What a Wonderful World

Lil Bit and Pyro like to root for the cheetah.

The first time this happened I was a little shocked and scared.

Why is my sweet Momma rooting for the cheetah to eat the gazelle in this episode of Nature?

LIl Bit and I watch a lot of nature shows when we can't be outside. We both love the outdoors, nature and wildlife so these shows are our best way to enjoy when Oklahoma likes to freeze your butt off.

Through the wonders of PBS and streaming we've sailed the Amazon, soared above the Alps, dove into the Pacific, learned the history of the horse and so many more. We've watched every episode of Nature and so, so many more.

It's amazing to see her eyes light up and fill with wonder as the screen buzzes with the beat of a hummingbird's wings as it flits from brightly colored flower to flower.

She becomes entranced as the bison trek throw the snow to the hot spring in Yellowstone and the wolves cry in the night.

As the Okavango delta floods again and the river of grass grows before our eyes she leans in and somehow for the length of the program it's like we've turned back the hands of time in her mind and she is all "there."

As we watch films about birds, bees, trees and the seas, she asks me what I am going to do to help protect the things that she loves, how do we bring back more birds, and where are all the bees have gone.

Mom has always been an environmentalist - installing solar panels early on, recycling, keeping bees, feeding every bird that she's ever seen, rain barrels, cover crops and more. She cares deeply about the earth and what is going to happen to it.

Lil Bit's concern is palpable and it makes me want to do all I can to help protect this wonderful world we live in and all the creatures in it. She inspires me to care more deeply.

When I get home I hang a bluebird house, check on my beehive and turn the compost. Because saving the world is going to take all of us and steps big and small.

And that cheering for the cheetah? Lil Bit says everyone has to eat and that it's what her beloved Pyro would do if we let him outside and he could stalk the bird feeders.

That is if I could get him off the heated blanket to go outside...think the birds are safe at Lil Bit's for a bit longer.