The car in front of me ran over a desert lizard. I saw it coming but there was nothing I could do about it. I stopped and got out of the car. It was beautiful lizard, over a foot long. His back legs and tail had been crushed into the street. He was fighting, trying to pull himself up and across the street. He was so helpless. I lifted him off the ground and put him in the shade so he could die in peace.

This happens all the time on my way to work. The studio is on the grounds of the old Desert Botanical Garden, so there are little critters all over the place. Two days ago a baby quail was walking cross the street. I hoped he’d fly away like all the other quails do. He didn’t.

This spring I slept in tent in my backyard for Lent. Every morning I’d hear the birds singing at the top of their lungs. It was hysterical to watch a little bird puff himself up to the size of a golf ball, then sing as loud as he could. I mean, these birds were so cute, I couldn’t help but love ‘em. I wanted to keep them in my pocket and let him sing songs all day.

St. Francis loved animals, especially birds. We sing a song at XLT that St. Francis wrote. Every time I hear it, I feel created.

“All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and let us sing,
Alleluia, alleluia.”;