And now, for something completely different...

Here's a little something to cool us off...brilliant scarlet cardinals in winter-barren branches.

Our friend Ross took this picture from our back window last winter.  We lived on a farm for thirty years, with many barn cats...people see a barn, and think, "Hey, this looks like a great place to dump our unwanted cats!" and they do.  Because we had so many cats, we never had a birdfeeder, fearing it would just turn into a cat-feeder.

It has been a real treat to have birdfeeders here at the 'new' place.  Rich enjoys watching the birds of all sorts fly in to eat, and Robby loves helping Bampa fill the feeders.  We always know if there are no birds at the feeder, all we have to do is search the nearby trees to see which one the resident hawk is lurking in.  

We've had several species of woodpeckers, grosbeaks, chickadees, blue jays, finches, titmouses (titmice?) doves, and so many other kinds of birds.  I've been stalked through my kitchen window and met at my front door by hungry hummingbirds, who also like to buzz around my red-painted toenails when I nap on the front porch swing.

I love this place!