We all get them, those 'letters' from our friends each winter
about how the past year was for them. As grateful as I am to
receive anything in the mail these days, there is something a bit
impersonal when I realize that what I got is a ditto of one that
went to everyone on their mailing list. I will try not to make this
like one of those even though it may be read by more than the
two of you guys.
This season for me often is like the adage of the teenager, he
was too tall to peek through keyholes and too short to peer
over transoms. In between. That's me in January. I know many
of you have great adventures at this time but I don't. You ever
hear of the small town in upstate Pennsylvania that had on the
average four kids per family? They figured out why they were so
far above the national average. A long, noisy coal train went through town
every morning at 5 AM. Too early to get up and too late to go
back to sleep.
I did put a new string on a hanging bird feeder this week. Between
the squirrels, racoons and rats the old one wore out. My life has
finally turned around for the best. You know how you save all
sorts of scrap things? Nuts, washers, bolts, pieces of rope of
various sizes? Well, I have been too and now my life has turned
around and I am starting to use some of the stuff up. Like the
string. I had exactly the right size, material and length to rehang
the bird feeder. Life can be beautiful. The birds again love me.
My 'deep-techi' Ron has been sick most of this past week
or a few changes might have shown up on here. May take
another week to get some of them started I guess. Deanna
goes to her shoulder surgeon this coming Tuesday. We got
another MRI done as she was complaining that it hurt again.
Looks like there is another tear in it. We have the MRI disc
with us and will get a second opinion a week from now too.
Looks like she may be in for a bit more of something, sure
hope not.
We have lost a couple of sponsors lately. The economy is a
bit involved but these things happen. Most stay with us for
many years but not all. We are grateful for any support we get.
Picked up a couple new ones too and have two more in the works
so to speak. Got to have them. Hope you mention to any sponsor
anytime you can that you appreciate them. It sure does help.
Did you know that an Eastern Grey Squirrel will chase out a
sharp-shined hawk? I didn't until I saw it happen. With all my
feeders we have lots of birds and the occasional bird eating
hawk. It hurts but, heck live goes on. Anyway the hawk
swooped into a low cut off stump in the middle of our back
yard, about twenty feet from where a hanging feeder is that I
fill with sunflower seeds. The big squirrels figure they are theirs.
Hawks not welcome. No sooner had the bird landed and stood
erect to see what might be on the menu and a big furry grey blur
shot straight at him. He barely escaped with all of his feathers
attached.
Some of you may remember I had some trouble with my back.
It has improved to the point that a couple of pills a day and I can
do most anything. The sharp, knife type pains are gone. Figured
I might take them all the way along, but got lucky I guess.
Getting a few new guys writing things for us. Whoopie. Love it.
New blood. New slant of everything. Hope you have noticed the
new names showing up. These seem to be great guys. Not in
anyway connected but, if you must know, one of the things on
my mind lately is how to make a good enchilada. I can barely
boil water or make fudge from a box, but been having fun 'googling'
some recipes. Boy, there seem to be hundreds of ways to make one.
Actually bought a ready-made one today, will 'nuke the succa' and
put some good salsa on it right before I host tonight (Saturday
afternoon now). Oh yes, the little film thingy at the end here was
shot on a private pond near our house. Had a bit of fun with it.
Hope you take it the same way. ~ James Castwell
