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Spring and St. Cuthbert's Day!

Indeed, this is the first day Spring!

But today is also the feast day of St. Cuthbert. St. Cuthbert has been a favorite of mine since the days when I lived at St. Cuthbert's House in Brewster, NY . . . many years ago now.

But St. Cuthbert has an even more influential place in my life today, because he was one of the first to establish a safe haven for birds on the island of Farne. Here is an article about him:  St. Cuthbert the Environmentalist.

St. Cuthbert protected eider ducks, now also known as Cuddy ducks. He also talked with animals, especially birds, just as did St. Francis. St. Cuthbert was able to convince a flock of birds (maybe goldfinches?) to leave his barley field and eat elsewhere simply by talking and reasoning with them. I feed a large flock of goldfinches every day, grateful for the legacy and example of St. Cuthbert.


Goldfinch in the rain!

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