We’re still firmly in stick season here in the Midwest. That photo up above was taken from my back steps around noon today though you really couldn’t tell at a glance – it could have easily been taken at 6:00am or 5:30pm. The sun isn’t ready to present any warmth or signs of life yet. Nor are the trees. Maybe check back in a few weeks.
But the birds definitely are.
I read somewhere recently that the “boil the frog” thing is actually a misnomer and that you can’t actually do this. Predictably, the frog would jump out of the pot before it actually dies of exposure. Is there a term for when something is demonstrably false but still works as an effective way of thinking about the world? I digress.
Anyway, the birds have returned to Ohio in force. I was making a quick coffee and realized the birds in my backyard were being loud almost to the point of being obnoxious. I love them for that.
My backyard is quiet as a tomb all Winter. I don’t know what it is about people (maybe just me?) that allows hundreds of these little critters to move back and make that much racket without me even realizing it but it’s a hell of a thing. I wish I took notice more often without requiring a minor epiphany but what can I say? Mindfulness is a journey.
I’m glad they’re back. It gets lonely around here. Chirp away, fellas.