The story begins several years ago following my first retirement. Like Ellie Mae of the Beverly Hillbillies, I enjoy the creatures that live around me. (Except for the thousands of blackbirds who roost in the trees in my front yard.) I enjoy watching the turtles make their way slowly across the yard. Sometimes I walk out to inspect them more closely. I enjoy the Blue Herons who stand guard on the banks of the lake. Some of them have seen me so much they won't even fly off when I walk by. There are occasional wood ducks, beautifully decked out in bright colors. And we have established feeding stations for birds of all kinds. They are accustomed to folks being nearby and they eat while I watch. Hummingbirds buzz around me on the deck, squeaking at me and getting in my face, just to tell me their feeders need more juice. But the real story is the one I have watched for a long time.