Depending on where you look, you can find various definitions of raucous:
- making or constituting a disturbingly harsh and loud noise;
- loud and unpleasant to listen to;
- behaving in a very rough and noisy way;
- disagreeably harsh or strident;
- hoarse, screeching, squawky, grating, jarring, brassy;
- boisterous and disorderly.
The Steller’s Jay is a raucous bird. There’s no doubt he fits every definition. But he’s bold and he’s beautiful. I love watching him. He tears in, settles on our deck railing and makes his impatient presence known. Soon he’s squawking, “Get away from my suet!” to any other bird who may be enjoying a quick snack. If he’s ignored, he flies up and flaps in the other bird’s face. He’s quite outrageous. He gets heard. He gets results.
I’m not suggesting his behaviour is something to emulate — after all, nobody wants to be labeled unpleasant or disagreeable — but there may be a lesson to learn from him. If you want something badly enough, you have to make an effort to get it. You have to put your determination into action.
Fellow writers, I think there’s a writing analogy tucked in here, don’t you?
How determined are you to reach your goals? What might you have to do to achieve them?
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Therefore, my beloved brothers,
be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that in the Lord
your labor is not in vain.
1 Corinthians 15:58
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MUSINGS 
I wish to make you aware that alot of genetically modified seeds are on the market without being labeled as such. This is true too for commercial animal food. It may be that you are putting out seed for the birds that is not natural without realizing it if you are buying it commercially rather than making your own organically. I worry too,if the birds become too dependant on one type of diet instead of foraging around for their natural foods (which also keeps some pests like worms in check) that bring them a variety of other types of vitamins and minerals, they may land up being imbalanced and becoming unhealthly. I am finding most store bought food is severely lacking in nutrients even for humans. I know with my pet, she became quite ill on some commercial dog food. With birds flying off however, there is no way to know if any commercial food has made them ill or not. Peace and love. Cedar Pine.
No worries about genetically modified or commercial seed here. I’m always more concerned about people who don’t know enough to properly dispose of old seed or regularly disinfect their birdfeeders, allowing mould and bacteria to build up. That’s a real threat to backyard birds.
I didn’t mean that as a public comment, but more as an email on the side, but it seemed to get posted anyways, as I don’t have yr email to do it separately!
Hi Carol – That bird may be raucous, but he sure is beautiful. 🙂 Yes, perseverance is necessary in the publishing industry. A good dose of patience doesn’t hurt either. Blessings, Susan 🙂
Love these pictures and these thoughts, Carol. Yes, I do think there is a writing analogy here – one that I need to dive into an own a little more fully. Gulp.
Thanks, Susan and Diana. I think I have to take my own words to heart, too! It’s easy to sit on the sidelines and wish, but it won’t get me anywhere.
I think if we want something badly enough we will persevere through everything. If we don’t, it is easy to give up. I want to write and so I must.
To reach my present goal is a matter of sitting down and writing every day until I come to “The end.” I don’t feel as though I’m putting as much effort into writing as I should be. Maybe it’s the time of year or maybe because everything in the publishing world goes along at a snail’s pace and that inspires me to take my time. 😉
Terri, I know determination and perseverance is the only way to get past the obstacles. I’m not sure what will improve your speed, Laura, but the steady writing will at least get you there eventually, which is better than not getting there at all! 😀