Blue Birds, New Words

"Every time I see a bluebird, I say, well, hey, all this hard work is all worthwhile."--Ray Briggs

I saw my first bluebird of the year this morning on my walk. What a bright spot on an otherwise dreary day. Take heart--spring is really on its way. The bluebird told me so!

Then I went home, sat down at the computer, and got lost in revisions. My hubby came in at one point and asked if I'd been out of my chair in awhile. That's a problem. Too often I get engrossed and forget to stretch. And I've got a whole series of exercises lined out that I'm "supposed" to do while on the clock. Number one on the list of things to do to try to keep healthy. But that's another subject for another time.

Finally, I surfaced for air just in time to fix supper. Number two on the list: remember to eat. Number three: Don't forget to breathe.

But it's funny. As much work as revisions take, I still enjoy the process. It's getting those first few words down on paper that's the hardest for me. Maybe someone could drop words in my brain like people throw bread crumbs to ducks.

Whoops, wait a minute. That would be so not healthy. Gotta' do my own writing. Find my own healthy habits. Breathe spring's first bluebirds of words onto the blank computer screen, or notebook page, so the season of revisions can follow.

So, which is harder for you--those first words, or revisions?

"Mister Bluebird's on my shoulder,

It's the truth, it's actual, everything is satisfactual.

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay,

Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!"

                                                         --from the film The Song of the South, words by Ray Gilbert

p.s. sorry for the corniness of this post, but I needed an excuse to use this photo, one that I shot a couple of years ago in a city park in California. I've waited all year to use it. But I really did see a bluebird this morning!