Bow Window

  Yesterday, we had yet another chapter in our leaking window saga. As you might remember, a few months ago, we found that our living room bow window was leaking. We were hoping that some recaulking would be all that was needed. Nope. That didn't do it.

After many phone calls and emails, the window manufacturer said they would replace the window. Okay. But we still weren't sure whether the window was the problem. After meeting with an experienced contractor and architect, the conclusion is that we need a roof extension and relaying of the bricks that the window sits on. Apparently, there is not enough overhang of the roof or slope of the sill to keep the water away. The original window in that spot was also showing signs of leaking, so it seems that there's more to it than just a faulty window. Anyway, we haven't heard any estimates yet, but this is going to be a very expensive job. 

The original window to the house, which was still in place when we moved in. You can't see the rotten wood in this picture unless you look very closely, but it's there. 

Installing the new window. 

All done. This is the one that is going to be replaced.

The cats liked to sleep in front of the window.

Oh, well. We want it done right, so we won't have to deal with it in the future, because I've watched home improvement shows and know you don't want any moisture behind the walls to rot things. If it goes too long, you've got BIG problems on your hands. Hopefully, we have caught this in time before too much wood has been damaged. I guess we'll find out when the work for the new window is done. Sigh.

Until then, I've started some seeds on the window seat. Since there is already water damage there, I'm not worried if the trays leak, etc. The silver lining, I guess.

The tomatoes and basil have sprouted so far.

Until next time...

Saturday

On Saturday, we woke up to sobering news that we are involved in another conflict in the Middle East. It was difficult to process, so I did what I had to do to survive. I turned off the news and enjoyed the beautiful day we had here. 

Amidst the tragedies of the world, there are still signs of hope and things to smile about.

As the day was warming from the 30s F to the 60s F, Wally and Theo came over for a visit. While Wally and Ward processed yard waste, Theo and I made a big pot of chili. I always enjoy our cooking sessions and the cooking tips I learn from Theo as he tries to make each dish have a good depth of flavor. He is much better with seasoning than I am. The chili turned out to be some of the best I've had.

After lunch, the sun was shining, and the temperature was rising. Wally and Theo made their way home, and Ward and I sat on the porch and read in the warm sunshine. It was wonderful. 

Later, we worked in the yard, pruning and cleaning up the beds. I usually don't do much fall cleanup, except in the vegetable garden, so there's a lot to do. My excuse is that the dead growth on top is a layer of protection against the winter cold. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. :)

We saw more signs that life goes on when we found that bluebirds are
 building a nest in one of the nest boxes.

However, to protect the birds, we need to narrow the box hole
that a squirrel enlarged this winter.

During our cleanup, we found several branches that came down
with last weekend's snow. This cleanup is going to involve some chainsaws.

We also found that voles had been active in several places in our yard.
We're still in the research process, but it looks like they won't be easy to get rid of.

I uncovered some daffodils that were trying to grow under a flower pot.

And it looks like the spinach from last fall is coming back.
 Another thing to smile about.

We're back to colder weather today, but spring is on its way.

Until next time...

This and That and the Weather

 I'm finding it harder to blog these days, so I thought it was time for some speed blogging. 

Here it goes. 

Protected from the outdoor weather, the cactus continues to bloom.

I was remembering a quote about the weather, so I went looking in an old blog post, and I found it.

Don't knock the weather; nine-tenths of the people couldn't start a conversation if it didn't change once in a while.  ~Kin Hubbard

This is so true. For me, anyway. I talk about the weather with my neighbors. I talk about the weather with Ward. I talk about the weather with Wally and Theo. I talk about the weather with my sisters. I talk about the weather at the gym. I talk about the weather on my blog and other blogs. Anyone I can get to listen, I will talk about the weather. The weather is the common denominator for all of us. Rich or poor. Big or little. Old or young. We all experience it, and it's the one thing we really don't have control over. So we talk about it as a way to connect with others, whether complaining or praising what is happening outside. And because I'm not so good at chitchat, the weather is a good conversation starter.

So guess what I'm going to talk about today? The weather. 

After the big ice snow storm finally melted and the rain stopped, I ventured into the backyard on Saturday to see if I could find any signs of spring. The birds were already feeling it. They were starting to sing and show off their bright mating colors.

Could the plants be far behind? Lo and behold, I found some green leaves poking their head above the ground. The pictures below don't look like much, but I was excited to find these green leaves among the brown.

The first thing I found was daffodil leaves. 

Next were the emerging surprise lilies. 

Then, I went around the corner and found some of the crocus bulbs I planted last fall. You may remember I did an impulse buy of 64 crocus bulbs from Costco. I didn't have a specific place to plant them, so I just placed them here and there. This spring will be like a treasure hunt as I find them all.

And look! Hiding under the fig tree were some actual blooms! That definitely got a big smile. 

Then on Sunday, the rain returned, and we had rain with occasional snowflakes mixed in all day. When we left for our 5 pm swing dance class, it was raining, and the roads were wet. When we left class an hour later, it was snowing hard and sticking. The drive home was tense. Amid heavy snow, fog, and darkness, we couldn't see much, including any road markings. But we made it home without an incident. Thank goodness. 

Monday morning snow. We were lucky that we were on the outer bands of the blizzard that hit New England, where they 2' or more of snow. We got about 7".

Two days later, the snow is still around, but the roads are clear and normal activities have resumed. However, winter fatigue is setting in with just about everyone I talk to. But we wouldn't appreciate spring if we didn't have winter. I am very happy to live in a place with four distinct seasons. I don't really like the very hot and cold weather, but I do appreciate the changes. When I lived along the Gulf Coast, the seasons were not so distinct, and I hadn't realized until then how important the changing seasons were in refreshing my mental outlook. And for that I am thankful.

Well, time's up. I had the time set for 11 minutes today, but I had to reset it.

Until next time...

Book Reviews

Here are a few things I've been reading recently.

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles, Adult fiction, 2016

A friend at the gym highly recommended this book a couple of times, so I checked it out. It was popular several years ago, with good reviews and a couple of award nominations. There are readers' guides, Spark Notes, and plenty of information readily available about the book if you're interested.

The premise is interesting. Count Roscov is under house arrest in the hotel where he was living when the Bolsheviks took over Russia in 1922, because he was part of the "unrepentant" upper class that did not fit with the ideals of the new ruling party. The Count would be shot if he stepped outside the hotel. Also, he was moved from his luxury suite to the hotel's attic, which was at best minimal. 

We follow his life for the next 32 years in the hotel, where he goes from a free life of luxury and travel to a confined life in the hotel. The hotel has a barber shop, a bar, two restaurants, and a seamstress, among other things, so he can get his needs met there.  

Slowly, the Count comes to know about the people who work at the hotel and what goes on behind the scenes--especially when he meets nine-year-old Nina, who is also staying at the hotel. In one way or another, she continues to shape the rest of the Count's life.

I won't give away too much of the story, but the book weaves historical events and perspective with interesting personal stories. There are also philosophical discussions about life and world events that are examined by the Count.  

It is a beautifully written book with a touching story. I occasionally had trouble keeping the Russian names, Moscow geography, and historical events straight, but it only slightly distracted me from the story. I'm not sure I would call it the best book I've ever read, as some have said, but it was definitely a good read.

The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame, Children's fiction (elementary age), 1908 (first published; many versions have been published since then).

A friend recently mentioned this book as one she reads again and again. Her words, "His evocation of the river and the woods never tires my reading." I thought I hadn't read it in a very long time or maybe never, so I added this to my list.

Wind in the Willows is considered a classic of British literature and is based on stories Grahame told his son. The book tells stories of Mole, Ratty, Badger, and Toad, who is always getting into trouble.  I would agree with my friend that the descriptions of nature are lovely. And the friendship between Mole and Ratty is very sweet. Toad can be annoying at times, but every story needs someone who stirs up trouble. 

The book has an older style of prose, with many sentences that are complex and of the length of paragraphs today. I wonder what it would be like if it were written today? It would certainly lose some of its charm, I think.

This is a classic children's book about the outdoors and animals, and right up my alley. However, to be truthful, I grew tired of it. However, I think it would work well as a bedtime story with a chapter/night.

Royal Spyness Mystery Series-#11, #12, #13

 The Royal Spyness books follow Georgie, 35th in line to the British Throne, in the 1930s, as she stumbles onto murder after murder. There are castles, rich people, royalty, and many class restrictions that surround the stories. Despite being royalty, Georgie has no money, which causes a set of problems all its own. The stories are in historically accurate settings, and humorous relief is provided by her inept maid, Queenie.

These books are as much about the characters and settings as the mysteries, and I reach for one of them while I am waiting on a hold or looking for a familiar comfort read. I have read three more in the series recently.

Crowned and Dangerous by Rhys Bowen, Adult Mystery, 2016

This is # 11 in the Royal Spyness mystery series.

Georgie finally meets her fiancé Darcy's father, who has been accused of murder. The father had to sell his castle and horse stables to a reclusive American to pay inheritance taxes. When the American is found dead, the FIL is the first suspect. There had been conflicts between the two about the horses, and the FIL was drunk and couldn't remember what he did the night of the murder.  Leave it to Georgie to have faith in Darcy's father and figure out the real murderer in the end. 

Four Funerals and Maybe a Wedding by Rhys Bowen, Adult mystery, 2018

This is # 12 in the Royal Spyness mystery series.

Georgie is busy planning her wedding to Darcy, but is not sure where they will live because they have little money. She is happy when her godfather offers his estate to them to set up housekeeping because she will inherit it when he dies. Her godfather is seldom in residence as he travels around the world climbing mountains.

While Darcy is away on assignment, Georgie moves into the estate to get it ready for them after the wedding. Here she finds a surly and lazy staff. Is that because theyhave grown lax while the master of the house is away for long periods, or is something else going on? They are especially suspicious because there are mysterious deaths, both past and present. Georgie eventually gets to the bottom of it all, of course.

And after teasing us for a dozen books, Georgie and Darcy finally get married! :)

I didn't like this book as much as some of the others. As Georgie is trying to establish herself as mistress of the house with the servants, she is harsh, which is out of character for her. I understand why the author did that, but it didn't jive in my mind with the Georgie I knew. Other than that, it was another typical Royal Spyness book.

Love and Death Among the Cheetahs by Rhys Bowen, Adult mystery, 2019

This is # 13 in the Royal Spyness mystery series.

Georgie and Darcy are honeymooning in Happy Valley, Kenya, an upper-class English settlement. They are staying with a friend of a friend and are invited to the social engagements of the locals. It seems as if everyone has slept with or been married to most everyone else there, and everyone seems to have a beef with someone, especially the earliest English settler in the area. So when he ends up dead, everyone is a suspect. 

As it turns out, it's a working honeymoon of sorts, as Darcy had been sent there on a secret mission. There are multiple underworld elements at play, complicating the whodunit part of the story, but Georgie eventually puts two and two together and solves the murder.

I didn't like this one very much. I didn't enjoy reading about the wild parties and sexual exploits (not graphic) and the attitudes the English had about the native peoples. As well as their view of the wildlife. It was all appropriate for the time period, but I didn't enjoy it.

As it turns out, this was more like a historical mystery. Many of the characters in the book were based on real people, including the man who was murdered. And, BTW, they were famous for the wild parties in real life. 

Until next time...

Bread

Ward's Grandmother Leanna

 Ward's grandmother, Leanna, suffered enormous tragedy in her young family's life. Her husband went down on a ship in the Atlantic during WWII, never to be seen again, and a few months later, her 7-year-old son died from a playground accident. I can't even imagine what she went through.

She told me once that as she was trying to cope with these devastating events, a doctor told her she needed to do something for herself. She needed to buy herself something frivolous that she didn't need. She took his advice, and it helped. Over the years, she kept up the tradition and made sure to get herself something that wasn't absolutely necessary each year. She applied that same philosophy to the gifts she gave.

So, when she gave me $200 for Christmas one year, I was instructed to buy something that I wouldn't normally buy but would enjoy. I was at a loss about what to do, since I wasn't a big shopper and tended to shop pragmatically when I did. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to get myself a bread machine. This was over 30 years ago, and bread machines were relatively new. Having a machine produce freshly baked bread sounded like a guilty pleasure, indeed. (And yes, back then, they were new enough that they did cost $200).

Our Panasonic Bread Machine still works like new.

We have used the bread machine on and off over the years, but until recently, we hadn't used it for a long time. Last week, I had a hankering for fresh bread, so I tried making a loaf. I forgot to add the salt, so it wasn't very good. I tried again. This time, I made sure to add the salt. It was okay, but like the first loaf, it didn't rise much. The yeast was new, so I looked at the bread flour I was using, and it expired in 2021. Maybe that was the culprit. It doesn't seem like flour should get old, but I guess it does.

One more time, I tried making a loaf of bread with fresh King Arthur bread flour and fresh yeast. Bingo! We got a delicious loaf of bread.  Ward and I promptly had several slices of it, buttered. Delicious!

Success!

Now that I finally have the basics in place again, I think it's time to experiment with different kinds I remember making a long time ago. We're usually not big bread eaters, but the newfound interest in the bread machine may change that.

Thank you, Leanna, for making me get something that I would never have gotten without your encouragement. And for something that we are still enjoying all of these many years later.

Until next time...

Pictures

Here are a few pictures of what's been happening at my house lately.

Until a few days ago, our backyard looked like this. This was 3 weeks after our snow and ice storm. In this area, we're not used to snow sticking around for that long.

That may be why I made this impulse buy at Costco. The $10 doormat was speaking to me. It reminded me that spring is coming.

In the meantime, my Christmas/Thanksgiving/Easter* cactus started to bloom after a year of dormancy. That sated my need for flowers for the time being. 
*Distinctions without a difference in my book.

And what better winter activity is there than knitting? Here's another felted purse I made. This one had a lot of improvising as I used up the ends of yarn. I used every last bit I had of these colors. I still may add a magnetic clasp and a decorative button. However, it may be felted too tightly to add the magnetic clasp. 

Last night, Ward went into the store for milk and came out with milk and roses. They were on sale since it was after Valentine's Day. That was a nice surprise.

And yesterday, it rained all day and melted much of the snow. Now, our backyard looks like this. We still had to use the digging bar to break up the ice and snow on our front walk, but it is now cleared off. Yay!

Until next time...

Happy Valentine's Day

 We have no special traditions or expectations for Valentine's Day here. Some years, we go out to dinner. Sometimes, there are flowers or a card, and sometimes, the day passes without much notice. This will be one of those years. We agreed that we weren't going to do anything to celebrate this year, because we've been too distracted by other things. So today, the plan is a doctor's appointment, laundry, and swing dance practice. 

However, this morning, I am remembering Valentine's Days when Wally and Theo were young. Oh, how I hated the valentines that they had to hand out at school. Neither of them had good fine motor skills, and preparing Valentines for their class was torture for both them and me. However, we all survived. 

I am also remembering Wally's third-grade Valentine's Day party at school. It was an interesting afternoon as I watched the girls and boys behave very differently. I've shared this story here before, but I'm going to do it again below. In the meantime, I hope you have a good day today, whether it is filled with hearts and chocolates or laundry. 😀

__________________________________

Boys vs. Girls—You Choose 

 Before I had kids, I thought that each child was an individual, and I didn't believe much in gender stereotypes in children. Little boys ran and jumped a lot because that's the kind of games they were taught. Little girls played with dolls because that was the kind of toys they were given. I thought that if all kids, regardless of gender, were exposed to the same things, they would have the same tendencies. Then I spent some time in the real world of kids and figured out that I was wrong. Possibly, there were some differences between boys and girls. From time to time, I'm going to share some of my experiences that led me to this conclusion. However, so as not to bias you, I'm going to let you guess who the boys are in the stories and who the girls are.

 Today's Story 

The Event: Wally's Third Grade Valentine Party

The Scene: The kids were seated around tables and naturally grouped themselves into two groups, with all boys on one side and all girls on the other side.

The Action: One group was carefully reading each Valentine and talking about who liked whom. The other group was seeing how many Red Hot cinnamon candies they could stuff in their mouth before their mouth burned too much. 

You choose: Which group was the boys and which was the girls?

Until next time...

Long Time, No Blog

 I am determined to check in before another day goes by. There's been a lot of something and a lot of nothing going on here.

Bluebirds are making a daily appearance at our feeder now. (Two males)

First was the big snow and ice storm. We spent time preparing beforehand, and luckily didn't have to deal with the worst-case scenarios we had prepared for. However, the snow and ice, coupled with frigid temperatures, made going out treacherous. The main roads are clear now, but still have narrowing from snow pileups on the sides. Our walks are not clear. It takes a heavy digging bar to break through the ice on top, so they may stay covered for a while.

A female bluebird on the flower box.

In the meantime, my father-in-law had to go to the hospital. The neighbors did heroic feats to clear enough snow and ice to get into the house and clear a path for the emergency responders. A firetruck actually came before the ambulance to clear snow so it could get down the unplowed street. The good news is that after a week in the hospital, he is home and improving. Now, there is a whirlwind of activity getting services in place, going to doctor appointments, etc. A million details are being worked out, but the process is not conducive to a calm mind and restful sleep.

I find that when there is downtime, I want to do nothing. And what that looks like is a little reading, knitting, and video watching. Forward progress on other things will just have to wait for a little while until things settle down. 

Until next time...

COLD, too.

 

We recently joined most of the US with snow, ice, and frigid temperatures. On Sunday, we got 10" of snow with another 1/2" of ice on top. And to lock it all in, temperatures are staying below freezing, with temperatures mainly in the teens and single digits. 

However, yesterday we had sunshine and a warm spell, when it made it into the 20s. The sun did its magic and melted areas that had been cleared. I think. I haven't been past our driveway since Friday. But we have a path down the middle, so we can get a car out. The snowblower worked for a short while until it decided that it had had enough of the heavy, icy cover and quit. And has not worked since. We've only used it a couple of times, so I hope we didn't totally burn out the motor. 

However, the good news is that we still have electricity and heat. We had prepared for outages, but we were lucky not to have any. So we've had some proper snow days with nothing to do but stay inside and read, work puzzles, and knit. Yes, of course, there were plenty of things to do besides leisure activities, but what fun would that be?

One of the three puzzles Ward has worked recently. This one was fun to look at but difficult to work.

I made a two-sided felted bag. Pink on one side...

and black on the other. 

Also, I find I still check the workline to see if I have to go into work. I've been retired for almost a year, but old habits die hard. Does anyone else do that?

It's been several hours since I started this post, and in the meantime, I ventured into the outside world, going to a Zumba class at the gym. While there were still icy spots, the roads were mostly dry. The thawing and refreezing at night hasn't begun yet, but when it does, there will be more ice, especially black ice, to deal with. But such is winter.

How are things in your neck of the woods?

Until next time...

Book Reviews

 Here are more books I've been reading lately. 

Three Blue Hearts by Lynne Kelly, Children's fiction (middle grades), 2025

I loved Kelly's first book, Song for a Whale, so when I saw this on the children's new bookshelf, I picked it up.

In this story, Max's parents are divorced, and his father is a councilman with higher political aspirations. Max often disappoints his father because he is not the perfect poster child for his father's ambitions. His mother is studying the historic effects of storms and takes Max with her for the summer to an island off the coast of Texas, where she is conducting research. 

On his first day there, Max finds an octopus that has washed onshore during a storm. He decides to try to save it, and with the help of some local kids, he takes it to the island's vet and animal rehab center. He spends the rest of the summer learning about and caring for the octopus. He makes friends and, along the way, learns to accept himself. Of course, there is drama, but it has a poignant ending.

While I knew that octopuses are much smarter than previously thought, I didn't know much about them. I learned right along with Max. For example, the title, Three Blue Hearts, comes from the fact that octopuses have three hearts and their blood is blue because of the copper in it. I enjoyed learning about them and the other animals at the center. This book is another winner from Kelly.

Not relevant to many, I also enjoyed reading about familiar places around the Houston area where the story takes place, because I lived there for 10 years. When Max talked about a camping trip to Brazos Bend, I thought, "That's where Wally went on a Cub Scout camping trip!" I am glad Ward went along on that one because there were plenty of alligators roaming around. 😀

The Secret Language of Birds by Lynne Kelly, Children's fiction (middle grades), 2024 

When I realized that Kelly had written another book between Song for a Whale and Three Blue Hearts, I thought I should complete the set with this in-between book. 

Like the other two, this book involves a middle school child's close relationship with an animal. In this one, Nina discovers a whooping crane nest while at summer camp in an off-limits area. This find is special because whooping cranes haven't been seen in this area for over 100 years. Nina and her friends watch the nest and report back to the Whooping Crane Society on its activities. 

Predictably, there are problems when Nina and her friends are found out by the camp director (Nina's aunt) that they have been in the off-limits area. There is also a mystery as to who the female crane is, and Nina works with her friend Iris to identify the crane by analyzing the pattern of the calls. (Iris was the main character in Song for a Whale.) This was another learning experience for me, this time about birds. 

I also recommend this book. However, if you only have the time or inclination to read one of Kelly's books, I would read Song for a Whale. It has won many well-deserved awards and accolades.

Miss Hickory by Carolyn Sherwin Bailey, Children's fiction (elementary grades), 1946 

This was the 1946 Newbery Winner for children's literature. Miss Hickory is a child's doll made from twigs with a hickory nut for a head. The child goes away for the winter, and Miss Hickory is on her own on the farm. She interacts with various animals, often helping them to solve their problems.

The book has very good descriptions of the natural cycles of the plants and animals, and the animals' real habits are part of their character. It would be a good read-aloud book for a bedtime story, a chapter at a time.

However, I found the book odd. Maybe it's just me, but while I could accept that the animals were talking, I couldn't quite figure out how Miss Hickory came to life. It seemed incongruent. 

But that wasn't the weirdest part. SPOILER ALERT! Miss Hickory is afraid of Squirrel because he is eyeing her head as food. Eventually, he does eat her head and brain (the meat of the nut). Because she is free from thinking, with no brain, Miss Hickory is no longer afraid of things around her. She climbs to the top of an apple tree, goes to sleep in the crook of a branch, and eventually becomes grafted to the tree. 

While I appreciated the beautiful descriptions of nature, this story was just too weird for me.

The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen, Adult fiction, 2018

This is one of Bowen's standalone historical novels set during World War II. The book is told from two perspectives: one of a British army pilot shot down near a small village in Tuscany. The other is his daughter, who, in the 1970s, travels to Tuscany to find out what happened to her father during the war.

The pilot, Hugo, is shot down by German planes and is befriended by a local woman, Sofia, who helps him hide out in the ruins of a local monastery. A budding romance grows among the very real dangers of the war.

After her father dies, Joanna finds a letter written to Sophia among his things and becomes curious. She travels to Tuscany, partly to learn more about her father and partly to get away from her recent troubles. She doesn't learn much from the locals, but senses that maybe they know more than they are saying. She is convinced of it when a local murder happens. There is another budding romance along the way, and Joanna feels at home as she is embraced by the local farm woman, where she is staying.

This book had just the right mix of things for me: history, mystery,  romance, and descriptions of Italian food. I continue to like Rhys Bowen's standalone novels.

Malice at the Palace by Rhys Bowen, Adult mystery, 2015

And speaking of Rhys Bowen, this is #10 in her Royal Spyness mystery series. I was taking a break from the series, but Ward already had this checked out and available when I needed something to read. 

  The Royal Spyness books follow Georgie, 35th in line to the British Throne, in the 1930s, as she stumbles onto murder after murder. There are castles, rich people, royalty, and many class restrictions that surround the stories. Despite being royalty, Georgie has no money, which causes a set of problems all its own. The stories are in historically accurate settings, and humorous relief is provided by her inept maid, Queenie. And a little romance is thrown in with her beau, Darcy.

In this adventure, Georgie is helping Greek Princess Marina before her wedding to Prince George. There is a murder on the palace grounds, but the investigation has to be hush-hush because it involves the Royal family. Georgie becomes a key part of the investigation and, of course, eventually solves the murder. 

I am glad I picked up this book, as it was a nice comfort read. Besides the mystery, I enjoyed learning about English customs and food of the time. I also like how Bowen weaves real historical figures into the narrative.

I'm still waiting on some holds from the library, so my next read may be #11 in the series, as Ward also has that one checked out.

That's it for now.

Until next time...

They're Back

Squirrels love bird feeders.

We have had a bird feeder at our house for years and years. While we have never reached the number of visitors we had at our old house, we have enjoyed watching our feathered friends here.

However, the last three years have seen an unwelcome trend. Late summer, the birds stop showing up and stay away until spring. This includes all of the birds that don't migrate. It's as if the bird community has a meeting and says that they are done with our feeder and move on to other things. We still see plenty of birds around, just not at our feeder. I asked Aunt Martha, my bird expert, for insight, and she said maybe the neighbors had put up more feeders. 

When it happened again this year, we did our standard. We cleaned the feeder and filled it with fresh food. No takers. After a couple of months, we moved the feeder to the back. No takers. We bought expensive food. No takers. 

Red-bellied woodpecker

Tufted titmouse

Until this week. I guess the birds had another meeting and decided it was okay to return to our feeder because we have seen finches, juncos, Carolina wrens, tufted titmouse, chickadees, sparrows, cardinals, and a red-bellied woodpecker. 

Male and female cardinal

It's all a mystery to me, especially how they all seemed to leave and return at the same time. But for whatever reason, I am glad they are back. 

Caroline wren

Until next time...

Note: All of the pictures are from years past. Our newly arrived birds are too skittish for me to get close enough for a picture.