Grandpa's Bird Houses

Scraps of lumber, a touch of paint, with love, became a home. To the smallest of the birds, that to our yard would roam. In his basement workshop, Grandpa would spend hours. With his hand saw, brace and bit, no use of electric power. At each rip of the saw, I'd hear that familiar sound. I'd watch as sawdust drifted, like pixie dust, to the ground. With blackened nails and hammer, he'd assemble the bird houses. Then he'd paint them brightly, adding curliques and flounces. A bit of wire in a hook, then hung in the Pear tree. Filled our mornings with the song, from the Finches and Chick-a-dees.