Saint Judy of Assisi

This title is one that has been earned by my wife over the almost 40 years of marriage. You remember, of course, St. Francis of Assisi.

Francis was born in 1182 in Assisi, Italy. Many of the stories that surround the life of St Francis deal with his love for animals. It is said that one day while Francis was traveling with some companions they happened upon a place in the road where birds filled the trees on either side. Francis told his companions to “wait for me while I go a preach to my sisters the birds.” The birds surrounded him, drawn by the power of his voice, and not one of them flew away.

Judy also loves birds and is the bird healer at our house. Yesterday she was baking Russian tea cakes when this little Downy Woodpecker chose to fly into our large living room window. As this cute critter hit the window, I yelled that the Avian 911 Lady is needed. She went immediately to the side garden where the bird was lying on the rocks with its wings spread. Judy picked up the bird, stroked it gently, and then talked to it in her calm voice. After checking for injuries, she placed it on a pillow that is in the rocker on the porch. After a few minutes of recuperation, the Downy spread its wings and headed for the nearest tree. Through the years she has used her calming techniques to revive a plethora of injured birds from hummingbirds to woodpeckers.

After this Downy flew, within 30 minutes a Hairy Woodpecker had a similar encounter with the window. Our St. Judy went to check. Upon seeing her radiance, the Hairy flew and was apparently uninjured!




















She has lost very few. I truly believe Judy has a healing gift for our feathered friends.