Jack’s Winning Words 3/5/07
“He that hurts a robin will never prosper.” (Amish Proverb) The Amish Plain People live close to the land. Perhaps that’s why they have a proverb such as this. I haven’t seen my first robin of the year, and I certainly won’t want to hurt him (her) when I do. However, I will try to keep them from building a nest by our front door. ;-) Jack

FROM A TRANSPLANTED MOLINER IN FLORIDA: Many of the robins are in Florida, and in my backyard specifically. They remind me of my years in Moline and bring back lots of good memories.

FROM REV. J.S. IN MICH: Have you ever noticed that many people who would not hurt a robin (and I don't mean you) are more than willing to walk over their fellow human beings and to think it is perfectly justifiable because those human beings hold different views than they do. Dostoyoevsky's Grand Inquisitor section in the Brothers Karamasov is a wonderful illustration of that....

FROM REV. JOHN IN MINNESOTA: "SAID THE ROBIN TO THE SPARROW,
I SHOULD REALLY LIKE TO KNOW
WHY THESE HUMAN BEINGS RUSH ABOUT AND WORRY SO,
SAID THE SPARROW TO THE ROBIN,
I THINK THAT IT MUST BE
THAT THEY HAVE NO HEAVENLY FATHER SUCH
AS CARES FOR YOU AND ME. "
I ALWAYS LIKED THIS POEM.

FROM F.M., WINTERING IN ALABAMA: We have seen hundreds of robins - making their way north. In fact, we have birds all over the place, singing and chirping from early morning to late at night. We're taking another hike in the bird sanctuary this afternoon. We'll tell the robins to find another place to build a nest then in at your front door. But they just seek out a safe place where they have caring folks around!

FROM COACH LARRY, RETIRED IN ALABAMA: Lower Al must be the home of the robin..there are thousands and this being mateing season they are fighting all over the place..I will get the word out you are waiting for them..Coach

CAN YOU SING ALONG WITH THIS? When the red, red, robin comes bob bob bobbin along, along,There'll be no more sobbin' when he starts throbbin' his own, sweet song; Wake up, wake up! you sleepy head Get up, get up, get out of bed, Cheer up, cheer up the sun is red Live, love, laugh and be happy,What if I've been blue? Now I'm walkin' through fields of flow'rs;The rain may glisten but still I listen for hours and hours.I'm just a kid again, doin' what I did again, Singin' a song,When the red red robin comes bob bob bobbin' along.

FROM NANCY RUTH IN ILLINOIS: I heard a robin before our cold spell hit, and I worried about how it would keep itself warm--he'll fly to da barn, yust to keep himself varm, and tuck his head under his wing, da poor ting.

FROM JOANIE IN MICHIGAN: I think it will be May before any robins are warm enough to return. Brrr!

ANOTHER FROM J.L. IN MICHIGAN: Early this morning I heard and saw my first Red Winged Blackbird. She's sitting so pretty in a tree in our backyard. They are some of the last birds to migrate in the Spring, but this one seems to be all by herself. Turkey buzzards are the last ones in. My favorite sounds of the summer are the beautiful bird songs. We have a little creek through our backyard and tall weeds on either side. Red Winged Blackbirds are ground nesters, and the nest in those tall weeds. SPRING IS HERE.

FROM B.S. NEAR ORLANDO: Hi, we used birds are targets when we were children, and I truley regret it. Birds of all kinds contribute to our environment and the beauty of the "firmament", I need to get out today and clean and fill the bird feeder.