We Named This One Jack Sparrow. The Aviary Funerals are Simply a Way of Life Now. Poor Fellow.

It's somewhat comical at this point. Well, it's been comical since the beginning, but the ritual of birds somehow taking their last flight onto Pam's patio has become a place of storytelling, singing, congregation, and burial. This one had to wait, however, because I was trapped inside a dealership purchasing Katniss.

Pam started the playlist with Bye Bye Birdie from the musical. Of course, I matched her with Fly Away  from John Denver. The result was cellphone tribute as we took Jack Sparrow to his last flight, with a mourning dove on a telephone wire watching over us.

Playlist: A Top Ten for Bird Funerals

Bye-Bye Birdie - Charles Strouse

Fly Away - John Denver (with Olivia Newton John)

Freebird - Lynard Skinner

Three Little Birds - Jackson Five

Rockin' Robin - Elton John

Fly Like an Eagle - Steve Miller Band

When Doves Cry - Prince

Birdhouse in Your Soul - They Might Be Giants

Sparrow - Simon & Garfunkel

Firebird Suite - Igor Stravinsky - Toronto Symphony Orchestra

And in my day of grading, I lived the suspense of NCAA volleyball. Nothing like the powerful teams coming together for back-to-competion. Always a nail-biter and intense on the heart. After launching Jack Sparrow, however, a day of sports is the way to go (especially seeing the hitters fly like they do).  

Marquette should hold their heads high. Phew. They can play. Cards won it in five games, but dang that team from Wisconsin. They played with heart, muscle, mind, and spirit. Amazing play.