Help! Peacocks!
And A Reminder About May 1st
The India Blue peacock was imported to what became the LA County Arboretum by “Lucky” Baldwin around 1910. There was a neighborhood near the Arboretum in which I always wished I had lived in, growing up. Animals fascinated me, so the roving bands of peacocks there were thrilling to my young self. I recall after one visit to the Arboretum, I drew life-size peacocks in crayon on butcher paper and taped them around my backyard. You see, my neighborhood was nearby, but not quite close enough to have live birds nestled on my lawn. How things have changed, and how my opinion of peacocks has changed! Of course, I still think they are beautiful birds. My artistic sensibilities cannot help but admire the ultramarine feathers on the neck of the male peacock, followed by a cascading wave of emerald green with gold eyes.
But currently, my parent’s neighborhood now boasts more peacocks than the Arboretum, due to a migration a few years ago! We visited my folks for Easter. Spring is mating season. It was both amusing and astonishing to see on their street that any driveway that did not contain a car, contained a peacock. A large, fully-plumed, male peacock. Strutting his stuff for the peahens and shaking his tail feathers. We always had at least one car in the driveway, except for one morning. And sure enough, there was he was, when we returned from the market. I was cracking up, watching those feathers shimmy in Mom’s rearview camera, as she backed in. My son was shouting out the window, “Peacock move!” He finally did. Less amusing are the sounds that they make. Occasionally, it is just a deep honk. But more often you hear cries of “Help! Help! Really loudly. I mean, really, really loudly! My poor parents; their AC went out due to a heat wave the other week. So they slept with the windows open. Guess what time the peacocks like to call out? Well basically any time of day, but especially around dawn… or earlier. I’m very grateful that the weather cooled off by the time we got there and we did not have to have our window open. Of course, I was so exhausted from traveling with two little kids that it probably would not have mattered!
Christian Symbolism
I suppose it was fitting to see peacocks around and about at Easter time, as the peacock is a Christian symbol. Ancient people believed that their flesh was incorruptible, and the annual shedding and regrowing of the male peacock’s feathers (and them becoming brighter and more brilliant each year), represented resurrection. When I was painting Pascal candles years ago, I even painted a peacock on one of them! It’s a beautiful bird, lovely plumage- almost like a Norwegian Blue.
Not Much News
Currently, I am working my metaphorical tail off, trying to finish up our first Ave Lamb book. It is so close! We will have a hardcopy test printed very soon, and more news to share in the coming weeks. Look for a big announcement on May 1. In the meantime, feel free to subscribe to our Ave Lamb Substack, “Hail Beautiful Lamb.” In my last post…
I interviewed author Randy Hude, aka, my husband! Please go check it out, if you haven’t. I have a classical kindergarten teacher interview lined up… plus two more authors, and another artist!
Now, I hope you all had a lovely and (real) peacock free Easter Sunday! He is risen! Alleluia!! Now keep celebrating for some 40 more days. I think I’ll swirl a little chocolate syrup into my coffee today. :)
Pax Christi,
Adalee
