thE stArT Of anoTheR YeAR & symBOLiC MoMeNtS

Do any of you have a number? You know, a favorite or one you perceive to be lucky, or symbolic in some way. Mine is the number 5. It's the number that I'm drawn to for one reason or another and I'm not even really sure how or when it came to be, or when I started recognizing it as such. I was born on the 5th, my daughter was born in the fifth month on the 25th day, there are of course the dates of monumental importance to me that occurred on dates that add up to 5 or are multiples, SO many different examples....and I know it's all in how you spin it, and that it's ridiculous and silly, but it sure is fun to think about. 2010 is of course another '5'....and I have to say that I am more than a little excited about it. Nothing to base that excitement on other than the sheer anticipation of the unexpected and everything I'm able to create myself.
There are other symbolic things (or that I perceive to be symbolic) like when we were building the studio behind the shop several years, a double rainbow appeared right over the top and ended at the roofline...I of course reveled in the 'goodness' of what that had to mean.

There have been several others and the most recent one was this past Friday, January 1, 2010...and it was with what's traditionally viewed as a symbol of freedom, courage, independence, strength, and a long life -- the Bald Eagle.
Chad here at the office had a sighting the other day of a bald eagle as he was driving towards our place, and since I was only a few minutes behind him, I grabbed the camera and watched for it as I drove by, but by the time I got in the area, it had moved on. The next day though (which happened to be new year's day) I finally was able to grab a shot of one that was ironically much closer to my house. Again, I know it's all in how you spin it but I chose to absorb this as a sign of what this year's going to be all about.  

I also learned that the Bald Eagle doesn't get it's regal look with the white head feathers and that until around its' 5th year.....so the bird that was perched next to it which I thought was just another kind of bird may actually be a younger eagle. It's so camouflaged by the branches that I haven't been able to get a detailed enough look to confirm.

Another bit of trivia which I strangely found very interesting is that Benjamin Franklin was totally against the eagle becoming our national bird..this is a quote by him:
"I wish that the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country, he is a bird of bad moral character, he does not get his living honestly, you may have seen him perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing-hawk, and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish, and is bearing it to its nest for the support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues him and takes it from him.... Besides he is a rank coward; the little kingbird, not bigger than a sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the district. He is therefore by no means a proper emblem for the brave and honest. . . of America.. . . For a truth, the turkey is in comparison a much more respectable bird, and withal a true original native of America . . . a bird of courage, and would not hesitate to attack a grenadier of the British guards, who should presume to invade his farmyard with a red coat on."
Likewise, the artist John James Audubon agreed with this opinion of the bald, or white-headed, eagle.

Since I like to absorb all sides of things...this comment gave me something to ponder.  Maybe I should be more excited about any turkeys that come my way?! :) :)  Either way, the Bald Eagle is still a magnificent bird and strength, freedom, independence, courage, and a long life are what it's all about. Hey...I just noticed...that's a group of 5.....hmmmmmm?!

Cheers to creating your own symbolic moments!
michele.