Feather Brained


This morning when I woke up the sun was just above the horizon and shining a pinky glow through a frosty wonderland. The trees were covered in a dusting of sparkles. I had to go outside right away and take some photos. The beautiful side of winter. A perfect idle pleasure.

they left me a bit of room!

Later in the morning I lay down on the futon in the living room. I felt the warmth of the sun shining on me. The dogs were peacefully sleeping beside me. Paired with a good book it was hand's down an excellent idle pleasure. Lying in a sun spot on a cold winter day is always a pleasure.

And the Cardinal played "Little Drummer Boy" against the frozen window, his friends whistling encouragement from nearby branches.

These idle pleasures help to make up for my rather rude awakening by the "charming" cardinal that sits in the tree outside of our bedroom window and repeatedly throws itself against the window, making a loud fluttery bump each time. This bird (or one of its buddies) has been doing this every morning for months - yes months. They don't seem to hurt themselves, nor do they seem to learn from the experience. We are usually up by the time its light enough for it to start its shenanigans but that will change once we are retired. We may just have to get a cat. 

snowbound

Today's word of the day is philately (fuh-LAT-uh-lee - the collection and study of postage and imprinted stamps : stamp collecting). When I was a child I had a stamp collection - I'm not sure who I got it from, perhaps my Great Aunt Jean, but there were lots of old stamps from strange countries. I used to like looking at them, especially the ones with animals, and would imagine what it was like where they came from. I don't know where that old collection is now - perhaps my parents have it tucked away somewhere safe until someone in the next generation shows interest.