Iknow summer is here when I see the Goldfinches return. I call them Iowa Gold, and they are the State Bird of Iowa. They color coordinate with the dandelions that are ubiquitous in our yard. I’m not going to lift a finger to eradicate these globes of sunshine for three reasons: 1. When my grandkids come out to the Empty Nest Farm, I can show them how to hold a dandelion under their chins, and if their chins reflect yellow, it means they like butter. They love it! 2. The bees use the dandelions as a source of nourishment. We must protect our bee population! And, 3, I’m too short of breath to risk inhaling a herbicide, even with a mask. So there, mother bear.

I like yard ornaments, some I’ve purchased, some I’ve made. Purchased: horse-drawn cultivator and hay rake. Made: Huge star I welded together from corn-combine points, a heron and “Orion’s Orchid,” I made from tractor seats.

Recently I saw a horse drawn road grader alongside the highway that was for sale. I had to have it, so I bought it and had it moved in. Lo-and-behold our neighbor, two miles north of us, stopped to tell us that the road grader used to be hers. She had sold it, it was moved 10 miles south of us, where I bought it. I had seen the road grader at her house and always admired it. It had to be sold, moved and then returned to within two miles of her house. What goes around comes around.

One day we heard a racket outside our house. There was a big yellow lab whining at our kitchen door. I know a valuable dog when I see one, and didn’t want this dog getting out on the highway. I let him in. He was friendly and immediately got into our pet food and water. Slurp slurp. He was huge, maybe 100 lbs or better. One swipe of his tail cleared off the coffee table. He’s like a bull in a China shop! Fortunately, he had a collar with a tag and a phone number. We called the number, and the lady said she would be right there to get “Duke.” When she showed up, she was the lady who had originally owned the road grader. Small world.

Anywho, Duke has been back to see us several times. We have his owner’s phone number posted on our refrigerator. I think he followed the scent of the road grader to our house. Or maybe he was trying to color coordinate with our finches and dandelions.

In stark contrast to the finches and dandelions, are the hordes of black birds migrating through. I’ve never seen so many. They swoop in by the gillions, in waves that pivot instantaneously, called a murmuration, and land in our trees and yard. Their screeching can be heard inside our house over the television, washer and dryer, and Ginnie talking on the phone. Her caller asks, “What’s that noise?” She’ll say, “Oh, it’s the starlings. They love our place.” What they find to eat in our yard, I dunno, but they go at it aggressively, like cattle.

And there comes Duke, across the yard, a blur of yellow, amongst the sea of black birds. He seems to have great fun, chasing them up and having them screech, wheel and turn.

We call his owner again. She says, “Oh, that Duke. He’s in trouble now!”

We’d love to have him. He’s just too big.

Our Empty Nest Farm seems to attract dogs. I dunno why. We had a Weimaraner and German Short Hair show up once. We let them in the house also. I know valuable hunting dogs when I see them. Once again, they had a collar with a phone number. The panicky owners were real glad to get the call.

Birds, dogs, dandelions and road graders equal life on the Empty Nest Farm. Y’all come back now, hear?

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Have a good story? Call or text Curt Swarm in Mt. Pleasant at 319-217-0526 or email him at curtswarm@yahoo.com. Curt is available for public speaking.