Veterans Day chores

 Yet another perquisite of teaching is getting the federal holidays off.  I had a mental list of chores for today, like getting my car inspected. (Check.)  I also remembered to hang up my Blue Star Mothers flag and our American flag in honor of Veterans Day, and of these two good-looking soldiers, below. 

Last winter, the snow got so deep around here that I had trouble getting out to the bird feeders to refill them. So today, I moved all of the feeders closer to the house. I'll be able to refill the back yard feeders from the deck. Note Daisy the dog looking suspiciously at these new arrangements.

 The mourning doves, too, were looking on with concern.

It took about three minutes for the birds to find and adapt to the new feeder locations in both front and back yards. Below, a woodpecker claims a bit of suet.



I can see the back yard feeders as I type this. Chickadees, nuthatches, finches, doves, sparrows, and titmice are swirling around, jockeying for a turn. Later, as dusk approaches, I know our cardinals will visit, too.  On a gray, blustery November day, the birds bring color and life to a garden that is otherwise closed for business until next spring.

We will have granddaughter Lexi visiting us for the first time this Thanksgiving. I am hoping that she, too, will enjoy watching the bird feeders from a closer view.

See you soon, Lexi!