Dear Parishioners and Friends,
"All things bright and beautiful, all creatures great and small, all things wise and wonderful, the Lord God made them all."
Here in Tuxedo we share space rather intimately with a whole host of wildlife. The strange sounds and rustlings just outside our doors at night are a constant reminder that we are not alone. And while some encounters with nature are a little too close for comfort, usually they are moments of wonder and awe.
The meadow next to our garage had previously been a tangle of invasive bittersweet, wisteria, and poison ivy to name a few. With a lot of work (I'm still digging out wisteria), it was cleared and made ready to plant. Since it had served as a dumping ground for garbage and coal ash, the soil wasn't great, but as it turns out, wildflowers love just that! So, in early spring of 2020, I sowed thousands of seeds using a hand-cranked spreader.
The first season was pretty, but this year the bi-annual perennials really put on a show, especially the coreopsis. Those have now faded, and backeyed susans have taken their place. What I did not expect, however, was that as those thousands of coreopsis blossoms went to seed, they became a bountiful buffet for goldfinches.
Imagine walking out to the field and suddenly seeing dozens of them fly up into the surrounding trees. It is truly magical, and I just love watching the little birds eagerly filling their bellies. They are also very vocal at a time of year when most of the other spring singers have quieted up. Despite the heat, I hope that you will take a moment out of your busy day to enjoy the wonder of creation with which we are so blessed here.
Blessings,
Father Rick
917.658.6314
