Breaking Out

As I write this I am enjoying the warm sun here in North Texas. I love snow in Texas because it comes down, we stay home or carefully get out in it, enjoy a few snowballs and maybe a small snow sculpture. That's the first day. The second day we go back to work or school and bemoan the fact that we don't have another day to play. When we moved to our apartment this summer I was so looking forward to building fires on snowy nights and watching tv with the family. I thought it would be so fun to have cocoa by the fire. I could see the glow reflecting on our faces.
The reality this year is that we have been fortunate to have that fireplace to help keep us warm. After nearly a week of confinement and then another week of snow and winds like they were coming off the north pole, we have come out of the cold days and frozen precipitation to a Saturday filled with heavy traffic and warm sunshine. YIPPEE!!!

The fun part of this weather is that we got to see some of the local birds up close. The first day I opened the patio blind to see two doves squatting on our patio as close as they dared to our door. The looked so forlorn and cold I had my husband get some seed and a plant tray and fix a little feed for the local birdies. We had the two doves, a couple of blue jays, a cardinal pair, and a flock of Juncos. I had endless hours watching these birds. I remember seeing Juncos when I was a child and my fascination for them has not waned with age. They are small birds with tiny little beaks and the females are sweetly brown or gray, while the males are debonair with black hoods, slate wings and white breasts like dickeys. I started watching the birds when we first moved in, but had abandoned it pretty much with the very hot weather and the epic fail of my bird feeder - brought on, I suspect by one of the local squirrels climbing on it too many times.

For those who've never bird watched for one reason or another, it's actually a rather fun pass time. It doesn't take any expensive equipment. Just set up a small, shallow dish or feeder with some pretty good wild bird seed (which should have a good variety of seeds and grains) and provide a little water, which can also be in a shallow dish. Then you can set up an area where you can be comfortable - on the porch where you can sit quietly, or behind a window or such. This set up can be done in an apartment or a house. Once you get set up and start attracting visitors, you will see different birds, different personalities, and witness little dramas. You will also learn a bit about nature and the world around you. This is also an excellent hobby to share with kids - especially when you are confined by bad weather!

Now that the warmer winds are blowing, the sun is out, and so am I, I kind of miss watching my friends. However, I know I'll be back in my chair watching the little visitors soon.