Every so often I look in on the Big Bear Valley eagles. I wish that I’d done this years earlier, in happier times, which is when they were raising their young. Today Pete told Josh, our farrier, that he missed seeing the eggs hatch.

The three eggs in the nest are not going to hatch. The incubation period is way past. It’s not yet spring weather where the male and female are nesting – tonight the female was covered in snow and not moving. And it was very windy.

Baby eagle

I wonder if the birds have multiple times in which they lay infertile eggs; if they get used to this happening.

I can’t imagine the birds taking off now because the nest is their home. Where would they go? What would they do? What is the scenario when something like this happens?

Anthropometrism be damned, I really feel for these birds. Yes, according to Aristotle, happiness is relative – he said that there is short and long- term happiness, long term happiness being one’s general disposition. I just don’t think the eagles are happy. They would, of course, be happier if they had offspring to tend to. And they would be happier if the weather was better.

Thousands of people are watching these birds. This is a form of big brother.

And so my mind goes in circles about this – and I am having dreams that relate to eagle watching, although I don’t remember what they are. And although I can’t remember what I dreamt, I have been left with a feeling that I can’t put words to. Maybe in a previous life I was an eagle. Or maybe it’s easier for me to empathize with animals than it is with my fellow humans.

I do think that if I was in Gaza and saw firsthand what is happening, I would have plenty of empathy. What’s going on there is beyond my comprehension. And I suspect that it’s beyond most other’s comprehension.

All I know feel despondent right now about the world situation. I keep saying that change is a constant. This I know to be true.

Some BLBP volunteers were talking the other day about the sorry state of the world (this is what Pete and I used to call it); one said that she was convinced that World War III is inevitable. There are those who believe, and truly believe, that a savior of one kind or another is going to about. This individual will somehow bring about world peace. I don’t know if I believe in the one individual theory – I think that we all will be involved in this, somehow. Maybe we will by then have been able to wrap our heads around group unity.

Josh the farrier came today. I had Hrimmi tied to the hitching post. Josh didn’t even wait for Pete or me to appear – he just went to work, removing her shoes and rasping her feet. The three mares, none of whom have any idea about World War Three, just hung out as Josh worked and ate their hay. There is a lot to be learned from horses, for sure.

Next: 95. 4/6/24: Saturday, all Day