Slicing has made me look at my world differently. I am noticing beauty around me. I must say beauty in my eyes or beauty when I do not have the full story.
On my leaving D, after a visit to his boarding school yesterday, I noticed trees in the distance that looked amazing. The trees were decorated with white birds.
I shared a slice with a photograph on day 17 and one of the comments was a slicer wondering the type of birds that live in the trees of the photo. I guess this comment has been at the back of my mind and resurfaced when I saw this phenomenal view.
We drove past it quickly and I thought to myself, I will take a photograph of this extraordinary view the next time I visit. Then I remembered I could ask D to take a photograph of the view and send it to me. So I did.
Inspired by mschiubookawrites’s slice from day 24, when she shared how PaperbackEd’s slice had inspired her, I will attach my mobile communication with D.
D found the request hilarious. I guess the students regard the birds a nuisance.
So I did. I had to clarify what I had been told. So I carried out some research.
I was wanderings why the egrets congregated in that particular area.
D told me later that there is a swamp very close to the trees, the students walk that way for classes every morning, I guess that answers my question.
What I found beautiful from a distance is detested by others, people living close by.
GIFTS 
Yes, this writing challenge forces us to look at everything in our paths as a potential post!
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Wow J, there’s so much here. I love that you included your text exchange. I also was struck by this keen observation, that what others might see as beautiful, we take for granted or even resent. Thanks for sharing!
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Slicing really does make us more aware of our surroundings. The first time we saw egrets was when we drove to Florida 30 + years ago. As we crossed the border there were egrets everywhere. We didn’t know what they were so we asked at the welcome station.
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I love how you described your writing process from when the thought evolved. Thanks for sharing.
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Great egrets are hilarious! It’s funny to think of a tall, lanky bird nesting on top of a tree. Watch them fish sometime. It’s an incredible show.
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You led us through a beautiful inquiry. You started with a provocation, started asking questions, observed and documented and then made sense of it all. I enjoyed the mix media in this slice. We get to see the contrast between mom’s poetic ponderings and D’s pragmatic view of the topic. I hope to see the colony one day. Thanks for teaching us today.
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