“Oh, this ol’ river keeps on rollin’, though,
No matter what gets in the way and which way the wind does blow,
And as long as it does I’ll just sit here
And watch the river flow.” B. Dylan

The days melt into nights and life continues to flow by, just as the water flows. It’s been one month since I sold my car and assigned myself to spending more time on my river’s shore. People ask me if I miss having a car. Naw! Chris and my sister provide transportation on many a day, and a local bus takes me to the Lowell commuter rail for travels into Boston. As long as I have my family, friends, legs, Charlie Card, and good sneakers, I’m fine. Sure, money is tight now that I can’t get to a part-time gig, but, not having a car means I don’t hit the stores as much either. Honestly, I’m more free without a car than when I had one.

Each morning, around 6:00, I sit on the retaining wall, weather permitting, drink my coffee, and wave to a beaver who swims by.

My newest neighbor.

At first I thought it was the muskrat, but I soon realized he would have had to take steroids to be that large. It’s just a busy beaver, doing his beaver thing.

The nest box I purchased for the long departed bluebirds has been adopted by a black-capped chickadee couple.

Checking out the nest box.

Female chickadees are the ones who pick the nesting locations and build the nests. This little lady decided she liked the neighborhood and moved right in.

Home, sweet home!

One of my favorite birds came to visit the small feeder. Except for the quick glimpse last year, right after I arrived on the river, I hadn’t seen a rose-breasted grosbeak in five years.

Pitiful photo from May, 2013.

This time, he stayed around and posed like a pro. Spectacular!

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Other elusive visitors I could never ‘capture’ were the sandpipers. This time, armed with my dented, but still functioning camera, and the stealth of a ninja, success was mine.

White-rumped sandpiper.

The Concord River is home to a variety of sandpipers, semi-palmated, least, Baird’s, and white-rumped. This little fellow decided to flash his famous rump to help me identify him. Yup, that’s definitely a white-rumped sandpiper!

“Is this my good side?”

My time isn’t spent just taking pictures of birds. I’ve been working in the gardens too. Seems there were more discoveries to be made, like a fern garden, hidden on the edge of the property. Some raking, some digging, some pulling and pushing, and bingo – a place to sit and watch my river. The bench was a great, end of season find at Lowe’s last autumn. Originally $89, it was reduced to $15!!!!! All I had to do was build it. Piece of cake!

Newly excavated fern garden.

Brad and Angie napping in the sun.

While I sit, Brad and Angie often join me.

I hope whoever is driving my pony is taking good care of her. For me, I’m content to sit here and watch my river flow. Blessed be :}