Birdland

Some of my friends have headed South, and after 'surviving' the Parade yesterday, I want to get away too. The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade was always a staple in our house, amid the wonderful aromas of the bird and all its fixins in the oven. My brother and sisters would sit mesmerized in front of our Philco, as we watched floats, bands and balloons come, one after another, across the screen. It was a ritual of the day in our home. Today, I must admit, those days are gone, but I still do like to find and watch it for a few minutes so I can still say, "there, I watched it.", even for just a few fleeting moments. Hey, call me an old 'fuddy-dutty' ( Sheeesh, I can't believe I called myself that), but yesterday, as I searched the screen for my clown buddy Gary, decked out in his safari gear, I almost wanted to throw a turkey leg at the screen. I had to ask or scream, as I subjected myself to the ridiculous TODAY Show hosts pandering their way through act after act on 'stage' in front of Macy's, where was the PARADE? Anne, Matt, Al and Macy's, it was an embarrassing 3 hour display. I had to shut 'er down! I couldn't even wait for my favorite part, Santa. You should ALL be ashamed! But knowing you guys, you probably thought it was wonderful. Do me and many more a big favor, crawl out from under you rock you are living under and bring back the PARADE!

... and nope, never caught a glimpse of Gary. Thanks, Macy's!

White Birdhouse

Early this morning
Lonely birdhouse hangs in sun
Another day waits.

Garden Variety

These birdhouses in the rain stand resilient. Look closely, there are lots of colors here brought forth by some steady moisture. This garden is one of my favorite places to take a walk in the rain. It's a good place to photograph; it's a good place just to stroll and think. The sun returns today. Enjoy the weekend.

Blue on Blue

After a powerful thunderstorm swept through southern Maine early this morning, I'm waiting for some of this 'blue on blue' time today. The forecast says they'll be some but not much. As they say, it might not be perfect, but it'll be good enough. After all, it's a Saturday! Enjoy the day!

Gone South

A lot of my fine feathered friends have headed to warmer climes already. There are times I think I should follow them down, but not this upcoming month. December: it's one of my favorites. I just remembered. I've got to get myself an advent calendar for our fridge. I've opened those little doors with excitement throughout the years with my brother and sisters, then with my wife and finally these last 23 years with my wife and son. I'm addicted! Nativity scenes? Santa's workshop? Wildlife? I'll go with anything but one with chocolate. I guess I'm a traditionalist when it comes to these. As the month comes to a close, enjoy my all time favorite turkey leftover... a couple of thick, white turkey breast slices, lettuce, bread and plenty of MAYO!

Chapel

Out back among the ecru and sorrel leaves this diminutive hanging chapel waits for me. I'll be spending some time back there this weekend cutting back some brush and clearing out slash. A revival of my close and personal relationship with my Husqvarna chainsaw , I guess, is in my future.

Snow Day

Well, no power here! It's been out since midnight and the noon local news says, if you are still out now, don't plan on getting back today. Maybe a couple of days! Yikes! Our 'saving grace'? We have a generator, that's just humming away in the driveway. Now the weather report from the backyard---We got 12 more inches of wet, PACKED snow, that even my powerful snowblower couldn't move in its usual quick fashion. On the plus side? It's a winter wonderland out back!