Autumn arrives in the early morning,

Tag : winter slipper

I've seen birds here since moving to Memphis, but they'rerelatively dull birds - cedar waxwings, robins, sparrows ... Iguess they have blue jays, and occasionally a cardinal makes itspresence known, but color is evidently not necessary for a bird tobe considered stylin' here ...

Growing up in New Orleans, we had the old steam radiators - I stillremember having the whiz scared out of me by the 'pop-off' valveletting go ... when you're a kid and something like that startsblowing steam out the top for (to us, anyway) no apparent reason,there's no thinking, just reacting - we eventually learnt that thisis normal, but it took two or three times. Color us skeptical.There was also the 'radiator smell' of heat mixed with the vapor ofthe paint subliming (yeah, I know it's not really 'sublimation',but it's close). That dull, metallic, semi-damp smell that cloggedthe nostrils until it dulled 'em ...

The coolest thing about winter was watching the compost pile smokewhen it was turned over ... and watching the worms burrow deeper toget back under their 'soil cover' ... we had gigantic worms in ourcompost pile - which also meant that we never had to dig for wormswhen we went fishing ...

I can handle Spring until it turns to Summer - then I'm ready forFall and Winter all over again ... I can already tell that, in amonth, I'll be ready for the days to start growing shorter again... no. wait. Make that two weeks ... it's already gettin' too hot... 12:35 PM Kat said...
Richard,
The state bird here is the chickadee and they are plentiful at myfeeders. I love that they don't mind my sitting and watching.Earlier this afternoon I saw a pair of cardinals spooning and atitmouse or two seems to be by each day for a light lunch.

I loved leaning on the radiator to get warm after being outside,and the hiss of the steam at night was comforting. I'd put my wetshoes underneath and they'd dry and look like something Aladdinmight wear.

The nights are still cold here, and it only got to the low 60'stoday, our warmest day so far this spring. We probably won't getconsistently warm until mid to late June. Hot is reserved forAugust. 5:37 PM Kat said...
Nan,
I sat and watched them flying in and out of the feeders. They werejoyful with all their music.

Pink seemed springlike. 5:39 PM Zoey & Me said...
We sat on the front porch today and was delightfully surprised tosee our old buddies, the yellow speckled hawks, return from theCarolinas. They have been arriving here early May every year forfive years and we still don't know where they nest. One year wewalked the acreage around our community, all our houses are onlarge 1-3 acre wooded lots, but to no avail. But they certainlymade a wonderful entrance swooping down in front of us to let usknow "We're back!" Their wing span is close to that of an Eagle andthey are soooo colorful, like watching ballet when they takeflight. 7:38 PM Kat said...
Z&M,
I don't think I've ever seen a yellow speckled hawk. It is verycool to have them nest near you every year. They are another heraldof spring.

We have red tail around here, and they are beautiful. I often seethem above the pine trees riding the thermals. 8:02 PM Anonymous said...
It was warm and beautiful in the Midwest yesterday. Spring is myfavorite time of year! When I was young, I celebrated the arrivalof spring and the first really warm day by running barefoot throughour yard. So, yesterday, I tossed off my shoes and walked out tosee my husband who was working in the yard. We both laughed at theidea that the neighbors would surely think that "the old broad hasgone bonkers!" Well, good old Will Shakespeare said, "April hathput a spirit of youth in everything." lol


I have a thistle feeder for my goldfinch friends. The goldfinchhave to hang upside down to get at the seed. I think that they arethe only birds that can do that! It is fun watching them.

Happy spring to you, Kat, and to all your readers!

Rita 10:04 PM Kat said...
Rita,
We had two warm days as well, and I just sat on the deck and gotwarmed by the sun.

I think ritual are wonderful connections to our past selves and toone another. I love you did that yesterday.

We used to go to the beach at dawn on the first day of spring andsing Morning Has Broken then go out for breakfast.

I too have a thistle feeder but my gold finches perch. I'd like towatch them upside down!

Thanks, Rita, and happy spring to you too. 12:22 PM