"There are songs that know right when to find us," much like Dandelion Seeds. Your words always know right where to find me...how did you know I am learning to sing through the dark?
I've lived long enough to know that the most valuable of life lessons typically, not always, come during a dark night of the soul. After reading your words, I will attune myself to listen for the song of the Zorzal in hopes it will carry me through to the dawn!
Dearest Mom, you've been on my mind and heart so much this fall as I've sat down to write for Dandelion Seeds -- from "Eclipse" in September to this newest story. You've been walking through such a dark night of the soul since August, and I'm so glad the song of the zorzal spoke to you this week, just as it did to me 🤍🤍 Love you always!
What a beautiful thrush-song, and a beautiful story. Thank you, Candace! We are indeed all doing our best to sing through the dark, and I would add, to sing more light and love into being.
"to sing more light and love into being" -- I love that thought so much, Susan, and I'm so glad the song of the zorzal spoke to you, just as it did to me. Sending light and love your way this weekend! 🤍✨
I love the songs of different thrushes and of course, the meadowlark. And I also love it when various writers I admire celebrate those beautiful songs.
"Wherever a man hears it [the song of the wood thrush] he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of heaven are not shut against him."
Oh wow, Switter -- how have I not come across that quote before? With everything going on in the world (and in particular, the US...), it speaks to me on so many levels, especially the last part: "and the gates of heaven are not shut against him." Thank you so much for sharing it, and I'm always happy when a story of mine makes you think of your beloved meadowlark!
I'm so happy to hear you loved this, Megan 🥹 And yes! "Pure" is always the first word that comes to mind for me when I hear a bird like the zorzal or blackbird sing. Thank you so much for reading, and for letting me know this spoke to you 🤍✨
A beautiful hopeful story indeed... Just makes you pause and think for a moment... In the daily rigmarole of things, a song like this is a quiet reminder that it will be alright... Thank you!❤️
"a song like this is a quiet reminder that it will be alright" -- I love that thought so much, Niyamat, and I'm honored to hear this story could bring you that little moment of reassurance, in a time when the world can feel quite the opposite.
Thank you so much for reading, and for letting me know this spoke to you 🤍✨
This song of this zorzal reminds me of the desert thrush were in Nevada. It's like a mockingbird, singing a wide variety of songs for long periods of time. I don't see them much anymore. I don't know why, and I miss them. But I was thrilled any time they visited my garden, singing their hearts out like Pavarati singing O Solo Mio. Thank you for the sound recording.
Ohh I just looked up the desert thrush, and wonder if it might also be called the hermit thrush, who also seems to make its home in Nevada -- if so, I found this beautiful video of it singing, which does indeed sound like a twin of the zorzal:
Lovely, Candace. Thank you so much for your insight and for reminding us of the beauty around us.
At the park today at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam, BC, there was a dad and his son. Our boys were riding together on their bikes. On the back of the dad’s sweater read “URUGUAY” and I immediately thought of you and Jose and your travels. Can’t wait to hear more of your trip!
Ahh no way! That's so fun to hear, Amanda 😍 For being such a small country, it really is amazing how connections to Uruguay seem to pop up all over the world. I was also so glad to hear you enjoyed this story, and I hope your weekend is filled with more little moments of quiet beauty 🤍✨
i am struck how similar the zorzal's vocal routine is to a robin's. what a gift! as a side note, my imperative for this year has been, "sing, again" - your story feels like a beautifully timed nudge to watch and to listen for ways to do just that. <3
"my imperative for this year has been, 'sing, again'" -- oh wow, Civil, I love that so much, and I just might have to borrow it as I think over my intentions for 2026 very soon :) Thank you so much for sharing that, and for being here! 🤍✨
Wonderful to find Singing Through the Dark waiting for me this morning. It is late fall in Tennessee and Robins and other song birds have gone south. So hearing the song of the Zorzal was such a spirit lift. Thanks
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment, Judy -- I'm delighted I could share the song of the zorzal with you this week, especially at this time of year 🤍✨
"There are songs that know right when to find us," much like Dandelion Seeds. Your words always know right where to find me...how did you know I am learning to sing through the dark?
I've lived long enough to know that the most valuable of life lessons typically, not always, come during a dark night of the soul. After reading your words, I will attune myself to listen for the song of the Zorzal in hopes it will carry me through to the dawn!
Dearest Mom, you've been on my mind and heart so much this fall as I've sat down to write for Dandelion Seeds -- from "Eclipse" in September to this newest story. You've been walking through such a dark night of the soul since August, and I'm so glad the song of the zorzal spoke to you this week, just as it did to me 🤍🤍 Love you always!
What a beautiful thrush-song, and a beautiful story. Thank you, Candace! We are indeed all doing our best to sing through the dark, and I would add, to sing more light and love into being.
"to sing more light and love into being" -- I love that thought so much, Susan, and I'm so glad the song of the zorzal spoke to you, just as it did to me. Sending light and love your way this weekend! 🤍✨
I love the songs of different thrushes and of course, the meadowlark. And I also love it when various writers I admire celebrate those beautiful songs.
"Wherever a man hears it [the song of the wood thrush] he is young, and Nature is in her spring; wherever he hears it, it is a new world and a free country, and the gates of heaven are not shut against him."
- Henry Thoreau
Oh wow, Switter -- how have I not come across that quote before? With everything going on in the world (and in particular, the US...), it speaks to me on so many levels, especially the last part: "and the gates of heaven are not shut against him." Thank you so much for sharing it, and I'm always happy when a story of mine makes you think of your beloved meadowlark!
Beautiful!
Thank you, Suzanne! 🤍
Gosh i loved this. the song was so pure and your seeing/hearing and mediation with it, beautiful
I'm so happy to hear you loved this, Megan 🥹 And yes! "Pure" is always the first word that comes to mind for me when I hear a bird like the zorzal or blackbird sing. Thank you so much for reading, and for letting me know this spoke to you 🤍✨
Beautiful.
Thank you so much, Gnoshery 🤍
A beautiful hopeful story indeed... Just makes you pause and think for a moment... In the daily rigmarole of things, a song like this is a quiet reminder that it will be alright... Thank you!❤️
"a song like this is a quiet reminder that it will be alright" -- I love that thought so much, Niyamat, and I'm honored to hear this story could bring you that little moment of reassurance, in a time when the world can feel quite the opposite.
Thank you so much for reading, and for letting me know this spoke to you 🤍✨
This song of this zorzal reminds me of the desert thrush were in Nevada. It's like a mockingbird, singing a wide variety of songs for long periods of time. I don't see them much anymore. I don't know why, and I miss them. But I was thrilled any time they visited my garden, singing their hearts out like Pavarati singing O Solo Mio. Thank you for the sound recording.
Ohh I just looked up the desert thrush, and wonder if it might also be called the hermit thrush, who also seems to make its home in Nevada -- if so, I found this beautiful video of it singing, which does indeed sound like a twin of the zorzal:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdQIlyuJYPk
Thanks so much for sharing that, Sue, and I hope they'll find their way back to your garden very soon! 🤍
You're right! It is a hermit thrush. And yes, I do hope they return. I loved listening to their spectacular arias. And thank you for the video link.
Just looked into my photos and found a picture of the bird in question, labeled Sage Thrasher. Apparently they're related or maybe just confused with mockingbirds. I found this video of the Sage Thrasher: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Sage_Thrasher/photo-gallery/450720
Lovely, Candace. Thank you so much for your insight and for reminding us of the beauty around us.
At the park today at Lafarge Lake in Coquitlam, BC, there was a dad and his son. Our boys were riding together on their bikes. On the back of the dad’s sweater read “URUGUAY” and I immediately thought of you and Jose and your travels. Can’t wait to hear more of your trip!
Ahh no way! That's so fun to hear, Amanda 😍 For being such a small country, it really is amazing how connections to Uruguay seem to pop up all over the world. I was also so glad to hear you enjoyed this story, and I hope your weekend is filled with more little moments of quiet beauty 🤍✨
Such a poignant observation...
I'm so glad the song of the zorzal spoke to you, Cate 🤍
This was so damn beautiful, thank you for sharing it, I really liked i t
Thank you, Jo! I'm so glad this spoke to you 🤍
i am struck how similar the zorzal's vocal routine is to a robin's. what a gift! as a side note, my imperative for this year has been, "sing, again" - your story feels like a beautifully timed nudge to watch and to listen for ways to do just that. <3
"my imperative for this year has been, 'sing, again'" -- oh wow, Civil, I love that so much, and I just might have to borrow it as I think over my intentions for 2026 very soon :) Thank you so much for sharing that, and for being here! 🤍✨
Wonderful to find Singing Through the Dark waiting for me this morning. It is late fall in Tennessee and Robins and other song birds have gone south. So hearing the song of the Zorzal was such a spirit lift. Thanks
Thank you so much for your beautiful comment, Judy -- I'm delighted I could share the song of the zorzal with you this week, especially at this time of year 🤍✨
Thank you. ❤️
I'm so glad you enjoyed this, Julie 🤍
Your pieces always speak to me. This one more than most. ❤️
It's an honor to hear that, Julie! ✨
Thank you!!! I really needed this today.
Thank you so much for your comment, Sara -- I'm so glad this story found you at just the right time this week 🤍✨
So lovely to hear the zorzal and your optimism. Thanks Candace.
Thank you for your wonderful comment, Jen -- I'm so glad I could share the song of the zorzal with you this week 🤍✨