I live in a small town.  This means in order to buy clothes (especially children clothes), house decor, baby stuff (I LOVE my new toilet lid latch for kiddos!) or to just go TARGET-ing, I have to drive an hour.  Don’t get me wrong I LOVE my little southern town, but man do I feel like a country mouse in the city.  More on that another time…

I took backroads on my way to said BIG city!  It was a beautiful day, blue skies, clouds, green grass, cows…ahhhh.  I rounded a bend in the road and noticed what appeared to be a male cardinal in the road:

Male Northern Cardinal

Female Northern Cardinal

I slowed down to make sure he flew away.  At the last moment, he flew up into the trees, and it was then that I saw the female cardinal lying in the middle of the road.

Admittedly, I am a total animal sap.  It truly hurt my heart to see that poor Cardinal checking on his mate.  Bless his heart, I wonder if somehow in his little bird brain he was thinking (with a Southern accent of course) “Caaar-leeeene wake up!  What are you doing in the middle of the road?  You gonna get squarshed.”  And yes, I did name her Carlene the Cardinal.  Sue me.

Northern Cardinals are monogamous, meaning they mate for life.  However, their life expectancy is around one year, so it’s not like they get around to celebrating their 25th anniversary or anything.

When I was baby we lived on a little farm.  Growing up I heard loads of stories about “The Farm.”  The cardinals reminded me of one of my dad’s stories concerning the difference between mama cows and mama goats.  If a goat’s offspring perished, often the doe would seem completely unaware of the deceased kid, and sometimes even traipse across the deceased animal.

Now I like goats.  But that said, I can’t say this surprises me.

Dad told me a particular story about a cow who lost her calf in the middle of winter.  He said that he and mom realized the calf had died around dusk, but decided to bury it in the morning, as the ground was frozen solid.  Well, the momma cow had other ideas.  He said she kept bellowing loudly and walking around the calf.  They went out to check on the cow and she had moved the hay into a ring around her calf.  At that point, Dad decided he would bury the calf.  Frigid temp and hard ground be darned.

Interesting to think about animals and their “connections” to their mates, their young or their “family.”  As a veterinarian, I’ve seen and heard of pets becoming depressed, lethargic, and anorexic in response to the death of their owner or another family pet.

I can’t say for sure what goes on in their little brains.  But, I believe their compassion, love, connectedness, or however you want to describe it goes much deeper than we know.

Today is my first “official” Mother’s Day.  Sure, I was pregnant last year, and not that it didn’t count…but it just feels more real today.

Our plans for today, included teaching our Sunday school class (2-3 year olds), going to big church, and then going to a Mother’s day buffet with all fourteen of us!  Even more fun – my parents were going to join us at our church.

Well…

My very bad, no good, horrible ear genes have descended on my precious daughter.  Again Mary James I’m so sorry to have bestowed my narrow ear canals and propensity for ear infections.

At her last ear recheck, about a week ago, the doctor noted some fluid in her right ear.  I was instructed to “watch her like a hawk” for any signs of an ear infection and to call immediately if a fever appears.  Well, yesterday morning I noticed Mary James seemed toasty (although I have been taking her temperature anytime she seemed remotely warm so I assumed I was probably over reacting again).  Turns out she had a fever of 102.6 F!  Waaaa!

I called the pediatrician office, knowing full well it was a Saturday and that they couldn’t see her… but he said CALL! So I did.  The doctor who returned the call (not actually my ped but one of his partners) listened to me explain what was going on, then asked me where I lived.  I told her and she said to bring MJ to the office so she could take a look at her ears.

It’s times like these that I LOVE living in a small town!!

After her examination, it was determined Mary James had the beginnings of an ear infection in her left ear.  This is ear infection number FOUR and we’re only at eight months.  Seriously genes…you suck! So another round of antibiotics was started, and of course non-steroidals for the pain and fever.

Speaking of fever…after we saw the doctor MJ spiked a whopping 103.1 F fever.  Hello?  Tylenol?  Yeah, could you start working a little harder? Seeing the thermometer register 103 F for my 8 month old stopped my heart for a second.  I know fevers are helpful (they help fight off bacterial infections) but they have a very high freaky factor in my book.  And um…evidently you are supposed to call the doctor for a temperature of 103 F (or above).  How did I miss that? Thank goodness my brother-in-law is a human doctor and our friend.

Mary James slept fairly well last night and had a great appetite this morning.  The fever has been running close to 102 F this morning, but no higher (thank you God).  Thus, MJ and I stayed home and daddy went to church.

It’s truly fitting.  Today on my first Mother’s Day, I am mothering.

Tonight I went to a new coffee shop in our wee little town.  Our entourage included the hubs, MJ, and our two friends.  It’s a Scottish themed joint in a renovated house.  The architecture and ambiance was really quite lovely.

We entered to the sound of live music, and quite a large crowd gathered to listen, and enjoy their brew.  I had to giggle a little as I went into the bathroom.  I never thought I’d see people in my town actually relaxing on a Friday evening by sitting in a coffee shop, hearing a guy jam to Celtic music, drinking specialty coffee and eating scones.

Wait.  A.  Minute.  Did I mention I live in the deep South? And that they’re were guys walking around in kilts?

I’m sure some would scoff at this little establishment, but I must say I’m quite proud.  Our little town, received a taste of  “culture” when a French/Southern fancy-smancy restaurant opened; it has thrived nicely off some small town loving.

I sure hope this little coffee beanery can survive.  Hey, the emo kids will be out for the summer soon – I’m sure they’ll enjoy it.  Not to mention where else can you get a yummy Chai latte for a mere $2.25?  Are you shocked?  I sure was!

I can’t wait to be pleasantly suprised again.