loons
Mysterious, mythical, Maine. Large and shy.
Loons are our unofficial state bird (official: chickadee). We count, love, and protect them. The usual reaction when a Mainer hears or sees one: we stop, point, and whisper, "A loon." We drop everything and stare; we acknowledge the beauty and elusiveness of life and nature.
Which is why I was shocked yesterday at my favorite state park, the pond.
An old man roared up on a motorcycle. A young girl clung behind him. She called him "Uncle." He ran to the pond, yelling, and dove in. He didn't shout when he was underwater. Unfortunately, he spent too much time above water. He yelled and sang. The girl followed slowly. She was wearing clothes, but waded into the pond. He talked to her constantly, referencing a range of popular topics. Kind of amusing.
Loons popped up beside them. Three of them, one a youngster. I held my breath- how wonderful, how magical. So close. I could see a white ring around a neck, a glossy black head, the spotted backs. One had a small fish in it's beak, and offered it to the youngster. Lovely.
The old man yelled at them, "Go away!" He reached down, grabbed sand and stones from the lake bed and threw it at them, "Git out of here! GO AWAY."
I was shocked. Not only rude and unevolved, but possibly illegal. I was shocked to my core. I couldn't write about this yesterday, I was so dismayed. I strive to be heartwarming and inspirational, and this was so- so wrong. Today, for some reason, I must share.
Please, honor and protect our loons. Reiki practitioners honor and respect all life. Please don't throw stones. Instead, observe. Celebrate. Respect.
thank you
Loons are our unofficial state bird (official: chickadee). We count, love, and protect them. The usual reaction when a Mainer hears or sees one: we stop, point, and whisper, "A loon." We drop everything and stare; we acknowledge the beauty and elusiveness of life and nature.
Which is why I was shocked yesterday at my favorite state park, the pond.
An old man roared up on a motorcycle. A young girl clung behind him. She called him "Uncle." He ran to the pond, yelling, and dove in. He didn't shout when he was underwater. Unfortunately, he spent too much time above water. He yelled and sang. The girl followed slowly. She was wearing clothes, but waded into the pond. He talked to her constantly, referencing a range of popular topics. Kind of amusing.
Loons popped up beside them. Three of them, one a youngster. I held my breath- how wonderful, how magical. So close. I could see a white ring around a neck, a glossy black head, the spotted backs. One had a small fish in it's beak, and offered it to the youngster. Lovely.
The old man yelled at them, "Go away!" He reached down, grabbed sand and stones from the lake bed and threw it at them, "Git out of here! GO AWAY."
I was shocked. Not only rude and unevolved, but possibly illegal. I was shocked to my core. I couldn't write about this yesterday, I was so dismayed. I strive to be heartwarming and inspirational, and this was so- so wrong. Today, for some reason, I must share.
Please, honor and protect our loons. Reiki practitioners honor and respect all life. Please don't throw stones. Instead, observe. Celebrate. Respect.
thank you
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