We rang in the year as we usually do, with 4 out of 5 of us visiting Middle Sister’s BFF’s family. In this case, BFF really does mean forever; the girls are 16 and have known each other since they were 2 1/2! It was a low-key time, just hanging around, laughing, watching the Twilight Zone marathon, eating, and heading out the door at 12:01 for a really impressive fireworks display.
I think it’s been a whole year since I’ve stayed up until 1 AM. And the Hot Flash Express rolled through at 6:30, mercifully an hour or so late, though still earlier than I’d like.
I enjoyed a quiet start to the day; the Big Kids both stayed at their friends’ houses (Big Brother rings in the New Year with a friend he’s known since kindergarten) and Little Brother is still asleep. Cup of tea in hand, I had some uninterrupted time for morning prayer and the newspaper.
Then the sun came up and I moved over to the chair by the window to watch the cardinals, mourning doves and sparrows. I got a new bird feeder for Christmas–it looks a lot like this:
Basically, it’s a basketball-sized cage around the bird feeder tube. It’s taken them a few days, but the birds are finally getting the hang of it. And having my desk near the window lets me get a good view. I like that the big bully birds (starlings and blue jays) can’t get in, but the sparrows and other small birds can. Haven’t seen any snowbirds this winter, but then again, we haven’t seen any snow–and that’s not necessarily a problem.
Christmas vacation is almost over; today, there’s noon Mass; tomorrow our little family business will hold its annual meeting and review, and then on Tuesday, it’s back to work and school for everyone!
For right now, I’ll enjoy my perch at the desk where I can watch my bird feeder. 7 sparrows, no waiting–and the starling has been foiled again!
Happy New Year! Peace and all good!