I have learned not to wear a red shirt when taking down hummingbird feeder during day. A red shirt causes hummingbirds to flit back and forth in front of my face, as if searching for perfect access to this huge, glorious RED flower they see before them.

Instead of filling hummingbird feeders during day and risking a collision with tiny birds, I often wait until after dark to take down feeder, wash it and fill it with fresh nectar. That way, when hummingbirds are looking for food early in morning, they will find a clean feeder filled with fresh nectar.

As season progresses, hummingbirds dramatically increase their nectar consumption so that by July, I am filling hummingbird feeder at least once per day. I like having hummingbird feeder in front of my kitchen window where I can closely observe hummingbirds as they perch on feeder and dip their beaks into nectar. When light is just right, I can see their impossibly long tongues darting out to suck up more of liquid or to lick off tiny droplet hanging from end of their beaks.

When light is just right, it is also easy to see why they are called "Ruby Throated" hummingbirds. The red feathers at base of male's throat glow like ruby slippers in Wizard of Oz.

All summer long I watch hummingbirds, and as September approaches, they became more and more frantic to eat as much as they can, in preparation for long flight back to South America.

And then, early in September, one day it will dawn on me that I haven't seen as many hummingbirds. As more days pass, remaining hummingbirds leave too. Eventually I don't see any hummingbirds at all, and I know it will be many months, with a long hard winter in between, before I can once again feed hummingbirds that hover in front of my kitchen window.

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Being pregnant and giving birth are enormous events in a woman’s life, especially first child, which changes your life so dramatically. If you do not know how to take responsibility for your own feelings of anger, hurt, anxiety, depression and loneliness, things will only get worse after giving birth. A child does not solve problems for you.

It’s hard to imagine before having a child what it is like to be responsible for another life 24/7. If you have not learned how to lovingly parent yourself before giving birth, you might find yourself getting lost as parent your baby. Good parenting starts before getting pregnant, with learning how to take loving care of yourself.

If you have a desire to be a good parent, here are steps you can take before getting pregnant:

1. Physical health: make sure that you are in good physical shape by eliminating sugar and artificial sweeteners. Start to shop in health food stores and buy only organic products. Eliminating pesticides and food additives is essential for good health. Also be sure to get enough exercise and sleep.

2. Emotional health: instead of having your eyes on your partner, turn your eyes inward and begin to compassionately notice your own feelings. Start to treat your own feelings in same way you are planning on treating your future child’s feelings - with caring and understanding. In addition, start to practice taking loving action in your own behalf - standing up for yourself, speaking your truth, taking time for yourself. Practice taking loving care of your own feelings instead of making your partner responsible for how you feel. Begin to notice what you think and do that may be causing you stress. Changing thoughts and behavior that cause your stress before getting pregnant is essential for good parenting.

3. Spiritual health: practice opening to a higher source of guidance, wisdom, strength and comfort. This can be your own highest, wisest self within you, or a Higher Power outside of you. You will find that being able to turn a source of wisdom and comfort within or without will go a long way in helping you stay loving and stress-free with yourself, your partner, and your baby. In addition, this will help you know what to do in different challenging situations with your baby.

If you are planning on having a baby, start today in becoming a good parent!