Omne trium perfectum: “Everything that comes in threes is perfect”
Little bird up in a tree
Looked down and sang a song to me.
—”Little Bird,” Dennis Wilson, Stephen Kalinich, Brian Wilson
The house finch nesting in the wreath on our front door is incubating three lovely blue eggs.
My son (Cadillac Man) and I are walking, doing laps in the churchyard on a sunny afternoon, talking about names for baby birds (see what happens when new life generates in your realm; if you’re human, you take nonsensical ownership).
“It’s too obvious, but I almost can’t resist calling them Atticus, Jem, and Scout,” I chuckle. “I mean, they’re FINCHES.”
“Yeah, you’re right—it’s too obvious,” says Cadillac Man.
I think I hear a small sigh.
“Hmm. Well, there’s Harry, Hermione, and Ron . . . ” I offer.
Cadillac Man’s face remains immobile. I can’t see his eyes behind his sunglasses. He says nothing.
I can see that literary names are a no go, which is a shame, with “the rule of three” and all that. Cadillac Man does not think from a repository of words and phrases gleaned over time from books like I do. He thinks in music. He always has.
We walk a little way in silence; we’re keeping a pretty good pace. Then Cadillac Man proceeds to tell me new things he’s learning in his continuous (borderline obsessive) research on his musical passion, the Beach Boys: “Dennis didn’t get credit for how much musical talent he really had . . . .”
—I have an inspiration. Cadillac Man will love this. When he pauses, I say:
“We can name the baby birds after the Wilsons. Since’s there’s three of them.”
He grins. “Well, these little birds are singers.”
Brian is due to hatch next Sunday. Dennis and Carl should follow on Monday and Tuesday.
Even if they’re female, it will be fun, fun, fun . . . .
lit bits and pieces 
I love how you encouraged literary names – that would have been my inclination as well.
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Such an engaging conversation! I hope they all hatch successfully. I think your suggestions are great, but good to go with the flow. I used to love the Beach Boys too, can’t believe young people are still passionate about them, they are so old now!
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We saw Brian Wilson and Al Jardine in a Pet Sounds concert last fall – I noted how many young people were there. The show was amazing! It’s timeless music and my son (age 21) loved every minute. He identifies so deeply with Brian. Thanks for good wishes for our little bird trio – stay tuned!
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I loved this playful exchange with your son!
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Thanks, Jessica – more to come!
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I love this slice and the names and the birds!! It was simply perfect –keep us posted!
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Thank you, Clare! Baby pictures to come! ❤️
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The Beach Boys are in my music memory post as well! You’ve woven so much into this slice: nature observations, time with your son, and insight into his life and learning. One for the scrapbook!
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I love your music memory post! Beach Boys synchronicity!! Thanks for your thoughts on craft here. 🙂
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Love the literary trios and banter between you and your son. Perfect slice to ring in Spring!
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Thank you – it’s such a hopeful sign to me, altogether, the cycle of life going on, the return of spring. Couldn’t keep myself from thinking about threes – such a literary device!
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How clever to name birds after singers, The Beach Boys. You captured the conversation in an easy manner making me feel as if I were right there. Yes please keep us informed if their progress.
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Thanks, Christine – I am pretty egg-cited! (SORRY, couldn’t help myself!!)
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How special! I love the names of the singers also, and the relationship with your son is priceless. Keep us informed.
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Thank you! I am staying away from the door so Mama Bird can keep those eggs warm. There’s a lot of folks wanting a glimpse of those babies.
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Delightful post! It was satisfying to know that the Finches are not nameless. Love the sentiment of this line: “I can see that literary names are a no go, which is a shame, with “the rule of three” and all that.”
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Thank you, Alice – the symbolism of three is just SO big.
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Oh my the names are perfect! As I was reading along I originally thought what’s wrong with Harry, Hermione and Ron? But the Brian, Carl, and Dennis are perfect. I can’t wait to read about when they hatch.
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Cadillac Man has nothing against Harry Potter, just saying! I expect that Sunday or Monday I can post a newborn (new-hatched?) baby picture!
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(see what happens when new life generates in your realm; if you’re human, you take nonsensical ownership).—love this aside!
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Thank you! Sometimes I feel the birds have a far better handle on life and the world. 🙂
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So much fun to read! Love your allusion to the Beach Boys music at the end and your juxtaposition of literary and musical name between you and your son.. So true that as humans we love to name things and somehow make them our own,
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Darling and so precious to be thinking about, welcoming, and naming beings coming into our world. I wish we could all respect life in this way — it is so simple, yet shows such respect.
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If we all honored and respected all life we encountered – what a joyous place this would be! Thanks for reading & for these lovely thoughts.
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