Storytime Tapestry Newsletter

The newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world.

Special Treat – Elizabeth Evans

January 29, 2008

In Search of a Blue Heron

Elizabeth Evans

This past week I have been making runs to my sister's cranberry bogs on the other side of Carver for aged manure.  Anne and her husband own acres and acres of cranberry bogs and in one of the pits they have allowed horse owners to dump the manure from their horses.  We have found that it is a fine source of nutrients to add to our New England sand to grow healthy plants in our gardens.

Early this morning at dawn, with this in mind, I donned my old sneakers, put the buckets and shovel in the car and called my trusty friend:  "Hey, Tuck, do you want to go to the bogs?"  He wags his tail excitely and hops into the Honda and off we go.  He loves the bogs...he loves running around the old stumps Duffy cleared to make room for more bogs....he loves trying to catch bullfrogs in the newly created reservoir, and most importantly, he loves running free.  You see, Carver has a lease law and for the most part, Tucker is on a lease when we go wandering. 

As we enter the dirt road that leads to the bogs, it dawns on me that today is July 12 and so instead of driving straight down the runway that leads to the manure pile, I veer to the right and we head towards the old cedar swamp...for it is here that I might find something that will give comfort to an aching heart.

 Sighting a blue heron will ease the pain and so together, Tuck and I make our way through the briars and underbrush and step into the swamp.  Tuck is excited with all the new smells and gleefully glides over all the old stumps and fallen trees.  I, on the other hand, sinking in the mud, find the terrain difficult... 

Within seconds Tuck wants to investigate the old stump in the cedar swamp....perhaps a frog is sunning himself.  Tuck loves the fine sport of froggin'...though he's never had much success...actually he's had no success...not one frog in three years.  But Tuck is persistent ....

"Come on Tuck, we're not froggin' today...we are looking for a blue heron." 

Tuck joins me as I walk the edge of the swamp.  There's much debris and I climb over old stumps and fallen trees.

We continue walking till I see something in the distance on an island.  "Tuck, we need to get out of the swamp.  Hurry...!"  I quickly step over some old logs and roots and make my way through the bushes walking as quiet as can be and follow the edge of the swamp as well as I can till I come to a large overhanging tree.  I climb up...take my camera out of my pocket and start to shoot... 

  You can barely see him....he is wading in shallow water, eyes alert, in hopes of snatching a tasty morsel for breakfast. 

I never saw a blue heron until ten years ago tomorrow...the day after my son Aaron died.  Since then,  I have seen them in many places...where ever I travel...be it Wellfleet...or Donegal, Ireland...or Heidleberg, Germany....or Bellingham, Washington...a blue heron is never far away.  Maybe it's coincidence...maybe not...I like to think it's a message from a traveler saying "everything is fine, your job is to live".

  Aaron Mills Evans

April 26, 1975- July 12, 1997. 

Elizabeth Evans

bluehaaron@yahoo.com