“The only thing he wanted to do, all day long, was stand by the windows looking out and down. Never before had he been in a building with a second story. Viewing the world from this new and elevated position was the one thing that absorbed his attention. So, I suspect, the things that would most interest our imaginary Man from Mars might be none of our complicated advances in science, but rather things usually overlooked, simple things, those commonplace everyday miracles such as the growing of the green grass, the rippling of the brook, the blooming of the pasture flower.”

⁠— Edwin Way Teale, A Naturalist Buys An Old Farm, pp. 289-290

Have you forgotten? Wonders seen for the first time. Looking through eyeglasses and the world becomes clear and sharp. Learning the words “on” and “off” go with the action of a light switch. Words pieced together, reading by fits and starts. Two steps forward, three back. What does this mean? How is it said, puzzling over meanings. Then picking up the way all fits together, the flow. Running, galloping, jumping and leaping as the whole universe opens up. That alien-looking life form on the screen door? Look it up. Ask questions, find similar forms. Read. That old stone fortress-like structure you've been sketching from a magazine image? Now you can find out where it is and go there. A recorder could catch voices, interviews, stop time and roll it back and forth. A camera could capture life and document images. Add technology. Try, do, learn. Assimilate. Practice. Add discipline, remember that first bike ride, the way reading was acquired. Stay at it, keep going. Unlock. Abilities combine and flow together for work and with life. Learning always.

A few places to recapture discovery and maybe just be plain astonished:

The annual spectacle that is a murmuration of swallows is a dependable late summer highlight on the Connecticut River that is just too amazing to miss. (Should there be any doubt, ask others who have witness this event. Listen as they try to relay what was seen, experienced.)

“A large mass of rolling swallows assembles as the sun begins to set at the end of each day. As you look into the distance it is difficult to determine exactly what is heading your way. As the black mass nears, you see that it is roughly 300,000 to 500,000 birds; each night is a different show which typically lasts from 20 to 30 minutes. The birds choose a flight path to roost and rest for the night as they settle among the phragmite australis (common reeds) of Goose Island. On some nights, the swallows form a swirling funnel and others it looks like waves of rain falling from the sky.”

Cruising aboard the Onrust leaving from the Connecticut River Museum is a unique way to view the swallow murmuration and ranks as one of the most compelling times to be out on the river. Passengers may bring a picnic dinner and beverages on board. Fee for the 6 p.m. cruise is $33.

The Connecticut River Museum is located on the Essex waterfront at 67 Main St., Essex; open daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For tickets and other events go to www.shop.ctrivermuseum.org; call (860) 767-8269.

A short film by Frank Dinardi captures natural wonders, shares narration of his experiences and life journey.

“Stuff your eyes with wonder. Live as if you'd drop dead in ten seconds. See the world. It's more fantastic than any dream made or paid for in factories. Ask no guarantees, ask for no security, there never was such an animal. And if there were, it would be related to the great sloth which hangs upside down in a tree all day every day, sleeping its life away.”

― Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451

From the Berlin Historical Society (Connecticut) Facebook page, this post:

“Thanks to Gary Gurske, we now have images of 1121 Worthington Ridge before it was restored in the early 1970s by Lloyd Devaul. Just goes to show that houses many people would dismiss as beyond repair can be lovingly brought back by the right person. The house was built in 1745 by Phineas Squires Chace (also seen spelled as Case). For much of the 20th century it was owned by the Bunce family. An early airplane was built in the barn by 17 year old Howard Bunce in 1912. It is the earliest surviving airplane in Connecticut. The Bunce Curtiss-Type Pusher plane was disassembled and stored in the barn until its rediscovery in 1962. The plane is on display at the Bradley Air Museum.”

From the New England Air Museum site:

“This Curtiss-type pusher was built and flown by 17-year-old Howard S. Bunce of Berlin, CT. Obsessed with the desire to fly, Bunce would go wherever he could find a Curtiss pusher airplane, make sketches, then go home and make parts until he had assembled an airplane. He could not afford a Curtiss engine but used a 4-cylinder air-cooled engine constructed by Nels J. Nelson of New Britain, CT. Bunce made several attempts to fly his airplane, but according to his brother none were really successful. He could get it a few feet off the ground but did not have enough power to really fly. After crashing at the Berlin Fair Ground race track he used some remaining parts and built a second airplane. It was finally dismantled and stored in the barn on the family farm.

“It was rediscovered in 1962. The surviving parts have been reconstructed into the airplane on display. The propulsion system and control surfaces are not original to the airplane. A 30 HP Kemp I-4 engine has been substituted for the missing home-built Nelson engine.

“This is believed to be the oldest surviving Connecticut-built airplane.

“Email reference@neam.org if you have any information or comments on the Bunce Homebuilt Replica of a Curtiss Pusher.”

Related to the wonder of flight, the Helicopter Museum in Stratford puts the “development of the helicopter in perspective with other aviation activities that occurred in Stratford, Connecticut from the early 1900s to today.” Located at the Stratford eastbound Railroad Station, 2480 Main Street. Seasonal hours until mid-October. Special tours can also be arranged by calling (203) 375-8857 or (203) 767-1123.

From ConnecticutHistory.org (wonderful resources for further reading and research on the site): “On Sept. 14, 1939, the VS-300, the world’s first practical helicopter, took flight at Stratford, Connecticut. Designed by Igor Sikorsky and built by the Vought-Sikorsky Aircraft Division of the United Aircraft Corporation, the helicopter was the first to incorporate a single main rotor and tail rotor design. Piloted by Sikorsky…”

The New England Air Museum in Windsor Locks also features an exhibit about Igor Sikorsky and other pioneers in aviation. Online, the Sikorsky Archives offer extensive reading before or after a visit to any of the related sites in Connecticut and the region. Mission is “…to acquire, manage, protect and make accessible to qualified persons for research and educational purposes, historical documents and memorabilia associated with Igor I. Sikorsky, his life and his careers in aviation, and the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, as well as related predecessor companies.”

“…his life-long dream to build an efficient vertical lift machine for the benefit of humankind.”

His last letter (Sikorsky Archives) linked here.

Note: This story was updated Sept. 10.