Too Many for the Road

Drunk is never a good thing.  If you are a Robin, it's even worse.  The sky and the road and windows all look the same.  This fat fellows found the "sky" had suddenly grown solid.

Abundant Porcelain Berries
Too many for the road OR the skies

The rain and the time of year conspired to bring down the Porcelain Berries and all their leaves. Nearly every morning, Things I get to do today include blowing the results off the patio. This morning's ritual moved smoothly until my eye reached this fellow--fortunately before the wind of the leaf blower caught up to him.

Drunken Robin survived his window 

He was one of many of his fellows who feast on the blued fruits of the Porcelain Berry vine.  The nearby house window looked like the path to freedom in the skies.  Not so.  He crouched on the patio without moving as I quieted the leaf blower.  A big leaf had lodged on his beak and head.  As I pulled off the leaf and took his picture, he remained motionless, waiting patiently for his wits and senses to return which they eventually did. When his drunk wears off, will he remember?  

Holiday Delight

Frost in the air means Holidays:  Winter Solstice, Christmas and Hanukkah celebrations.  And parties.  When I think of all those lovely people gathered together, I think of food.  Warm, fragrant, spicy, yummy food.  It may be cold and windy or rainy or snowy, but the warm hearts, warm drinks and warm food melt the chill, heating body, heart and soul.

Bird in the Beauty Berry Bush

While the frost was still on the garden this morning, Mr. Cheery Robin Redbreast stopped in for a bit of breakfast.   He's been visiting me regularly for a week or so.  I don't think he cares about Christmas or Hanukkah or Kwanza.  Warm fires, hot drinks and spicy food probably aren't on his list of favorites either.  He may not even know much about his relatives or family.  He has his own way of celebrating--every day, live fully in each moment.

 Sharing this moment with Mr. Cheery is one of the first Things I get to do today.  And the second thing I get to do is watch him enjoy is feast of Beauty Berries--his version of a Holiday Delight.  The third thing I get to do is find out if people can eat them.*


*Having done that, here are the results:  Beauty Berries are edible, but I have to say they are not tasty.  Bitter and bland as they are, Robin Redbreast need not be concerned about my picking them before he gets his fill.  To each his own.