Words & Crows

Revision, (Re)reading & Renewal

March 2025

One year ago I started this Substack. As some of you know, it has not always been called, Symbolism & Structure. First, it was Before|After.

As I embarked upon the complete revision of a novel I wrote when I was younger, I intended to share the experience. Brontë’s novel features in my story, and I began to think more about Wuthering Heights. Symbolism & Structure was born…

I’ve written over 61,000-words, entirely revising my novel. I am working on Chapter 15 and will likely complete the revision this year. I’ve read Wuthering Heights (at least) ten times and written forty-nine essays related to its author, its illustrations and The Story of Heathcliff. And, did you know?

I’m currently hosting a read-along of Wuthering Heights—March through May—if you would like to receive weekly summaries discussing our reading assignments, update your settings and toggle to receive Read With Me.

Here in Pennsylvania, spring is certainly taking its time. I’m beginning to see some signs—bright yellow buds have appeared on our spicebush and grape hyacinths and daffodils have brightened the backyard. A couple of house finches are making their nest in an arborvitae outside our side door and the male stands sentinel all the day through, singing his heart out for all to hear. Our tulips will appear soon...

The crows are a daily presence. If you’ve ever befriended a crow, you know. Our crows began congregating on utility poles and at the top of our 40’+ blue spruce a few weeks ago. We knew it was time to purchase tater tots and stow bits of scrambled egg after breakfast. You see, crows love tater tots and egg.¹

Each morning, when I come downstairs to write, the crows arrive and “Caw-caw-caw.” And so, I retrieve their treat and take it outside our kitchen door to line tator tots and bits of egg on The Crow Shelf. The shelf was originally built by my husband for me to sit potted plants on—we soon learned gray squirrels topple the pots and after cleaning up shards of terra cotta summer-after-summer, I stopped using the shelf. Last year it became The Crow Shelf.

When the crows request their treats they usually land in either the spruce or the neighbor’s maple tree. Sometimes, they stand on the utility poles nearby. When I come outside they caw-caw-caw and watch me line their shelf with tots and egg. Sometimes, the crows who know me well, fly in immediately.

They swoop toward our backyard and land on our pickets, moving side-to-side along the fence, stabbing at tater tots and egg. More skittish crows grab a tot and fly off to eat it on the top of utility pole. This year I’ve noticed some of the larger, older crows are familiar with me and apparently, my movements.

Earlier this week I was sitting in my study, working on my Week Three summary of Wuthering Heights. Outside my window: Caw-caw-caw. I leaned back in my chair and pushed aside the curtain. A crow looked down at me from high in the spruce and it sort of motioned with its beak and then flew down between the houses, past the side window of my study. I went downstairs to the refrigerator and retrieved the low, flat glass container in which I keep their treats and took it outside to The Crow Shelf. I lined up five tater tots and before I disappeared inside he flew down to retrieve his treats. ♡

1. Crows rarely read books about sodium intake and heart disease. As a responsible human…do your best to not contribute to their ill health; offer them mostly low-sodium treats.

Here, the tater tot treats are a springtime ritual, then they find plenty more to eat in and around our backyard.

Cover Image: Crows and Storm Coming, 1960-1970, Kyffin Williams | Llyfrgell Genedlaethol Cymru / The National Library of Wales