Always By Her Side

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Every day I see this quail couple in my backyard. I feel sorry for the female, because she struggles to get around. She hops on one leg, while her bad foot or leg hangs useless. The good news? Her husband is always at her side. No more than an inch or two apart. He doesn’t leave her alone.

“I know I am in love with you because my reality is finally better than my dreams.” – Dr. Seuss

The quail couple reminds me of how well my husband has taken care of me this past year. From the time I fell trying to avoid two growling dogs on a trail around a lake, he walked me back to the cabin, supporting me the entire way. He immediately went to the store and came back with ice packs, Tylenol and ace bandages.

Next came ankle surgery, where he stayed by my side. More recently it was foot surgery, and yes, he’s been a great help to me. He’s even done grocery shopping which he can’t stand.

Now it’s my turn to take care of my husband who has a knee replacement coming up. I’ll be by his side, driving him to appointments and PT — even though I don’t like to drive. It’s what we do for each other. And yes, I’ve taken over the grocery shopping again.

Some species of quail, including California and the Gambel’s quail we have, often pair for life and work together to raise young. The Northern Cardinals are monogamous, too. Isn’t that something?

Happy Monday and have a wonderful week.

What little things do your family members do to support each other — in sickness and in health?

A few pics of healthy quail couples.

A female quail with an unusual male with no tail!

This is Momma quail’s “No Tail Male Quail!”

P.S. Thank you to my professional photographer friend of 30 plus years. He gave me a tip yesterday to adjust my settings to get more images in focus. The results are the photos above where you can see the patterns of feathers on my quail.

55 thoughts on “Always By Her Side”

  1. That’s the very definition of a good marriage, supporting each other. Both physically and emotionally.
    The quail photos are lovely.
    As knee replacement is probably in my future, I wish your husband a speedy recovery.

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    • Thank you! I have watched the injured female quail and marveled at how close the male stays to her. It did make me think of this past year and how much my husband did for me.

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  3. There is definitely more details in these pictures. The male quail is very attentive. Best of luck for your husband’s surgery Elizabeth. You’re right that that what loving couples do. Look after each other.

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  6. You two have a wonderful, strong marriage, Elizabeth, such a beautiful blessing!! 🙏🏻 How sweet that the male stays so close to his mate, I feel bad for her but she is getting on with life too. Best wishes for your husband’s surgery!

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    • Thank you. It’s hard to believe but we’ll be celebrating 41 years in a couple months. It is a blessing! It seems easier now than it 20 years ago. It’s so interesting to watch the quail and other creatures who visit every day. I’m getting to know them so well. Thanks for the get well wishes for my husband’s surgery.

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  7. So lovely! We’ve had a few injured quail over the year that, thanks to their protective families, were hobbling around the yard for over a year. We also have a tailless quail, who has what appear to be scars from a hawk attack, whom we’ve dubbed him “Stubby Buttworth”. 😂

    Also, it sounds like you have the most incredible partnership, E.A. Wishing your husband a smooth surgery and recovery, and hoping you’re able to manage the household as he recovers.

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  8. Thank you for the get well wishes for my husband, plus for me handling everything. I laughed so hard at Stubby Buttworth! I wonder what happened to ours? A hawk or coyote? Anyway, he looks very healthy now. The quail families are amazing to watch.

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  9. I am by nature a caring person and have trouble reconciling that I will need to be taken care of with my hip surgery. The part I am scared of is that I might hurt my hip after surgery again by kneeling over to take care of the pug or pick up something. I will need to be more vigilant. As a teacher, and a wife married to my husband for so long I am by nature a caretaker. He will need to push me aside and take care of a few things. This month, I am still taking care of him with his surgeries by being the designated driver. During my years as a teacher, while he was retired he did more of the shopping and gardening and laundry while I worked. It has been nice and a real eye opener to be retired since last August. I am enjoying it but hope once the surgery is finished, I can return to a more normal for me. I will also continue working part time online virtually as an adjunct in the fall. Hopefully, my hip will be taken care of by then. If not, we can only do the best we can. I am rereading my first novel trying to get the details for the 3rd in my trilogy. It is challenging. I use notes on my phone. Thanks for the reminder that I am not the only one in this place.

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    • Good luck with your hip surgery and a recovery back to normal. The challenges continue with our health as we get older, don’t they? Your marriage sounds strong with your husband picking up household duties while you were working full time. Yes, you need to be vigilant post surgery so you don’t accidentally do something to hurt yourself.

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      • Well, hip surgery can happen at any age I am learning. Some people in their 30’s or younger can go through hip surgery. Yeah, I believe my husband is unusual with a few things as he likes grocery shopping and cooking. Or he did. As did I. I find and you might find the same that as we get older we appreciate more eating out, take away, and ‘nothing on the plate’ with work. I am more ambiguous as I get older. If the job shows up for me in the Fall, and they get the classes, fine. If not, I am good, also. I am glad that they wanted me!! I put in an application a long time ago. Yes, I need to think outside of what can I do and let someone else do post surgery. I believe the VA has a great plan for PT, so we shall see. Thank you! Wishing you, also the best! I understand about driving. We are lucky to live near the VA, which will make the drive from my husband’s surgery much easier. Now, it is just walking the long hallways.

      • My sister-in-law had hip surgery in her 50s. Also my husband’s aunt. I’m surprised he doesn’t need it, too. You have a good attitude about the job. You’re lucky you live close by the VA.

      • Yes, and it was unintentional so many years ago…sometimes you get, lucky! I am glad it is online and only one day in the office in person. But it is still not solid, but yeah I think that will be good.

  10. So sweet and lovely…the quail couple and your sweet comparison to the give and take in our human relationships. Love, love, love. I think it’s that commitment to mutual support and the ebb and flow that keeps my own marriage humming. Partnership and affection when things are good and not so good. Much love to you! ❤️😊❤️

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  12. I think it would be nearly impossible to get through life without a good support system. Spouse, parents, kids, friends… we all need help now and then (and, as we get older, the “now and thens” can become more common. Best wishes to your husband for a speedy recovery!

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  13. Wonderful photos, Elizabeth, and any relationship requires give and take. My husband and I reached 37 years in January, and through the good and bad, we support each other. We’re a team with love added in the mix. 🙂 It’s not always 50/50, but when times get tough, we hold the other up. This goes the same for our children and for siblings, etc. Best wishes for your husband’s surgery!

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