A whole neighborhood
of little lives.

I called it “Rocky’s Ark”: an arc-shaped area of stonework that became a feeding spot during the pandemic. The name was a nod to Noah’s Ark, and the idea was simple—a place where different animals could gather.

House sparrows, mourning doves, cardinals, blue jays, cowbirds, and grackles all turned up. Squirrels and chipmunks joined them. Watching the regulars became part of my days at home, and eventually led to my friendship with Pancake.

Each visitor had its own habits. A pair of mourning doves returned day after day. The squirrels ate little peanut-butter sandwiches with their paws, and later even knocked on my door for attention. It wasn’t always peaceful, but there was always something happening.