Fickle feathered friends

I get a great pleasure watching the interactions of the birds at the feeders. Which ones will flick the food out onto the ground, the flitting in one at a time and the whoosh of a mass departure.

A couple weeks ago, I had a surprise visit by a small group of starlings; they checked out the food options, then left. Sadly, all the others left too. For a week and a half, not a single bird came by; the feeders swung, full and lonely. Then, two sparrows returned and had the place to themselves for days. Finally, one morning I looked out and everyone was back! Bluejays, finches, woodpeckers, a junco and masses of sparrows. Where did they go? Why do they travel in mixed company?

This morning was quiet on the bird front; even they don't like -13F. I'll be spending as much time inside as possible today. Brrrr.

It only takes a moment

Have you experienced that instant when, just as you do something, you realize it was a mistake? I've only been getting one or two eggs a day so I pop them in my pocket while doing chores. Today I noticed the door hadn't latched properly so I leaned into it while closing and the moment I did I said "Well, that was stupid." Now my coat is hanging in front of the stove so the pocket can dry. Sigh.

I woke up with a headache thanks to the new weather front moving in. Cloudy, temps dropping and snow expected. But if I can just get through today I have the weekend off.

Why is one crabby person more exhausting than a crowd of pleasant people? There weren't many patients last night, but one I would have traded for twenty normal people.

On a cheerful note, I picked up some cabbages on sale at the store last night. There are some very happy chickens in my coop this morning.