Monday

 I wasn't disappointed. I woke up to a beautiful pristine morning of silence and beauty.  I wasn't disappointed.  

                                                                    Beautiful, beautiful.

And it was very apparent that it was time to shovel a path to the bird feeders across the patio.  And the snow did me a big favor by covering the water in the bird bath keeping it warm enough for an easy thaw process finding only a bunch of slush to melt. There was a good 12 inches of snow on the patio with not quite as much elsewhere.   

                                          I knew for sure when I had done enough shoveling.  

Who should be first at the water but of course the blue birds along with one lone robin.  Was I surprised?  Not a bit.  

                                                          We saw Blue Birds all day long.  

Later in the morning the Blue Birds being a relatively small bird fluffed their feathers out to the size of a fat robin.  Seeing that happen was a first for me.  They looked twice as big as they usually do.

Many Juncos were in attendance, and I made sure that food was available for their habit of eating on the ground.  The waste basket container intended for their food was taken over by the squirrel.  

                                                    I think he read a vacancy sign I never saw. 

It would appear that he thought the hotel was full of food meant for him.  Not so, but he had an extra good meal anyways.  I would say the best laid plans had gong aerie.  

It was apparent that the Starlings had ignored their eviction notice last fall.  The peanuts brought them in big time.  No one or two Starlings this morning. There was a flock for most of the morning getting chased away more than once or twice.  I lost count of the chase number. 

                    The afternoon was much quieter.  Could it be that the Starlings found the barn.

The acorn peanut feeder is difficult for the Starlings to hang on to when it's not full.  Humm.  The Nut Hatches have NO problem hanging right side up or upside down when pulling out peanuts, taking their meal to the tree.  There is a message there and I'm reading it. 

I made a sewing machine call with no live person answering.  I assumed they were closed for the day.  I left a message.  The plan is to do a delivery of the machine tomorrow.  That is if we get shoveled out. 

The afternoon was slow and easy with shoveling now and then on the patio providing a place for Junco seed. Not much shoveling, just enough. I think Juncos are the cutest little bird with their snow-white bellies and dark gray coats. They look dressed for a night at the symphony. Last year I saw one or two.  Today there were many more.

                                                There is a little more space for the Juncos.

Doug did his usual with the shovel when it was available.  I thought today would be a good soup day, but I needed something new.  So, onions, celery, chicken broth, Better than Bullion, mushrooms and Christmas turkey with a little barley was stirred up.  That was the supper meal for tonight. 

                                                        I'll add some grapes and raw apples.  

So, today was another good day.  There was a lot of entertainment at the window.  I watched a little TV.  Not much but a little.  I hope to find a football game tonight.  Wintertime, and the living is easy.  That's the truth as Edith Ann reminds me.