my house. Was someone trying to get in?
Hammer. Hammer. Hammer.
Then I saw it - a pileated woodpecker, hammering into the green siding of the house I rent. I noticed two small holes, just underneath my outside lights. Although I initially reported it to my landord, he already knew about it and assured me that there wasn't much I could do.
Trust me, many Saturday and Sunday mornings this sound has disturbed my sleep, startling me awake. It's loud. It's annoying. It makes my old house vibrate.
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| This isn't the pileated woodpecker that visits my house. Instead, it is a photo my dad took last year, somewhere in SE Wisconsin. |
But this morning, on my first day of distance learning, I heard the hammering. I peeked out the window and saw him - the woodpecker, trying to build a nest. Or something.
I smiled. His hammering was something I expected. Especially in a world that seems so unpredictable and scary lately, I loved hearing this familiar sound of the pileated woodpecker.
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| If you look closely, you can see two small holes of damage caused by woodpeckers. |
For the first time, I realized that this pounding reminds of a heartbeat - a consistent rhythm. As strange as it sounds, it brought me a bit a peace this morning. For this, I am especially grateful.
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Trina, it is comforting to have something familiar around now. I heard our governor say that there will be changes in everything in the future. Nature remains our constant.
ReplyDeleteI think we crave normalcy, and the woodpecker represents that. I appreciate this memory because it reminds me of time at my grandparents’ home. Right now I’m awakened each morning to construction. A neighbor is building a shop at his home.
ReplyDeleteFunny how what was once annoying becomes familiar and even comforting. We love what we know & expect. I am glad that you have found comfort in this normalcy. May the heartbeat continue.
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