The pandemic changed me. It changed my priorities and how I viewed the world. My world became dark and gloomy.

Becoming an accidental birder saved my life. It filled my world with color and magic again.

It helped me to return to my first loves of reading and writing.

True story: An owl took up residence in the tree near my bedroom window.

I could hear him night after night. I would miss him when he was not there.

I started daydreaming about what he might say and why he was staying with us.

The owl is the muse for my fantasy book.

- Marelle Kuo

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