Hedge witch might not be the right term, but she had the knowing for them that would listen.

I am too flippant to be a competent participant in fantasy role-playing games, but I show up and try to pay attention.  I learned that the adjective, ‘hedge’, means amateur or self-taught1.  One might be wary of a hedge knight or hedge wizard, but they are no match for a trained practitioner.

Mom had witchy talents.  She could always find a parking spot right up front.  If she spoke ill of a person, that person might be dead soon.  She had the old knowledge, like treating a wart by hitting  it with a bible.  I thought she was batty, but she had some fascinating opinions2.

A dozen years ago, Mom observed that she wasn’t seeing as many birds around.  I reminded her that she was legally blind, so that might be expected.  Mom wasn’t impressed by my scientific learning.

Mom was probably right about the birds3.  She couldn’t see well, but she could hear, and was paying attention to her environment.  She deserves credit for watching the little signs.

This came to mind as I’ve noticed that the birds are back.  The photo at the top is from a security camera capturing a bird that likes to rest on the down spout that has been temporarily repositioned. 

I’ve seen a barred owl, red-bellied woodpecker, and a variety of festively colored birds in red, yellow or blue.  I’m guessing cardinal, goldfinch and blue jay.  There are also a bunch of unimpressive birds dicking around in the yard.

I don’t know what it means, but more birds seems like a good sign.4

1  That term should migrate to the wider world.  Your friend could be a hedge mechanic or hedge plumber.  Untrained, but he can change the oil or swap out a garbage disposal.

2  Mom had an unfavorable opinion of the metric system.  “What if I go to the store and end up with a kilometer of milk?”  She didn’t appreciate my suggestion that she just buy the jug that looked to be the right size.  After that, I stopped with the scientific explanations. 

In another instance, Mom explained that “Mice aren’t mammals because they don’t have any blood.”  By that point, I just agreed.

3  Mom’s neighbor had dozens of stray cats.  He build them a shelter and put out food.  Mom fed them also.  That probably had a lot to do with the local scarcity of birds.

4  The barred owls and hawks aren’t so great.  Sparky must look like a tempting meal.