Walter, the One Legged Robin...and more Dishcloths

Or as Elmer Fudd would say, Walter, the One Wegged Wobbin.

Mr.Studley noticed Walter outside our window a few weeks ago. He called me to come look at the one legged bird in our yard. The poor thing was hopping along rather clumsily. Each time he leaned forward to peck at the ground, he'd stumble. Hubby being the tenderhearted soul he is spoke a prayer out loud that God would watch over this little bird, just as His Word says He sees the sparrow. I was very moved by his prayer and agreed with an amen.

A few days later, our next door neighbors asked if we'd seen the one legged Robin. They'd noticed it on their back fence a few times. Since then, not a day has gone by that we haven't seen Walter fumbling around in the yard. I can always tell it's him by how he gets around, even before I see his legs...er..leg. He spends long periods of time perched in the neighbor's magnolia tree. I know he doesn't spend as much time foraging for food as other birds do, and truthfully, he looks a little thin to me, but I trust God is making the necessary provisions for Walter.

I dubbed him Walter because my dad, a stepdad in legal terms, but a dad in every sense of the word, was named Walter. He also had one leg. He lost a leg in an industrial on-the-job accident in his early 20's. If he was ever bitter over the accident, he never showed it. He never once displayed a 'poor me' attitude. In fact, most people were shocked to learn that he had an artificial leg. His gait didn't reveal it, at least not until he was in his 70's and began slowing down due to illness.

Though he'd never water skiied a day in his life, he taught all us kids to water ski. He also taught us all to drive, and the grandkids as well. He continued to work for that same company for nearly 40 years, moving his way up the ranks of administrative positions despite the lack of a college degree, and retired from a respectable position after nearly 40 years with them.

Walter (dad, not the bird) was known by just about everyone who knew him as someone who could do, or fix, just about anything. I remember when my son was small and his daddy and I were having trouble making something work. His suggestion was to take it to Pappa, "Pappa can do anything". He darn near could, too. So, each time I see Walter perservering in the yard, I am reminded of the perserverance of my dad, Walter, and how gumption and a "can do" attitude can take you far, despite the handicaps life may throw your way.

Now, on a less serious note, I'm still knitting dishcloths. After seeing the pretty Chinese Waves dishcloth at kaity knits...a lot this week, I was inspired to knit the pattern myself. I really liked Kaity's pretty striped one, but I didn't have the necessary colors to duplicate it. I think a few varying solid colored ones folded and stacked together and tied with a raffia bow will make a nice little gift.

• Chinese Waves Dishcloth pattern
• Lily Sugar'n'Cream yarn
• Denise's size 6 interchangeable circular
• Cast on 39 sts.

***Update on Rich. Mandi sent me an e-mail this afternoon that she had a call in to the doctor. Rich's blood pressure has not been below 170/100 since he came home from the hospital. She's concerned that they may want to admit him again.

If you don't mind continuing to pray for him, please pray that his bp will come down to an acceptable level and stay there. Thank you so much! Seriously, it means the world to me (and Mandi & Rich!) that you guys are praying for Rich.

So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls.

~James 1:21 Amplified Bible