Winding Down

2023 is (finally) winding down. It’s been a year, actually, the last two, filled with crises and most recently, devastating sadness. Both Joel (with Kerry) and I (with Ian) have tragically lost our only children just a few months apart. I, for one, am happy to see the full “Cold Moon” set at the end of this most stressful Christmas season. I am glad this year is almost over.

We are both so grateful for the support of our many family members and friends. People have been incredibly kind to us through this dreadful experience. Cardinals are supposed to represent our deceased loved ones’ souls visiting to bring solace to our grieving hearts. There may be some truth to that.

I’d never seen a cardinal before last year. Then, shortly after Samantha died, one and then a pair started showing up in the shrubs at the edge of our lot.

Then they left and didn’t reappear again until recently following David’s death. Now he comes regularly to check out our feeders.

Today’s dismal weather (freezing rain/snow/”snain”) is drawing hungry birds to our sheltered deck to enjoy a snack of bird seed and sunflower seeds. An entire herd (6 to 8 in total) of Chickadees has been frequenting the cafeteria.

Once the Blue Jays back off, the Cardinal is happy to join the Chickadees in their feeding frenzy – an attempt to stay warmer and drier at least for a little while.

The weather today is in stark contrast to yesterday when it was sweater weather and sunny. I walked to the pond near our house and, if you look VERY closely (or enlarge the image) you can see one of the three beavers from the lodge behind swimming across the water. I enjoyed watching – from a safe distance.

On the other side of the Lodge they’ve built their dam and beside it water cascades over the barrier and down the ditch on its way through the culvert under the road and off to the stream.

Today we hibernate from the wet, cold “snain”, rest, relax and recuperate in preparation for a new year and hopefully a more peaceful one.

We wish everyone a Happy New Year in 2024!