Birds Were Here

When I opened the drapes of the patio door this morning, I looked down and saw these delicate little bird footprints on the step outside the door. I love seeing them pressed in the snow. I worry about birds' feet in the winter. They don't have feathers they can fluff up or boots they can put on. I wonder why they don't get frostbite.

 

The sparrows were congregating under the square green feeder this morning. Yesterday's squirrel visitor must have tossed out a bunch of seed because that little area was very popular today. Last night too as you can tell by the rabbit raisins in the snow.

 

The Red-bellied Woodpecker appreciated the full suet nuggets feeder today. It didn't have to contort itself around to cling to the mesh and still get something to eat. You can see how dreary it was today because the picture's so dark--and I lightened it up! I saw a Downy Woodpecker on the suet cakes at the same time but it flew away when I picked up the camera. Dang it.

 

One of my favorite ornaments and the biggest one (it's about a foot long) is this parrot. It hangs right in the middle of the tree every year and keeps watch over the whole thing.

 

Another ornament I love is this blown glass ball made from volcanic ash. I have
a few of them and I am amazed at the colors that come from gray ash.

 

This morning I drew a gratitude journal page for yesterday. I was most grateful for the sunshine all day. And that's all the art I did today.

 

Today's word count was 766. I wanted to write more but I wrapped up a scene that has grown over the last few days so I need to think of someplace else to take the story next. I had a critique Zoom this afternoon with cda and she's enjoying the story and is helping me make it better with her comments.

 

On Saturday I got a text from my tenant that the bathtub faucet was dripping and wouldn't stop. So I called J the plumber this morning and he was able to come this afternoon and fixed it. He's a good guy and fun to talk to so we chatted and I mentioned that I'm writing my 9th novel. He didn't know I write and said he reads all the time. I handed him a copy of Better Than Mom's and he was amazed. He asked how much and said he'd take the price off his bill. Then he asked if I had any stories with islands in them. Oh, do I have island stories! So I told him about The Seaview and he ended up taking one of those too. I've gotten three texts from him since 2 o'clock about how much he's loving Better Than Mom's. He's already on Chapter 8. So gratifying! Plus while he was here he fixed my garbage disposal and didn't charge me. J the plumber is a good guy.

 And JR the used car guy texted me that he can help me dispose of the steel bed frame. That's a relief. JR's another good guy. 

I'm so lucky to have such great guys looking out for me.

--Barbara