30 Comments
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Joey Held's avatar

How fitting that I'm so far behind on posts that I'm commenting shortly before Father's Day. Either way, Mom Wisdom is welcome any day of the year!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Hi Joey, and thank you! I'm dreadfully behind also. Mom Wisdom and Dad Jokes...why do dads get the laughs? Just wondering 🤔

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Julie Neches's avatar

Thanks for imparting all of the Mom Wisdom! Much appreciated! And I even got more birds from you as well to add to the earlier Feral Peacocks and Bird Bet!

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Lorraine Graybill's avatar

Downloaded the Merlin app -- can't wait to try -- thanks for the tip! Loved your "recalculating." I see you; I am you! Another great essay, thanks for sharing!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Enjoy Merlin, Lorraine! And thank you for reading (and commenting)! Imagine if we'd had Merlin in SG!

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Lorraine Graybill's avatar

I thought exactly same thing! I plan to try it when we visit Australia next week. :)

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

I want a full report!

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Lorraine Graybill's avatar

It was terrific with identifying bird photos... their calls, not so much. It did tell us that it only had about 15% of Australian bird calls in their files when we tried. It was great fun with the photos, so it we really enjoyed using it!

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Phillip Giordani's avatar

Amanda, your post sings—like those birdmoms at the pond, each with their own melody. I love how you capture the messy, wonderful recalculations of Mom Wisdom and the simple joys of listening to birds and enjoying dessert (wise words from your mom!). Thanks for reminding us to pause, listen, and have those brownie bites—truly soul food.

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Karyn's avatar

Downloaded.

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

You are a Wise Mom.🙂

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Portia's avatar

The magic of the pond and the birds just shine in your writing, Amanda. A happy Mother's May to you too!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you, Portia! I really appreciate your kind words!

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Sheila Moeschen's avatar

This was all simply lovely! A beautiful meditation on what nature reveals to us, which is only, like, everything :) (Downloading Merlin immediately. I've heard much about it, but always felt a little intimidated..thanks for the nudge!)

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Thank you so much, Sheila! "...which is only, like, everything..." Exactly. Enjoy Merlin. It's hard not to!

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Susan Pomerantz's avatar

My cousin just used Merlin to identify two woodpeckers who were visiting a neighbor's bird feeder! (Either Merlin was wrong, or woodpeckers eat more than just bugs and worms!)

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Merlin isn't infallible, but it drives me to do a bit of research sometimes. And, yes, it turns out woodpeckers are known to eat bird seed!

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Lani V. Cox's avatar

But fiber IS your friend. Hahahhaa. Enjoyed this, Amanda!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Ha! Thanks so much, Lani! I'm glad you enjoyed it -- and thank you for subscribing!

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Laura Grossman's avatar

🐣

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Shelly Mazzanoble's avatar

Amanda! “Is there a single woman reading this who isn’t shaking her head and rolling her eyes right now? Who doesn’t doubt for a second that the other 30 percent of female birds are singing too?” 🤣🤣🤣🤣

I love reading your posts, especially about being a mom with grown kids. I don’t think the wisdom could or should ever stop flowing! Your kids are lucky to have you.

I’m also addicted to the Merlin app!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Shelly! I thought of you more than once while I was writing this! Thank you!

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Shelly Mazzanoble's avatar

Awwwww I don’t know why, but I’m honored! I must have felt it because this one did hit differently!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

I didn't know you were hooked on Merlin too!

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Ofifoto's avatar

I love birdsong. There are some particularly funny ones near my house early in the morning. One sounds just like my phone alarm (or is the alarm mimicking the bird?!) Another one sounds like it comes from the soundtrack from "Blade Runner"!

I understand the benefits of drying surfaces after cleaning, but is there something particular about the sink?

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

It’s amazing how different each one is, isn’t it? I’ll explain about the sink offline some time….

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Jerie B's avatar

Also being a mom to two mid-to-late-twenty-year-olds I just find other "creatures" to mother. Today I stopped my car and crossed the street to lift a box turtle off the pavement and set it on its way in the grass. I would've sung to it but my car was in a precarious place and I just didn't have the time. Next time, maybe!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

I get it — I’ve literally lifted an earthworm from one side of the sidewalk to the other and warned a bunny about a nearby hawk. I’m sure the turtle was grateful, whether you sang to it or not!

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david hinchliffe's avatar

Tres amusent!

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Amanda Jaffe's avatar

Merci, mon cher David!

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