Have your say...

I don't mind criticism. In fact, I welcome it, if it is constructive, because it affords me the opportunity to learn and grow. And that's what we are all here for.

The thing about criticism is that those criticising need to be well-versed in the subject matter, otherwise their critique won't hold any weight.

I woke this morning to find an interesting email in my inbox where a person called Barbara wrote, and I quote, "I want to rain on your parade". Suffice to say that the contents of the email have been addressed, and the issue need not go any further.

My point in bringing this up?

Think carefully about how your message, however well meaning it may be, could be received. And to what end do you level your critique? Do you understand the whole picture? (And sadly, in this case, Barbara did not). Are you really trying to HELP another person and their efforts, or are you trying to break them down?

We are all struggling to make sense of this Life. Most people try to do the best that they know how to, and can do, with the resources available to them.

Remember that before you say anything - especially when you start "I want to rain on your parade".

Peace, Barbara.

Special Thanks to Bob in Canada

Just a quick note to say a very heart-felt THANK YOU to BobandtheOwls for his Google Map contribution to track PPO fans.

It has been labour-intensive for Bob, and I want to just say how Allan and I both appreciate his efforts.

Thank you, Bob. We look forward to hopefully one day seeing your owls too!

Take care
xxx

PPO Fans

We will have a FINAL GOODBYE for the 2011 PPO season this Sunday at 6pm Central Africam Time (11am EAST / 8am WEST). We will be broadcasting live from the balcony. If you have any questions / comments, please email them to me on enquiries@potplantowl.co.za, or leave a comment after this blog post.

One of our PPO fans started a PPO Fans map. Please will you reply below with your first name (and last if you want to) and which city and country you live in the world. There is a wonderful Google Map done by Bob on where PPO fans around the world are located. We don't have any in South Africa which I just know is not correct. So please reply to my post and we will add your name to the Google Map. This will eventually be posted for all to see. Please do this asap so we can finalise map.

Day 54 and our chicks fledge!

I didn't expect to find the chicks on the balcony this morning, but I held on to a sliver of hope that a familiar hiss would wake me up. Alas, it was not to be. We searched the garden, the walls and the neighbours garden, and the owl family were nowhere to be found.

The funny thing is, writing this blog entry now, I am not sad anymore. Neither am I in an unconscious state of yearning for the past.

I have accepted, whole-heartedly, that the owls fledged at just the right time. I am grateful that both chicks are strong and healthy, and a little mischievious, with a good dollop of 'Stinky' thrown in. I look forward to seeing my beloved Pot Plant Owl and special Pappa again soon. And I hold on to the picture in my mind of Merlin and Timka making their mark in this world.

This year's breeding season was not only successful, but also truly inspiring. They have been many differences from previous years, which has made the season even more enjoyable.

"To Timka and Merlin! May you be happy and loved wherever you go!"

PM - Timka's Flight

We wait with baited breath each year, for the last of the chicks to fly upward towards the rooftops. Once that chick takes the plunge and successfully lands on a rooftop, we know the end is in sight. And with bitter sweet emotions, we prepare ourselves for the inevitable - the chicks will leave us, and soon make their own way in the world.

And so it is tonight, after having just watched Timka fly magnificently up to the rooftop to join Merlin. I didn't want to believe that Timka was ready. I was happier holding on to the thought that Timka needed 'just another couple of days'.

But that's not the way Life works. Life doesn't work on a clock of expectations set out by humans who are not prepared to let go. Life works exactly as it should - prefectly.

Timka flew perfectly because it is just Timka's time now. And however hard my mind tries to convince me that Timka is too little and should be back in the safe environment that is our balcony and their nest, deep down I know that Timka is ready.

I wonder if Merlin and Timka will return to our home tomorrow morning.

Day 53 and it's Thanksgiving in the USA

On this Thanksgiving Day:

Whether you are a North American citizen or not, I believe that the tradition of Thanksgiving is an important one in these challenging times we live in.By learning to be grateful for the myriad of small things you have in your life, you enrich the quality of your life tenfold.

This precious life lesson was brought home to us (literally)with the arrival of nesting owls in our pot plant. Instead of turning a blind eye, or worse still, trying to get rid of the owl visitors because of the 'inconvenience' they may cause us, we were, and still are, grateful that the owls chose our balcony.

And in that gratitude, many windows of opportunities have opened for us. The chance to learn more about these wonderful owls and share our findings, the chance to meet people through the talks we do, the chance to connect with people worldwide through the webcam and the chat site. It has given us the opportunity to work towards protecting the wetland where the owls hunt, and many bird, plant and small mammal species call their home.

So wherever you are today, take a moment to be thankful for all that you are, and everything that you have.

I know I am.

Day 53 and this is Timka

This is Timka on the wall. Our chick is not by its beloved Jasmine bush - it has moved out into the sun to dry those feathers